You don’t have to spend a fortune to savor the Christmas season in Orlando. In fact, the best holiday events and things to do are absolutely FREE. From boat parades to snow falls in Florida, get in the spirit with these free holiday happenings near Orlando.
FREE HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
Snow in Celebration
Now – Dec. 31, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Photos with Santa, Carolers, ice rink and entertainment
Wekiva Island’s Winter Wonderland
Select days in December
Free activities include movie screenings, Santa visits and a nightly “snow” fall
Light Up UCF
Now – Dec. 31
CFE Arena
Free holiday film festival and light shows
Holidays at Disney Springs
Now – Jan. 7
Catch the spirit of the season without a theme park admission. Follow the Christmas Tree trail to discover 25 trees decorated with a different Disney character or theme.
Santa’s Winter Wonderland Village
Fridays – Sundays, Dec. 1 – Jan. 1
Waterford Lakes Town Center
Christmas lights, holiday displays, a Santa’s Workshop and unique European amusement rides
Friday Nights at Morse
Morse Museum is providing free admission every Friday night from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Holidays on the “I”
Now – Dec. 30
International Drive, Orlando
MEET SANTA
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro
Now through Dec. 24
FREE 4×6 studio-quality photo with Santa, play games and fun activities
Mall at Millenia Santa Experience
Now through Dec. 24
Meet Santa and take a photo using your own device with a $10 donation to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital
Eola House
Select evenings in Dec.
Visit Santa at the Eola House in downtown Orlando
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COMMUNITY LIGHT DISPLAYS
Lake Mary
Close to a million lights dance to music in the park every evening in downtown Lake Mary. Shows every half hour, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. starting Dec. 1.
Downtown Orlando for the Holidays
Evenings through Jan. 6
The Eola Wonderland 72–foot Christmas tree will come alive with a synchronized light and music show while the Lake Eola fountain displays red, green and gold lights to celebrate the holiday season.
Cranes Roost Lights
Now – Jan. 1
Cranes Roost park comes alive with over 100 spectacular holiday displays featuring over 200,000 lights and a 60-foot tree decorated with 8,000 lights, 2,600 ornaments and over one mile of garland. Lights go on nightly at dusk.
Mount Dora
The quaint downtown and Donnelly Park are perfectly decorated in 2 million sparkling lights for the season.
Jeater Bend Drive
Nightly now – Jan. 1, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
11 homes on Jeater Bend Drive, Celebration
2nd Annual Holiday Train Lights
Dec. 17 – Dec. 23, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
RC&G Railroad, Osceola
Free but donations excepted for Osceola Council on Aging
FREE OUTDOOR HOLIDAY MOVIES
Lake Eola Park Holiday Movies
Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park, 7 p.m.
Dec. 22: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Altamonte Springs Cranes Roost Sunset Cinema
Cranes Roost Plaza in Altamonte Springs, 7 p.m.
December 21: Mickey’s Christmas Carol, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas
Wekiva Island Winter Wonderland
Wekiva Island at 7 p.m.
December 22 & 23: The Polar Express
December 29 & 30: Frozen
Light Up UCF
Now – Dec. 31
FREE holiday movies are shown every Friday & Saturday at CFE Arena. Check the Light Up UCF website for more information.
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