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DOWNTOWN BUSINESS NEWS
Dr. Phillips Center Plans New Outdoor Music Venue
Orlando City Council approved a $500,000 state grant for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts to create an outdoor venue at 445 S. Magnolia Ave. The space will project live performances from Judson's and Steinmetz Hall via LED screens, increasing public access to the arts while strengthening community connection through shared cultural experiences. Design and contractor selection are targeted for completion by June. Read more about the development here.
Opera Orlando Celebrates 10 Years of Revival with Major Growth
Opera Orlando is marking its 10th anniversary with remarkable growth, expanding annual revenue to $3 million while avoiding deficits and building on their endowment fund established in 2022. The nonprofit has added new staff positions to support its expanding operations. This growth culminates in "Silent Night," the organization's most ambitious production yet with a $400,000 budget, running February 6 and 8 at Steinmetz Hall. Click here to learn more.

Major Stadium Upgrades Coming for 2026 MLS and NWSL Seasons
Inter&Co Stadium is enhancing the fan experience with significant improvements ahead of the 2026 MLS and NWSL seasons, including a renovated West Club with doubled seating capacity and chef-driven live cooking stations. New additions include Sideline Social, a 245-seat all-inclusive experience with swivel seats and grab-and-go markets, plus two new Concourse Boxes and 20 industrial-grade fans throughout the venue for improved comfort. Orlando City opens at home February 21 against Red Bull New York, while Orlando Pride hosts Seattle Reign on March 15. Learn more about the renovations here.

Vote for Grand Bohemian in Travel + Leisure's 2026 World's Best Awards
The Grand Bohemian Downtown Orlando has been nominated for Travel + Leisure's prestigious 2026 World's Best Awards, recognizing exceptional hotels worldwide. This nomination highlights the boutique hotel's commitment to luxury hospitality in downtown Orlando. Voting is open through February 23rd, with participants eligible to win grand prizes including a $10,000 cash reward. Cast your vote and support this local favorite here.

Orlando Family Stage Receives $500,000 Centennial Grant
Orlando Family Stage received a $500,000 grant from Dr. Phillips Charities to celebrate the nonprofit theater's 100th birthday, supporting literacy-based programs and performances for students in Orange and Osceola counties over the next two years. The funding will launch the first-ever Florida Children's Book Festival running February 20-22 and provide free access to productions for more than 2,000 students and families through the "No Empty Seat" initiative. Read more about the celebration plans here.

DTO EVENTS
City of Orlando Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Black History Month
The City of Orlando is honoring Black History Month with programming centered on this year's national theme, "A Century of Black History Commemorations." Activities kick off with an opening reception for the Black History Month art exhibition at City Hall's Terrace Gallery on Tuesday, February 3 from 5-8 PM. The festivities continue the following week on Tuesday, February 10, from 5-8:30 PM with the City of Orlando’s Black History Month Community Celebration, hosted at The Plaza Live. Explore the full programming here.Orlando Tech Summit & Community Awards
Innovate Orlando invites the community to the Orlando Tech Summit & Community Awards on February 19-20, bringing together tech innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders connecting the region's technology, defense, simulation, and entertainment sectors. The event kicks off with an exclusive Speakers & Sponsors Happy Hour on February 19 from 6-9 PM, followed by a full-day summit on February 20 from 12-4 PM. The summit features expert speakers, an expo hall with 25+ startups, and evening access to Creative City Project's IMMERSE event. Register for the event here.

IMMERSE Returns to Downtown Orlando
Creative City Project's signature large-scale arts celebration returns February 20-22, transforming 10 city blocks of downtown Orlando into an immersive creative experience, presented by AdventHealth. The 11th annual festival features major installations from Architects of Air with their new luminarium Arborialis and performances by Blue Man Group, plus more than 100 additional artists and installations. While the core festival remains free and open to all, tickets are on sale now for enhanced experiences. Click here for more details and tickets!

DOWNTOWN ORLANDO CHECK-IN TO WIN
DINE DOWNTOWN. EARN ENTRIES. WIN BIG.
Downtown Orlando Check-In & Win is a two-week challenge from the Downtown Orlando Partnership and Downtown Development Board that rewards you for supporting local restaurants and coffee shops from February 4–18. Every visit is a chance to win. The more downtown spots you check in, the more entries you earn.

HOW IT WORKS
⭐️ Visit participating downtown restaurants
☕️ Stop by participating downtown coffee shops
📱 Scan the QR code at each location to check in
🎟️ Earn entries with every visit
🗓️ Challenge runs February 4–18

Participation is free and open to the public. Register now to be ready when the challenge begins!

REGISTER HERE

DOWNTOWN VOICES
Looking to upgrade your lunch break? The Downtown Orlando Partnership and Downtown Development Board's Downtown Voices series highlights restaurants and local favorites ready to be discovered. This edition features Mecatos Bakery & Café, a Colombian café serving rich coffee, fresh pastries, and savory favorites like empanadas and tequeños in a welcoming, family-owned atmosphere. It's the perfect combination of authentic flavor and convenient downtown dining and catering since opening in 2020.

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