Orlando

Known for its gigantic theme parks, Orlando is home to one of the most spectacular steampunk attractions, the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. It's a restaurant and "Dessert Foundry" where costumed performers (including a robot) wander the floor and interact with guests. It's part of the Universal CityWalk at the Universal Orlando Resort, where you can also visit "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter."

Not to be outdone, Disney World now hosts The Edison (opened in January 2018), an eatery themed as "Industrial Gothic," which sounds like a synonym for "steampunk." It's family-friendly until 10 p.m., and then transforms into a nightspot for adults.

Aside from the tourist attractions, Orlando also appears to have an active steampunk community. The Facebook group of the Central Florida Steampunk Association boasts 2400 members.

The listings below include locations in the Orlando area and nearby Daytona Beach. Check out the "Steamiest Places" section for attractions likely to be of greatest interest to steampunks.

Stories

New Events in Baltimore and Galveston Highlight Weekend Calendar

Staff Report | Mar 28, 2023

The weekend is jam-packed with steampunk events in the U.S., including two new gatherings: The Tell-Tale Steampunk Festival in Baltimore and Galveston Steampunk Festival in Texas. Also happening are MegaCon, WhimsyCon, and 13 Gears.

Venardos Circus Welcomes Steampunk Fans to Florida Performances

Staff Report | Dec 6, 2022

The Venardos Circus is performing its last shows of the year in Florida, and with its nod to old-time circus experiences, it’s offering a 20 percent discount for readers of The Steampunk Explorer.

This Weekend: Time Traveler’s Faire, MegaCon, Raising Steam, and More

Staff Report | May 17, 2022

May has been a busy month for steampunk fans on both sides of the Atlantic and it’s about to get busier still with multiple events this weekend, including the inaugural Time Traveler’s Convention Spring Faire in Quincy, Illinois.

Steampunk Crafts, A Talking Dragon and More at Maker Faire Orlando

Staff Report | Nov 10, 2021

Billed as “Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth,” Maker Faire is a showcase for DIY creativity in crafts, robotics, woodworking, and many other categories. The Orlando event takes place this weekend at the Central Florida Fairgrounds & Expo Halls.

Weekend Events: Silk City Steampunk Fest, Steampunk & Industrial Show

Staff Report | Oct 11, 2021

This weekend’s calendar includes the first-ever Silk City Steampunk Festival in Manchester, Connecticut, and the Steampunk & Industrial Show in Mount Dora, Florida. Author Maurice Broaddus will be a special guest at Metaverse in Atlanta.

Phantasmagoria Promises “All New Tales of Terror” in October Shows

Staff Report | Oct 4, 2021

With Halloween approaching, the Victorian/steampunk theatrical troupe has a full slate of performances scheduled for October in Central Florida and points beyond, including a full-length stage show dubbed Phantasmagoria XII: “Dark Carnival.”

Big Weekend: Key City and Southern Maine Steampunk Fests Plus MegaCon

Staff Report | Aug 9, 2021

The long wait will soon be over for many steampunk fans eager to congregate in the eastern U.S., as three events are scheduled for this weekend: The Key City Steampunk Festival in Central Pennsylvania, the Southern Maine Steampunk Fair at the Brick Store Museum, and MegaCon in Orlando.

Steampunk Cons Postponed

Coronavirus outbreak leads to bans on mass gatherings in Ohio, California and other states

By Stephen Beale | Mar 13, 2020

Two major steampunk conventions, Clockwork Alchemy in the San Francisco area and the International Steampunk Symposium in Cincinnati, have been postponed due to public health orders related to the COVID-19 outbreak.