HOLIDAY EVENTS THROUGHOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS

Light up the Holidays

Saturday, 12/1, 5 - 8 pm

The traditional lighting of Cranes Roost Park.  With mucic, entertainment and fun for the entire family.

Santa Tuesdays:  12/4, 11, 18 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Bring your wish list and join the fun with Santa and his helpers under the tower.   With strolling carolers, beautiful lights and surprise guests in the park.

Holiday Movie Nights

Wednesdays, December 5, 12, 19   6:00 - 9:00 pm

Holiday movies on the lawn in the plaza.  Bring blankets and chairs to watch a family holiday classic in front of the tower.  Free.  Sponsored by Gold's Gym.  Eddie Rose Amphitheater, Cranes Roost at Uptown Altamonte, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd,;407.571.8863;uptownaltamonte.com.

CASSELBERRY

Winter Festival & Tree Lighting Ceremony

Saturday, December 1:  4:00 - 7:00 pm

Begin your holiday season celebrations at the Casselberry Winter Festival & Tree Lighting Ceremony from 4:00 - 7:00 pm.  With local entertainment, sing-a-longs, family activities, and the lighting of a floating holiday tree in Secret Lake.  (Bring your camera in case Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus stop by!)  The tree-lighting ceremony begins at 6:50 pm.  Secret Lake Park, 200 N. Triplet Lake Dr. 

Pancakes at the Pole:   Saturday, December 15

Two seatings:  8:30-10:00 am & 10:30-12:00 noon

A holiday pancake breakfast at the Casselberry Recreation Center, 200 N. Triplet Lake Dr. Pre-registration required:  www.casselberry.org/parks_rec.asp  $3 residents, $5 non-residents.  For information:  407-262.7720

LAKE MARY

Holiday in the Park

Friday, December 7, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

6:00 -6:45 pm:  Bob Glickman Music and Entertainment

6:00 - 8:00 pm:  Face Painting, ornament sale; cookies and punch served to those who bring can goods or an unwrapped toy.

6:45:  Mayor announces Tree Lighting

7:00 pm:  Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive by fire truck

7:00 - 8:00 pm:  Bob Blickman Music and Entertainment

Presented by the City of Lake Mary, Lake Mary Historical Commission, and Lake Mary Elder Affairs Commission.

Lake Mary City Hall

For information:  407.324.3097; www.lakemaryfl.com

LONGWOOD

Celebrate the Seasons

December 1, 4 pm

With musical performances, food.  Canned goods accepted for the city's families-in-need program.  In downtown historic Longwood.  Presented by the City of Longwood.

Holiday Centerpiece

Saturday, December 1  9:00 - 12:00 Noon

Longwood arts and crafts instructor Linda Jacobs teaches a special Holiday Centerpiece class.  $40 per person; includes materials.  At the Longwood Community Building.

Movie in the Park

Friday, December 7:  7:00 pm

Bring your blankets or chairs and watch a family movie at Candyland Park.

For Information:  407.260.3484;  www.ci.longwood.fl.us

ORLANDO

Saturday, November 24:  2 pm - 8:00 pm

Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre.

Filled with all the glorious sounds of the season, the concert features the Orlando Philharmonic under the direction of maestro Andrew Lane.  Also on the program are the Holiday Singers and tenor David Chernault with the Next Generation Kids.

Bring the family and celebrate this rich tradition of holiday classics like "Sleigh Ride,"  Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,"  "White Christmas," and "A Visit From St. Nicholas"  narrated by David Chernault.  Enjoy a pre-concert holiday activity for children, sponsored by the Orlando Sentinel, at the 2:00 pm performance.  Please bring canned or non-perishable food items to help the Phil replenish the pantries of Central Florida's Second Harvest Food Bank.

ORLANDO BALLET

The Nutcracker Returns to the Bob Carr

December 14-23

Tickets:  $12 - $65.  Ticket information:  407.426.1739 or 407.839.3900; www.ticketmaster.com

PIRATES OF PENZANCE

FEBRUARY 1 -3

BOB CARR PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE. TICKETS:  $14.50 - $70.

OVIEDO

Snow Mountain at Winter Fest

Saturday, December 15, 9:00 - 1:00 pm

Join the Oviedo Recreation and Parks Dept. in welcoming winter at the 3rd Annual Snow Mountain at Winter Fest.  Snow Mountain gives kids and adults the thrill of slide-riding an plying in 50 tons of snow in Central Florida.  Other attractions include hands-on arts and crafts for kids, a bounce house and, of course, Santa Claus.  At the Oviedo Gymnasium and Aquatics Center, 148 Oviedo Blvd.

Oviedo Recreation & Parks: 407.971.5575;  www.cityofoviedo.net.

SANFORD

Christmas in the Square

Friday, November 30, 6:00 pm

Live holiday entertainment, face painters and balloon artists. and the official tree-lighting ceremony.  Santa arrives at 6:00 pm.  Free. Historic Downtown Sanford, Magnolia Square and First St.

Sanford Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 1, 6:00 pm

"Twas the Lights before Christmas" parade.  With lighted floats, bands, community groups and marching units.  1st St., downtown Sanford.

For information:  407.330.5641; www.sanfordfl.gov

WINTER SPRINGS

26th Annual Holiday Parade

Sunday, November 18, 2:30 pm

Parade route:  From SR 434 across from Winter Springs Elementary School to Victoria Square Plaza.  With bands from Winter Springs Elementary, Lyman High School, Tusckawilla Prep School, plus the Daytona Cubs' "Cubbie," civic groups, and a "special guest" from the North Pole.  Presented by the City of Winter Springs and Magic 107.7 FM.

4th Annual Holiday Tree-Lighting

Saturday, November 24 6:00 - 9:00 pm

With street entertainers, musical groups, snow, holiday characters, and pictures taken with Santa.  The tree-lighting will showcase Blumberg Blvd. in Winter Springs Town Center.  Presented by the City of Winter Springs and Magic 107.7 FM.

Holiday Pops Concert:  Featuring the Orlando Philharmonic

Saturday, December 8  4:30 - 5:30 pm

Instrument Petting Zoo-a chance to explore and try orchestra instruments ^;00 pm:  Holiday Concert.  Favorites conducted by Maestro Andre Lane.  Magic 107.7's Brenda Matthews and Ken Payne perform a holiday story.

Free. Food and beverages available for purchase.  At Central Winds Park, 1000 E. SR 434.  Presented by the City of Winter Springs and Magic 107.7 FM.

For information:  407.327.6593;  www.winterspringsfl.org