The City of Winter Park kicked of its Hometown Holidays celebration on the evening of Nov. 17 with lights, ornaments, and poinsettias along Morse Boulevard and Park, West New England, and Orange avenues.
Shop owners could be seen adding the finishing touches to their holiday window showcases while parents brought their kids for the first holiday photo shoots of the season.
The debut of this year’s décor marked the start of the city’s calendar of events that includes some of the area’s most beloved traditions. Check out the following events, happening Dec. 1-29:
• Park Avenue Holiday Market: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at Winter Park Farmers’ Market
Finish your holiday shopping with help from a list of local vendors. Festivities include holiday music and a visit from Santa Claus from 4-6 p.m. Check parkavenuedistrict.com for more information.
• 44th Annual Christmas in the Park: 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in Central Park
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art continues its holiday tradition, started by museum benefactors Hugh and Jeannette McKean. Turn-of-the-century Tiffany windows are lighted as the Bach Festival Choir and Brass Ensembleperforms on the new Central Park Main Stage. For more information, see the event page on the Morse Museum website.
• Holiday Pops Concert: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Central Park Main Stage
A program of holiday favorites will be presented at a free concert, presented by the Charlotte Julia Hollander Trust. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and get into the spirit while enjoying the December weather. For more information, please call 407-599-3342.
• Winter Park Holiday Boat Parade: 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, on Lake Virginia
Santa’s sleigh has nothing on Winter Park’s boats. Lakefront residents can watch from their backyards while spectators can gather at Dinky Dock Park. Enjoy festive boat and dock decorations by residents and local businesses. To register a boat in the parade, go to winterparkboatparade.com. For more information, please call 407-256-6369.
• Merry Tuba Christmas: 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Central Park Main Stage
Baritone players of all ages will perform a free concert of holiday favorites in the impressive register of tubas, euphoniums, and sousaphones. Musician registration begins at 9 a.m., the fee per musician is $10 with rehearsal from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Performers must bring a folding chair and music stand. For more information, please call 407-599-3463.
• Wreaths Across America: noon Saturday, Dec. 17, at Palm and Pineywood Cemeteries
Wreaths Across America will honor the service and sacrifice of America’s veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of the fallen. Wreaths must be ordered by Monday, Nov. 28, and the public can volunteer to participate. Click here to access information for Palm Cemetery, or here for Pineywood Cemetery.
• Chanukah on the Park: 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at Central Park
Chabad of Greater Orlando will present an evening of celebration featuring live music, food, and a grand menorah lighting with Mayor Anderson. Kids’ activities include face painting, crafts, and a gelt drop. Marvel at the aerial acrobatics of Anti Gravity Orlando, and enter a grand raffle to win four Disney tickets. For more information and event registration, please access chabadorlando.org.
• Holiday Friday Nights at the Morse
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art will offer free admission from 4-8 p.m., and live music from 5-8 p.m. during all Fridays in December. For more information, please access morsemuseum.org.
• CHEEZ-IT Bowl Parade of Bands: 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, on Park Avenue
College bands will march through downtown Winter Park and perform a game day preview concert in Central Park before the CHEEZ-IT Bowl game at 5:30 p.m. at Camping World Stadium. For more information go to cheezitbowl.com.
To plan your visit, access the City of Winter Park’s parking page, and navigate event road closures on the closures & construction page. Check the City of Winter Park event page for updates.