Light Up Holiday Events in Central Florida
Light Up Holiday Events in Central Florida – Light Up Events are a great way to get you into the holiday spirit. Many of these events happen early in the season, but we will continue to add new events as they pop up throughout the season.
As always, our list of events will be updated throughout the season, so be sure to check back often. And, if you’ve found we missed anything, be sure to send the event our way by emailing Newsletter@MyCentralFloridaFamily.com or click here to submit the event.
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There are different types of light up events for the holidays. Some will allow you to enjoy the first lighting of a Christmas tree or city block. Others run nightly for all to enjoy. We can’t wait to enjoy all of the light up events in Central Florida and we hope your family enjoys some of these too.
Looking for other holiday opportunities for fun, check out our additional guides below.
Events Happening All Season Long
Holiday Nights at Island H2O Water Park
Island H2O Water Park
Nov. 8 – Dec. 31, 2023
More Info: Each evening, Island H2O Water Park will transform into a holiday wonderland, adorned with twinkling island-themed lights that’ll rival the brightest North Star. Check out island-festive immersive light displays and snap some holiday-card worthy photos with friends and family. You can get your holiday shopping done as you surf through the holiday market featuring local vendors with a showcase of unique gifts and handcrafted ornaments. Sip steaming mugs of cider and hot cocoa, enjoy holiday themed bites, and toast s’mores big enough to share all while enjoying unique live entertainment each night. Holiday Nights will light up every Wednesday through Sunday from Nov. 8 – Dec. 10 and every day Dec. 13 – 31.
Cranes Roost Park Light Up the Holidays
Altamonte Springs
November 23 – January 1, 2024
More Info: The City of Altamonte Springs and Duke Energy celebrate the tradition of lighting up Cranes Roost Park with live music, entertainment, fireworks, train rides, along with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Watch as the park comes alive with spectacular holiday displays featuring 200,000 lights and a 60-foot tree decorated with thousands of ornaments and garland.
Magic of Lights
Daytona Speedway
Nov. 17, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2023
More Info: Tickets purchased now can be used ANY DAY Magic of Lights is open! Tickets are per vehicle, not per person so grab as many friends and family to join! Take advantage of the Early Bird Discount with tickets.
Holinights Celebration
Promenade at Sunset Walk
Nov. 17, 2023 – Dec. 25, 2023
More Info: On select nights, join the Promenade at Sunset Walk for our Holinights Celebration, featuring Santa Claus, mischievous elves, towering toy soldiers, live music, and the nightly lighting of our 42-foot animated Holinights Christmas tree! Plus, climb aboard the all-new Pearl Express Train Tour and experience the Promenade at Sunset Walk. Fun for all ages, the train departs from the Promenade’s “North Pole Roundabout” throughout the day.
St. Augustine Nights of Lights
St. Augustine
Nov. 18, 2023 to Jan. 31, 2024
More Info: The 2023-24 Nights of Lights festival turns the city of St. Augustine into a dazzling holiday display.
Dazzling Lights at Leu Gardens
Leu Gardens | Orlando
November 24, 2023 – January 6, 2024
More Info: Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens will transform into a stunning winter wonderland featuring a million dazzling lights, shining forests, magical displays, music, and beautiful sculptures!
Oh What Fun! Holiday Festival
Lake Nona
December 7 – 23, 2023
More Info: Watch as Lake Nona Town Center transforms into a winter wonderland, known as Peppermint Square, with a calendar full of celebrations and events for our 6th annual Oh, What Fun! Holiday Festival.
Community Light Up Events
The DeLand Christmas Light Show
DeLand
December 1 -31, 2023
More Info: Presented by Stetson Baptist Church. With almost 10,000 LED lights and over 2,100 individual lighting channels, The DeLand Christmas Light Show is an event you won’t want to miss!
Holiday Events in Winter Garden
Winter Garden
December 1-30, 2023 | Times Vary
More Info: If you’re looking for holiday events in the Winter Garden area, we have them below for you. Winter Garden knows how to do the holidays for Central Florida families! Outdoor holiday movies, light shows, carriage tours, boutique stroll, farmer’s market, and holiday music on the plaza are here for you.
