Downtown For the Holidays 2021

Downtown for the Holidays

Experience the sights and sounds of the season when visiting Downtown for the Holidays. Throughout the entire month of December, downtown Orlando is offering free holiday events for all to enjoy!

See the beautifully illuminated Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree and watch in wonder as the lights dance to popular holiday music. Experience snowfall and shop local at our holiday market. Grab a blanket and enjoy a free holiday movie on the East Lawn at Lake Eola. And be sure to stop by the Eola House to see Santa! 

Please see below for holiday events. We look forward to seeing you Downtown for the Holidays!

Eola Wonderland Map

Make the most of your time at Downtown for the Holidays with this map

Christmas Tree Show Schedule

Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show | December 2 - January 6 | Lake Eola Park
Beginning December 2, the Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree comes alive with synchronized light and music. The show will take place at the following times: 5:45 pm, 6:45 pm, 7:45 pm, 8:45 pm, and 9:45 pm.  The Christmas Tree is located by E. Washington St. and N. Rosalind Ave.

Snowfall Schedule

Downtown Snowfall | Select Dates December 2 – December 23 | Lake Eola House
Experience snowfall in downtown Orlando this holiday season! Snow will fall on Washington St. by the Lake Eola House (located near the intersection of E. Washington St. and N. Eola Dr.).  

Snow will fall Friday, December 2 – Friday, December 23 on select evenings. The 15-minute snowfall schedule is below:

  • Friday and Saturday: 5:30 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm
  • Sunday:  5:30 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm

Holiday Market Schedule

Holiday Market | Select Dates December 2 – December 23 | East Side of Lake Eola Park
Support local this season when shopping the Holiday Market. Here, you'll shop from 30 local vendors with products ranging from soaps, candles, jewelry, and more! You will find the market on the east side of Lake Eola Park beginning Friday, December 2. The final day for the market is Friday, December 23.

  • Fridays and Saturdays: 4:30 pm – 9 pm
  • Sundays: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Santa Schedule

Meet Santa | Select Dates December 3 – December 23 | Lake Eola House
Meet Santa at the Eola House (512 E. Washington St., Orlando, FL 32801) on select dates in December.

Santa will be at the Eola House on December 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23.

  • Fridays and Saturdays: 4:30 pm – 9 pm
  • Sundays: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm 

Holiday Happenings

City District Holiday Kickoff & Tree Lighting | November 17 at 5:30 pm | 54 W. Church Street 
Be the first to celebrate the holidays in downtown Orlando! Join City District Main Street as they kick off Deck the District with their annual tree lighting and gingerbread building contest. The gingerbread house building contest will start at 6:00 pm followed by City District's annual tree lighting. 

Jack Kazanzas Star Installation | November 20 at 7:00 am | Intersection of Orange Avenue and Pine Street
An Orlando holiday tradition, the raising of the Jack Kazanzas Star 50 feet over Orange Avenue will take place the morning of Sunday, November 20. The more than 50-year tradition of raising the 600-pound golden star started in the 1950s. Since then, the Star has come to symbolize the start of the holiday season in downtown Orlando.  

What's Up Downtown for the Holidays | December 1 at 11:00 am - 2 pm | Heritage Square Park (65 E. Central Blvd.)
With Santa serving as emcee, enjoy a festival atmosphere at Heritage Square Park in front of the Orange County Regional History Center. Enjoy complimentary amusement games, made to order cotton candy, popcorn from Popcorn Junkie, live performances, and more!  

Tree Lighting Celebration | December 5-8 pm | Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park
Kickoff the holiday season on at the City of Orlando's annual Tree Lighting Celebration at Lake Eola Park. The highlight of the event is the lighting of the six-story Christmas tree featuring 88,000 animated lights. The event will include holiday performances at the Walt Disney Amphitheater, food trucks and a holiday market. 

If you’re unable to make it to the tree lighting, you can catch the synchronized light and music Christmas Tree Show every evening thru January 6. The show will run each hour from 5:45 pm - 9:45 pm.    

Holiday Movie at Lake Eola Park - The Nightmare Before Christmas | December 9 at 7 pm | East Lawn at Lake Eola Park 
Pack your blankets, chairs, and snacks for the whole family to enjoy The Nightmare Before Christmas.  

Violectric Holiday Show | December 10 at 7 pm | Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park 
Performing together live on stage, renowned “Vinylinist” and Founder of Violectric, Michelle Jones, and the talented musicians of the Central Florida strings super-group, announce the exciting milestone 10th Annual Violectric Holiday Show rocking into the Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park on Saturday, December 10, 2022 starting at 7pm.  Free and open to the public, the 90-minute live concert presented by the City of Orlando’s Department of Families, Parks and Recreation will feature traditional holiday songs like O Christmas Tree, The First Noel and Hanukkah, O Hanukkah mashed up with classic rock tunes and modern hits like Born to Run, Heroes and Sweet Dreams, delivering a fun-filled, energetic and highly unique holiday show unlike anything seen and heard before and simulcast around all of Lake Eola. 

Violectric has also teamed back up with Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando for the pet-friendly show.  Attendees are encouraged to bring their pets and a cash donation for Pet Alliance.  Santa and Mrs. Claus will also return for meet-and-greets and family and pet photos, plus more surprises. 

Holiday Drone Show | December 11 at 7 pm | Lake Eola Park 
Lake Eola Park will host a holiday drone light show, courtesy of Visit Orlando and Sky Elements to celebrate the season. The show will feature a dazzling display of synchronized drones flying in formation to create beautiful holiday-themed designs in the night sky. Attendees will be able to sit back and watch the 10-minute light show from the comfort of their own blankets and lawn chairs.

Holiday Movie at Lake Eola Park - The Four Christmases | December 16 at 7 pm | East Lawn at Lake Eola Park 
Pack your blankets, chairs, and snacks for the whole family to enjoy Four Christmases.

The Nutcracker by the Russian Ballet Orlando | December 17 at 7:30 pm | Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park 
The Russian Academy of Ballet presents a gift to the Orlando Community with a free performance of the traditional “The Nutcracker.”

Holiday Movie at Lake Eola Park - The Grinch (2018) | December 23 at 7 pm | East Lawn at Lake Eola Park 
Pack your blankets, chairs, and snacks for the whole family to enjoy The Grinch.

DTO Augmented Reality App

Download the Explore DTO app to enjoy augmented reality (AR) content, like dancing with a gingerbread man or snapping a selfie with a swan in a Santa hat! 

Step 1

Download the app

iOS

Android

Step 2

Select an AR experience and watch it come to life!

Step 3

Have fun! Be sure to tag us on social and share your photos! 

Parking

Explore our interactive map

SunRail Festive Fridays

SunRail is offering extended train service every Friday from November 25 through December 30, 2022. The extra southbound train will depart the DeBary Station at 9:30 p.m. and travel to the Poinciana Station, making all station stops along the way. Regular fares apply. 

For more information including the extended train schedule, special events, and fares visit SunRail.com