Free and Cheap Holiday Events in Orlando

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

Holiday events and things to do for Christmas in Orlando: image of kids playing in Florida "snow" outside at Wekiva Island's Winter Wonderland event in Longwood, FL.

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:

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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.

46th Annual Christmas in the Park

North Central Park, Winter Park
December 5, 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 6, 2024
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 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.

Baldwin Park Winter Wonderland Extravaganza

The Village Center, Baldwin Park
December 7, 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 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.

Tree lighting: image of Christmas tree lighting ceremony in downtown Orlando

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

Photo: 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.

Holiday events in Orlando during Christmas: image of sign at Christmas Tree Farm at Santa's Farm in Eustis where you can cut down your own Christmas tree

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.

Charles Hosmer Morse Museum in Winter Park: image of people viewing the Tiffany stained glass

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.

Celebration’s Now Snowing

Celebration Town Center
Nightly from November 30 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 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.

Holiday events and things to do in Orlando: image of lights and glass Christmas tree at Harry P. Leu Gardens Dazzling Nights event.

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. Get tickets here.

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.