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.