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DECEMBER 2012: HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Cannonball Christmas Express

Wooton Park Station, Downtown Tavares

Get into the holiday spirit on board the Cannonball Christmas Express with a magical trip to the North Pole on select dates through Dec 23rd. Ride in vintage coaches pulled by a 1907 steam locomotive, while singing Christmas carols and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate with cookies. Santa will board the train at the North Pole to present each child with a gift.

 

Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops

5156 International Drive

Skip the mall’s waiting line and instead visit Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops through Dec 24th. Kids get more than just their picture taken with Mr. Claus! There are games, crafts, and activities to enjoy from store opening to closing.

  • Bass Pro Shops will offer a FREE 4×6 studio-quality photo (parents can choose to order additional photos), plus free admission for all.
  • (407) 563-5200
  • BassPro.com

 

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration

A wintery, watery wonderland offers a journey to the North Pole on The Polar Express Experience. Through December 31st, share a smile with a sea lion and enjoy stunning live shows inspired by the natural world. Guests can experience “O Wondrous Night,” a true living nativity scene based upon the Christmas story and told through the eyes of a variety of animals, including camels, goats, sheep, an alpaca, a zebu, and a flock of white doves. With everything from Santa to Shamu, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is where holiday memories are made.

 

Winter Garden Christmas Parade

South Dillard Street & Plant Street

Bring a lawn chair or blanket and head to your favorite Winter Garden spot for this much awaited annual festivity. On December 1st at 10 am, this long-standing holiday spectacle will delight spectators and bring in holiday cheer! Don’t forget to look for the Big Guy himself at the end of the parade.

 

Chanukah in the Park

Central Park

You’re invited to a free Chanukah family festival to be held on Sunday, December 9th at 5 pm. Featuring a Grand Menorah Lighting, this wonderful evening will include singing performance by children from the Jewish Community Center; plus, live music from the Klezmorim band, dreidels, chocolate Chanukah gelt, Chassidic dancers, clowns, face painting, jugglers, and a $1,000 grand drawing! Refreshments will be available.

 

Experience the Holidays at Universal Studios 

Partake in one-of-a-kind holiday excitement that the whole family can enjoy from Dec 1st to Jan 1st! While the Macy’s Holiday Parade takes to the streets of Universal Studios with colorful balloons and floats (direct from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City), Universal’s Islands of Adventure lets you catch the music and festivities of Grinchmas. You won’t want to miss the heartwarming live show starring The Grinch, the Wonky Tree Lot, Strolling Who’s, and a chance to get your picture taken with the mean green one himself.

  • Holiday festivities are included with your regular theme park admission.
  • (407) 363-8000
  • UniversalStudios.com

 

Slide into Christmas at Gaylord Palm Resort

Gaylord Palms is chock-full of top-notch seasonal entertainment events and attractions through January 1st, including: ICE! featuring DreamWorks’ Merry Madagascar, where guests can relive the story of how Alex the Lion and his friends saved Christmas after Santa and his reindeer crashed onto the island of Madagascar. With more than 20,000 square feet of hand-carved sculptures made from 2 million pounds of ice, the frosty 9-degree bliss of ICE! is Florida’s favorite frigid holiday tradition. Guests can amplify their experience with other special events: Majestic Christmas Tree Lighting, LIVE Stage Shows, and Polar Bear Pursuit Scavenger Hunt.

Jewish Pavilion Celebrates Hanukkah

Horizon Bay in Altamonte Springs and Savannah Court in Maitland

Double the party! Celebrate Hanukkah on Sunday, December 9th at 1pm at Horizon Bay at Lake Orienta in Altamonte Springs. Two talented entertainers will lead Hanukkah songs; plus, enjoy latkes and other treats. Or join the fun on Thursday, December 13th at 10:30 am at Savannah Court in Maitland. Kindergartners from the Jewish Academy of Orlando will share the story of Hanukkah in the most adorable way!

 

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Magic Kingdom Theme Park

Celebrate the magic of the season at this very special event held on select nights through December 21st from 7 pm to midnight! This celebration offers spectacular fireworks, an extraordinary holiday parade, and live entertainment featuring Disney characters; plus, complimentary Christmas cookies and hot cocoa, a magical snowfall on Main Street, and access to many of the most popular Magic Kingdom attractions.