Light Up Windermere
Windermere Town Hall
November 17, 2023
More Info: Light Up Windermere and Food Truck Night
Light Up Eustis
Eustis
November 24, 2023
More Info: This year’s 36th Annual Light-Up Eustis will be held in Ferran Park on Friday, November 24th, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A ceremonial tree lighting will be at 6:00 p.m. Enjoy food and craft vendors in the park, pictures with Santa, and more!
Light Up Mount Dora
Mount Dora
November 25, 2023
More Info: This year brings a new spin to this annual event. The festivities will now be on the downtown lakefront in Evans Park from 3:30 p.m to 9:00 p.m. Watch for Santa to arrive via boat. After dark a fireworks display will take place in Simpson Cove near the lighthouse. Guests wishing to donate a new and unwrapped toy for the Mount Dora Community Toy Drive benefitting local children in need can drop it off at the City’s tent leading to the event (at the top of the hill leading down to Evans Park).
Oviedo Tree Lighting Celebration
Oviedo
November 30, 2023
More Info: A Frosty themed Tree Lighting Experience at Center Lake Park in Oviedo!
Light Up Kissimmee
Kissimmee Lakefront Park
December 9, 2023
More Info: Kissimmee Main Street presents “Light up Kissimmee”. Our Christmas season kick-off begins by lighting up the entire Kissimmee’s Historic Downtown with wonderful holiday decor and lights! We will have parranda, the Broadway Welcome Station tree lighting and the City of Kissimmee tree lighting as well it’s going to be a Jolly Jolly Holiday!
Longwood Holiday Jazz Performance and Tree Lighting
Longwood
November 30, 2023
More Info: Longwood City Commissioners will light the new 22 ft Christmas tree at Reiter Park followed by a concert by Lyman High School Jazz Band! Enjoy music and food trucks with family a friends!
City of Orlando Tree Lighting
Lake Eola Park | Orlando
December 1, 2023
More Info: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer invites Central Florida residents and visitors to ring in the holiday season and help countdown to the lighting of the City of Orlando’s Christmas tree at Lake Eola Park’s Washington Plaza. The event will include holiday performances at the Walt Disney Amphitheater, food trucks and a holiday market.
Light Up Sanford
Lake Eola Park | Orlando
December 1, 2023
More Info: Join us as we light the tree and kick off our holiday season!
Apopka Tree Lighting
Kit Nelson Park | Apopka
December 1, 2023
More Info – We welcome you to our annual Tree Lighting, as we light up Kit Land Nelson Park for the holidays. Enjoy holiday music, photos with Santa, kids activities and more!
Light the Christmas Tree at Wekiva Island
Wekiva Island
December 1, 2023
More Info: This is the eighth year for the event, which will kick off with the lighting of the Christmas tree and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec.1.
St. Cloud Tree Lighting
St. Cloud
December 1, 2023
More Info
Light Up Sanford – Tree Lighting Ceremony
Magnolia Square
December 1, 2023
More Info: Join us for a magical night at Light Up Sanford, a Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 1st at 6:30 PM. Experience the enchantment of the Magnolia Square Christmas Tree and downtown as we illuminate the night. Get ready for holiday entertainment, a visit from ‘Ole Saint Nick and his helpers, and more!
Lake Mary Holiday in the Park
Downtown Lake Mary
December 1, 2023
More Info: The City of Lake Mary’s “Holiday in the Park” event is one for the books! Our largest event of the year highlights over 1 MILLION holiday lights in Central Park, a visit from Santa Claus, a synthetic ice rink (admission fee), and lots of food trucks!! Kick off the holiday season with your family and friends in one of the best light shows in Central Florida!
Leesburg Tree Lighting
Historic Downtown Leesburg – Town Green
December 2, 2023
More Info: The Town of Leesburg will hold this year’s holiday tree lighting ceremony on Town Green beginning at 6:00pm. Join us for lights, live music, holiday characters and community cheer!
