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Christmas palm trees, fake snow and a whole lot of twinkly lights. The most wonderful time of the year has arrived in Central Florida and we’ve gone ahead and compiled a list of the best places you can go to enjoy all of the holiday festivities.
Biovana Christmas Light Show
1601 N. Wind Court, Winter Springs
Begins Dec. 1
The Bivona family turns their house into a living, breathing nightmare for their neighbors in December, but for the rest of us it’s one damn cool light show.
Photo via Biovana Christmas Light Show/FacebookChristmas in the Country
130 Garfield Road, Deltona
Nov. 23-Dec. 22
See thousands of lights and decorations while on a hayride. Activities for all ages.
Photo via River of Life Church/InstagramChristmas Lights Ride
1806 N. Orange Avenue
Dec.22
Group bike ride through Ivanhoe Village and College Park to look at lights displays.
Photo via Adobe ImagesChristmas Wonders
1642 Sunburst Way, Kissimmee
Through Jan. 1 2019
There isn’t a square inch of this house without a Christmas light, and for that we applaud the Christmas Wonders house. See the impressive lights between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Photo via Orlando WeeklyHoliday Lights & Fountain Show at Crane’s Roost
274 Cranes Roost Boulevard, Altamonte Springs
Begins Dec. 1
Spending the holidays at Crane’s Roost is classic in Central Florida. Starting at dusk, walk the trail with friends and family while you’re illuminated by large, colorful Christmas light displays.
Photo via Altamonte SpringsCross Christmas
4241 N. Econlockhatchee Trail
A trip to the Cross Christmas holiday display will make you feel right at home…that is, if your home is shining with 75,000 lights. The large oak alone is wrapped up with 35,000 bright Christmas lights! See it nightly from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Photo via Cross Christmas/FacebookDeck the Downtown
Central Boulevard and Court Avenue
Dec.1-30
Downtown Orlando businesses get “decked-out” with festive lights and window decorations. A map guides residents and guests as they walk the streets of Downtown, enjoying the creativity and holiday spirit of each of the participating business locations.
Photo via Orlando WeeklyHoldiays at Disney Springs
1486 Buena Vista Drive
Through Jan. 6 2019
Disney Springs’ holiday festivities are a great way to enjoy theme park Christmas fun without splurging on ticket prices. Walk through the Christmas tree trail with Disney-themed trees, falling snow and music.
Photo via kayleeyalezandra/InstagramSaturday, Dec. 15
Holiday Lights Ride
Annual group bike ride to look at Christmas lights throughout the neighborhood.
6-9 pm; Bikes Beans & Bordeaux, 3022 Corrine Drive; free; 407-427-1440; bikesbeansandbordeaux.com.
Photo via Bikes, Beans & Bordeaux Cafe/FacebookLake Nona Lights
9800 Old Patina Way
Begins Nov. 22
The Lake Nona Lights started out with two dudes just wanting to make a killer light show. Afters months of construction, Central Floridians flood the neighborhood to see the house that blasts holiday tunes to an unforgettable light show. Catch it from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night.
Photo via Lake Nona Lights/FacebookLake Nona Nighttime Holiday Festival
6900 Tavistock Lakes Boulevard
Dec. 8-30
Lake Nona is joining in on the holiday festivities with its own Nighttime Holiday Festival. The month-long event will feature open-air skating rinks, live entertainment, occasional snow falls, festive food and drinks, holiday movies, and appearances from the big man himself, Santa Claus.
Photo via Adobe ImagesLight Up Mount Dora
535 N. Donnelly Street, Mount Dora
Begins Nov. 24
Enjoy dinner in the Historic Donnelly House before downtown Mount Dora gets lit.
Photo via Mount Dora ChristmasLight Up UCF
12777 Gemini Boulevard
Nov. 16-Jan. 1 2019
Winter carnival with ice skating, pictures with Santa, rides, games, movies and more. Prices for activities vary.
Photo via Light Up UCF/FacebookMickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista
Through Dec. 21
This holiday-inspired event comes complete with special lights on the Cinderella Castle, a special parade, free cookies and hot cocoa.
