If you’re looking for an excuse to escape from that awkward family dinner, you’ve come to the right place. Be the cool guy this holiday season and check out some of our favorite events happening in Orlando this December.

The Approximately 12 Pubs of Christmas Pub CrawlSaturday Dec. 5, 8 pm Mills 50, North Mills Avenue between Weber and Montana streets; $10Purchase a wristband at Wally’s or the Thirsty Topher and get drink specials at 13 pubs along Mills Avenue and Virginia Drive.Photo via Instagram
A Very Pepe Christma-Kwaanza-Kah SpecialMonday Dec. 7, 9:30 pm The Venue, 511 Virginia Drive; $15-$18; 407-412-6895An all-star holiday variety show benefiting the Barber Fund.Photo via Facebook
Candlelight ProcessionalNov. 27-Dec. 30; Epcot, 200 Epcot Center Drive, Lake Buena Vista; price of admission; 407-824-4321Hear the stirring story of Christmas as told by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and mass choir.Photo via Disney
A Christmas Time With Tom & DanSaturday Dec. 5, 1 pm Red Cypress Brewery, 855 E. State Road 434, Winter Springs; free; 407-542-0341The podcast heroes take over Winter Springs’ newest brewery for a holiday party.Photo via tomanddan.com
Christmas Cards Against HumanityDec. 4-5, 8 pm Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St; $15; 407-340-8574A holiday-themed sketch comedy show.Photo via Facebook
Christmas in the ParkThursday Dec. 3, 6:15-8 pm; Central Park, Winter Park, North Park Avenue and West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park; freeThe Morse Museum helps launch the holiday season in Winter Park when it lights up Tiffany windows in Central Park and presents the Bach Festival Choir.Photo via Rob Bartlett
Clare and the Chocolate NutcrackerSaturday Dec. 5, 8 pm Walt Disney Theater, 445 S. Magnolia Ave; $25.25-$47.75; 844-513-2014Take a journey with Clare through her enchanting dream as she travels with the Chocolate Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy to the Kingdom of Toys. Special appearance by Jasmine Guy.Photo via drphillipscenter.org
Cocktails & CarolsSaturday Dec. 5, 6-9 pm Luma on Park, 290 S. Park Ave., Winter Park; free; 863-510 7236Enjoy an a cappella quartet while sipping signature cocktails. Proceeds from each cocktail purchase benefit local nonprofits Central Florida Vocal Arts and New Hope for Kids.Photo via Facebook
Dickens by CandlelightDec. 12-22, Various times; Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, 812 E. Rollins St; $35Spook out your favorite holiday special with Orlando Shakes’ holiday shake-up. A three-person interactive show providing theater-goers with a unique opportunity to experience A Christmas Carol as a ghost story. Also an excuse to find extra holiday cheer justifiably squealing, “What the Dickens?”Photo via Facebook
Festival of LightsNov. 30-Dec. 4, 6:30-9:30 pm Cypress Grove Park, 290 Holden Ave; $3 per vehicleDrive around and look at lights. Bring a toy to donate to the Holiday Heroes Toy Drive.Photo via Orlando Weekly
Furry EveDec. 31, 9:30 pm The Venue, 511 Virginia Drive; $20-$25; 407-412-6895Ring in the New Year with plushie-themed burlesque performances from Varietease and the Ladies of the Peek-a-Boo Lounge. Costumes encouraged.Photo via Flickr
Holiday Cosplay GalaSaturday Dec. 5, 6-10 pm Gods & Monsters, 5250 International Drive; $10Diversely Geek hosts bring together the fandom community to raise funds for local charities. The gala and showcase consists of themed group cosplay presentations, musical performances, interactive dances, raffles and more.Photo via Pinterest
James Bond New Year’s Eve PartySaturday Dec. 31, 8 pm Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $99; 407-629-0054Come dressed to impress in your best James Bond or Bond Girl outfit and you could win a prize. Open bar and light hors d’ouevres included.Photo via Flickr
Christmas at Gaylord PalmsNov. 6-Jan. 3, 10 am-8 pm Gaylord Palms Resort, 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee; $28.99-$44.99; 407-586-4423Holiday displays including over 2 million twinkling lights and larger-than-life decorations, visits with Santa, Cirque Dreams UnWrapped live show, ICE! featuring ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Alpine Rush snow tubing and more.Photo via Marriott
Light Up UCFNov. 12-Jan. 3, 5 pm CFE Arena, 12777 N. Gemini Blvd; free-$19.95; 407-823-6006Winter carnival with ice skating, pictures with Santa, rides, games, movies and more. Prices for activities vary.Photo via University of Central Florida
Winter on the AvenueFriday Dec. 4, 5-7 pm Central Park, Winter Park, North Park Avenue and West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park; freePark Avenue is transformed into a winter wonderland. Includes holiday tree lighting ceremony, carolers, holiday jazz on two stages and a window-decorating contest for Park Avenue businesses. It’s a truly magical evening as anyone who’s gone will attest.Photo via Orlando Weekly
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas PartyNov. 8-Dec. 18, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista; price of admission; 407-824-4321Join Mickey and all your favorite Disney characters at this festive winter celebration on select nights for live entertainment, spectacular fireworks and an oh-so-jolly holiday parade.Photo via Disney
Miss Comedy Queen Holiday SpectacularThursday Dec. 3, 7 pm The Venue, 511 Virginia Drive; donations encouraged; 407-412-6895Drinks, drag and lots of laughs. All proceeds benefit the Barber Fund.Photo via Youtube
Orange Blossom Trail Living Nativity SpectacularSaturdays Nov. 28-Dec. 19, 7:30 pm; Footlight Theatre, The Parliament House, 410 N. Orange Blossom Trail; $18-$20; 407-425-7571Wanzie’s hilarious depiction of a Living Nativity as imagined by a ragtag crew of characters recruited from along Orlando’s infamous North Orange Blossom Trail.Photo via wanzie.com
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing LightsNov. 6-Jan. 3, Disney Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort, 351 S. Studio Drive, Lake Buena Vista; price of admission; 407-939-5277Glide through the Streets of America and soak in the radiant beauty of this beloved tradition for its final holiday hurrah.Photo via Youtube
Winter in the ParkNov. 15-Jan. 5, 3-10 pm; Central Park’s West Meadow, North Park Avenue and West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park; $12Enjoy ice skating in the middle of Winter Park. Photo via Facebook
Russian Ballet Orlando: The NutcrackerSaturday Dec. 5, 6 pm; Edgewater High School, 3100 Edgewater Drive; $20; 407-835-4900This performance is focused on incorporating the community, interacting with the audience and creating a family environment that every family can attend.Photo via Yelp
SantaConSaturday Dec. 12, 11 am; Thornton Park, Summerlin Avenue and Washington Street; freeA horde of Santas take over Thornton Park to spread as much Christmas cheer as they can take.Photo via Orlando Weekly
Tree Lighting CelebrationFriday Dec. 4, 5-10 pm; Lake Eola Park, North Rosalind Avenue and East Washington Street; freeOrlando Mayor Buddy Dyer kicks off the holiday season with the lighting of the 72-foot Christmas tree at Lake Eola Park.Photo via City of Orlando
Winter Park Christmas ParadeFriday Dec. 5, 9 am; Park Avenue, Park Avenue at Morse Boulevard, Winter Park; freeThe longest running holiday parade in Central Florida travels down Park Avenue, starting at Cole Avenue and proceeding south, ending at Lyman Avenue.Photo via City of Winter Park