Avalon Aglow
Avalon Park Orlando
December 2, 2023
More Info: This free community event is open to the public and will begin at 3 PM with East Orlando’s premier Holiday Parade. It will conclude with a Firework Show over Avalon […]
Sanford Holiday Tour of Homes
Sanford
December 2, 2023
More Info: On this self-guided walking tour, step into the past as you are welcomed into some of the Sanford Historic District’s most charming private residences.
Winter Springs Winter Wonderland/Parade/Tree Lighting/Santa Claus
Winter Springs
December 2, 2023
More Info: Tis’ the season for joy and celebration! Stop by and enjoy the festivities this holiday season at Winter Wonderland! Experience an evening with one of the longest-running traditions in our city, the 40th annual Holiday Parade featuring local talent and businesses and the annual Christmas tree Lighting! Enjoy local entertainment and a visit from Santa Claus!
Baldwin Park’s Winter Wonderland
New Broad Street, Baldwin Park
December 2, 2023 | 4-8 PM
More Info: This year’s Winter Wonderland Extravaganza will take place on December 2 right on New Broad Street! The Winter Wonderland Extravaganza will feature a tree lighting ceremony, parade, food vendors, live music, photos with Santa and tons of fun right on New Broad Street! This free, family friendly event will take place Saturday, December 2 from 4-8pm. The parade will begin between 6:45pm – 7pm.
Ocoee Holiday Tree Lighting
Downtown Ocoee
December 9, 2023
More Info: The City of Ocoee Parks and Recreation Department will host it’s annual Jolly Jamboree & Tree Lighting Event on December 9th, 2023 from 3-8pm. The event features the countdown to the tree lighting, Santa’s Village, a kids zone, special guest, and much more. This is a free event. For more information contact Adrian Dorsey or call 407-905-3180.
8th Annual Light Up SoDo
SoDo, Orlando
December 3, 2023
More Info: Let’s get lit! Light Up SoDo returns for our 8th year and we can’t wait to tell Santa if you’ve been naughty or nice! We have a new presenting sponsor this year, Orlando Credit Union, and so many surprises in store.
Light Up Hannibal Square
Hannibal Square Heritage Center, Winter Park
December 8, 2023
More Info: On Friday, December 8, from 6 to 8 p.m., you can don your favorite holiday sweater and head to Hannibal Square Heritage Center for the 4th Annual Light Up Hannibal Square. Take a free photo with Santa Claus, enjoy the Cupcake Challenge sponsored by Dress for Success, and support local artists by shopping the mini-market for holiday gifts. The holiday lights countdown will begin at 7 p.m.
Kissimmee Festival of Lights and Parade
Kissimmee Lakefront Park
December 9, 2023
More Info: Experience one of Central Florida’s premier nighttime parades in Historic Downtown Kissimmee. The Kissimmee Festival of Lights Parade is an annual tradition that is perfect for the whole family. Join thousands of residents and visitors for a holiday event full of music, dancing, and thousands of holiday lights.
Sanford Parade of Lights
Downtown Sanford 1st Street
December 9, 2023
More Info: The annual “Parade of Lights” on Saturday, December 9th from 6–8 PM offers residents and visitors a dazzling evening of exciting parade floats, lights and music with over 75 entrants parading downtown on 1st Street to celebrate the holidays.
Santa’s Wonderland Village
Winter Garden
Weekends Through December 23rd
More Info: On Friday, December 8th the switch will be flipped to illuminate more than 10-thousand lights as the inaugural Santa’s Wonderland Village opens in Winter Garden. This NEW holiday tradition will feature over 30 gigantic light displays, Santa’s Magical Midway, delicious fair food and Santa Claus! Santa’s Wonderland Village will be produced by Orlando-based Strates Shows, Inc, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in business during 2023.
Disclaimer: Events and information listed on this site are subject to last minute cancellations and changes which might not be reflected in this MyCentralFloridaFamily.com post. Please always confirm with this family-friendly business by calling or clicking the links for the most up-to-date information.
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