Holiday Spirit Shines Bright in Orlando
Orlando, Florida, is lighting up this holiday season with a variety of festive events. From dazzling lights displays to unique local activities, Central Florida is embracing the holidays with enthusiasm. Residents and visitors alike can partake in numerous celebrations that showcase the region’s seasonal spirit.
What’s Happening
The joy of the season kicks off in downtown Orlando with the City’s massive Christmas tree. The tree features a vibrant dancing light show that takes place nightly at 5:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8:45 p.m., and 9:45 p.m. until January 6. This year’s lighting celebration occurs on December 6 at 8 p.m. near East Washington Street and North Rosalind Avenue. Alongside the tree lighting, visitors can explore the “Merry Market” at Lake Eola Park, showcasing local handmade goods from Fridays to Sundays, now until December 22.
Community Festivities
In Lake Nona Town Center, families can revel in the “Oh, What Fun!” holiday event. Enjoy activities like a festive tree trail, visits with Santa, and a holiday market through select nights until December 22. In Altamonte Springs, Cranes Roost Park will light up with over 200,000 lights for its holiday display, kicking off with a special light-up night on December 7.
Winter Park will host its fifth annual Light Up Hannibal Square on December 12, inviting participants to enjoy a holiday concert and photo opportunities with Santa. Meanwhile, Longwood’s “Celebrate the Season” event at Reiter Park on December 13 will feature live entertainment and food trucks for a festive atmosphere.
Unique Local Traditions
For those near Clermont, there are exciting happenings including a tree lighting ceremony followed by a Christmas parade on December 6. As the festivities continue, visitors can experience the Dazzling Nights event at Leu Gardens from now until January 6, where a million lights will transform the garden into an illuminated wonderland.
The popular “Now Snowing” event in Celebration brings simulated snowfalls nightly through December 31, along with photo opportunities with Santa and festive carriage rides. In nearby Winter Garden, seasonal decorations will delight guests along with horse-drawn carriage rides and movie screenings through December 28.
Attractions and Activities
For a magical experience, Walt Disney World is offering special holiday festivities, including fireworks and shows across its parks, while Universal Orlando showcases seasonal decorations and events throughout December. The Central Florida Zoo is also captivating guests with its Asian Lantern Festival, illuminating the park until January 19. Gatorland will host its Holiday Ho Ho Ho-Down, promising festive fun for families on selected weekends through December 22.
Orlando’s diverse holiday offerings showcase the city’s unique blend of traditions and modern celebrations. From tree lightings and parades to immersive light displays and meets with Santa, there’s something for everyone eagerly awaiting the joys of the season.
Conclusion
As holiday festivities abound, Orlando stands as a vibrant hub for community engagement and joyful celebrations. With a variety of events to enjoy, residents are encouraged to explore these exciting activities and make the most of this magical time of year.
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
