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Repticon, Light Up Events, Christmas Parades, and More Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend With Kids

This weekend features tons of Christmas parades, like the one in Mount Dora. Photo by author
This weekend features tons of Christmas parades, like the one in Mount Dora. Photo by author
12/3/25 - By Charlotte B

Looking for the best things to do in Orlando this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list!

This weekend is packed with festive fun across Central Florida! Enjoy dazzling Light Up celebrations at Lake Eola, Sanford, Winter Garden, and more. Catch Christmas parades rolling through Winter Park, St. Cloud, Avalon Park, Winter Springs, and don’t miss the sparkling boat parades lighting up the waters of Mount Dora and Leesburg. For a unique holiday moment, watch Santa make a grand entrance by helicopter(!) at Edgewood's Santa Fly-In! And if you're looking for something beyond the holiday spirit, Repticon returns to Orlando on Saturday and Sunday. Scroll down for all the details!

More Things To Do in Orlando this Week with Kids

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Best Things to Do This Weekend in Orlando with Kids

CFCArts Celebrate the Season

Longwood
December 4 & 5
The CFCArts holiday spectacular is back and bigger than ever! Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with an unforgettable evening of festive music featuring the largest Symphony Orchestra in the country and members of the Community Choir. This brand-new holiday concert experience captures the true spirit of the season – joy, togetherness, and the power of music to bring us closer. READ MORE

City of Edgewood Santa Fly-In

Edgewood - FREE
Friday, December 5
Experience the Magic at Edgewood’s 10th Annual Santa Fly-In! Santa’s arriving by helicopter — and you’re invited to watch it happen. Bring your family for a night full of holiday cheer, food, music, and fun! READ MORE

Lake Eola Tree Lighting Celebration

Downtown Orlando - FREE
Friday, December 5
The annual Tree Lighting Celebration at Lake Eola includes live music and holiday performances, Florida snowfall, Santa, holiday market, food trucks, and the lighting of the 72-foot Christmas tree. READ MORE

Lake Mary Holiday in the Park

Lake Mary - FREE
Friday, December 5
This free holiday event includes food, vendors, entertainment, a kids activity zone, and a skating rink with light shows every 30 minutes. Make sure to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus too. READ MORE

Light Up Sanford

Sanford - FREE
Friday, December 5
Experience the enchantment of the Magnolia Square Christmas Tree and downtown as the City of Sanford illuminates the night. Get ready for holiday entertainment, a visit from Ol’ Saint Nick, his helpers, and more. READ MORE

Light Up Winter Garden

Winter Garden - FREE
Friday, December 5
This annual event kicks off the holiday season with entertainment, activities, and of course, the lighting of the streets of downtown Winter Garden. READ MORE

Winter on the Avenue

Winter Park - FREE
Friday, December 5
Winter on the Avenue is a holiday street party complete with tree-lighting, strolling carolers, Chanukah menorah lighting ceremony, s'mores, snow slides, children's choirs, The Bubble Bus, Popcorn Flicks in the park, and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus. READ MORE

Sugar Plum Fairy's Winter Tale

Orlando
Friday, December 5
Orlando Metropolitan Ballet Academy presents The Sugar Plum Fairy's Winter Tale, a two-act ballet set in the world of The Nutcracker. Follow Clara as she embarks on a journey in a snow-covered kingdom, where her Nutcracker doll turns into a prince. The Sugar Plum Fairy welcomes them to her realm, and the Land of Sweets comes alive with with colorful performances representing various confections. READ MORE

Amber Brooke Farms Winter Fest

Eustis
Opening weekend! Select days December 5-21
Celebrate the magic of the season at Amber Brooke Farms! At the annual Winter Festival, holiday cheer meets farm fun. Enjoy a festive day filled with Santa visits, face painting, play areas, u-pick strawberries and flowers, and more. READ MORE

Oh What Fun! Lake Nona Holiday Festival

Lake Nona
Opening weekend! Select days December 5-21
Oh, What Fun! returns to Lake Nona Town Center this December! Visit Peppermint Square (Lake Nona Town Center) for a magical holiday festival filled with nightly snowfalls, live entertainment, local vendors, festive treats, and endless photo ops, including a towering 24-foot Christmas tree. READ MORE

