Plant Swap

The Orange County Library’s calendar is always packed with FREE events. The library really is a cool place to be! 

The library branches have free classes for all ages, free story times for children, free concerts, free readings by authors and much, much more.

The Orange County Library. Photo courtesy of Amanda Murphy.

Some of the events listed below require registration in advance with an OCLS card and space may be limited. Events may require a small fee if you do not have an OCLS card. If you have any questions, contact the library at 407-835-7323 or visit the Orange County Library site.

Here are some upcoming free events at the library.

Events for Kids and Families

Mindful Start Family Yoga

Winter Garden Branch
Mondays 
10:15 & 11:15 a.m.

Southwest Branch
Tuesdays, December 3–17
11 a.m.

West Oaks Branch
Wednesdays, December 4–18
10 a.m.

• Families can flow through an imaginative yoga journey with puppets, parachute games, and relaxation.

Little Chef: Winter Cake in a Jar

West Oaks Branch
Tuesday, December 3
11 a.m.

Hiawassee Branch
Friday, December 6
11 a.m.

Chickasaw Branch
Saturday, December 21
11 a.m.

• Layer cakes with frosting and sprinkles to create a delicious gift. Adult participation required.

Cocoa and Construction

Washington Park Branch
Wednesday, December 4
4 p.m.

South Trail Branch
Wednesday, December 11
4:30 p.m.

• Test engineering skills with marshmallows and cocoa. Registration required.

Gingerbread Build-Off

South Creek Branch
Saturday, December 14
2:30 p.m.

Chickasaw Branch
Monday, December 23
11 a.m.

• Build your dream gingerbread house.

Dachshund Through the Snow

Fairview Shores Branch
Tuesday, December 10
10:30 a.m.

• Stories, songs, and crafts inspired by dachshunds.

Winter Watercolors

South Trail Branch
Thursday, December 12
4 to 5:30 p.m.

• Learn watercolor techniques to create winter landscapes. Registration required.

It Doesn’t Snow in Florida

Winter Garden Branch
Wednesday, December 18
4:30 p.m.

• Create your own winter fun in Florida style.

Little Chef: Chocolate Covered Anything

North Orange Branch
Thursday, December 19
11 a.m.

• Celebrate by covering treats in chocolate. Registration required.

Macaroni Mania

Windermere Branch
Monday, December 23
4:30 p.m.

• Create unique crafts using macaroni.

General Events

Please check the OCLS site for recommended ages and prerequisites.

Manage Your Winter Garden

Hiawassee Branch
Monday, December 2
4 p.m.

• Fleet Farming demonstrates how to maintain a healthy garden during winter.

Holiday Card Workshop

South Creek Branch
Tuesday, December 3
4:30 p.m.

Winter Garden Branch
Thursday, December 5
4:30 p.m.

• Use varied supplies to create unique cards for loved ones.

The Nutcracker Performance

Orlando Public Library (Library Central)
Sunday, December 8
2 p.m.

• Enjoy live scenes from The Nutcracker by the Central Florida Ballet.

A Christmas Carol Performance

Orlando Public Library
Saturday, December 14
3 p.m.

• Actor Duffy Hudson brings the story to life in this unique one-man show

Victorian Performance Troupe: Phantasmagoria

Orlando Public Library
Sunday, December 15
2 p.m.

• Enjoy a festive journey through whimsical and haunted tales of the holidays by the acclaimed Victorian Performance Troupe.

Holiday Shrinky Dink Shaker Charm

Orlando Public Library
Tuesday, December 17
4:30 p.m.

• Create a fun holiday charm! Ages 18 and up.

Festive Wine Glasses

Windermere Branch
Saturday, December 21
11 a.m.

• Paint festive wine glasses. Ages 18 and up.

Adult Craft and Chat: Winter Terrarium

Hiawassee Branch
Monday, December 23
4 to 6 p.m.

• Make a winter terrarium centerpiece. Ages 18 and up.

See all the free events at the Orange County Library System here.

More free and cheap things to do with kids in and around Orlando

• Free Holiday Entertainment at Disney Springs
• Free and Cheap Holiday Events in Orlando
• Where to see Christmas lights in Orlando and Central Florida
• Free holiday movies near Orlando
• Best places to meet Santa in Orlando
• New Worlds Reading: Free Books for Eligible Orange County Students
• Things to do this week in Orlando (including free events)
• $5 (or free) family-friendly movies at the Ritz Theater in Sanford
• Free Winter Family Day at Art and History Museums of Maitland
• Holiday Parades In and Around Orlando

More music in and around Orlando