Family is kind of like an overdone turkey, it’s tough. With that in mind, we’ve gathered a few sanity-restoring getaways to keep you happy for the holidays.
Thursday, Nov. 23
Gobble Gobble Party
Post-Thanksgiving party with infamous all-you-can-drink specials. 9 pm; Southern Nights, 375 S. Bumby Ave.; free; 407-412-5039; southernnightsorl.com.
Photo via Southern Nights Orlando/FacebookThursday, Nov. 23
Number of the Feast 3 Annual Thanksgiving night metal party. 9 pm; Will’s Dirty Laundry, 1036 N. Mills Ave.; free.
Photo via Dirty laundry/FacebookThursday, Nov. 23
Thanksgiving at Lil Indies
Open for post-family drinks. 7 pm; Lil Indies, 1036 N. Mills Ave.; free; willspub.org.
Photo via lil indies/FacebookThursday, Nov. 23
The Seniors First Turkey Trot 5K One of the oldest and largest fun runs in Orlando with more than 5,000 participants. 7-10 am; Lake Eola Park, Eola Drive, North Eola Drive and East Robinson Street; $30-$38; 407-615-8979; turkeytrotorlando.com.
Photo via chelsea___hall/InstagramFriday, Nov. 24
Record Store Day Black Friday
Limited edition releases and reprints hit the shelves at your favorite local record stores for this mini-Record Store Day event. ; Multiple locations, Various local venues; various prices; recordstoreday.com.
Photo by James DechertNov. 17-Dec. 31
Light Up UCF Winter carnival with ice skating, pictures with Santa, rides, games, movies and more. Prices for activities vary. CFE Arena, 12777 N. Gemini Blvd.; free-$19.95; 407-823-6006.
Photo via Light Up UCF/FacebookFriday, Nov. 24
21 Savage 8 pm; Venue 578, 578 N. Orange Ave.; $42.50-$150.00; 866-459-9233.
Photo via 21savage/InstagramNov. 24-Dec. 24
Miracle on Orange For the holidays, the Courtesy becomes Miracle on Orange, a holiday-themed craft cocktail bar from Cocktail Kingdom that only a few bars around the world are invited to participate in. -Dec. 24; The Courtesy Bar, 114 N. Orange Ave.; free.
Photo via miracleonorange/InstagramNov. 21-Jan. 7
Christmas At Gaylord Palms Multiple holiday activities, including ICE! featuring 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice, a 60-foot-tall Christmas tree and Joyful Light Show, heartwarming visits with Santa, a captivating Cirque Dreams Unwrapped show, snow tubing and more. 8 am-10 pm; Gaylord Palms Resort, 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee; various prices; 407-586-2000; christmasatgaylordpalms.com.
Photo via orlandodatenightguide/InstagramNov. 21-Jan. 7
Ice! Christmas Around the World
Holiday exhibit created from more than 70 tons of hand-carved ice. Gaylord Palms Resort, 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee; $28.99-$55.99; 407-586-2000.
Photo via filawhoopwhoop/InstagramFriday, Nov. 24
Kojo Prince, Tarik Lewis 8 pm; Bonkerz – Harry Buffalo, 129 W. Church St.; $10; 407-629-2665; bonkerzcomedyproductions.com.
Photo via Tarik Lewis/FacebookNov. 24-25
Tommy Davidson 8 & 10:30 pm; Orlando Improv, 9101 International Drive; $20; 407-480-5233; theimprovorlando.com.
Photo via Tommy DavidsonNov. 9-Dec. 22
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party This holiday-inspired event comes complete with special lights on the Cinderella Castle, a special parade, free cookies and hot cocoa. Dec. 2; Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista; price of admission; 407-824-4321; disneyworld.disney.go.com.
Photo via andytoonz/InstagramNov. 24-26
Central Florida International Auto Show More than 350 new cars, trucks, crossovers, SUVs and more on display. Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive; $10; 407-685-9800; autoshoworlando.com.
Photo via Central Florida International Auto ShowSaturday, Nov. 25
Scavenger Trading Party Prepare for the impending holidays by bringing in your pop-culture arts and crafts or collectibles you no longer want to trade with other scavengers. 8 pm; Gods & Monsters, 5421 International Drive; free; 407-270-6273; godmonsters.com.
Photo via orlandorevista/InstagramNov. 18-Jan. 7
Winter in the Park Enjoy ice skating in the middle of Winter Park. Jan. 7, 2018; Central Park’s West Meadow, North Park Avenue and West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park; $13; cityofwinterpark.org.
Photo via ShutterstockNov. 25-Dec. 23
Annie The classic Broadway musical comes to life as little orphan Annie charms her way into the heart of New York millionaire Oliver Warbucks. Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden; $30-$34; 407-877-4736; gardentheatre.org.
Photo via lisa_millward/InstagramSaturday, Nov. 25
Classic Albums Live: The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 8 pm; Hard Rock Live, 6050 Universal Blvd.; $16-$31; 407-351-5483.
Photo via Classic Albums Live: The Beatles “Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” / FacebookNov. 12-Jan. 3
Christmas at the Leu House See wonderful vintage Christmas decorations. Jan. 3, 2018, 10 am-3:30 pm; Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave.; $10; 407-246-2620; leugardens.org.
Photo via Harry P. Leu Gardens/FacebookSaturday, Nov. 25
National Theatre Live: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead Daniel Radcliffe, Joshua McGuire and David Haig star in Tom Stoppard’s brilliantly funny situation comedy, 11 am; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $20; 407-629-0054; enzian.org.
Photo via NationalTheatre/YouTubeSaturday, Nov. 25
Orlando Philharmonic: Home for the Holidays Ring in the holidays with (or without) family and friends and join in the popular audience sing-along. 2 & 8 pm; Bob Carr Theater, 401 W. Livingston St.; $23-$85; 407-246-4262; orlandophil.org.
Photo via Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra/FacebookSunday, Nov. 26
Peanut Butter Matinee: Porco Rosso In this entrancing tale by renowned Japanese animator Hiyao Miyazaki, World War I flying ace Marco Pagott mysteriously turns from a man into a pig after all his comrades die in battle. noon; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; free-$8; 407-629-0054; enzian.org.
Photo via North Park Theatre/YouTubeNov. 24-26
OrlandoCon Three-day science fiction, media and gaming convention. Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, 1751 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista; $20-$60; 407-827-4000; orlandocon.com.
Photo via Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive/FacebookSaturday, Nov. 25
Unhinged Holiday Market A one-day indoor and outdoor market with original artists, vintage and handmade furniture, garden decor, clothing, jewelry and more. 9 am; Adjectives Market Altamonte, 1200 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs; free; adjstyle.com.
Photo via farmgalflowers/InstagramNov. 17-Dec. 17
Daddy Long Legs
A Cinderella story about a young woman and her mysterious benefactor. 2 & 7:30 pm; Winter Park Playhouse, 711-C Orange Ave., Winter Park; $32-$42; 407-645-0145; winterparkplayhouse.org.
Photo via palepuppie/Instagram
