Orlando Christmas, holiday events: Surfing Santas, festivals, boat parades and more
’Tis the season, and even though Florida doesn’t experience a white Christmas, there are many other indicators that the holiday season has arrived in the Orlando area.
Maybe your neighbor is putting up 25,000 twinkly lights on his or her house. Maybe you’re eagerly anticipating a boat or golf cart parade, both of which are uniquely Floridian ways to usher in the holidays.
Regardless of how you choose to celebrate, there’s no shortage of options for getting in the spirit here in Central Florida.
Holiday lights and community festivals
The City of Orlando rings in the holiday season with its larger-than-life Christmas tree featuring a dancing light show nightly at 5:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. through Jan. 6 near the intersection of East Washington Street and North Rosalind Avenue. This year, explore a holiday market at Lake Eola park with 30 local vendors selling handmade goods from 4:30-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 5-8 p.m. through Dec. 23. The city will also host movies in the park and performances throughout December. More information: orlando.gov or downtownorlando.com
Lake Nona Town Center will hold an “Oh, What Fun!” holiday event with a tree lot, visits with Santa, a holiday market and entertainment in the East Orlando community. Visitors can also find a menorah lighting, sweet treats and children’s activities during the festivities, which take place through Dec. 24 at 6900 Tavistock Lakes Blvd. in Orlando. More information: ohwhatfunlakenona.com
The City of Longwood hosts the annual “Celebrate the Season” event at Reiter Park with a tree lighting ceremony, live entertainment, an inflatable snow maze, slides, shopping in Santa’s workshop and more. The festivities are 6-9 p.m. Dec. 9 at 311 W. Warren Ave. in Longwood. More information: eventbrite.com
Winter Wonderland Family Day at the Art & History Museums — Maitland features children’s crafts, a scavenger hunt, face painting and free admission to the museum attractions. The festivities are from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 10 at 231 W. Packwood Ave. in Maitland. More information: eventbrite.com
Ocoee’s Jolly Jamboree and Holiday Tree Lighting kicks off the season with live music, ice skating, ax throwing, carolers and more. The event also features a dog parade and the Ocoee Sing-Off Contest. The free festivities take place 4-9 p.m. Dec. 10 on McKey Street in Ocoee. More information: ocoee.org or 407-905-3180
Clermont hosts holiday festivities including “Cookies and Cocoa” in downtown Clermont at participating stores from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 9. Victory Pointe is home to a Holiday Enchanted Forest through Jan. 8 with 50 individually decorated trees and holiday music, open nightly until 10 a.m.; Visitors can also send letters to Santa through Dec. 19. More information: clermontfl.gov
Dazzling Nights, back for its third year, is an immersive holiday experience at Leu Gardens through Jan. 1 featuring a million lights, displays and sculptures in the Orlando green space. The event features more lights and installations this year and is presented by The Memoir Agency and Creative City Project. Tickets cost $25 per adult before fees. More information and tickets: dazzlingorlando.com
407 Food Fair is back with a “Deck the Halls” rendition of the event. Find visits from Santa, a kids’ elf academy and plenty of food to choose from at Ivanhoe Park Brewing. Explore the offerings from noon-6 p.m. Dec. 10 at 1300 Alden Road in Orlando. More information: instagram.com/407foodfair
Now Snowing in Celebration Town Center brings nightly “snowfall” to visitors and community members along with Santa photo ops, carolers, carriage rides and more. Snow will fall nightly at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. through Dec. 31 on Market Street in Celebration. More information: celebrationtowncenter.com
Cranes Roost Holiday Lights in Altamonte Springs will dazzle visitors with more than 200,000 lights and a 60-foot tree with thousands of lights and ornaments. Visitors can see the lights beginning at dusk nightly through Jan. 1 at 274 Cranes Roost Blvd. On certain days, holiday elves and Santa will visit the park. Visitors can also hear live holiday music or enjoy Christmas movies on select nights. More information and schedule: altamonte.org
‘Tis the Season in Winter Garden will be lighting up the community with festive decor while providing horse-drawn carriage tours, holiday music and more. Visitors can also find holiday-themed photo stations, light shows, outdoor movies and other seasonal activities through Dec. 31 in downtown Winter Garden. More information and full schedule: cwgdn.com
Night of a Million Lights brings a trail of holiday lights to visitors at a new location, Island H2O water park, this season and still benefits Give Kids the World. The larger-than-life displays are sure to dazzle visitors through Jan. 1 at 3230 Inspiration Drive in Kissimmee. Tickets start at $30 for adults and $15 for kids. More information: gktw.org
Promenade at Sunset Walk hosts festive celebrations and surprise visits from Santa on select nights this holiday season. Enjoy the Promenade’s 40-foot tree, live music, holiday crafts, street markets, car shows and more. The festivities are on select nights 5-10 p.m. through Dec. 24 at 3251 Margaritaville Blvd. in Kissimmee. More information: sunsetwalk.com
Milk Mart Holiday Market brings last-minute shopping opportunities to the Milk District with more than 2000 local vendors, artists and businesses to shop from. Find the festivities noon-6 p.m. Dec. 19 at 2432 E. Robinson St. in Orlando. More information: themilkdistrict.org
Boat parades
The Winter Park Boat Parade will bring watercraft of all shapes and sizes to Lake Virginia beginning at 6 p.m. Dec. 10. Viewers can watch from Dinky Dock Park or other places along the shore of the lake. More information: cityofwinterpark.org
Cocoa Beach Boat Parade returns with dozens of festive vessels traveling along the Banana River to celebrate the season. View these boats along the Intracoastal Waterway beginning at 6 p.m. Dec. 10. More information: cocoabeachrotary.org
The Windermere Boat Parade will bring festive watercraft to Lake Butler for a parade on the water. Boaters will meet on the north side of Bird Island, then make a route near the eastern shore of the lake and through Wauseon Bay. The event starts at sunset Dec. 17 on Lake Butler in Windermere. More information: facebook.com
Fa la la la Florida