Photo via Orlando WeeklyNow Snowing Celebration
701 Front Street, Celebration
Nov. 24-Dec. 31
Snow’s-a-fallin’ in Celebration and it’s just begging to be basked in. It’s not often that Floridians get to enjoy snow in any fashion, so get your snow angels in while you can.
Photo via Orlando WeeklyThe Orlando Museum of Art Festival of Trees
2416 N Mills Avenue
Through Nov. 18
The most wonderful time of year has arrived at the Orlando Museum of Art. The nine-day Festival of Trees is in full swing and features designer Christmas trees, wreaths, gingerbread villages and a different special every night.
Photo via Orlando Museum of Art/FacebookSanta’s Winter Wonderland Village
413 N. Alafaya Trail
Dec. 7-Jan. 6 2019
It’s not officially Christmas until you take the family to the carnival. Bask in all of the holiday food, amusement park rides, and Christmas lights the village has to offer.
Photo via Orlando WeeklySeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
7007 Sea World Drive
Nov. 17-Dec. 31
During the holidays, the marine theme park turns into a lit-up Christmas extravaganza. The sea of trees at the lakeside Christmas market is a must for all holiday light aficionados.
Photo via Orlando WeeklySinging Christmas Trees
3000 S. John Young Parkway
Dec. 7-16
A large, boisterous choir sing all the holiday classics around two 40-feet tall Christmas trees. If that’s not exciting enough, then how about the 250,000 Christmas lights to boot? Presentations are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and 5:00 p.m. on Sundays.
Photo via First Baptist OrlandoStetson Mansion
1031 Camphor Lane, Deland
Nov. 15-Jan. 15 2019
There’s the way your mom decorates her house, and then there’s the way the Stetson Mansion decks the halls. Taking a tour of this vintage home is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Put on your festive walking shoes and take a tour at either 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., or 5:00 p.m. daily.
Photo via Stetson Mansion Tours/FacebookTree Lighting Celebration
Rosalind Avenue and Washington Street
Nov. 30
The official lighting of the city’s 72-foot Christmas tree featuring 88,000 animated lights.
Photo via City of OrlandoWekiva Island Boat Parade
1014 Miami Springs Road, Longwood
Dec.22
Boats decorated in Christmas lights illuminate the Wekiva River for hundreds of spectators in a uniquely Floridian procession.
Photo via Wekiva Island/FacebookWinter on the Avenue
Park Avenue, Winter Park
Dec.7
This holiday street party features a flurry of activities, including the annual tree lighting ceremony.
Photo via Adobe ImagesWinter Spark Parade
4915 New Broad Street
Dec.8
Holiday festival with artists, vendors, food and an opportunity for pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus, followed by a fantastic lighted parade down New Broad Street.
Photo via Adobe ImagesEola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show
195 N. Rosalind Avenue
Nov. 30-Jan. 5 2019
The Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree comes alive with a synchronized light and music show every night.
Photo via Downtown Orlando/FacebookWinter Wonderland
158 Tuskawilla Road, Winter Springs
Dec.1
Holiday celebration with a parade and Christmas tree lighting.
Photo via City of Winter Springs/FacebookThe Wizarding World of Harry Potter
6000 Universal Boulevard
Nov 17-Jan. 6 2109
Who doesn’t wish they could spend every Christmas at Hogwarts? While 75 degrees of Florida sunshine doesn’t exactly live up to the magic of haunted English castles, you can still relish in the Wizarding World’s Christmas light show at Hogsmeade Village and Diagon Alley.
Photo via UniversalChristmas at Gaylord Palms
6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee
Through Jan. 6 2019
Marvel at lavish holiday displays that include more than 2 million twinkling Christmas lights and acres of larger-than-life decorations. Enjoy visits with Santa, character breakfasts, Cirque Dreams Unwrapped live stage show, the popular ICE! attraction and more.
Photo via MariottThornton Park District Christmas Tree Decorating
11 N. Summerlin Avenue
Nov. 30
Thornton Park Main Street District invites residents to hang ornaments and string lights on the Main Street District’s tree.
Photo via Adobe Images