The thing is, after all the holiday shopping is said and done, your checking account probably isn’t feeling that festive. The following cheap date ideas are all under $10 a person, so get out of that slump and gear up for cuffing season!
Friday, Nov. 17-Sunday, 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, Dec. 1-Saturday, Jan. 6
Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show The Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show is an Orlando favorite. If you head out to this holiday display, be sure to stroll through the tunnel of lights for an unforgettable experience. 5:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m; Lake Eola, 512 E. Washington St.; free; cityoforlando.net.
Photo via Downtown Orlando/FacebookFriday, Dec. 1
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Outdoor screening of the holiday edition of the continuing adventures of the Griswold family. 6 pm; Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave.; $6; 407-246-2620; leugardens.org.
Photo via leugardens/InstagramFriday, Dec. 1
Thornton Park Christmas Tree Decorating Volunteer to help decorate the Thornton Park Christmas Tree. 4-7 pm; Thornton Park, Summerlin Avenue and Washington Street; free; thorntonparkdistrict.com.
Photo via robertecm/InstagramFriday, Dec. 1
String Ensemble Concert 5 pm; University of Central Florida Rehearsal Hall, 4000 Central Florida Blvd.; free; 407-823-1500.
Photo via UCF Music/FacebookSaturday, Dec. 2
Songs of the Season 6 pm; Seneff Arts Plaza, 445 S. Magnolia Ave.; free; 844-513-2014; drphillipscenter.org.
Photo via Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts/FacebookSaturday, Dec. 2
Hysterical Tour of Gnomes A pub crawl through seven Sanford bars with participants dressed as gnomes. Bring nonperishable food items to donate to Harvest Time International. 7 pm; Little Fish Huge Pond, 401 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford; free; 407-221-1499; sanfordhistorictrust.org.
Photo via sanfordthegreat/InstagramSaturday, Dec. 2
West Fest Art, music and culture festival with street art, face painting, a breakdance competition, food trucks and more. Noon-midnight; West Art District, 1011 W. Central Blvd.; donations; 407-810-1127; westfestorlando.com.
Photo via gallivantsandrants/InstagramSaturday, Dec. 2
Winter Wonderland Annual traditions include a Holiday Parade and Christmas tree lighting plus local entertainment. 4:30 pm; Winter Springs Town Center, 158 Tuskawilla Road, Winter Springs; free; 407-327-6593.
Photo via City of Winter Springs/FacebookSunday, Dec. 3
Sparkle Market Holiday market with handmade goods, art, live music and more. 10 am; Dandelion Communitea Cafe, 618 N. Thornton Ave.; free; 407-362-1864; dandelioncommunitea.com.
Photo via brianbailone/InstagramThursday, Dec. 7
Christmas in the Park The Morse Museum decorates Central Park with stained glass windows while the Bach Festival Choir performs a holiday concert. 6:15 pm; Central Park, Winter Park, North Park Avenue and West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park; free.
Photo via Bach Festival Society of Winter Park/FacebookFriday, Dec. 8
Art & Music in the Park
Enjoy live music, local vendors and a food truck bazaar every month. second Friday of every month, 6-9 pm; Secret Lake Park, 200 N. Lake Triplet Drive, Casselberry; free; casselberry.org.
Photo via otownfun/InstagramSaturday, Dec. 9
SantaCon 2017
Join a horde of Santas as they travel to various bars and restaurants, celebrating the holiday season. 11 am; Thornton Park, Summerlin Avenue and Washington Street; free; santacon.info.
Photo via Thornton Park District/FacebookSaturday, Dec. 9
Blacklist Babes Holiday Extravaganza
Special holiday-themed burlesque cabaret with live music. 10 pm; The Falcon, 819 E. Washington St.; $5; 407-423-3060.
Photo via Blacklist Babes Cabaret/FacebookSaturday, Dec. 9
Holiday Lights Ride Decorate your bike and join a gang of cyclists as they oooh and ahhh their way around the neighborhood to look at holiday lights displays. 6-9 pm; Bikes Beans & Bordeaux, 3022 Corrine Drive; $2 suggested donation; 407-427-1440; bikesbeansandbordeaux.com.
Photo via b3cafe/InstagramSaturday, Dec. 9
Saturday Matinee Classics: It’s a Wonderful Life Frank Capra’s famous film about an ordinary guy who does the right thing. noon; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $8; 407-629-0054; enzian.org.
Photo via Enzian Theater/FacebookSaturday, Dec. 9
Violectric Holiday Show
Free holiday concert. 7-10 pm; Walt Disney Amphitheater, Lake Eola Park, Rosalind Avenue and Washington Street; free; 407-246-2121.
Photo via ViolectricSaturday, Dec. 9
Marc With a C’s Annual Holiday Marathon Show 7 pm; The Geek Easy, 114 S. Semoran Blvd., Winter Park; free; 407-332-9636.
Photo via Marc with a C/FacebookSunday, Dec. 10
Will’s A Faire Holiday Market Market with handmade gifts, live music, food and more. 1 pm; Will’s Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave.; free; willspub.org.
Photo via jessicapawli/InstagramSaturday, Dec. 16
Bad Santa Bike Pub Crawl Santa-themed bike pub crawl from Johnny’s Other Side to Thornton Park and Ivanhoe Village. noon-6 pm; Johnny’s Other Side, 1619 Michigan St.; free; 407-894-6900; johnnysfillinstation.com.
Photo via PRORobert Couse-Baker/FlickrSunday, Dec. 17
Grandma Party Bazaar Holiday market with handmade gifts, food, raffles, live music and more. 10 am; Stardust Video and Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Road; free; 407-623-3393; facebook.com/stardustie.
Photo via Grandma_party/InstagramWednesday, Dec. 20
The Roast of Santa Claus 7 pm; Orlando Improv, 9101 International Drive; $10; 407-480-5233; theimprovorlando.com.
Photo via jersey_the_haitian_sensation/InstagramFriday, Dec. 22
Holiday Movies in the Park: The Nightmare Before Christmas Free screening of the Halloween vs. Christmas animated film. 7 pm; Walt Disney Amphitheater, Lake Eola Park, Rosalind Avenue and Washington Street; free; 407-246-2827.
Photo via City of OrlandoSunday, Dec. 24
Pagan Pajama Party
Enjoy Holiday drinks and cookies with Krampus, naughty elf dancing and more. 4-10 pm; Gods & Monsters, 5421 International Drive; free; 407-270-6273; godmonsters.com.
Photo via Gods & Monsters Orlando/InstagramSunday, Dec. 25
Christmas at Lil Indies Open for post-family drinks. 7 pm; Lil Indies, 1036 N. Mills Ave.; free; willspub.org.
Photo via Lil Indies/Facebook