ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida communities will gather Friday to mark 25 years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with memorial ceremonies, moments of silence and volunteer events.
The attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93 killed 2,977 people on Sept. 11, 2001.
Several events are planned across the Orlando area Friday and into the weekend.
UCF Remembers 9/11
The University of Central Florida will begin the day with a remembrance ceremony at the Reflecting Pond.
The event runs from 7:45-10 a.m. Friday, with the ceremony scheduled to begin promptly at 8 a.m. UCF says its military and veteran communities will honor those killed, recognize those who responded and reflect on the lasting impact of the attacks.
When: 8 a.m. Friday
Where: UCF Reflecting Pond, Orlando
9/11 Day of Service in Orlando
Central Floridians can also mark the anniversary by volunteering.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is participating in a nationwide 9/11 Day service effort at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. Organizers say volunteers will help pack 210,000 meals for families facing food insecurity.
The event runs from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. Second Harvest says volunteers are still needed to help with meal-packing tables, registration and event logistics.
When: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday
Where: Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Volunteer and event information
Clermont 25th anniversary September 11 Memorial Ceremony
The Clermont Police and Fire departments will host the city’s 25th annual September 11 Memorial Ceremony at the Clermont Arts and Recreation Center.
The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and will honor the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks as well as the first responders who answered the call that day.
When: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday
Where: Clermont Arts and Recreation Center, 3700 S. Highway 27
Sanford Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony
Sanford and Seminole County will hold a joint Patriot Day ceremony beginning at 10:15 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.
A moment of silence is planned for 10:28 a.m., marking the time the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed.
This year’s ceremony will also have a particularly strong Central Florida connection.
Sanford native Mannie Leroy Clark was working as a security supervisor on the 93rd floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the building. Sanford Mayor Art Woodruff and Seminole County Chairman Andria Herr are expected to present a joint proclamation to Clark’s family during Friday’s ceremony.
Retired NYPD Lt. Arnie Amoros, now a Seminole County Sheriff’s Office volunteer, will serve as keynote speaker. Sanford says Amoros returned to New York following the attacks and spent a month at Ground Zero assisting his former department alongside a team from Seminole County.
When: 10:15 a.m. Friday
Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 110 W. Seminole Blvd., Sanford
Orlando VA 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
The Orlando VA Healthcare System will hold a remembrance ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. at the Orlando VA Medical Center in Lake Nona.
The keynote speaker will be Steve Dailey, a Marine Corps veteran and former New York City police officer who will share his firsthand experience taking part in recovery efforts after the Twin Towers fell.
The event is open to veterans, their families, VA employees and the public. The VA also plans to stream the ceremony online.
When: 11 a.m. Friday
Where: Orlando VA Medical Center, 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando
Orlando VA ceremony information
Orlando Fire Department candlelight ceremony
The Orlando Fire Department will hold its annual September 11 Candlelight Remembrance Ceremony at 7 p.m. at Fire Station 1 in downtown Orlando.
Firefighters will light 404 candles for first responders who died on Sept. 11: 343 red candles honoring firefighters, 60 blue candles honoring law enforcement officers and one white candle honoring FDNY Chaplain Mychal Judge.
OFD will also place 25 fire helmets to represent the 25 years since the attacks. The department has held an annual remembrance event since 2002.
This year’s ceremony will also recognize first responders who later died from illnesses connected to exposure to toxic debris following the attacks.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Orlando Fire Station 1, 78 W. Central Blvd., Orlando
Orlando Fire Department event details
Tunnel to Towers 5K in Altamonte Springs
Remembrance events will continue Saturday with the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk at Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs.
A 9/11 ceremony is scheduled for 7 a.m., followed by the race at 7:30 a.m.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was created following the Sept. 11 attacks and supports families of fallen or catastrophically injured first responders and members of the military.
When: Ceremony at 7 a.m.; race at 7:30 a.m. Saturday
Where: Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs
Registration and event details
Additional remembrance events may be scheduled throughout Central Florida.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2026 Cox Media Group
