Celebrate the holidays with the City of Orlando and Downtown Orlando, featuring a holly, jolly selection of things to do with all the family.
It's the most wonderful time of the year here in Orlando, and throughout December, the city invites Central Florida residents and visitors to celebrate the holidays with family-friendly holiday events and activities for all ages to enjoy,
For more information on the Christmas and Holiday events happening in the city, visit orlando.gov/events and downtownorlando.com/holidays.
WHEN & WHERE:
Light Up Luminary Green Park
Now - Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Luminary Green Park at Creative Village, 437 North Terry Avenue
The city, in partnership with QDSi, will light up Luminary Green Park with captivating holiday activations, featuring a mesmerizing art installation, “Loop,” and a dazzling holiday light show segment. At dusk, visitors can enter 8-foot-tall circular cars and bring animated images to life through flickering strobe effects and music to create a unique experience.
View The Jack Kazana Star On Orange Avenue
Now through Saturday, January 6, 2024.
Downtown Orlando, Intersection of Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard
An Orlando holiday tradition, the Jack Kazanzas Star is hung 50 feet above downtown at the intersection of Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard.
The more than 50-year tradition of raising the 600-pound golden star started in the 1950s. Since then, the star has come to symbolize the start of the holiday season in Orlando.
Holidays at Leu Gardens
Now through Sunday, January 7, 2024
Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 North Forest Avenue
The 3rd annual Holiday at Leu Gardens returns featuring thousands of festive and vibrant poinsettias along with seasonal flowers and foliage to create a holiday themed garden. Additionally, guests can explore inside the historic Leu House where there will be a number of traditional holiday decorations adorning the home, as well as a special garden gnome scavenger hunt for the kids.
Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens
Now through Saturday, January 6, 2024
Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 North Forest Avenue
Orlando’s 50-acre Harry P. Leu Gardens will transform once again into a stunning, winter wonderland featuring a million dazzling lights, shining forests, magical displays, music and beautiful sculptures during Dazzling Nights. This family-friendly adventure gives guests an opportunity to enjoy interactive holiday experience with new lighting installations, meet and greet characters, a kids’ play area and a 30-foot tree with thousands of shimmering gold sequins.
Attend the City of Orlando Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
Friday, December 1, 2023
Lake Eola Park, Washington Plaza, 195 North Rosalind Avenue
Kickoff the holiday season at the City of Orlando's annual Tree Lighting Celebration at Lake Eola Park. The highlight of the event is the lighting of the 64-foot Christmas tree featuring 88,000 animated lights. The event will include holiday performances at the Walt Disney Amphitheater, food trucks and a holiday market on International Plaza at Lake Eola Park.
Catch the Lake Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Light Show
Friday, December 1, 2023 through Saturday, January 6, 2024
Lake Eola Park, Washington Plaza, 195 North Rosalind Avenue
The Lake Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Light Show featuring 200 pounds of lights, will musically sync with the lights on the Lake Eola fountain and will provide animation during the shows. The Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show will run every night starting at 5:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. from Friday, December 1, 2023 through Saturday, January 6, 2024.
Enjoy the Eola Wonderland Snowfall
Friday, December 1, 2023 - Saturday, December 23, 2023
Eola House, 512 Eola Parkway
Experience a Florida snowfall in downtown Orlando near the Eola House. Snow will fall for 15 minutes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings starting at 6:15 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 8:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
Visit the Downtown Orlando Merry Market
Friday, December 1, 2023 - Saturday, December 23, 2023
Lake Eola Park, 512 East Washington Street
Support local businesses this season during downtown’s Merry Market where shoppers will find the best in arts and crafts and more. The market will be located on the east side of Lake Eola Park on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Meet Santa Claus at the Eola House
Friday, December 1, 2023 - Saturday, December 23, 2023
Santa Claus is coming to the City of Orlando and he’s not camera shy. Parents have festive picture-taking opportunities for their children with Santa at the Eola House every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm.
