Finding the perfect Christmas tree is a cherished tradition for kids old and young. These Central Florida tree farms and Santa villages will keep the kids entertained, and the whole family. Check out all the places to get into the holiday spirit.
Light Up UCF
12777 Gemini Blvd., 407-823-6006
Head over to the UCF campus for carnival rides, a holiday market, photos with Santa, outdoor movies, a light show and one of the only outdoor ice skating rinks in Central Florida. Open every day with varying hours.
Photo via Light Up UCF/FacebookWinterfest Pensacola
223 S Palafox Place, Pensacola, FL 32502, 850-583-1365
Starting Nov. 23 through Christmas Eve, choose from a wide array of activities like a scavenger hunt, a Polar Express mini tour or even a lego workshop. Tickets are available on their website.
Photo via Winterfest Pensacola/FacebookBlue Acres Christmas Tree Farm
20638 Moreland Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34610, 352-422-6375
Head over to this family owned farm and pick up a Florida native tree this Christmas, like southern red cedars and carolina sapphires. They also offer wooden centerpieces and handmade wreaths. Visit their website for more details before they close for the season on Dec. 22.
Photo via Blue Acres Christmas Tree Farm/FacebookHoliday Stroll and Scavenger Hunt at Lake Catherine Blueberries
5849 Lake Catherine Road, Groveland, FL 34736, 352-551-4110
A holiday stroll and scavenger hunt, pony rides, s’mores, live music, and yard games — all included with admission on the idyllic lake’s enchanted forest. As a bonus, a full liquor bar with winter cordials and specialty cocktails are available. Children under 12 get in for $4; admission is $8 for everyone else. Starting on Nov. 30, the pen on Fridays and Saturdays from 6-10 p.m. through December 21.
Photo via Lake Catherine Blueberries/FacebookSanta’s Christmas Tree Forest
35317 Huff Road, Eustis, FL 32736, 352-357-9863
Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest is one of the most dynamic Christmas tree spots around Florida. Cut your own tree on site or enjoy the bar and grill, zip lining and pony rides and more. Pricing for admission varies from $4 to $30.
Photo via Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest/FacebookSevert’s Christmas Tree Farm
Multiple locations
Head to one of Severt’s Christmas Tree Farm’s locations in Gainesville, Jacksonville, Orlando or Port Orange and pick out a tree and wreaths with your family. These locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.
Photo via Severt’s Christmas Tree Farm/FacebookErgle Christmas Tree Farm
3325 Treiman Blvd., Dade City, FL 33523, 352-583-3647
The Ergle farm is like something out of a holiday greeting card. They have Christmas cacti, hand-made wreaths, train rides, kettle corn and hot dogs, and cute farm animals you can visit. They also have Christmas ornaments available for purchase and will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through December 23.
Photo via Ergle Christmas Tree Farms/WebsiteChristmas at Gaylord Palms
6000 Osceola Pkwy
For many Orlandoans, Gaylord Palms’ Christmas celebrations are rites of passage. Put on that parka you‘re anxious to use, slip on some comfy gloves and snow-tube down a hill covered in real snow or wander around two million pounds of ice. Yeah, you’re going to need that jacket. The Christmas celebration will run from Nov. 25 through January 5.
Photo via Gaylord Palms/Website Credit:Photo via Gaylord PalmsSanta Photo Experience at The Mall at Millenia
4200 Conroy Rd; 407-363-3555
Take some time out of your Christmas shopping to meet and take photos with Santa Claus at Orlando’s fanciest mall. Open every day through Dec. 24 during mall hours.
Photo via Mall at Millenia/Facebook Credit:Photo via Mall at Millenia/FacebookBK Cedars Christmas Tree Farm
20926 N.W. 75th St., Alachua, FL 32615, 352-373-4575
Get your live containerized tree starting Nov. 29 through Dec. 22 on weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This farm is where the state’s official living Christmas tree is from and one is planted at the Florida State Capitol. So if you’re looking for a tree worth bragging about, there’s that.
Photo via BK Cedars/WebsiteWatson’s Christmas Tree Farm
198 Cedar Grove Road, Oak Hill, FL 32759, 386-345-2940
Watson’s is great for snobs who insist on buying only Northern trees. They also have jams and crafts — from Florida, of course. Open from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. starting Nov. 30 to Dec. 22.
Photo via Watson’s Christmas Tree Farm/FacebookChristmas in the Country
130 Garfield Road, Deltona, FL 32725, 386-860-1234
Located at the River of Life Church, this Christmas festival provides both religious and secular holiday fun with a Christmas village and nativity displays as well as a hay ride through a lights display, free marshmallow roasting, ornament making, free hot cocoa and more. pen every Friday and Saturday through Dec. 22. But please leave the paw pals at home, sorry.
