Explore the festive highlights of East Lake with our guide. We’ve compiled all the key events and activities for you. Whether you're rediscovering East Lake or seeing it with fresh eyes, this guide ensures you don't miss a moment of joy.
One festive favourite in the area is the Winter on the Avenue, where the streets come alive with twinkling lights, local vendors, and holiday cheer. Another exciting event is the Oh, What Fun Holiday Festival, featuring activities for all ages, including live entertainment and delicious treats. And the Annual Lighted Christmas Boat Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing beautifully decorated boats lighting up the water. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around East Lake
- Oh, What Fun Holiday Festival (Lake Nona)
- Winter on the Avenue (Winter Park)
- Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens (Orlando)
- 44th Annual Cracker Christmas (Christmas)
- Annual Lighted Christmas Boat Parade (Mount Dora)
- Now Snowing (Celebration)
- Maitland Season of Light (Maitland)
- Winter Park Boat Parade (Winter Park)
- Sanford Parade of Lights (Sanford)
- Holiday Friday Nights at Morse Museum (Winter Park)
See these and even more events listed below!
East Lake Holiday Light Displays
Annual Lighted Christmas Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Unique boat light displays along Lake Dora's shoreline.
Description:
The 34th Annual Mount Dora Lighted Boat Christmas Parade features decorated boats on Lake Dora, with a theme of "Florida Christmas." The event includes judging and awards for creativity and light displays.
Where: Mount Dora | More Info: Annual Lighted Christmas Boat Parade
Sanford Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Dazzling parade of lights with over 75 entrants.
Description:
The Sanford Parade of Lights is a spectacular holiday event featuring nearly 100 illuminated floats, music, and festive atmosphere in downtown Sanford.
Where: Sanford | More Info: Sanford Parade of Lights
Light Up Sanford
What to Expect:
Community-driven tree lighting event in historic downtown area.
Description:
Join us in Downtown Sanford as we light the tree at Magnolia Square, kicking off the holiday season with festive cheer and holiday entertainment.
Where: Sanford | More Info: Light Up Sanford
Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations and character meet-and-greets.
Description:
Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens features over a million lights, interactive installations, and unique holiday experiences, transforming the gardens into a vibrant winter spectacle.
Where: Orlando | More Info: Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens
Light Up Eustis
What to Expect:
Ceremonial tree lighting and family-friendly activities.
Description:
The 36th Annual Light-Up Eustis event in Ferran Park features food and craft vendors, free pictures with Santa, and a ceremonial tree lighting at 6:00 PM. The event also includes performances by Lifepointe Church and Community Children’s Choir, Hollywood Holidays, and Win1Ministries.
Where: Eustis | More Info: Light Up Eustis
Oviedo Tree Lighting Celebration
What to Expect:
Frosty themed tree lighting with live reindeer and carolers.
Description:
Join the City of Oviedo for a Frosty themed Tree Lighting Experience at Center Lake Park. Enjoy FREE photos with Santa, live reindeer, carolers, and food trucks.
Where: Oviedo | More Info: Oviedo Tree Lighting Celebration
Apopka Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Holiday music and Santa photos in a festive park setting.
Description:
The Apopka Tree Lighting event at Kit Land Nelson Park features holiday music, photos with Santa, and kids' activities, making it a festive holiday celebration.
Where: Apopka | More Info: Apopka Tree Lighting
Leesburg Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Spectacular light display with live music and a lighted boat parade.
Description:
Leesburg's Holiday Season Display features over 500,000 mini lights, live music by LHS Madrigals, food trucks, bounce houses, and a lighted boat parade.
Where: Leesburg | More Info: Leesburg Tree Lighting
Holiday in the Park
What to Expect:
Thousands of twinkling lights and a dancing light show.
Description:
The City of Lake Mary's Holiday in the Park features a beautiful holiday tree lighting, thousands of twinkling lights, and a dancing light show in Central Park. The event includes a visit from Santa Claus, a synthetic ice rink, and numerous food trucks. The park is decorated with lights on all the trees, including a big Christmas tree in front of City Hall. Every 30 minutes, a light show dances to music, making it a fun family night out.
Where: Lake Mary | More Info: Holiday in the Park
East Lake Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Oh, What Fun Holiday Festival
What to Expect:
Live acrobatics show and snow-themed entertainment.
Description:
The Oh, What Fun Holiday Festival at Lake Nona Town Center offers a variety of activities including a live acrobatics show, snow-themed entertainment, family-friendly activities, and a holiday market with rotating vendors selling giftable crafts and bespoke items.
Where: Lake Nona | More Info: Oh, What Fun Holiday Festival
Christmas Eve Celebration
What to Expect:
Free admission and live music during the celebration.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas Eve at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art with free admission to the galleries and live music from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Winter Park | More Info: Christmas Eve Celebration
Holiday Friday Nights at Morse Museum
What to Expect:
Live music performances by local musicians.
Description:
The Morse Museum in Winter Park, Florida, offers free admission and live music every Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the holiday season. Various musicians and musical groups enhance the museum experience with their performances.
Where: Winter Park | More Info: Holiday Friday Nights at Morse Museum
Light Up Windermere
What to Expect:
Live music and dance performances with backlit bubbles.