 

14th Annual Leadership Winter Park Pancake Breakfast

Central Park Stage

Enjoy a traditional pancake breakfast complete with hotcakes, sausage, and beverages on December 1st at 10:30 am in downtown Winter Park, prior to the 60th Annual “Ye Olde Hometown” Christmas Parade on Park Avenue. Proceeds will benefit area elementary schools to supply students with tools needed for success.

 

60th Annual Winter Park “Ye Olde Hometown” Christmas Parade

Park Avenue

On Saturday, December 1st from 9 to 10 am, the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce will proudly host the longest running Christmas Parade in Central Florida. This procession continues its tradition of marching down historic Park Avenue to spread holiday cheer with over 100 marching units including bands, dance troupes, floats, local dignitaries and, of course, Santa Claus!

 

Christmas in the Park

Central Park, Downtown Winter Park

Join the Morse Museum of American Art and the Bach Festival Choir and Brass for this FREE annual celebration on December 6th from 6:15 pm – 8 pm. Beautiful music and the glass works of Louis Comfort Tiffany will create a unique area tradition.

 

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra

Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola 

The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra is delighted to once again collaborate with WMKG Local 6 and the City of Orlando to present this 3rd annual holiday benefit concert in support of the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Network. Starting at 3 pm on December 8th, WKMG talent will host all four FSYO Orchestras with free admission (donations suggested to benefit the Salvation Army). This concert will bring your family the sounds of the season, with a visit from a very special ho-ho-holiday guest!

 

Breakfast (or Brunch) with Santa

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Fill your belly alongside Santa Claus on Dec 8th with a yummy breakfast or brunch! There will be lots of fun, holiday cheer, and activities for the whole family at the Zoo. Share your seasonal wishes with Santa, enjoy up-close animal encounters, make a special animal enrichment toy, and watch Zoo Keepers offer the animals special holiday gifts.

 

Holidays Around The World – Candlelight Processional

Epcot Theme Park

International holiday traditions unfold throughout the World Showcase when storytellers portraying cultural icons of the season – such as France’s Pere Noel, Italy’s LaBefana and America’s Santa Claus –spread messages of goodwill. To cap off the day, “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth,” Epcot’s kaleidoscope of lasers, lights, fireworks, and music, takes on a spirited holiday finale. The Candlelight Processional is performed three times each evening at the American Adventure theatre through Dec. 30th.

 

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Take a stroll down the Streets of America, through January 6th, as the streetlights fade and snowflakes start to fall. Suddenly, you’re surrounded by millions of lights dancing in synchronized splendor to a symphony for the senses! You’ll see twirling carousels, heavenly angels–and even Santa with his reindeer–amidst electrifying holiday music. Recently enhanced and included with your park admission, this amazing spectacle is a Walt Disney World tradition that makes holiday dreams come true.

 

9th Annual Snow Fest 

RDV Sportsplex Ice Den

Experience real snow in Central Florida at the 9th annual Snow Fest on Saturday, December 15th from 2- 6 pm. A day filled with ice skating, bounce houses, live DJs, face painting, kid’s snow slide, and family fun!

 

Winter in the Park

Central Park West Meadow

Through Jan. 6th, bundle up with your family for “Winter in the Park,” the annual holiday ice skating rink experience in Winter Park. Snow bunnies of all ages and skill levels are invited to chill out as they glide, spin, and turn! Price: $10 all day including skate rental; group discounts are available.

  • Open Monday-Thursday: 3 pm to 9 pm, Friday: 3 pm to 10 pm, Saturday: 10 am to 10 pm, and Sunday: Noon to 8 pm.
  • (407) 599-3203
  • CityOfWinterpark.org

 

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve

Amway Center

This performance has been called “a story of loss and redemption” and features a diverse soundtrack with fusing elements of rock, classical, folk, Broadway, and R&B. Encompassing a rundown hotel, an old toy store, a blues bar, a Gothic cathedral, and their respective inhabitants all intertwined during a single enchanted Christmas Eve in New York City. Two spectacular shows will take place on December 16th at 2:30 pm and 7 pm.