Orlando is the theme park capital of the world, and a significant part of the experience is the incredible live entertainment, from grand-scale theatrical productions to major music festivals and concerts. Each of the major theme park resorts – Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld Orlando – has dedicated venues for shows and concerts, attracting millions of visitors and world-class performers.
Walt Disney World is home to four theme parks, two water parks, and the expansive Disney Springs entertainment district, all of which host a variety of entertainment venues.
EPCOT EPCOT is renowned for its festivals, which are a major draw for food, culture, and especially, live music. The park's main venue for concerts is:
America Gardens Theatre: Located in the World Showcase's American Adventure pavilion, this large, outdoor amphitheater is a central hub for entertainment during EPCOT's seasonal festivals. It hosts the popular Candlelight Processional during the holidays, featuring a celebrity narrator and a mass choir, as well as the Garden Rocks Concert Series during the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival and the Eat to the Beat Concert Series during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. With tiered bench seating, it offers great sightlines for large crowds, and the performances are typically included with park admission.
Magic Kingdom Park While Magic Kingdom is more focused on parades and spectaculars, it has iconic stages for various shows and smaller performances.
Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage: This stage, located directly in front of Cinderella Castle, is the most recognizable performance space in the park. It's used for daily shows like "Mickey's Magical Friendship Faire" and serves as the backdrop for special events, seasonal parades, and the nightly fireworks spectacular, "Happily Ever After." While not a concert venue in the traditional sense, its prominence makes it a key performance space.
Disney's Hollywood Studios This park's theme is all about the glamour of Hollywood, and its venues reflect that.
Theater of the Stars: This covered, open-air amphitheater is located on Sunset Boulevard and is home to the long-running "Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage." The theater can accommodate a large audience for its regularly scheduled shows.
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration: While a more intimate indoor theater, this venue is a staple for a popular interactive show that draws large crowds throughout the day.
Disney Springs This shopping, dining, and entertainment district offers a vibrant nightlife and a variety of live music options.
House of Blues Music Hall: A premier concert venue with a capacity of up to 2,000 guests, the House of Blues is a standout for hosting both world-famous musicians and up-and-coming acts. It offers a full-service restaurant and bar and a diverse lineup of rock, country, R&B, blues, and other genres. It's a ticketed venue, separate from theme park admission, and a major destination for live music in Orlando.
AdventHealth Waterside Stage: Located in the Marketplace area of Disney Springs, this outdoor stage hosts a variety of live musical performances, often featuring local bands and talented artists throughout the day and evening, providing a lively atmosphere for shoppers and diners.
Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant: Known for its lively atmosphere, this restaurant features live bands and Irish dancers performing on its main stage nightly, offering a unique blend of music and entertainment.
Universal Orlando, with its three theme parks and the Universal CityWalk entertainment district, is a major player in live entertainment, particularly with its popular seasonal music events.
Universal Studios Florida This park has a number of stages for daily shows and a major concert venue.
Universal Music Plaza Stage: This outdoor amphitheater is the primary concert venue at Universal Studios Florida. Modeled after the Hollywood Bowl, it has a standing-room capacity of up to 8,000 spectators and hosts major concerts for events like Mardi Gras, Rock the Universe, and the Summer Concert Series. It's located in the New York section of the park and has been a stage for numerous A-list artists, making it a key destination for music lovers.
The Bourne Stuntacular: While a stunt show rather than a concert, this is a state-of-the-art indoor theater that combines live actors with incredible special effects and massive LED screens for a truly immersive and thrilling experience, showcasing the park's commitment to high-tech entertainment.
Horror Make-Up Show: A long-running show that offers a comedic and educational look at movie special effects, showcasing a live stage performance in a theater setting.
Universal's Islands of Adventure This park features a variety of street shows and smaller performances that add to the immersive atmosphere.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: In both Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure, there are various street performances that bring the world of Harry Potter to life, such as "Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees" and "The Frog Choir."
Hogwarts Always: This brand-new nighttime show in Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure is a spectacular light projection show on Hogwarts Castle, featuring music and special effects that make it a must-see.
Universal CityWalk The entertainment hub between the two main theme parks is a nightlife destination with multiple venues.
Hard Rock Live Orlando: Connected to the Hard Rock Cafe, this concert hall has a capacity of around 3,000 and hosts a wide range of musical acts and comedy shows. It's a major ticketed venue that attracts national and international touring artists.
The Red Coconut Club: This multi-level lounge offers live music and DJs, creating a sophisticated and lively nightlife experience.
Universal CityWalk Lagoon Stage: This outdoor stage hosts free live performances, especially during the CityWalk Summer Music Series, providing a fun and energetic atmosphere for guests.
SeaWorld is known for its animal shows and has adapted its stadiums to also host major concerts and special events.
Bayside Stadium: Located on the park's central lagoon, this stadium is a versatile venue that hosts a variety of events, including the spectacular nighttime fireworks and drone shows. It's the main stage for SeaWorld's concert series, such as the Bands, Brew & BBQ event, drawing well-known musical acts. Its expansive stadium seating provides excellent views of both the stage and the lagoon.
Orca Stadium (formerly Shamu Stadium): While primarily used for the "Orca Encounter" educational presentation, this massive stadium has also been used for large-scale nighttime productions and is a central point for park-wide events.
Dolphin Stadium: Home to the "Dolphin Adventures" show, this stadium also provides a large-scale amphitheater setting for presentations and is a key location for park operations.
Nautilus Theatre: This indoor theater hosts seasonal shows, including the popular "O Wondrous Night" during the holiday season, offering a more traditional theatrical setting.
These venues collectively offer a rich and diverse lineup of live entertainment, from daily park shows and character performances to major concerts and festivals with international headliners. This blend of entertainment ensures that visitors to Orlando's theme parks have an abundance of options to enjoy beyond the rides and attractions.