Description:
Join us for Light Up Windermere, a vibrant evening featuring DJ Greg and DJ Truck from Event Concepts Entertainment, choirs from Family Church, and special performances by dancers from White Swan Academy. The event will take place at Town Square Park, with lights turning on at 7:00 PM and backlit bubbles from the Orlando Bubble Bus from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Participating trucks include Lo Cubano, Oishiimotto, Alaskan Ice Truck, and more.
Where: Windermere | More Info: Light Up Windermere
Winter Springs Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Community celebration with local talent and Santa Claus visit.
Description:
Join us at Winter Springs Town Center for the 42nd annual Holiday Parade and ceremonial tree lighting. Enjoy local talent performances and a special visit from Santa Claus. Savor culinary offerings from various food trucks in a delightful evening of community celebration.
Where: Winter Springs | More Info: Winter Springs Winter Wonderland
Light Up Kissimmee
What to Expect:
Interactive ice sculptures and festive holiday activities.
Description:
At Christmas at Gaylord Palms, immerse yourself in a holiday spectacle featuring stunning ice sculptures, thrilling snow tubing, and spectacular light displays. Enjoy live shows, festive activities, and exclusive benefits for overnight guests.
Where: Kissimmee | More Info: Light Up Kissimmee
East Lake Other Holiday Activities
Winter on the Avenue
What to Expect:
Annual tree lighting and diverse holiday activities.
Description:
Winter on the Avenue is a holiday street party in downtown Winter Park, featuring the annual tree lighting, strolling carolers, Chanukah menorah lighting, and activities like snow slides and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Where: Winter Park | More Info: Winter on the Avenue
Winter Park Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Decorated boats circling Lake Virginia.
Description:
The Winter Park Holiday Boat Parade showcases the creativity of the local boating community as decorated vessels circle Lake Virginia, offering a unique holiday spectacle.
Where: Winter Park | More Info: Winter Park Boat Parade
44th Annual Cracker Christmas
What to Expect:
Live historical demonstrations and handmade crafts.
Description:
Celebrate Florida's rich history at Cracker Christmas, featuring live historical demonstrators, vendors, and a craft fair showcasing handmade items and pioneer skills.
Where: Christmas | More Info: 44th Annual Cracker Christmas
2024 St. Lucia Festival
What to Expect:
Celebration of Swedish heritage with traditional games and desserts.
Description:
The 2024 St. Lucia Festival at the Museum of Seminole County History in Sanford, Florida, features Swedish dessert and beverage sampling, a reading of the Santa Lucia legend, a Lucia procession, Swedish history and decoration displays, music, and a giant Dala horse. The event includes traditional games and readings of the Tomten legend.
Where: Sanford | More Info: 2024 St. Lucia Festival
Maitland Season of Light
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday event with snow sledding and live music.
Description:
Maitland's Season of Light is a festive celebration at Lake Lily Park featuring snow sledding, carnival games, fireworks, vendors, live music, and a tree lighting ceremony with Santa.
Where: Maitland | More Info: Maitland Season of Light
Avalon Aglow
What to Expect:
Community celebration with real snow and train rides.
Description:
Avalon Aglow is a community event at Avalon Park Orlando featuring live performances, a holiday parade, food trucks, vendors, and an appearance by Santa Claus. The event transforms the park into a winter wonderland with real snow, train rides, and fireworks.
Where: Orlando | More Info: Avalon Aglow
Sanford Holiday Tour of Homes
What to Expect:
Historic home decor and community market.
Description:
The Sanford Holiday Tour of Homes is a self-guided walking tour showcasing some of Sanford's most beautifully preserved and restored homes, decorated for the holidays. Residents showcase their interiors, offering refreshments and holiday cookies along the way. The event also features a collaborative Holiday Market.
Where: Sanford | More Info: Sanford Holiday Tour of Homes
Now Snowing
What to Expect:
Synthetic ice skating and nightly snowfall.
Description:
Now Snowing is a month-long holiday event at Celebration Town Center featuring synthetic ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides, train rides, strolling Charles Dickens style Carolers, and nightly snowfall at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00 PM. The event includes special community performances and a Holiday themed Art Festival.
Where: Celebration | More Info: Now Snowing
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Tarpon Springs (4 miles)
- Palm Harbor (5 miles)
- Keystone (5 miles)
- Holiday (6 miles)
- Westchase (6 miles)
- Dunedin (8 miles)
- Citrus Park (8 miles)
- Town 'n' Country (10 miles)
- Greater Northdale (10 miles)
- Carrollwood Village (11 miles)
- Northdale (12 miles)
- Clearwater (12 miles)
- Carrollwood (13 miles)
- Egypt Lake-Leto (13 miles)
- Lake Magdalene (14 miles)
- Bayonet Point (15 miles)
- Largo (15 miles)
- University (16 miles)
- Land O' Lakes (16 miles)
- Tampa (18 miles)
- Pinellas Park (19 miles)
- Temple Terrace (19 miles)
- West and East Lealman (20 miles)
- East Lake-Orient Park (21 miles)
- Palm River-Clair Mel (23 miles)
- St. Petersburg (24 miles)
- Wesley Chapel (24 miles)
- Spring Hill (27 miles)
- Brandon (28 miles)
- Riverview (28 miles)
- Valrico (30 miles)
- Bloomingdale (32 miles)
- Plant City (36 miles)
- Bradenton (43 miles)