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WHAT:
There is no more festive time of the year to experience the City of Orlando than the holiday season. Throughout November and December, the city is offering family-friendly holiday events and activities for residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy, furthering the City’s continued commitment to providing a wide variety of entertainment and festivities for everyone.
For more information on events visit orlando.gov/events or downtownorlando.com/holidays.
WHEN & WHERE:
The City of Orlando invites Central Florida residents and guests to celebrate the holiday season at several local events in Orlando, including:
Thursday, November 17, 2022
5:30 p.m. - Deck the District
Church Street Plaza, 64 West Church Street
Join City District Main Street for their tree lighting, gingerbread house making party, vendors, window decorating and more.
Friday, November 18, 2022
6:30 a.m. - Installation of the Lake Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree
Lake Eola Park’s Washington Plaza
The Lake Eola Wonderland Christmas tree will begin the process of being installed at Lake Eola’s Park Washington Plaza over the next few days. This tree is adorned with 2,000 ornaments and 200 pounds in lights, which will musically sync with the lights on the Lake Eola fountain.
Saturday, November 19, 2022
4 p.m. - Jingle Eve
Gaston Edwards Park, 1236 North Orange Avenue
Annually organized by the Ivanhoe Village Main Street District, Jingle Eve is a family-friendly holiday celebration featuring a Santa’s Village, 12 Wines of Christmas Wine Walk, Christmas tree lighting, food trucks, bubble bus, local artists, vendors, crafts, fireworks and live musical performances.
Sunday, November 20, 2022
7:30 a.m. - Jack Kazanzas Star Installation
*Road closures begin at 6:45 a.m. with work on the star starting at 7:30 a.m. Raising of the star will take place between 8 – 9:30 a.m.*
Downtown Orlando, Intersection of Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard
An Orlando holiday tradition, the raising of the Jack Kazanzas Star 50 feet in downtown Orlando will take place the morning of Sunday, November 20 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.
Friday, November 25, 2022- January 1, 2023
5:30 p.m. - Dazzling Nights
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 - a family-friendly adventure that gives guests the opportunity to embark on an unforgettable, three-quarter mile, interactive holiday experience. Tickets must be purchased in advance for a specific time and date; they will not be available for purchase at the door.
Saturday, November 26, 2022
All Day - Small Business Saturday
Support Local City of Orlando Businesses
Small Business Saturday provides a unique holiday shopping experience and allows residents to support many of the independent, family-owned retailers and restaurants throughout the City of Orlando, including Downtown and in Orlando’s 12 Main Street districts.
3 p.m. - College Park Season of Sparkle
College Park Main Street, 2400 Edgewater Drive
College Park Main Street District invites residents to attend the kick-off of their “Season of Sparkle,” featuring a tree lighting, local vendors and artisans and the beginning of the local business window decorating contest.
5 p.m. - Shop Small Sip & Stroll
3201 Corrine Drive
Audubon Park Garden Main Street District invites residents to join them for their annual Shop Small Sip & Stroll where guests can enjoy local beer and wine while shopping at the district’s unique selection of small businesses.
Monday, November 28, 2022 - January 2, 2023
9 a.m. - Holiday Blooms
Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 North Forest Avenue
The annual fanfare of flora, known as Holiday Blooms, returns to Leu Gardens on November 28. Get into the holiday spirit with thousands of festive and vibrant poinsettias and other seasonal favorites along with a Mistletoe Station. Included with daytime garden admission.
Thursday, December 1, 2022
11 a.m. - What’s Up Downtown for the Holidays
Heritage Square Park, 65 East Central Boulevard
With Santa serving as emcee, enjoy a festival atmosphere at Heritage Square Park in front of the Orange County Regional History Center. Enjoy complimentary amusement games, made to order cotton candy, popcorn from Popcorn Junkie, live performances and more.
Friday, December 2, 2022
5 p.m. – Festivities Begin
8 p.m. – Tree Lighting Ceremony
City of Orlando Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
Lake Eola Park’s Washington Plaza
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.
Friday, December 2, 2022 - Friday, December 23, 2022
Eola Wonderland Snowfall
Near Eola House, 512 Eola Parkway
Experience a Florida snowfall in Downtown Orlando near the Eola House. Celebrate falling snowflakes on select evenings with 15-minute shows: Fridays and Saturdays nights: 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and on Sundays: 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Downtown Orlando Holiday Market
Lake Eola Park, 512 East Washington Street
Support local this season when shopping at Holiday Market in downtown Orlando on select nights: Fridays and Saturdays: 4:30 - 9 p.m. and Sundays: 5 - 8 p.m.
Friday, December 2, 2022 - Friday, January 6, 2023
Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show
Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park, 195 North Rosalind Avenue
Every night starting on Friday, December 2 through Friday, January 6 at 5:45 p.m.; 6:45 p.m.; 7:45 p.m.; 8:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m., the Eola Wonderland 64-foot Christmas tree will come alive with a synchronized light and music show.
Saturday, December 3, 2022
2 p.m. - Curry Ford West’s Picture-Perfect Holidays Kickoff
Justin Bauknight State Farm, 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, vendors, music and more.
Saturday, December 3, 2022 – Friday, December 23, 2022
Santa Claus at the Eola House
Eola House, 512 Eola Parkway
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 during the weekends before Christmas, on December 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 and 23. Select nights include Friday and Saturdays: 4:30 – 9 p.m. and Sundays 5 - 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 4, 2022
2 p.m. - Light Up SoDo
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 20-foot Christmas tree.
Friday, December 9, 2022
7 p.m. - Holiday Movie at Lake Eola Park
East Lawn at Lake Eola Park
Pack your blankets, chairs, and snacks for the whole family to enjoy the free holiday movie featured will be “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Saturday, December 10, 2022
5 p.m. - Holiday on the Drive Parade
College Park, along Edgewater Drive
The College Park Main Street District invites families and friends to Holiday on the Drive parade featuring live music, Santa Claus in Albert Park and other holiday festivities.
7 p.m. - Violectric Holiday Show
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 unlike anything seen and heard before and simulcast around all of Lake Eola Park.
Violectric has also teamed back up with Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando for the pet-friendly show. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also return for meet-and-greets and family and pet photos, plus more surprises.
7:30 p.m. - Approximately 12 Pubs of Christmas Pub Crawl
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.
Friday, December 16, 2022
6 p.m. - The Milky Way Bar & Bites Crawl
The Milk District, 2424 East Robinson Street
Join The Milk District Main Street for their Milky Way Bar & Bites Crawl, with each location offering specials for participants from their favorite bars and restaurants in the district.
7 p.m. - Holiday Movie in the Park
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 featured will be “Four Christmases.”
Sunday, December 18, 2022
11 a.m. - Milk Mart Holiday Market
The Nook on Robinson, 2432 East Robinson Street
Join The Milk District Main Street for their annual Milk Mart Holiday Market, featuring locally made crafts, goods and gifts from more than 130 featured vendors.
Friday, December 23, 2022
7 p.m. - Holiday Movie in the Park
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 featured will be “The Grinch.”
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