Downtown Orlando is preparing for a packed weekend, with the city estimating more than 60,000 people will visit the urban core from Friday through Sunday for concerts, soccer, performances and other events.

The lineup stretches across several of downtown’s largest venues, including Kia Center, Inter&Co Stadium and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The Orlando Farmers Market will also take place Sunday at Lake Eola Park.

With thousands of people heading into the same part of the city — in some cases at roughly the same time — Orlando officials are encouraging visitors to leave earlier than usual and plan their transportation and parking before arriving.

Construction associated with the DTO Action Plan and other projects could also affect normal travel routes through downtown.

When will downtown traffic be busiest?

The city identified three periods when it expects traffic to be heaviest:

• Friday, Sept. 25: 6 to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 26: 2 to 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 27: Noon to 2 p.m.

Saturday has the longest projected period of heavy traffic. The U.S. men’s national soccer team is scheduled to play Peru at Inter&Co Stadium at 4:30 p.m., followed by several evening performances downtown and another Garth Brooks concert at Kia Center at 8 p.m.

Where should drivers expect delays?

The city is specifically warning motorists about increased traffic in the following areas:

• South Street from the State Road 408 exit to Division Avenue, including the area around the ThreatLocker and City Commons parking garages
• I-4 eastbound off-ramp at South Street
• I-4 westbound off-ramp at West Anderson Street
• I-4 South Street Express off-ramps

Road closures related to construction and special events can change throughout the weekend.

The City of Orlando maintains an online list and interactive map showing construction and special-event road closures that may affect travel or access.

Check the City of Orlando’s active road closures and interactive map

Plan where you will park before arriving

For people who plan to drive downtown, the city is encouraging them to figure out where they will park before starting their trip.

Downtown Orlando’s official parking website includes an interactive map of public and private parking facilities. For garages and lots operated by the City of Orlando, the site also provides information about hours and rates. Some parking can also be reserved and prepaid ahead of major downtown events.

The downtown parking page lists facilities including the 55W Garage, Central Boulevard Parking Garage, Administration Garage and other parking options throughout the urban core.

View Downtown Orlando’s parking map, garages and parking options

Visitors should allow additional time to park and walk or connect to their final destination, particularly during the city’s projected peak traffic periods.

LYMMO offers a free option for getting around downtown

Visitors who make it downtown can also avoid repeatedly moving their cars by using LYMMO, the free downtown bus circulator.

LYMMO’s Grapefruit Line serves several locations directly connected to this weekend’s events, including Kia Center, Inter&Co Stadium, Lake Eola and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. It also connects with other areas of downtown and Parramore.

The Orange Line travels through the downtown core and also serves locations including Church Street, the Dr. Phillips Center, City Hall and LYNX Central Station.

According to LYNX, both the Orange and Grapefruit lines generally arrive every 15 minutes on Saturdays and every 30 minutes on Sundays and holidays.

That gives visitors the option of parking in one location and using LYMMO to move between parking, restaurants and event venues rather than driving through the busiest areas multiple times.

View LYMMO routes and service information

What about SunRail?

SunRail is not a transportation option for the Saturday and Sunday events under its regular schedule.

SunRail operates Monday through Friday and does not provide regular weekend service.

That means SunRail can still be an option for people traveling downtown for Friday’s events, but riders should check the schedule carefully — particularly the departure time of the train they would need to take home.

Check SunRail maps and schedules

Longtime Orlando resident expects congestion

People who regularly travel through downtown are also preparing for the crowds.

Rusty Shackelford told News 6 he has lived in Orlando for more than 20 years. He said a weekend with this many visitors can have two very different effects: more customers and revenue for businesses, but more difficult travel for residents and other people trying to move through downtown.

Shackelford said downtown is already congested and expects the additional crowds to make conditions more difficult.

He described what can happen when traffic, construction and major events converge as a “universal collision,” saying different things can meet at once and become “all haywire sometimes.”

Shackelford also pointed to Saturday’s soccer match as an event he expects to draw significant attention, saying downtown can already become crowded with regular soccer fans and calling this weekend’s match “a whole different monster.”

What’s happening in downtown Orlando this weekend?

Here is the event schedule provided by the City of Orlando:

Friday, Sept. 25

• Santiago Cruz — Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts — 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• Little Big Town — Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts — 7:30 p.m.
• Garth Brooks — Kia Center — 8 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 26

• USA vs. Peru — Inter&Co Stadium — 4:30 p.m.
• Charly Reynolds — Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts — 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• Pride: The Rhythm of the Chosen Hearts — Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts — 7:30 p.m.
• Bonnie “Prince” Billy — Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts — 8 p.m.
• Garth Brooks — Kia Center — 8 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 27

• Orlando Farmers Market — Lake Eola Park — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Garth Brooks — Kia Center — 2 p.m.
• Opera X: Flights of Puccini — Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts — 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

What to know before heading downtown

For people attending one of the events — or simply traveling through downtown Orlando this weekend — the city’s message is to plan ahead and allow extra time.

Drivers can use Orlando’s interactive road-closure map before leaving, decide where they plan to park and, where available, reserve parking in advance.

Once downtown, the free LYMMO circulator provides another way to move between several of the major venues and destinations without getting back into a car.

SunRail remains an option for Friday travel, but regular SunRail service does not operate Saturday or Sunday.

With events spread across multiple downtown venues and tens of thousands of visitors expected, even people who are not attending a concert, soccer match or performance should prepare for heavier-than-normal activity throughout the weekend.