Photo via River of Life Church of Volusia/FacebookSanta’s Winter Wonderland Village
413 North Alafaya Trail, 407-855-3939
Enjoy this Christmas-themed carnival at Waterford Lakes Town Center from Dec. 6 through Jan. 5. Features include unique European amusement rides as well as a Santa’s Workshop for children to take photos with Santa and/or listen to his storytimes. Hours vary, so check their website for details.
Photo via Santa’s Winter Wonderland Village at Waterford Lakes/FacebookNicholas’s Christmas Tree Farm
14260 SE 80th Ave., Summerfield, FL 34491, 352-245-8633
The calm of the Nicholas’s farm alone is worth the drive, so pack up the family (don’t forget a blanket for your tree) and hit the road. Did we mention you can also choose and cut fresh vegetables and get raw honey, 100% pure beeswax and candles and the farm is open daily from 10 a.m. until dark? See, told you it was worth the drive.
Photo via Florida Christmas Trees/WebsiteStrickland’s Christmas Tree Farm
1602 Kidd Road, Defuniak Springs, FL 32433, 850-951-1005
Take a road trip with the fam and choose from Florida pines, Virginia pines, red cedars and more for your Christmas tree this year. This will be open until Dec. 22 and only cash and checks are accepted, so there’s no need for plastic.
Photo via Strickland’s Christmas Tree Farms/FacebookCottom Farm’s Christmas Village
4650 Marion County Road
Enjoy hayrides and take a tour of Santa’s “southern home” in Lake County. Trust us, you’ll want to upgrade for the tour; it includes cookies and hot cocoa. Try not to get too cozy; there’s nothing more disorienting than falling asleep on a hayride. Open from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily from Nov. 29 to Christmas Eve. Tickets are $5 for children ages 3-11 and $10 for adults.
Photo via Cottom Farm’s Christmas Village/FacebookNow Snowing in Celebration
610 Sycamore St., Celebration, FL 34747, 407-566-4007
Experience snowfall in Florida at Celebration’s 21th annual winter wonderland event, featuring Santa photos for you and your pets, ice skating, horse and carriage rides and more. The event happens every day from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Dec. 31.
Photo via Wikimedia ImagesA Southern CHRISTmas Tree Farm
274000 Murrhee Rd., Hilliard, Florida 32046, 904-845-7447
There will be lots to see and do at this farm, like hay rides, petting zoos and, of course, picking and cutting trees. You can start making memories with them on Nov. 29 and join them for a wreath making class on Dec. 2.
Photo via A Southern CHRISTmas Tree Farm/FacebookUnicorn Hill Farm Christmas Trees
3605 NW 69th St., Gainesville, FL 32606, 352-373-4575
Gainesville’s oldest operating tree farm will be open Dec. 1 until trees are sold out. In addition to picking out your favorite tree, you can also get tree stands and removal bags. Photoshoots are allowed as well, but you have to ask for permission first.
Photo via Wikimedia CommonsSanta Claus at the Eola House
512 E Washington St; 407-246-4484
Meet and take pictures with Santa Claus at the Eola House in Lake Eola Park every weekend for the entire month of December. Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Dec. 6 through Dec. 23. Hours vary.
Photo via Lake Eola Park/FacebookPowell Tree Farm and Vineyard
7509 Old Spanish Trail, Sneads, FL 32460, 850-593-0350
Visit the Powell Farm and Vineyard for a memorable family experience this holiday season. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekend from Nov. 29 to Dec. 21.
Photo via Powell Tree Farm and Vineyard/FacebookSonger’s Christmas Tree Farm
5255 Carter Spencer Road, Middleburg, FL 32068, 904-272-3890
Make visiting Songer’s Christmas Tree Farm a family tradition and pick out a tree starting the day after Thanksgiving. You could even pay a little extra for a frosted tree that comes in pink or white. Visit their website for dates and times, and be sure to bring your camera to take all the insta-worthy pics.
Photo via Songer’s Christmas Tree Farm/FacebookWhispering Pines Christmas Tree Farm
1603 Penton Road, Milton, FL 32570, 850-304-1559
For almost 40 years, this farm has been providing Christmas trees for the Allentown Community in Milton, Florida. Hours this year are between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 17. After that, they’ll only be taking appointments, so get choose and cut your tree asap.
Photo via Whispering Pines Christmas Tree Farm/Facebook