ORLANDO, Fla. — From sparkling light displays to carolers, concerts and theatrical productions, Central Florida is teeming with festive ways to enjoy this special time of year with family and friends. Some activities are free, and others require tickets.
Check out our event guide below. We'll be adding to it as the season goes on.
It does not include the events at Central Florida and Tampa Bay area theme parks, but you can find that information in Holiday events at Orlando and Tampa Bay area theme parks, attractions.
Orange County
- Holiday Stroll
Now - Jan. 6, 2025 | Between Lake Eola Park and the Central Business District in downtown Orlando
As you walk through the area, you will see space that is adorned with whimsical ornaments and oversized holiday decor, transforming downtown Orlando into a winter wonderland. - Holidays at Leu Gardens
Nov. 29 - Jan. 5, 2025, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Harry P. Leu Gardens
Thousands of poinsettias and seasonal flowers and foliage cover 50 acres for a special yuletide display. Holiday gnomes also can be found in the garden for a scavenger hunt for children. The historic Leu House will be adorned in traditional holiday decorations. - Dazzling Nights at Harry P. Leu Gardens
Nov. 29 - Jan. 5, 2025, 5:30 p.m. | Harry P. Leu Gardens
A million lights will create shining forests and magical displays throughout the 50-acre gardens. Visitors will get a chance to enjoy an interactive holiday experience with new lighting installations, meet and greet characters, a children's play area and the gardens' tallest tree to date. Tickets start at $19 for children and $22 for adults. - A Christmas Carol - 2024
Now - Dec. 22; Showtimes vary | Orlando Shakes
The miserly and miserable Ebenezer Scrooge greets each Christmas with a “bah humbug,” until he is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Witness the classic, heartwarming story of Orlando Shakes’ holiday tradition, in the 36th year of the magical and musical spectacle. Check the website for showtimes and to purchase tickets. - The Winter Park Old Fashioned Christmas Cruise
Dec. 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 16, 17, 19, at 6:30 p.m. | Docks at 312 East Morse Blvd. in Winter Park
Take a boat tour under the stars along the lakes and canals of Winter Park, with a holiday twist. Each sailing lasts about 80 minutes and includes Christmas music and caroling, holiday trivia, and a reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and The Christmas Story. - Holiday on the Drive
Dec. 5, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. | College Park, along Edgewater Drive
The event features Santa Claus, snow slide, live carolers, food trucks, carriage rides, arts and crafts and live music. - Christmas in the Park
Dec. 5, 6:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.| Central Park in Winter Park
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of Art puts some of its turn-of-the-20th-century Tiffany windows on display with lighting to show them off as a backdrop for performances of holiday music by Bach Festival Choir, Brass Ensemble and youth choir perform in concert on the main stage. The seven leaded windows are memorials with religious themes. - City of Orlando Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec. 6, 5 p.m. | Washington Plaza at Lake Eola Park
Mayor Buddy Dyer will light the 64-foot tree with 88,000 animated lights starts about 8 p.m. The event will include holiday performances at the Walt Disney Amphitheater, food trucks and a holiday market on International Plaza within Lake Eola Park. The Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show will run every night through Jan. 6 starting at 5:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. - The Merry Market
Dec. 6 - 8, Dec. 13 - 15, Dec. 15 - 17, Dec. 20 - 22, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. | East side of Lake Eola Park
Local vendors will offer soaps, candles, jewelry and many other products that you can buy for yourself or a holiday gift. - Winter on the Avenue and Annual Tree Lighting
Dec. 6, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. | Central Park in Winter Park
The holiday street party along Park Avenue will feature the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, presenting the city’s holiday tree in Central Park, a symbolic Menorah lighting, Santa Claus, Popcorn Flicks in the Park, live music, snow slides from the Parks & Recreation Family Fun Program, s’mores from the Winter Park Fire-Rescue Department and more. - Rollins College Christmas Vespers
Dec. 6 - 8, 6 p.m. | Knowles Memorial Chapel, Winter Park
A candlelight service features holiday carols and the narrators' readings regaling the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus. The tradition at Rollins began in 1933. Tickets are $22. - Holiday Friday Nights at the Morse
Dec. 6, 13, 20, 24 and 27, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Charles H. Hosmer Museum of American Art
The Morse museum will offer free admission for all Fridays in December and on Christmas Eve. Live music will be performed on Friday nights. The hours for the Christmas Eve celebration will be from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Eola Wonderful Snowfall
Dec. 6 - 8, Dec. 13 - 15, Dec. 20 - 21, 6:15 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 8:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. | Near Eola House
A Florida snowfall will take place nightly for 15 minutes. - Winter Park Ye Olde Christmas Parade
Dec. 7, 9 a.m. | Park Avenue
Floats, Santa Claus and well-known local figures will make their way down Park Avenue decked out in holiday style. The route will end at the intersection of Lyman and Park avenues.
Seminole County
- City of Oviedo Annual Holiday Tree Lightning
Dec. 5, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. | Central Lake Park
Festivities will include free photos with Santa, live reindeer, carolers, a Cousin Eddie costume contest, food trucks and vendor booths with holiday activities for children. Food, drinks and alcohol are available for purchase. The tree lighting will be held at the top of the hill at 6:30 p.m. - City of Oviedo Holiday Parade
Dec. 7, 7 p.m. | Central Lake Park
The parade will feature colorful floats, banners and marching bands. The route starts at the Oviedo Gym and Aquatics Center and will head south down Oviedo Boulevard to Center Lake Park. - Winter Springs Winter Wonderland
Dec. 7, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Winter Springs Town Center
This year's holiday kickoff features the 42nd annual Holiday Parade, the ceremonial tree lighting, performances by local talent, and a visit from Santa Claus. - Santa's City Run
Dec. 9 - 13, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Various neighborhoods
Santa Claus is escorted around Winter Springs during the week each night by the Winter Springs Police Department, so he can spread candy and joy to the children and families who come outside to wave to him. On Dec. 9, he will visit Park @ Laurel Oaks, Highlands, Seven Oaks, Wildwood, The Terraces, Sugar Creek, Mt. Greenwood, The Arbors, Hacienda Village, Deer Song, Meadowlark and The Vineyards. On Dec. 10, he will be in the neighborhoods of Ranchlands, Seville Chase, Stone Gable, Winding Hollow, Heritage Park, Tuskawilla Trails, Jesups Reserve and Parkstone. On Dec. 11, he'll visit Avery Park, Oak Forest, Arbor Glen, Tuskawilla Crossings, The Blake, Winter Springs Village, Tuskawilla Trace, St. John's Landing and Jesups Landing. On Dec. 12, he will go to areas of Tuskawilla north of Winter Springs Boulevard, Southern Oaks, Barrington Estates, Barclay Reserve, Northern Oaks and Integra 360. On Dec. 13, he will visit areas of Tuskawilla south of Winter Springs Boulevard and Amberly. The page linked to above includes links to maps of his routes.
Volusia County
- Light Up DeLand
Dec. 6, 5 p.m. | Historic Volusia County Courthouse
Santa Claus and his elves will skydive and parachute in to help city officials flip the switch on the Christmas tree, which is the centerpiece of Winter Wonderland DeLand. The tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. The evening will include ice skating, Santa’s Workshop with Christmas crafts for children and pictures with Santa. Now through mid-January, the city's downtown buildings on Woodland Boulevard are adorned with warm white lights along their rooflines. Pocket parks in Pioneer and Chess Park will sparkle with holiday lights, and lighted garland will adorn street poles along Woodland Boulevard and Indiana Avenue. This year, a new addition to the holiday décor will be a lighted menorah outside City Hall to celebrate Hanukkah.
- DeLand Christmas Parade
Dec. 7, 6 p.m. | 100 N. Woodland Avenue
The parade, presented by Rotary Clubs of DeLand, will begin at 100 N. Woodland.