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Central Florida might not be the coldest of places to spend the winter, but there’s no reason the season can’t be a little warmer. More than 30 romantic, scenic, festive date ideas await you and your sweetheart. A few are year-round places with seasonal special happenings, while others only pop up once a year.
Which ones will you take on together?
Holidays at Old Town
Old Town, 5770 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, 407-396-4888
The Kissimmee entertainment complex once again raises its iconic Christmas tree, and its brick streets will be coated in “snow” every weekend from Dec. 1-25.
Photo via Old Town/WebsiteLake Eola Park
512 E. Washington St.,407-246-4484
If you haven’t ridden in a swan boat yet, this is the perfect time to take your loved one on a special date in beautiful Lake Eola Park among holiday decorations that will light up the night until Jan. 5
Photo via Lake Eola Park/FacebookIt Was a Very Good Yule: Rat Pack
54 W. Church St, 407-297-8788
Enjoy the live music, sip the hot chocolate, wear your ugliest sweater, and get comfortable as you travel back to the era of the Rat Pack at the Mad Cow Theatre on Dec.13-22 at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $25.
Photo via Mad Cow Theatre/FacebookThe Courtesy Bar’s Miracle on Orange
114 N. Orange Ave., 407-450-2041
Go for a night on the town and order a cocktail or two at the Courtesy Bar which has transformed into a winter wonderland covered in nostalgic holiday decor and featuring special holiday cocktails for an entire month. Open until 2 a.m. seven days a week.
Photo via The Courtesy Bar/FacebookDisney Christmas Tree Trail
Disney Springs, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-824-4321
Sure, you can bring kids to this Christmas Tree Trail, but kids aren’t the only ones having fun. This is a very romantic date spot perfect for the holiday season. For some completely fee-free holiday fun, take a walk along Disney Springs’ annual Christmas Tree trail, which features 23 trees themed to classic films and characters from Nov. 8-Jan. 5
Photo via Walt Disney World/WebsiteOrlando Ballet: The Nutcracker
445 S. Magnolia Ave., 407-418-9828
Orlando Ballet presents the beloved holiday tradition, with live music provided by the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras On Dec. 13-15 and 20-23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Dr. Phillips Center.
Photo via Orlando Ballet Company and School/FacebookTrans-Siberian Orchestra
400 W. Church St., 800-745-3000
Christmas songs get the over-the-top metal treatment from this perennial holiday favorite. Trans-Siberian Orchestra is coming to the Amway Center on Dec.14 for their Christmas Eve and Other Stories tour to 66 cities. There are two showings at 3 p.m. and then at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $46.50-$86.50.
Photo via Trans-Siberian Orchestra/FacebookFrosty’s Christmastime Lounge
50 East Central Blvd., 321-800-6616
It’s the perfect time of the year to get a drink at this christmas theme bar and maybe try one of their boozy eggnog snow cones. Sit by the fireplace and snuggle up at Frosty’s Christmastime Lounge, open everyTuesday-Sunday 4 p.m-2 a.m., all year ’round
Photo via Frosty’s Christmastime Lounge/FacebookWinter Fest & Snow Mountain
299 Center Lake Lane, Oviedo, PHONE
Winter carnival with rides, live music, food vendors and more at the Oviedo Amphitheatre & Cultural Center on Dec. 14 from 2-8 p.m.The holiday parade begins at 3:30 p.m. and tickets cost $6-$100.
Photo via City of Oviedo – City Administration/FacebookFarris and Foster’s Chocolate Factory
4875 New Broad Street, 407-770-1607
This is the perfect Friday night for any chocolate lover. Bring your boo to Farris and Foster’s Chocolate Factory for a special holiday treat. You make and take home one pound of handmade creations for just $34. This is a weekly event that happens every Friday at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Photo via Farris and Foster’s Chocolate Factory/facebookCentral Florida Ballet: The Nutcracker
Linda Chapin Auditorium, 9800 International Drive,407-849-9948
Watch an unparalleled production complete with uniquely composed sets, aerial acrobatics, pyrotechnics and an exceptional ballet ensemble at the Linda Chapin Auditorium on Dec. 14-15 for the 2 p.m. showing and 7:30 p.m. showing. Tickets cost $29-$64.
Photo via Central Florida Ballet/ WebsiteOrlando Big Band: A Swingtime Christmas
201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford, FL 32771, 407-321-8111
Come out and move to classic selections from the ’30s, ’40s, ’50s and ’60s on Dec. 15 at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center starting at 3 p.m.
Photo via Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center/FacebookUniversal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s
Universal Studios Florida, 6000 Universal Blvd, 407-363-8000
Marching bands, massive balloons, and Santa himself appear in this seasonal celebration inspired by Manhattan’s Turkey Day spectacle. In addition, Diagon Alley is decorated for Yule, and Mannheim Steamroller performs their holiday hits on select evenings from Nov. 16-Jan 5.
