Welcome to New Year’s Day Morning, Orlando!
2025 was quite a year, and I’ve slated 2026 for an even better one. During the year, I’m planning additional features and services to help elevate your local experiences even more. I can’t wait to get these in your hands.
Thanks for coming on this journey with me, all. Wishing you a great day, and year!
Now, in today’s issue:
- All Aboard
- Stories in Stone
- The Smoking Jackets
- + lots of weekend recs
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Let’s roll!
- Philip
P.S. Want some hawt community sourced foodie recommendations? Check out the Orlando Signal Restaurant Guide, right here.
P.P.S. Loving the Signal? Contribute here!
3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
All Aboard: Central Florida's Best Train Trips
SunRail's new late-night weeknight service, launched Dec. 1st, finally offers an escape from I-4 madness. The last northbound train departs Church Street Station at 10:32 p.m., with southbound service until 11:01 p.m.
Downtown's four stations unlock adventures worth taking. Winter Park's platform drops you at Central Park, steps from the Morse Museum's stunning Tiffany glass collection. Maitland serves up quirky finds, while Sanford's free trolley whisks you to Hollerbach's German restaurant for schnitzel and beer.
DeLand, the northern terminus, charms with galleries and Stetson University. Southbound? Kissimmee's lakefront awaits.
Want to keep these trains running? Ride them. Central Florida's calling.
🔥 Check out SunRail schedules and stops, right here. I recently took it for a trip from Church St. Station up to Maitland for a “field trip,” and it’s super enjoyable and efficient.
(Learn lots more about exploring Greater Orlando by rail with Logan Lamphere, right here)
Where the Wild Things Roam: Orange County's Newest Escape
Orange County just unwrapped a gift to nature lovers, and it's named after the man who fought to make it happen.
The Ken Bosserman Econlockhatchee River Preserve opened recently, sprawling across 241 acres of wild beauty along the Econ River. A one-mile trail meanders through wetland hardwoods and hydric hammock, where you can spot wildlife, soak in river views, and find your own peaceful corner.
Bosserman founded The Friends of the Econ and spent decades championing this very land. His persistence carved out a crucial wildlife corridor linking territory managed by Orange Audubon Society and St. Johns River Water Management District.
The preserve joins Orange County's Green PLACE Program, which has tucked away more than 25,850 acres across Central Florida.
🧐 Learn tons more about GeenPLACE, right here.
Half a Century of Canvas and Clay
Situated beside Lake Sterling in Winter Park, Crealdé School of Art has spent 50 years proving that paintbrushes and pottery wheels can work serious magic. Founded in 1975 by World War II veteran William "Bill" S. Jenkins, who was all about art therapy's healing mojo, the school went nonprofit in 1980 and hasn't slowed down since.
New executive director Emily Bourmas-Fry jumped into the driver's seat in early 2025 with exciting plans: killer exhibitions, a revamped foundry, and students from 4 to 92 discovering their inner artists. Catch the anniversary exhibition through January 25 at 600 St. Andrews Blvd., free admission, Mondays-Thursdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Fridays-Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Jenkins's daughter Ann Clement knows her late father would be grinning ear to ear.
👉 Check out all Crealdé School of Art’s workshops and classes, right here.
(Learn lots more about Crealdé School of Art’s 50th with Matthew J. Palm, right here)
WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Stories in Stone: A Walking Tour of the Maitland Art Center
Source: Art & History Museums of Maitland
📍Art & History Museums of Maitland. 231 West Packwood Ave. Maitland, FL 32751. Map to this location.
🕐 Friday, January 3rd, 11 a.m.
Step inside the Maitland Art Center and prepare for something wonderfully weird.
This one-hour walking tour reveals J. André Smith's 1930s artistic playground, a fantasy campus called "Espero" (hope) blending Mayan temples, Christian symbols, and East Asian flair.
Over 2,500 hand-carved sculptures cover every surface.
You'll discover why creative legends like Milton Avery and Doris Lee flocked here to make art in one of Florida's most imaginative hideaways.
And here’s the best part, this experience is a no brainer for 4-6 bucks! Sheesh, C’MON!
👉 Check It Out
TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Internation Chamber Music Fest
Ulysses Quartet: Debussy, Grosshandler and More
Source: Timucua Arts Foundation
📍Timucua Arts Foundation. 2000 S Summerlin Ave, Orlando, FL 32806. Map to this location.
🕐 Friday, January 2nd, 7 p.m.
The Ulysses Quartet is collecting awards like they're going out of style.
Since snagging the 2016 Fischoff National Chamber Music Championship, they've piled on wins at the 2018 Schoenfeld International String Competition, 2017 American Prize, and 2019 Vietnam International Chamber Music Competition.
The Strad raves about their "grave beauty" and rare chemistry.
When they're not dominating competitions, they're making music, three albums so far, including their debut "Shades of Romani Folklore" and collaborations with Joseph Summer and Benjamin Verdery.
👉 Get more info, right here
The Smoking Jackets: A Tribute to Tom Petty
Source: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Art
📍Judson's Live. 445 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.
🕐 Friday, January 2nd, 7 p.m.
The Smoking Jackets are ready to rock Judson's Live with Tom Petty's greatest hits and fan-favorite deep cuts, covering everything from his Heartbreakers glory days to solo classics and cool collaborations.
Since 2010, this Central Florida crowd-pleaser has mastered the art of tribute shows that feel like one big party.
They're serving up Petty's timeless tunes with the energy and heart they deserve, expect singalongs, guitar riffs, and an unforgettable night celebrating music that never gets old.
👉 Get the full details
New Years Prost Festival - German New Year
Source: Krush Brau Park
📍Krush Brau Brewery & Biergarten. 2198 4 Winds Blvd, Kissimmee, FL 34746. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday, January 3nd, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
While others nurse New Year's hangovers, Krush Brau Brewery & Biergarten brings Silvester traditions stateside this weekend.
DJ Oompah keeps things lively while everyone raises complimentary drinks for a thunderous "Prost!" toast.
Devour winter stollen and hearty stews, then declare your boldest 2026 dreams on the massive Resolution Wall.
All ages welcome, because celebrating beats recovering any day.
👉 Check it out, right here
MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁
Multi-Day
Mohini Dey | Sat & Sun | Downtown | More
Friday - 2nd
Nookie: A NuMetal Night | 8 p.m. | Winter Park | More
New Years Bash with Off Earth | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Saturday - 3rd
Sketching in the Galleries | 12 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
History Alive: Animation & Art in Florida | 10 a.m. | Downtown | More
Happy Again! by artist Mister Larrie | 11 a.m. | Milk District | More
UCF Knights Mens Basketball vs. University of Kansas Jayhawks Men's Basketball | 2 p.m. | UCF | More
Bad Luck, northbound, Porch Coffin, Camp Trash | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Heathen Sun in Orlando | 7 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Resonate Vol. 3: A Night of Progressive Breaks | 9:30 p.m. | Milk District | More
Soulshake with DJ Smilin Dan | 10 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Sunday - 4th
Andrew Yuska Quintet | 3 p.m. | Winter Park | More
UCF Knights Womens Basketball vs. Kansas Jayhawks Womens Basketball | 2 p.m. | UCF | More
Orlando Magic vs. Indiana Pacers | 3 p.m. | Downtown | More
Oliver E.G., Thomas Milovach's Lustre Trio, and Flora Quartet | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Mangy Bones | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
🎭 Have an event to share?Submit it here.
THANKS!
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🌟 Know a community superstar? Tell me about them, right here.
We’ll see you on Monday.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal
