25 Things to Do in Orlando During NBA All-Star Weekend

Although the lockout shortened the NBA season, we all knew Stern wasn't going to forgo the dough to be made from All-Star weekend. This year, the party (and game) goes down in Orlando, but the action won't be Disney-friendly.

Complex has put together a list to show you where to party, chill, shop, and meet some of the NBA All-Stars the city Mickey Mouse built.

Here are 25 Things to Do During NBA All-Star Weekend.

When: Thursday, Feb. 23 - Sunday, Feb. 26
Where: Orange County Convention Center, North Concourse, 9400 Universal Blvd.
Cost: $12-$20

Jam Session is no doubt geared towards kids, but there is always cool hoop-related stuff to do (and hot moms to check out). Current NBA and WNBA players will be on deck, signing autographs and giving tips on how to improve on your sorry game. If you think the prices for the rest of the ASW festivities are too high, Jam Session is the perfect place to check out amateur and D-League ballers doing their thing.

When: Thursday, Feb. 23 - Sunday, Feb. 26, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Center Court at Florida Mall, 8001 S. Orange Blossom Triangle
Cost: Free

Fan Jam is an interactive, all-day affair that features 3-on-3 games, HORSE competitions, appearances by NBA players, giveaways, and a gaming lounge. Stars scheduled to appear include Derrick Rose, Paul Pierce, Derrick Williams, and Russell Westbrook. But who are we kidding—everyone will be there to see Jeremy “Linsation” Lin!

When: Thursday, Feb. 23 - Sunday, Feb. 26, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Florida Mall, 8001 S. Orange Blossom Triangle
Cost: Free

Jordan Brand will be highlighting the technology of the soon to be released Air Jordan 2012 sneaker at the Air Jordan Flight Lab 2012. Besides learning all the cool stuff the Jordan designers did with MJ's flagship shoe, sneakerheads will also have the chance to create a shoe that specifically fits their game via the “Choose Your Flight” program.

When: Thursday, Feb. 23, to Saturday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Footaction, Florida Mall, 8001 S. Orange Blossom Triangle
Cost: Free

Team Jordan invades Footaction all weekend long to promote their signature shoes and the Jordan 2012 sneaker. DJ Khaled will be interviewing Chris Paul (2/23, 4:15 p.m.), Dwayne Wade (2/24, 5:15 p.m.), Carmelo Anthony (2/25, 2:00 p.m.) and Mr. Max Contract himself, Joe Johnson (TBA). If watching Khaled Khaled talk hoops and sneakers isn't your thing, don't fret—each of the ballers will also interact with the crowd during their appearances. (All times are subject to change.)

When: Thursday, Feb. 23, 10 p.m. - 4 a.m.
Where: Roxy Nightclub, 740 Bennett Rd.
Cost: $40-$65

Dwight Howard kicks off All-Star Weekend with one of the many parties he's hosting. This one pops off with special help from everyone's favorite ratchet website. Expect a lot of stories to come from this event.

When: Wednesday, Feb. 22, and Thursday, Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Where: Hard Rock Live, 6050 Universal Blvd.
Cost: $60-$100

Little man Kevin Hart is moving in on Shaq's territory when it comes to ASW comedy shows. His four headlining shows at the Hard Rock are sure to be funny as hell. Let's just hope he and his crew don't get caught up in the hoops hype of the weekend and challenge anymore lady ballers. Shit could get uglier than a pair of Master P sneakers.

When: Thursday, Feb. 23, 9 p.m. - 2:30 a.m.
Where: Vain Nightclub, 22 S. Magnolia Ave.
Cost: $50-$100

With a name like Vain and an event with the word "soiree" in the title, expect this to be nothing less than fancy. There is no doubt that D. Wade will bring the stars and dime pieces out—we see you, Gabrielle. The Heat's own DJ Irie will be rocking the 1s and 2s, so expect a good mix of music as well.

When: Friday, Feb. 24, 10 p.m. - 4 a.m.
Where: Roxy Nightclub, 740 Bennett Rd., Orlando, Fla.
Cost: $75-$200

You can't go wrong when you've got two of the most talked about topless people in hip-hop on the bill. The reigning hottest emcee, Rick Ross, and Wiz Khalifa's main squeeze, Amber Rose, is an odd pairing but this is ASW: anything goes. Ross is hot as fish grease right now and Amber is well…just plain hot; it may be hard to get into this one.

When: Friday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Where: Hard Rock Live, 6050 Universal Blvd.
Cost: $85-$140

Shaq continues his Comedy Jam series in 2012 with a return to his Orlando roots. The four shows are hosted by the blackest white man in comedy, Gary Owen, along with Bill Bellamy. Capone, Michael Blackson, Earthquake, Lil Duval, Corey Holcomb, Rodney Perry, Tony Roberts and Jay Pharoah will join them. All of these guys are guaranteed to be much funnier than Shaq is on TNT.

When: Friday, Feb. 24, 9 p.m.
Where: Orlando Science Center, 777 E. Princeton St.
Cost: $125-$5000

Ciroc has transformed the Orlando Science Museum into the Ciroc Museum for ASW, but the only experiments taking place there will be the mixing of Coco Losos. Christian Louboutin will be giving away 20 pairs of his shoes to some lucky ladies; expect thirstiness. This has the makings of a huge bash, despite how terrible the supporting website is.

When: Daily, 8 p.m. - 2:30 a.m.
Where: 6000 Universal Blvd.
Cost: $11.99 City Walk Party Pass

City Walk is the perfect spot to hit if you're not trying to blow a lot of money but still want to party hard and meet people. The one-price party pass includes access to City Walk's Rising Star, Red Coconut Club, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Bob Marley - A Tribute to Freedom, the Groove, Latin Quarter, and Pat O'Brien's. City Walk is normally a hangout for youngsters; be sure to check for ID.

When: Friday, Feb. 24, 10 p.m.
Where: B.B. King's, 9101 International Dr.
Cost: $60-$100

Wale and Future are having great sophomore and rookie years, respectively. Thus, this party is billed as the after-party for the Sophomore vs. Rookie game (even if it is unofficial). There should be plenty of “Lotus Flower Bomb”-scented women and fellas with “Tony Montana” aspirations in the club Friday night.

When: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: 8200 Vineland Ave.
Cost: N/A

For the baller on a budget, the outlets are always the way to go for finding gear from last season that you didn't have the bread to cop at full price. It just so happens that Orlando has one of the best outlet malls in the country. The standard stores are here—Ralph Lauren, Puma, True Religion, etc. but the Premium Outlets also house a huge Nike Factory Store that's overflowing with deals.

When: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Where: 4200 Conroy Rd.
Cost: N/A

This mall is about as far from the baby-clothes-and-sneaker mall as you can possibly get. This is where you'll catch the famous rappers, off-season athletes, “didn't make the All-Star game” NBA players, and average Joes who just got their tax refund checks blowing money fast. There is enough Gucci, LV, Fendi and Prada in this joint to make Kreayshawn cringe.

When: Saturday, Feb. 25, 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Where: Roxy Nightclub, 740 Bennett Rd.
Cost: $30-$50

Fort Myers-native Plies is holding down this car show, which should be one of the hotter day events on Saturday. Veteran DJ's Bigga Rankin & Cool Runnin', DJ Demp, and DJ Nasty 305 are scheduled to spin throughout the day.

When: Saturday, Feb. 25, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Florida Mall, 8001 S. Orange Blossom Triangle
Cost: Free

Nike Basketball signees Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Jeremy Lin, and Kyrie Irving will be present as the first three see their All-Star edition signature shoes released to the public. With this much star power, the crowd will be insane—get there early. The event goes down behind House of Hoops, and all times are subject to change.

When: Saturday, Feb. 25, and Sunday, Feb. 26
Where: Florida Mall, 8001 S. Orange Blossom Triangle
Cost: Free

The star of the weekend, Dwight Howard, and the reigning NBA MVP, Derrick Rose, will hit the Adidas store and Florida Mall to launch their respective All-Star sneakers and sign autographs. Howard will be at Adidas on Saturday from 4 to 5 p.m. and at Champs Sports inside Florida Mall from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.

