Your Guide to Holiday Fun in Orlando!
Your Guide to Holiday Fun in Orlando, From Today Until January 1st!
The holiday season is bursting at the seams with things to do and see. From the arts to sports, boat parades to theme parks, we have one suggestion a day from today all the way to Jan. 1. Here is your guide to holiday fun in Orlando:
DEC. 12
R&B star Usher performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Amway Center in Orlando. Tickets: $48.80-$167.75; amwaycenter.com
DEC. 13
Central Florida Ballet’s presentation of “The Nutcracker” features aerial stunts and pyrotechnics. The classic holiday ballet has three performances Dec. 13-14 in the Linda Chapin Theater of the Orange County Convention Center, 9990 International Drive, Orlando. $40-$64. 407-849-9948 or centralfloridaballet.com.
DEC. 14
A modern-day holiday tradition returns with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 3 and 7:30 p.m., at the Amway Center in Orlando. Tickets: $53.40-$83.55; ticketmaster.com
DEC. 15
Put some musical variety in the winter chill with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance of Vivaldi’s famed concertos “The Four Seasons.” The show is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando. Tickets are $15-$42; call 407-770-0071.
DEC. 16
Fans of biblical movies may want to check out “Exodus: Gods and Kings” with Oscar-winner Christian Bale as Moses. The big screen will be the place to see the special effects in this epic from director Ridley Scott.
DEC. 17
Rock fans will want to catch The Black Keys. The duo of Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach will perform at 8 p.m. at Amway Center in Orlando. Tickets: $33-$73 at Ticketmaster.com
DEC. 18
During Holidays in Space, the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex adds a holiday laser light show to its high-tech NASA tours and entertainment. Opens at 9 a.m. at the KSC Visitors Complex east of U.S. Highway 1 on NASA Parkway 5 miles south of Titusville. Daily admission is $50 adults, $40 ages 3-11. Details: kennedyspacecenter.com or 866-737-5235.
DEC. 19
Orlando Ballet opens its annual production of “The Nutcracker,” the magical Christmas Eve adventures of little Clara. The troupe offers three performances of the full-length show and three hourlong versions for children through Dec. 21. The production will be staged at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. $34.25-$113.75. 844-513-2014 or drphillipscenter.org.
DEC. 20
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration includes “Shamu Christmas Miracles” orca show, “O Wondrous Night” stage show, a figure-skating show, the Sea of Trees display and more. Activities are included in regular theme-park admission, which is $95 ($90 for ages 3-9).
DEC. 21
Mannheim Steamroller, modern Christmas music supergroup, performs as part of Universal Orlando’s holiday celebration. Concert follows Macy’s Holiday Parade, which begins at nightfall. Event is included in regular Universal Studios admission, which is $96 ($90 for ages 3-9). Universalorlando.com.
DEC. 22
A new take on the beloved musical “Annie” is playing in theaters. Annie (Quvenzhané Wallis) is now a foster child in Harlem, and Daddy Warbucks is Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx), a billionaire candidate for New York mayor. Cameron Diaz co-stars as Miss Hannigan.
DEC. 23
Strap on the skates at Winter in the Park, the ice rink that takes over the south edge of Central Park along Park Avenue in downtown Winter Park each holiday season. Hours today are 3-9 p.m. and all-day admission is $12 (includes skate rental).
DEC. 24
Hop on the ice slides or just enjoy the holiday lighting at Light Up UCF, an annual winter wonderland outside the CFE Arena, 12777 N. Gemini Blvd. on the University of Central Florida campus, Orlando. Hours today are noon-5 p.m. and admission is free (ticket prices vary for rides). For details, head to lightupucf.com or call 407-823-3070.
DEC. 25
“Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration” is the 31st annual Christmas Day parade and TV special presented by Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. As the title indicates, “Frozen” themes will be played up this year. 9 a.m., ABC. In movie theaters, Disney presents “Into the Woods,” the Stephen Sondheim musical with Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp.
DEC. 26
The Orlando Magic spend much of December on the road, but you can catch their marquee game the day after Christmas. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers visit Orlando at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $131.35 and can be purchased at OrlandoMagic.com or by calling 1-866-293-8521.
DEC. 27
Professional ice skaters perform to a music and light show at Holidays on Ice, 6 and 7:30 p.m., at the Rosen Centre, 9840 International Drive, Orlando. Tickets are $25. For details, call 407-996-9840 or check rosencentre.com.
DEC. 28
Bring the kids to a “Peanut Butter Matinee” screening of “The Wizard of Oz,” the 1939 Judy Garland film at Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland. Showtime is noon and tickets are $5. Details: 407-629-0054 or enzian.org.
DEC. 29
Are you ready for some football? A team from the ACC and a team from the Big 12 will face off in the first bowl game played at the renovated Citrus Bowl. Kickoff for the Russell Athletic Bowl is set for 5:30 p.m. Tickets start at $45; 1-800-745-3000, floridacitrussports.com or the Amway Center box office.
DEC. 30
A variety of floats and high school bands from throughout the country will gather in downtown Orlando for the annual Florida Citrus Parade, which runs from about 10 a.m. to noon. It begins on Orange Avenue and Robinson Street and continues south on Orange Avenue, east on Anderson Street and north on Rosalind Avenue. The parade concludes at Rosalind Avenue and Robinson Street.
DEC. 31
Ring in the new year with the Piano Man. Billy Joel performs at 9:30 p.m. at the Amway Center in Orlando. Tickets: $65.35-$168.95; ticketmaster.com
JAN. 1
Orlando’s oldest bowl game has a new name. The Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl will pair a team from the SEC against a team from either the Big Ten or ACC. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. Tickets start at $45; 1-800-745-3000; floridacitrussports.com; or Amway Center box office.
Source: “Your countdown to holiday events in Orlando,” Orlando Sentinel