Smile at the Curry Ford West’s Picture-Perfect Holidays Kickoff
Saturday, December 2, 2022
Justin Bauknight State Farm Office, 2507 Curry Ford Road
Curry Ford West Main Street District invites residents to join them for their annual Picture-Perfect Holidays Kickoff featuring themed photography sets located throughout the district, plus holiday vendors, music and more.
Enjoy the Baldwin Park Winter Wonderland Extravaganza
Saturday, December 2, 2023
The Village Center, along New Broad Street
This family-friendly event begins with a holiday festival featuring live holiday performances, artists, vendors, food, shopping, stilt-walkers, balloon artists and photos with Santa. In the evening, there will be an illuminated parade along with the annual lighting of the holiday tree.
Attend Light Up SoDo
Sunday, December 3, 2023
SoDo Shopping Center, 35 West Crystal Lake Street
The SoDo Main Street District’s annual holiday event will feature several activities including an appearance from Santa Claus, face painting, train rides, holiday market, live wreath making, beer garden and the lighting of the SoDo Christmas tree.
Enjoy the Holiday on the Drive Parade
Thursday , December 7, 2023
College Park, along Edgewater Drive
The College Park Main Street District invites families and friends to the Holiday on the Drive parade featuring live music, Santa Claus in Albert Park and other holiday festivities.
Catch the FREE Violectric Holiday Show
Thursday , December 7, 2023
Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park, 195 North Rosalind Avenue
This live concert features local electric string quintet band Violetric for the 10th Annual Violectric Holiday Show. The 90-minute free concert presented by the City of Orlando’s Department of Families, Parks and Recreation will feature traditional holiday songs mashed-up with classic rock tunes and modern hits to deliver a fun-filled, energetic and highly unique holiday show, which will also be simulcasted throughout Lake Eola Park.
Catch A Holiday Movie at Lake Eola Park
Friday, December 8, 2023
East Lawn at Lake Eola Park
Pack your blankets, chairs and snacks for the whole family to enjoy the free holiday movie “The Polar Express” on the East Lawn.
Cheers to Approximately 12 Pubs of Christmas Pub Crawl
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Wally’s, 1001 North Mills Avenue or Ten10 Brewing, 1010 Virginia Drive
Annually organized by the Mills 50 Main Street District, residents can get in the “spirit” of the season at the Approximately 12 Pubs of Christmas Pub Crawl. Buy a wristband at Wally’s or Ten10 Brewing, then enjoy food and drink specials at several bars and restaurants throughout the district.
Enjoy the Milky Way Bar & Bites Crawl
Friday, December 15, 2023
The Milk District, 2424 East Robinson Street
The Milk District Main Street will host their Milky Way Bar & Bites Crawl with favorite bars and restaurants in the district offering specials for participants.
Watch a Holiday Movie in the Park
Friday, December 15, 2023
Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park, 195 North Rosalind Avenue
Pack your blankets, chairs and snacks for the whole family to enjoy the free holiday movie “Elf.”
Shop at the Holiday Gift Market
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Thornton Park District, 707 East Washington Street
Take care of your last-minute holiday shopping with Thornton Park Main Street District’s Holiday Gift Market with local vendors, festive crafts, seasonal foods, drinks and entertainment.
Watch a Holiday Movie in the Park
Friday, December 22, 2023
Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park, 195 North Rosalind Avenue
Pack your blankets, chairs and snacks for the whole family to enjoy the free holiday movie “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Catch the Holiday Drone Light Show
Saturday, December 23, 2023
Show can be viewed from anywhere in Lake Eola Park
Back by popular demand, residents and visitors can enjoy a 12-minute, high-tech holiday drone light show to celebrate the season. This one-night only show is not to be missed and will feature a dazzling display of synchronized drones flying in formation to create beautiful holiday-themed designs in the night sky.
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