Free Holiday Celebrations in Orlando

‘Tis the season to enjoy these free holiday celebrations in Orlando

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 free, family-friendly holiday celebrations in Orlando for residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy, furthering the City’s continued commitment to providing a wide variety of amenities and entertainment for everyone.

Sunday, November 13, 2016 – Monday, January 2, 2017
10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Christmas at the Leu House

Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 North Forest Avenue

Local interior designers have decorated the 11-room estate with holiday trimmings, Christmas trees, and decorations to create an enchanting Christmas for all to enjoy. The Leu House is included with regular admission to Harry P. Leu Gardens.

 

Saturday, November 26, 2016
All Day

Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday provides a unique holiday shopping experience and allows residents to support many of the independent, family-owned retailers and restaurants in Downtown Orlando and the City’s 10 Orlando Main Streets districts, and throughout the city.

 

Thursday, December 1, 2016
12:00 p.m.

What’s Up Downtown for the Holidays

Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park

The annual holiday edition of Downtown Orlando’s What’s Up Downtown will feature song and dance performances by the Russian Ballet Orlando, Mad Cow Theatre, Howard Middle School Jazz Band and Howard Middle School Show Choir.

5:00 p.m.

Holiday on the Drive

Edgewater Drive, Between Smith Street and Clayton Street

The College Park Partnership Main Streets District invites families and friends to Holiday on the Drive featuring a Christmas tree lighting, live music, Santa Claus, and other holiday festivities.

 

Friday, December 2, 2016
5:00 p.m. – Festivities Begin
7:00 p.m. – Tree Lighting Ceremony

City of Orlando Annual Tree Lighting Celebration

Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park

The City of Orlando’s annual Tree Lighting Celebration will feature the official lighting of the City’s 72-foot Christmas tree. This free event will include live music by Trinity Lutheran School students and Encore! Cast Performing Arts, a holiday gift shopping vendor village, and food from TheDailyCity.com Food Truck Bazaar.

 

Friday, December 2, 2016 to Sunday, December 18, 2016
4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Santa Claus at the Eola House

Lake Eola Park, 512 East Washington Street

Santa Claus is coming to Lake Eola Park, and he’s not camera shy. Parents have festive picture-taking opportunities with Santa at the Eola House during the weekends before Christmas, on December 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18.

 

Friday, December 2, 2016 to Friday, January 6, 2017

Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show

Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park

Every night starting on December 2 through 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 72-foot Christmas tree will come alive with a synchronized light and music show while the Lake Eola Park fountain displays red, green, and gold lights.

 

Saturday, December 3, 2016
6:00 p.m.

Holiday Concert at Lake Eola

Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park

In support of the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Network, the award-winning Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra will hold its seventh annual holiday benefit concert at Lake Eola Park, performing holiday favorites.

 

Sunday, December 4, 2016
2:00 p.m.

Light Up SoDo

Downtown South, 918 South Orange Ave

Downtown South’s annual holiday event will feature a number of 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.

4:00 p.m.

District 2 Holiday Event

Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park
District 2 City Commissioner Tony Ortiz will host a holiday celebration featuring a live mariachi band and family entertainment at Lake Eola Park.

 

Friday, December 9, 2016
7:00 p.m.

Holiday Movie in the Park

Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park

The free holiday movie at Lake Eola Park will be “Elf,” starring Will Ferrell.

 

Saturday, December 10, 2016
7:00 p.m.

Violectric Holiday Show

Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park

This free concert at Lake Eola Park features local electric string quintet band Violetric playing a mash-up of rock, pop, and holiday favorites.

 

Friday, December 16, 2016
7:00 p.m.

Holiday Movie in the Park

Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park

The free holiday movie at Lake Eola Park will be “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” starring Jim Carrey.

 

Saturday, December 17, 2016
7:30 p.m.

“The Nutcracker” Performance by the Russian Ballet of Orlando

Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park

The Russian Ballet of Orlando will present a gift to the Orlando community at Lake Eola Park with a free performance of the traditional ballet “The Nutcracker.”

 

Friday, December 23, 2016
7:00 p.m.

Holiday Movie in the Park

Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park

End your holiday celebrations in Orlando with another free holiday movie at Lake Eola Park, “A Christmas Story.”

 

Source: “City of Orlando Holiday Celebrations,” cityoforlando.net