It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…or it will, after this weekend! Many towns chose this weekend for their holiday celebrations and tree lighting ceremonies. The best part? It’s a free event that usually involves live music and other kinds of entertainment for the whole family.  Check out what is going on in your area.

Friday Night Live

• Friday, November 30
• 7 pm – 9 pm
• Eddie Rose Amphitheater
• Cranes Roost Park, Uptown Altamonte

Come out to Cranes Roost Park and enjoy great live entertainment in a beautiful outdoor setting. Friday Night Live is a free concert series, open to the public, which showcases top local artists who perform Jazz, Pop, Big Band and Contemporary music on a weekly basis. This week’s featured artist is Napoleon Complex.

Popcorn Flicks in Central Park

• Friday, November 30
• 7 pm – 9 pm
• Central Park, Winter Park
• More Info: 407-629-0054

The movie ELF will be presented by the City of Winter Park and Enzian Theater to coincide with the annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Stroll. Bring your blanket or chair to enjoy this free movie under the stars in Central Park. Free popcorn for everyone. Rain date will be December 3.

 

60th Annual Winter Park Christmas Parade

• Saturday, December 1
• 9 am
• Park Ave, Downtown Winter Park

The 60th Annual Winter Park “Ye Olde Hometown” Christmas Parade is Central Florida’s longest running Christmas Parade. Join us to continue the tradition of marching down historic Park Avenue spreading holiday cheer in downtown Winter Park. More than 100 bands, dance troupes, floats, local dignitaries and, of course, Santa Claus, will delight the young and young-at-heart.

Light Up the Holidays

• Saturday, December 1
• 5 pm – 9 pm
• Eddie Rose Amphitheater
• Cranes Roost Park, Uptown Altamonte

Join in the fun as the City of Altamonte Springs and Progress Energy celebrate the yearly tradition of the lighting of Cranes Roost Park. There will be music, entertainment, fireworks, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus. The regions largest Christmas tree will be on display as well as the Holiday Fountain show. Food and drink will be available for purchase throughout the venue. Don’t miss this fun, free evening of entertainment in the park. Please no pets in the park during events with road closure; per city ordinance.

35th Annual Cracker Christmas Celebration

• Saturday, Dec. 1 – Sunday Dec. 2
• 10 am – 4 pm Daily
• Fort Christmas Historical Park
• 1300 Fort Christmas Road, Christmas, FL, 32709
• More Info: 407-254-9312

The 35th annual Cracker Christmas Celebration will feature Florida Cracker/pioneer re-enactors demonstrating their ways of life, including techniques for spinning, weaving, quilting, lace making, wood carving, blacksmithing, broom making, hide tanning, soap making and more. Santa will visit from 1-3 p.m. each day. There will also be 150 crafters with handmade items as well as community booths and clubs.

Christmas in the Square

• Friday, Nov. 30
• 6 pm
• Magnolia Square
• 200 S. Magnolia Ave. , Sanford , FL , 32771
• More Info: 407-688-5120

The City of Sanford’s celebration will include live entertainment, a visit with Santa, tree lighting ceremony, face painting and balloon artists.

Holiday Tree Lighting

• Saturday, Dec. 1
• 5:30 pm – 8 pm
• Lawton House
• 200 W. Broadway St. , Oviedo , FL , 32765
• More Info: 407-971-5612

Experience the Holiday Tree Lighting at the Lawton House in Oviedo. There will be free refreshments, local music performers, and a visit from Santa. Sponsored by the Oviedo Historical Society.

Holidays at the Waterhouse

• Fridays : noon – 4 p.m. (ends January 11th)
• Saturdays : noon – 4 p.m. (ends January 12th)
• Sundays : noon – 4 p.m. (ends January 13th)
• Thursdays : noon – 4 p.m. (November 29th through January 10th)
• Historic Waterhouse Residence and Carpentry Shop Museum
• 820 Lake Lily Drive, Maitland, FL, 32751
• More Info: 407-539-2181
• $3 for adults, $2 for seniors age 55 or older and children ages 4-18, free for A & H members and children 3 or younger

The Art & History Museums annual exhibit transforms the Waterhouse Residence Museum, an 1884 home located in the center of Lake Lily, with Victorian Christmas trees, decorations and traditions. Each room features Victorian-era holiday decorations and interesting historical facts about the yuletide.

“The Gift” Christmas Festival and Musical Celebration

• Friday, Nov. 30
• 4 pm
• Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola
• 101 N. Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL , 32801
• More Info: 407-488-1919

“The Gift” is a musical stage production featuring massed choirs performing familiar Christmas music arranged by Derric Johnson, Conductor Emeritus of the Disney Candlelight Procession, who will conduct the music on stage. Colorful lights will surround Lake Eola, converting the park into a magical holiday scene. Presented by Trinity Downtown and Holiday Lights Orlando.

 

Light Up UCF

• Daily (ends January 6th)
• UCF Arena
• Building 50 N. Gemini Blvd., Orlando, FL, 32826
• More Info:407-823-6006

Pretend that you’re in Rockerfeller Center with Light up UCF and enjoy the only outdoor skating rink in Orlando, holiday movies, music and a world-class holiday light show.

Holiday Lights Orlando

• Friday, November 30
• 4 pm – 10 pm
• Lake Eola Amphitheater
• 101 N. Rosalind Ave. , Orlando , FL , 32801
• More Info: 407-246-2121

The highlight of Holiday Lights Orlando will be the traditional lighting of the City of Orlando’s Christmas tree, at 6:15 p.m. Festivities will also include the lighting of a menorah, a sampling of holiday treats and an outdoor viewing of ELF, starring Will Ferrell. Admission to Holiday Lights Orlando is free.

Holiday in the Park

• Sunday, Dec. 2
• 2 pm – 7:30 pm
• Lake Eola Amphitheater
• 101 N. Rosalind Ave. Orlando, FL, 32801
• More info: 407-898-3130

Head down to Lake Eola for the annual Holiday in the Park celebration, complete with music, dance, food trucks and pet costume contest! Don’t forget about the Christmas parade featuring none other than Santa himself.

 

Orlando Bank United Christmas Parade

• Sunday, Dec. 2
• 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
• Lake Eola Park
• Robinson Street and Eola Drive, Orlando, FL, 32801

Find a map of parade route here.

 

Festivals of Speed

• Sunday, Dec 2
• 10 am – 4 pm
• $10 (VIP $100)
• Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
• 4012 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando, FL, 32837
• More Info: 305-814-2367

Now in its eighth year, The Festivals of Speed has expanded to produce a series of successful luxury lifestyle weekends featuring the world’s finest vintage and contemporary automobiles, motorcycles, watercraft, and aircraft placed for display at exclusive venues. In addition to the motor sports aspect, Festivals of Speed also showcases the world’s finest luxury lifestyle products including, jewelry, fine art, exquisite dining experiences, select wine and spirits, fashion, premier real estate, and more from the newest and most luxurious lifestyle products and services.

 

Light Up Winter Garden

• Friday, Nov. 30
• 6 pm – 9 pm
• Downtown Winter Garden
• Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL, 34787

Welcome the season with this free winter festival with street lighting, live entertainment, vendors, shopping and chilren’s activities. Street lighting ceremony will be held at 6:30pm.