Free & cheap things to do in Orlando, Dec. 12 – 15

What can you do for fun this week in Orlando without spending a lot of money? Here are our top picks for free and cheap things to do in Orlando this weekend, Dec. 12 – 15.

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RDV Ice Den SNOWFEST, Dec. 14.

You might also be interested in:
Free & cheap holiday events in Orlando
Where to see Christmas lights in Orlando

FREE & CHEAP THINGS TO DO IN ORLANDO

Note: Sometimes, things change after we post an event. It’s always a good idea to check directly with venues and event organizers to confirm before you go.

Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild
Now through January 12, Wednesday – Sunday, 6pm-10pm
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Sanford
General admission $18.50. More than 30 larger-than-life illuminated sculptures of animals. 

College Park’s Holiday on the Drive
Thursday, December 12, 5pm – 9pm
Edgewater Drive, College Park
FREE celebration in the street with snow slides, train rides, horse-drawn wagon rides, kids’ activities, Santa and shopping.

Songs of the Season
Thursday, December 12, 7pm – 9pm
Dr. Phillips Center’s Seneff Arts Plaza
FREE evening of song and entertainment including a chance to sing along with holiday favorites like Jingle Bells and Silent Night.

Thornton 2nd Thursday Wine & Art Walk
Thursday, December 12 at 6:30pm
Thornton Park District, Orlando
Tickets $10 in advance, $15 day of the event, $5 parking rate. Check out local art vendors, live music, DJ, and more. 

Longwood’s Celebrate the Season
Friday, December 13, 6pm – 9pm
Reiter Park, Longwood
FREE annual tree lighting, games, a visit from Santa, $1 ice skating and 50 cent train rides.

Gingerbread Express
Friday, December 13, 6pm-7:30pm
Sunrail, Winter Park Station
One-way ticket $2, round trip ticket $3.75. Climb aboard the Gingerbread Express and enjoy the holiday fun in Winter Park.

Wine & Chocolate Festival
December 13 – December 15
Lakeridge Winery, Clermont
Tickets $10. Enjoy local chocolatiers, live music, and food for purchase. 

Winter Garden Tis the Season
December 13 & 14, 6pm-9pm
Downtown Winter Garden
FREE live music, light show at City Hall, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a sleigh ride with Santa on Saturday evening. Holiday Golf Cart Parade on Sunday, 4pm – 7pm.

Holiday Art & Music in the Park
Friday, December 13, 6pm-9pm
Lake Concord Park, Casselberry
FREE outdoor event with a live band, handmade holiday crafts, food trucks, and more. 

Mount Dora – Children’s Christmas in the Park with Snow
Saturday, December 14, 5pm – 9pm
FREE snow sledding for the kids in Donnelly Park.

Baldwin Park Winter Spark
Saturday December 14, 4pm – 8pm
FREE festival on New Broad Street, parade, performances and photos with Santa.

City of Sanford Parade of Lights
Saturday, December 14 at 6pm
FREE parade in downtown Sanford. Arrive early to find parking and a good spot to watch.

Holiday Movie Night
Featuring: Elf
Saturday, December 14, 7pm-9pm
Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs
FREE outdoor movie at the park. 

SNOWFEST
Saturday, December 14, 2pm – 6pm
RDV Sportsplex, Maitland
$20 each for ice skating, a real snow slide, bounces houses, face painting and more.

Magnolia Park’s An Afternoon with Santa
Saturday, December 14, 2pm-5pm
Magnolia Park, Apopka
Santa will arrive via airboat, bounce houses, games and more. Admission is $4 per child (2-12), adults free. Movie in the park at 6pm featuring Wonder Park. 

Winter Park Holiday Boat Parade
Saturday, December 14 at 5:30pm
FREE parade. Find by Dinky Dock, or on the Rollins College campus behind the Cornell Fine Arts Museum to see the impressive boat and dock holiday decorations created by residents and local business sponsors.

New Smyrna Boat Parade
Saturday, December 14 at 5pm
Riverfront Park, New Smyrna
FREE holiday boat parade along the Intercoastal Waterway.

Doggy Ugly Sweater Day at Boxi Park
Saturday, December 14, 12pm-4pm
Boxi Park, Lake Nona
FREE pet ugly sweater parade while enjoying all the winter wonderland events in Lake Nona. 