Surfing Santas hosts hundreds of festive Floridians on Cocoa Beach for a morning of holiday-inspired surfing and merriment. Surfers will be dressed as Santa, elves and more while having holiday-inspired fun in the sun. Catch the festivities with free admission beginning at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 24 at 3 Minutemen Causeway Beach in Cocoa Beach. More information: surfingsantas.org
Wekiva Island’s Winter Wonderland provides visitors its biggest holiday celebration yet. The Longwood island hangout will bring visitors a 30-foot Christmas tree, snow flurries, festive lights and decor, not to mention breakfast with Santa, holiday movies and other activities. Festivities take place through Dec. 25 at 1014 Miami Springs Drive in Longwood. More information: wekivaisland.com
Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest in Eustis will host families and friends on select dates through Dec. 18 for those looking to cut their own Florida Christmas tree or purchase a precut one. Other activities on the farm include visits with Santa (on select dates), hayrides, a petting zoo and horse rides at 35317 Huff Road in Eustis. Reservations and advance tickets are required and cost $7 or $9 per person depending on the date. Trees and additional activities cost extra. More information and tickets: santaschristmastreeforest.com
Sea Life Orlando Aquarium at Icon Park is offering visitors a uniquely Floridian Santa experience. Every Wednesday at 1 p.m. in December (except Dec. 28), Scuba Claus will make a holly jolly appearance underwater alongside marine life. Other holiday activities include a scavenger hunt and opportunities for the perfect seasonal “shell-fie.” More information: visitsealife.com
Old Town Kissimmee hosts a golf cart parade and car cruise on Old Town’s Main Street to celebrate the holidays. Find the festivities beginning at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee. More information: myoldtownusa.com
Winter Garden’s Annual Santa Bike Ride brings together community members of all ages for a holiday-themed gathering beginning at Winter Garden Wheel Works. Meet Santa and his elves at the shop (101 W. Plant St. in Winter Garden) from 3-5 p.m. Dec. 17, then embark on a two-mile ride at a casual pace starting at 6 p.m. More information: facebook.com
The 2022 Windermere Golf Cart Parade will gather the community for a festive drive around the neighborhood. Participants should register ahead of time for a $20 donation to the Windermere Police Department and decorate their carts for the holidays. The festivities kick off at Central Park on Oakdale Street in Windermere; the parade begins at 5:45 p.m. Dec. 18. More information: eventbrite.com
Special theme park, attraction and resort events
Walt Disney World has a range of holiday offerings at its parks and resorts. On select nights, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party provides ticketed guests with an “oh-so-jolly” parade, a fireworks display and holiday treats. Epcot celebrates holiday traditions from around the world and tells the story of Christmas through Candlelight Processional. Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a projection show and other “yuletide adventures,” while Disney’s Animal Kingdom has a festive flotilla. Over at Disney Springs, guests can find a Christmas Tree Stroll. More information: disneyworld.disney.go.com
Universal Orlando has holiday festivities with dazzling decor abound, seasonal shows and treats, Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, Harry Potter holiday happenings, “The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular” and a holiday tree scavenger hunt through Jan. 1 at 6000 Universal Blvd. More information: universalorlando.com
Christmas Nights in Lights glows nightly outside of Dezerland Action Park with a new drive-through attraction. See more than one million lights dancing and synchronized to music. In addition, Dezerland has its own indoor holiday village. Explore the drive-through nightly through Jan. 1 at 5250 International Drive in Orlando. More information: nightsinlights.com
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration brings a winter wonderland for guests with millions of lights and holiday fireworks, plus an ice-skating extravaganza show and meetups with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa through Jan. 3 at 7007 Sea World Drive. More information: seaworld.com
Legoland Florida has holiday celebrations featuring a giant Lego Christmas tree, seasonal shows, special treats, character visits, lights and more. Find the festivities select days through Dec. 31 at One Legoland Way in Winter Haven. More information: legoland.com
The Central Florida Zoo is presenting its Asian Lantern Festival with hundreds of hand-constructed lanterns illuminated for visitors to enjoy. Tickets start at $21.99 for this all-ages event; discounted four packs of tickets are also available. Find the event select nights through Jan. 15 at 3755 W. Seminole Blvd. in Sanford. More information and tickets: centralfloridazoo.org
Gatorland’s Holiday Ho Ho Ho-Down provides a family-friendly holiday experience with Gator Claus, character encounters and festive food items. The festivities take place on weekends through Dec. 18 at 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail. More information: gatorland.com
ICON Park will host “The Santa Workshop Experience” with Santa photo ops and rides on The Wheel in a decorated capsule. A $20 deposit is required for Santa photos, taking place through Dec. 24 at 8375 International Drive in Orlando. The Museum of Illusions Orlando hosts “Elves Off The Shelf Fridays” on Dec. 9, Dec. 16 and Dec. 23 with elf photo ops and mind-bending merriment. More information: thesantaworkshopexperience.com or moiorlando.com
Crayola’s Colorful Christmas will host visitors for holiday animatronic characters, special Christmas crafts, a holiday scavenger hunt and seasonal treats through Jan. 3. Find these activities at 8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail. More information: crayolaexperience.com
Gaylord Palms is back with ICE! again this year, with the story of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” in larger-than-life sculptures and slides made entirely of ice. Tickets can be purchased for individual attractions or ticket bundles are available. Festivities take place through Jan. 1 at 6000 W. Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee. More information: christmasatgaylordpalms.marriott.com
Did we miss any events or want to get in touch? Find me @PConnPie on Twitter and Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun things, follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
