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. In this guide you will find:
- Holiday Events and Festivals
- Christmas Tree Lighting Events
- Ongoing Holiday Events and Activities
Winter Wonderland at Wekiva Island in Longwood. Image: Wellons Communications.
FREE AND CHEAP HOLIDAY EVENTS IN ORLANDO
If there is a holiday event we’ve missed, please send to news@orlandoonthecheap.com.
For more holiday event ideas, you might be interested in these blog posts:
Where to see Christmas lights in Orlando
Where to go ice skating in Orlando
Free & cheap things to do this weekend in Orlando
Cheap things to do with kids in Orlando
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Holiday Events and Festivals 2024
Jingle Eve
Gaston Edwards Park, Orlando
November 23, 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.
Light Up Sanford
Magnolia Square
December 6, 6:30 p.m.
Free Admission
- Outdoor event to kick off the season with a lot of holiday lights, entertainment, live music and visits with Santa.
Avalon Aglow
Downtown Avalon Park
December 7, 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 7, 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 30, 5:00 p.m.
Join the Oviedo and Winter Springs Jewish community in celebrating the Festival of Lights. Featuring:
- Grand Menorah Lighting
- Chanukah Treats
- Facepaint, Spin the Wheel, Popcorn, Cotton Candy
- Classic Chanukah Treats – Hot Latkes and Jelly Donuts
- Incredible Show
- Fun Photo Op with our Chanukah Stilt Walker
- Festive Music and Community Spirit
Christmas Tree Lighting Events
Light Up Mount Dora
Donnelly Park
November 23, 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Free Admission
- An evening of festive fun, dazzling lights, and entertainment for all ages across three parks.
Oviedo Tree Lighting
Center Lake Park
December 5, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Free Admission
- A tree lighting at 6:30, free photos with Santa, live reindeer, carolers, food trucks, a special surprise guest performance and more.
The City of Orlando Christmas lights. Image: City of Orlando.
Lake Eola Tree Lighting
Lake Eola Park Washington Square Plaza
December 6, 5:00 to 9:00 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.
- Every weekend through December 22 at Lake Eola, you can check out the downtown Merry Market with a nightly Florida snowfall, 30 vendors, and visits from Santa. Check out all of Orlando’s holiday happenings.
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
St. Cloud City Hall
December 6, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 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 6, 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 6, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Free Admission
- Holiday music, kids’ activities, and the official lighting of Apopka’s tree. Check out Apopka’s list of holiday events.
Ongoing Holiday Events
Image: ICON Park
Holiday Happenings at ICON Park
ICON Park
Daily throughout December at various locations inside ICON Park
Free Admission, but some activities may require tickets
- Every night from Dec. 1 to Dec. 31 snow machines will create flurries to dazzle guests and cover The Lawn and other areas around ICON Park from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- The Charles Dickens Carolers will also spread holiday cheer with performances every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., plus appearances on Dec. 23, 24 and 25.
- Various seasonal fun is happening all December at the Orlando Eye, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Helena Moderna Riviera, the Museum of Illusions, and more.
Christmas on Park
Central Park
Every night from November 14 through January 5 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 beginning November 29, and so much more.
Wekiva Island’s Winter Wonderland
Wekiva Island
All December
- 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 workshop.
- $5 admission fee.
Cut down your own Christmas tree at Santa’s Farm in Eustis. Image: Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest.
Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest
Santa’s Farm, Eustis
- Admission tickets are $9.95 online; $12.95 at the gate; 2 and under Free.
- 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.
Free admission at Morse Museum on Friday nights. Image: Morse Museum.
Holiday Friday Nights at the Morse
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
- Every Friday through April 2025, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- FREE entry to the museum and live music to celebrate the holiday season.
Oh What Fun! Holiday Festival
Lake Nona Town Center
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from December 6 through 22
- 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.
Dazzling Nights at Harry P. Leu Gardens. Image: Quay Hu.
Dazzling Nights at Harry P. Leu Gardens
Leu Gardens
November 29, 2024 through January 5, 2025
- The gardens’ giant oaks are illuminated with hundreds of thousands of lights, creating a forest of holiday cheer.
- Falling Florida snow, tunnels of garland, lights, and ornaments, and a forest of stained glass windows set aglow with 800 candles.
- Tickets start at $19 for kids and $22 for adults.
Tis the Season 2024 Winter Garden
Downtown Winter Garden
December 6, 2024 through January 5, 2025
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.
Meet Santa at Wall Crawl Orlando. Image: Wall Crawl.
You might also want to check out:
- Where to see Christmas lights in Orlando
- Central Florida holiday concerts and shows
- Holiday parades in and around Orlando
- Free holiday movies near Orlando
- Where to go ice skating near Orlando
Dazzling Nights at Harry P. Leu Gardens.
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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