Apopka Tree Lighting
Orlando truly shines during this time of year! The weather is ideal, and each neighborhood comes alive with exciting holiday events to celebrate the season. Fortunately, you don't need to spend a lot of money to enjoy a fantastic holiday experience in Central Florida. In fact, some of the best holiday events and activities are absolutely FREE.
To help you find all the fun this year, we have created this huge guide with all the free and cheap events in one place. Check out all three categories of events to get the most out of your holiday celebrations:
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Holiday Events and Festivals 2025
Jingle Eve
Gaston Edwards Park, Orlando
November 22, 4:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Free Admission
- Spanning stretches of Orange Avenue and Virginia Drive, as well as Gaston Edwards Park.
- From beer gardens to music, local artisans, food trucks, and special event promotions by Ivanhoe Village retailers, restaurants, and bars. The evening culminates with fireworks displayed high above the shores of Lake Ivanhoe.
- A Children's Holiday Village with craft tables, bounce houses, a Bubble Bus, and more.
46th Annual Christmas in the Park
North Central Park, Winter Park
December 4, 6:15 to 8:30 p.m.
Free Admission
- The Morse Museum will light seven of its Tiffany windows and present the Bach Festival Choir, Youth Choir, and Brass Ensemble in concert.
Light Up Winter Garden
Downtown Winter Garden and City Hall
December 5, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Free Admission
- At 6:15 at City Hall, be there for the momentous flipping of the switch to turn on the holiday lights and watch downtown glow.
- Live entertainment, kids' snow area, holiday characters and photo ops, street performers, a children's train and more.
Light Up Sanford
Magnolia Square
December 5, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Free Admission
- Outdoor event to kick off the season with a lot of holiday lights, entertainment, live music and visits with Santa.
Baldwin Park Winter Wonderland Extravaganza
The Village Center, Baldwin Park
December 6, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Free Admission
- This family-friendly event kicks off with a holiday festival that includes live performances, artists, vendors, delicious food, shopping opportunities, stilt-walkers, balloon artists, and the chance to take photos with Santa. In the evening, the festivities continue with an illuminated parade, led by Commissioner Robert Stuart, followed by the annual lighting of the holiday tree.
Avalon Aglow
Downtown Avalon Park
December 6, 3:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Free Admission
- Parade at 3:00 p.m. and fireworks at 9:00 p.m.
- Bounce park, food trucks, pictures with Santa, local vendors, and performances.
Cranes Roost Light Up the Holidays
Uptown Altamonte
December 6, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Free Admission
- The City of Altamonte Springs and Duke Energy celebrate the tradition of lighting up Cranes Roost Park with live music, entertainment, fireworks, and train rides, along with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Chanukah at Oviedo on the Park
Oviedo on the Park
December 15, 5:00 p.m.
Join the Oviedo and Winter Springs Jewish community in celebrating the Festival of Lights. Featuring:
- Grand Menorah Lighting
- Chanukah Treats
- Festive Music and Community Spirit
- Circus Dog Show
- Live Chocolate Sculpture by the Chocolate Genius
Christmas Tree Lighting Events
Light Up Mount Dora
Donnelly Park
November 22, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Free Admission
- An evening of festive fun, dazzling lights, live music, and entertainment for all ages.
Light Up Eustis
Ferran Park, Eustis
November 28, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Free Admission
- Food and craft vendors, pictures with Santa, performances by The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra, snow slide, and lots more family fun.
Oviedo Tree Lighting
Center Lake Park
December 4, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Free Admission
- A tree lighting at 6:30, free photos with Santa, live reindeer, carolers, food trucks, and live music.
Lake Eola Tree Lighting
Lake Eola Park Washington Square Plaza
December 5, 5:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Free Admission
- The event will include holiday performances at the Walt Disney Amphitheater, food trucks and a holiday market on International Plaza within Lake Eola Park.
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
St. Cloud City Hall
December 6, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Free Admission
- Community event with musical performances, visits with Santa, crafts, a snow slide, and the lighting of the tree.
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony & Winter on the Avenue
Central Park
December 5, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Free Admission
- Tree lighting, Menorah lighting, Santa Claus, Popcorn Flicks in the Park, live music, snow slides for the kids, s'mores from the Winter Park Fire-Rescue Department, and so much more.
Apopka Tree Lighting
Kit Land Nelson Park
December 5, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Free Admission
- Holiday music, kids' activities, and the official lighting of Apopka's tree.
Ongoing Holiday Events
Christmas on Park
Central Park
Every night from November 13 through Christmas, starting at 5:00 p.m.
Free Admission
- A multi-sensory experience that brings the magic of the holidays to life for both residents and guests. Festive décor will sparkle along Park Avenue with over 150,000 lights, wreaths on lamp posts, a cathedral of lights in Central Park, a children's carousel, and so much more.
Downtown for the Holidays
Lake Eola Park
All December
Free Admission
- Free holiday events such as Christmas light shows, live music, as well as visits with Santa and the Grinch.
- Sensory Night is on December 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and offers noise-cancelling headphones, a Santa line system for easier visits, and a sensory-friendly environment.
Wekiva Island's Winter Wonderland
Wekiva Island
All December
$5 Admission; select events are $10
- Wekiva Island turns into a fun holiday destination along the river with activities throughout the season including stories with Mrs. Claus, "snow" flurries, and holiday stiltwalkers. Visit Santa in his immersively decorated workshop that includes his office and Mr. Claus's bakery.
Frontyard Holiday Festival
Dr. Phillips Center
December 4 through January 4
Free Admission
- With a full calendar of holiday experiences such as live music, Sunday movie nights, "snow" flurries, a game lawn, and more, everyone can find some Christmas magic here.
Santa's Christmas Tree Forest
Santa's Farm, Eustis
- Make a reservation in advance to have fun on the farm with a petting zoo, hayrides, bounce pillow, and more. Purchase a pre-cut tree or cut down your own Florida Christmas tree.
Holiday Friday Nights at the Morse
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
- Every Friday through April, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- FREE entry to the museum and live music to celebrate the holiday season.
Celebration's Now Snowing
Celebration Town Center
Nightly from November 29 through December 31
- Now Snowing is a month-long Winter Wonderland Spectacular featuring strolling Charles Dickens-style carolers, photos with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, train rides, ice skating, and nightly snowfall at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00 PM.
Oh What Fun! Holiday Festival
Lake Nona Town Center
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from December 5 through 21
- Lake Nona Town Center transforms into a winter wonderland, known as Peppermint Square, with a calendar full of celebrations and events. Events vary by date and time. Check the site for admission information.
Tis the Season Winter Garden
Downtown Winter Garden
December 5, 2025 through January 4, 2026
Most activities are free
- Downtown is transformed into a Winter Wonderland for the season. Enjoy horse-drawn carriage tours, strolling performers, live music, light shows, and more.
WHERE TO SEE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN ORLANDO
Check out our full list of the best Christmas lights in Orlando here.
- Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens
- Downtown Lake Mary
- Downtown Orlando
- Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs
- Downtown Mount Dora
- Celebration
Day-by-day calendar of free and cheap holiday events in Central Florida
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