D. Rose will meet fans at Foot Locker Center Court of the Florida Mall from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.

When: Saturday, Feb. 25, 9 p.m.
Where: Cheyenne Saloon, 128 W. Church St.
Cost: $75-$200

It's a cliché, but you haven't been truly over-the-top until you've been to a Diddy party. Even though he's been rocking since Wayne was in diapers, the man still knows how to have a good time. Clinton Sparks and The Runners join him at this event. Security will probably trip over the dress code, so come prepared.

When: Saturday, Feb. 25, 10 p.m. - 4 a.m.
Where: The Ballroom, 225 South Garland Ave.
Cost: $125-$250

Love them or hate them, Lebron James, Kevin Hart, and Money Mayweather are running their respective lanes (hence the "Undisputed" title). With all of the cake these three are making, the groupies will be spilling out the doors for sure. Once again, doormen will be dicks about the dress code, so come correct and leave the Galaxy Foamposites in the hotel.

When: Saturday, Feb. 25, 10 p.m. - 4 a.m.
Where: Showalter Executive Airport, 437 Rickenbacker Dr.
Cost: $75-$225

A party starring Lil Wayne and hosted by Orlando's own (at least until the trade deadline) Dwight Howard, Wayne's World already sounds gangsta, but holding the party in an airport hangar raises the stakes. Our only question: How does Wayne go hard without violating his probation? All jokes aside, this will probably be the hottest party of the night.

When: Sunday, Feb. 26, 10 p.m.
Where: B.B. Kings, 9101 International Dr.
Cost: $100-$200

Young Jeezy brings the A to Orlando for a closeout concert. Jizzle, along with DJ Drama, will be playing a bunch of trap hits for the sure-to-be-throwed crowd. They fuck with the snowman heavy in Florida, so expect more "Air Forces" than "I Do."

When: Sunday, Feb. 26, 9 p.m. - 4 a.m.
Where: Terrace 390, 390 N. Orange Ave.
Cost: $30-$50

Ironically, the most appealing party of Sunday night (and quite possibly the entire weekend) is the most reasonably priced. How can you go wrong with a building full of Playmates? Certified eye-candy Francesca Frigo, Shanna McLaughlin, Leola Bell (Miss Feb.), Stephanie Larimore, Mei Ling, Kyra Milan, Claire Sinclair (Playmate of the Year) are hosting, while J Noodles and ATL's Baby Yu hold down the music. This is what you call winning.

When: Sunday, Feb. 26, 9 p.m.
Where: Majestic, 801 North John Young Parkway
Cost: $75-$125

With so many of the ASW parties being 18+ for females, this is one of the few parties where you can be sure you're hitting on a 21+ woman. The party-goers will probably skew a little older but after all of the bottle-popping ratchetness of the weekend, that might be a welcome change. On some real shit, a promoter should turn the Mary J. Blige and R. Kelly collaboration into a tour.

When: Sunday, Feb. 26, 10 p.m. - 4 a.m.
Where: Showalter Executive Airport, 437 Rickenbacker Dr.
Cost: $75-$125

Y.O.L.O. has to be one of the most overused and corny acronyms of the year but that doesn't mean this party will be lame. Call him what you want, Drizzy brings the ladies out and even the most hardcore hater will calm down for a big butt and a smile. Word to Ricky Bell.

When: Sunday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m.
Where: Amway Center, 400 W. Church St.
Cost: $285-$61,767 on StubHub

Believe it or not, there's actually baskebtall this weekend; the game is the real main attraction. Despite the strike-shortened season, the 2012 game still serves as a changing of the guard in the NBA, with six first-time All-Stars on the roster (three in the East and three in the West). Of course, there will be a lot of sloppy play for 3.5 quarters before both sides take the game seriously, but what can you expect? These guys have been partying right next to you all weekend. If you have a few hundred or few thousand bucks left, cop a seat and watch some of the best athletes in the world ball.