Photo via Universal Studios Orlando/WebsiteBolshoi Ballet: The Nutcracker
Multiple locations
Watch the Bolshoi Ballet in cinema broadcasting live from the legendary Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow in the telling of a timeless story of the nutcracker. This exclusive two and a half hour long program is coming to AMC Disney Springs and Regal Winter Park Village on Dec. 15.
Photo via The Bolshoi Ballet: The Nutcracker/ FacebookThe Glass Knife
276 S ORLANDO AVE WINTER PARK, FL 32789, 407-500-CAKE
Glass Knife is already the place to enjoy the perfect brunch and sweets in a picture-perfect setting. Nowm they are offering the Pride Petite cake and the Pride croissant for a limited time only.
Photo via The Glass Knife/FacebookPhantasmagoria’s A Christmas Carol
Multiple Locations, 407-476-5121
Phantasmagoria returns with its own unique adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, performed at Lowndes Shakespeare Theatre on Dec. 13-16 and Maxine’s on Shine
on Dec. 19. Tickets cost $20-$25.
Photo via Phantasmagoria/ FacebookBusch Gardens Christmas Town
Busch Gardens Tampa, 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, 813-884-4386
Santa and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer help transform Busch Gardens into a holiday wonderland Nov. 16-Jan. 6,/b> with extended weekend hours, a sing-along train ride, and family-friendly live shows, including Christmas on Ice and Elmo’s Christmas Wish.
Photo via Busch Gardens/FacebookLindsey Stirling: Warmer in the Winter Christmas Tour
401 W. Livingston St., 407-246-4262
Come out and enjoy this holiday show from the violin virtuoso at the Bob Carr Theater on Dec. 19. Show time is 7 p.m. and tickets available on the Dr. Phillips Center’s website.
Photo via Lindsey Stirling/FacebookChristmas at Bok Tower Gardens
Christmas at Bok Tower Gardens
Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales,863-676-1408
Experience Pinewood Estate completely transformed into a holiday showplace reflecting the grandeur of the 1940s and take holiday walking tours of the gardens from Nov. 29-Jan. 5
Photo via
Bok Tower Gardens/FacebookBetter Than Sex – A Dessert Restaurant
1905 N. Orange Ave., 407-761-8949
Indulge a few sweet treats at this Orlando dessert restaurant. Order the ‘Kreamy Kringle’ December’s feature drink, a spiked eggnog that’ll get you into the holiday spirit. Open Wednesday through Sunday 6 p.m.-Midnight. Closed Christmas Day, but open New Years Day.
Photo viaHolidays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-824-4321
The “nahtazu” gets festive for the first time with holiday décor throughout the park, including up-cycled ornaments in the World of Avatar from Nov. 8-Jan. 5 Meet Mickey and Donald, who have dressed for the season, and don’t miss the interactive folk-art animal puppets patrolling Discovery Island.
Photo via Walt Disney World/WebsiteOpera Orlando: All Is Calm
445 S. Magnolia Ave., 407-512-1900
Enjoy the Florida premiere of this poignant and moving work, set during World War I at the Western Front, Christmas 1914. It’s not the most romantic Christmastime date, but sometimes you just need a break from the yuletide cheer. Showing Dec. 20-22. Show time is 7:30 p.m. at the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater.
Photo via Opera Orlando/FacebookOpera del Sol: Creepy Christmas Cabaret
2438 E. Robinson St.
Get ready for a Christmas party in hell with this gothic holiday special with an original script and talented singers hosted by a sultry Madame at the Iron Cow cafe. Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. and tickets start at $10.
Photo via Opera del Sol/FacebookA Night Out In December
2809 S. Ferncreek Ave., 407-897-2713
Enjoy a night of laughs, dinner, door prizes, music and entertainment on Dec. 21 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Florida National Guard Armory. Tickets for the second annual rendition of this gala start at $30.
Photo via A Knight to Remember/FacebookIcon Park
8375 International Drive,407-601-7907
It doesn’t get more romantic than Icon Park. Ride the swings, or go out for a drink and listen to live performers. There are plenty of attractions and restaurants to make any holiday date a special one.
Photo via Icon Park/FacebookA Drag Queen Christmas
425 N. Bumby Ave., 407-228-1220
Stay tuned for a magical evening filled with performances by contestants from the reality television show on VH1 starting at 8 p.m on Dec. 27. Tickets are available on their website and prices range from $35-$50.
Photo via Murray & Peter Present/FacebookPhat-N-Jazzy Holiday Jam
2438 E. Robinson St.
Get down at this post-holiday party with DJs BMF, Slack and the Phat-N-Jazzy Horns starting at 9 p.m on Dec. 27. Tickets are $10-$20.
Photo via Iron Cow Cafe/FacebookMickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-824-4321
On select nights,Nov. 8-Dec. 22 snow falls on Main Street U.S.A. during this after-hours event, which features the new Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime fireworks show, and the fan-favorite Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, plus unlimited cocoa and cookies.
Photo via Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party/Facebook