Major Sunday Delays Expected for IMMERSE Festival Finale and Bay Hill Golf Tournament

Downtown Orlando: IMMERSE Festival and Sports Events

Commuters and visitors should prepare for significant congestion in Downtown Orlando today, Sunday, March 8, 2026, as several high-profile events conclude. The IMMERSE 2026 festival is wrapping up its final day, with a scheduled fireworks display at Lake Eola Park at 1:00 p.m. Major road closures in the downtown core are expected to remain in effect until approximately 6:00 p.m. these include South Orange Avenue between Central Boulevard and Anderson Street, as well as sections of Church Street and Pine Street. Drivers are encouraged to use Huey Avenue as a primary detour to avoid the heaviest pedestrian traffic.

Additionally, the Kia Center will host the Orlando Magic against the Indiana Pacers today. This will bring a surge of traffic to the western edge of downtown during the afternoon. Nearby, Lake Eola will also host the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra Play-a-thon, further increasing the demand for parking in the 32801 area.

Tournament Traffic in Dr. Phillips and Bay Hill

Heavy traffic is anticipated on the west side of the city as the Arnold Palmer Invitational reaches its final round today at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Expect slow-moving traffic and potential delays on Apopka-Vineland Road, Sand Lake Road, and Conroy-Windermere Road throughout the day. Law enforcement will be on-site to assist with traffic flow, but motorists are advised to seek alternate routes if they are not attending the tournament.

Key Roadworks and Long-Term Construction

Several long-term infrastructure projects continue to impact major arteries this Sunday:

• Central Florida Parkway: Starting at 10:00 p.m. tonight, overnight closures will begin under I-4. Left turns from the I-4 eastbound exit ramp will be prohibited during these hours for bridge work.
• U.S. 441 (Orange Blossom Trail): Continuous lane closures remain in effect from Beggs Road to the State Road 414 ramps. This section is reduced to a single lane through Spring 2026.
• I-4 at SR 535: The eastbound entrance ramp from State Road 535 remains reduced to a single lane as part of the Moving I-4 Forward initiative.
• College Park: Dartmouth Street is closed today between Westmoreland Drive and Edgewater Drive for the "Sunday in the Park" community event.

Public Transit and Travel Tips

SunRail does not offer service today, as weekend operations remain suspended. Commuters relying on public transit should utilize LYNX bus services, though some routes in the downtown area may experience minor delays or detours due to the IMMERSE festival closures. For those heading toward the theme park district, expect higher-than-normal volumes on I-4 near the Sand Lake Road and SR 536 exits due to the ongoing EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival and Universal Mardi Gras celebrations.