Winter Fest at Snow Mountain & Holiday Parade
Saturday, December 14, 2pm-8pm
Center Lake Park, Oviedo
Tickets are $25 and include a bounce house, snow slides, maze, holiday train and more. 

Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 14 at 8am
Kit Land Nelson Park, Apopka
FREE Christmas parade.

1st Annual Half Wall Craft Beer Festival
Saturday, December 14 at 3pm
Half Wall Brewery, New Smyrna Beach
Wristband $25. Samples from more than 40 breweries. 

7th Annual Violectric Holiday Show
Saturday, December 14 at 6:30pm
Walt Disney Amphitheatre Lake Eola, downtown Orlando
FREE show featuring favorite tunes played by string rock band. 

Nemours Pediatric Pain Program 6th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, December 14, 10:30am-2pm
Nona Adventure Park Lake Nona, Orlando
FREE event with food trucks, vendors, face painting and more. 

Breakfast with Santa
Sunday, December 15, 9am-12pm
Wekiva Island, Longwood
Adults $12.95, children $7.95. Come out to Wekiva Island for their Winter Wonderland and breakfast with Santa.

Country Christmas Festival
Sunday, December 15, 10am-5pm
Horsepower Ranch Barn Venue, Geneva
Parking is free; admission $5. $1 for pony rides, train rides, hayrides, face painting and more. 

Big Red’s Holiday Extravaganza
Sunday, December 15, 2pm-6pm
Big Red Pony Parties, Osteen
Activity wrist bands start at $10. Petting farm, bounce house, Santa and more. 

Holiday Sunday Funday w/ Gingerbread Decorating
Sunday, December 15, 12pm-4pm
Boxi Park, Lake Nona
Decorate a gingerbread man and get face painting. 

Light Up UCF
Now through January 5
FREE fun for all ages including a holiday light show, holiday market, performances and FREE film festival on select Friday and Saturday nights featuring holiday classic movies. On select nights, Santa will make a special appearance. Ice skating $12 (discounts available for students and military). $6.50 ice slide, $4.25 for rides; or buy an Ultimate Pass for $20.

ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms
Now through January 5
Celebrating its 17th season in Orlando, ICE! is returning to Gaylord Palms for another year of frozen fun. The annual holiday attraction features two million pounds of ice hand-carved into elaborate, interactive sculptures and slides. Find out how to get discounted ICE! tickets here.

Holiday Fountain Show
Now through January 1, starting at 6pm once an hour
Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs
FREE fountain light show and dancing water. 

Oh What Fun!  Lake Nona Holiday Festival
November 29 through January 5
Lake Nona Town Center, Orlando
FREE parking and entry to event with ice skating, carolers, holiday music, holiday movies, Santa and more. 

Wekiva Island’s Winter Wonderland
Now through January 1
FREE admission. Wekiva Island in Longwood transforms into a holiday destination with activities throughout the season including a real snow slide ($7 – $10 for unlimited rides) and snow flurries daily.

You might also want to check out: free and cheap holiday activities in Orlando.

Holidays at Old Town
Now through December 25
Old Town, Kissimmee
FREE event with snow flurries, live music, twinkling lights and more. 

Snow in Celebration
Now through December 31
Downtown Celebration
The town transforms with holiday experiences throughout the month including live performances, snow falling nightly every hour, train rides, a synthetic ice rink, and a Santa meet and greet. $10 for 30 minutes of ice skating on the synthetic rink (includes skates). $5 for train and wagon rides.

Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail
Open daily through the holiday season
Disney Springs
FREE admission and parking to walk through some of the best decorated Disney inspired Holiday Trees.

30 Days of Christmas in Downtown Orlando
Now through December 31
Snow and light shows every night and every hour between 6pm and 9pm. Free horse drawn carriage rides Thursday and Friday evenings, 6pm – 10pm. Free live entertainment, Thursday – Sunday, 6pm – 9pm.

Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro
Now through December 24 (check schedule)
FREE 4×6 studio-quality photo with Santa, free crafts, games and fun activities.

MORE THINGS DO IN ORLANDO

• Gaylord Palms ICE discounts
• Where to see Christmas lights in Orlando
• Where to go ice skating in Orlando

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