Orlando Ballet's The Nutcracker

Orlando
Opening weekend! Select days December 5-24
Step into a world of holiday magic with breathtaking battles, sparkling snowfalls, and larger-than-life sets in this unforgettable celebration of the season. Follow Clara’s enchanting journey through the Land of Sweets, filled with soaring choreography, dazzling costumes, and whimsical wonder. READ MORE

Avalon Aglow

Orlando - FREE
Saturday, December 6
Avalon Aglow is a free community event featuring a parade, a bounce park, real snow, train rides, community performances, pictures with Santa, and fireworks to end the night. READ MORE

Christmas at Hamlin

Winter Garden - FREE
Saturday, December 6
Christmas at Hamlin promises a blend of holiday traditions and festive fun for all. The inaugural Lighting of the Tree will take place at 6pm, kicking off a brand-new annual holiday tradition for Hamlin. Thousands of twinkling lights will illuminate a magnificent 25-foot Christmas tree transforming the night into pure holiday enchantment. READ MORE

Light Up The Holidays at Cranes Roost Park

Altamonte Springs - FREE
Saturday, December 6
The City of Altamonte Springs and Duke Energy celebrate the tradition of lighting up Cranes Roost Park with live music, entertainment, fireworks, and 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. READ MORE

Maitland Season of Light

Maitland - FREE
Saturday, December 6
Celebrate the holidays at Lake Lily Park with games and activities, vendors, live music,  tree lighting ceremony, fireworks, and a visit from Santa.  READ MORE

Mount Dora Christmas Parade

Mount Dora - FREE
Saturday, December 6
Bring the family to downtown Mount Dora to enjoy this annual Christmas parade complete with lots of holiday floats and Santa himself. READ MORE

Mount Dora Lighted Boat Parade

Mount Dora - FREE
Saturday, December 6
Enjoy the annual lighted Christmas Boat Parade on Lake Dora, where local boat owners deck their boats in holiday lights. Spectators can also stroll along the Mount Dora Boating Center and Marina, which is covered in an ornate light display. READ MORE

St. Cloud Annual Christmas Parade

St. Cloud - FREE
Saturday, December 6
The theme of this year's St. Cloud Christmas Parade is "The Magic of Christmas," with more than 100 community organizations and businesses with floats and displays participating. READ MORE

Winter Park Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade

Winter Park - FREE
Saturday, December 6
The annual Winter Park Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade marches down Park Avenue with more than 80 organizations, including marching bands, local police and fire departments, floats, and Santa Claus himself. READ MORE

Winter Springs Winter Wonderland

Winter Springs - FREE
Saturday, December 6
Experience the enchantment of the holiday season at Winter Wonderland. This year's festivities feature the annual Holiday Parade, the ceremonial tree lighting, performances by local talent, and a special visit from Santa Claus. READ MORE

Cracker Christmas at Fort Christmas Historical Park

Christmas - FREE
December 6 & 7
Cracker Christmas is an annual two-day event held on the first full weekend of December. The event features live historical demonstrators, vendors, and various foods for sale. The origin of the term “Florida Cracker” refers to the cracking sound made by the whips used by early settlers to herd their cattle, hence the Floridians were called “Crackers”. READ MORE

Ice Cream for Breakfast with Santa

Kissimmee
December 6 & 7
Skip the mall – Santa Claus is coming to Give Kids The World Village! The annual Ice Cream for Breakfast with Santa is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.  Indulge in ice cream sundaes, holiday crafts, Village attractions, mini golf, and a dance party. READ MORE

Repticon Orlando

Orlando
December 6 & 7
At Repticon, adults and kids get up-close animal interactions with several live reptiles. There are also animal-related seminars throughout the two-day event. READ MORE

Christmas on the Farm at Southern Hill Farms

Clermont
Opening weekend! Select days, December 6-14
At Christmas on the Farm Christmas Festival events, enjoy festive fun for the whole family, including snow showers, holiday movies, seasonal treats, Christmas shopping in the Southern Hill Farms Merry Market, and more. READ MORE

Gatorland's Holiday Ho-Ho-Ho-Down

Orlando
Opening weekend! Weekends, December 6-21
Gatorland's signature holiday extravaganza unfolds with a delightful mix of holiday tunes, festive displays, interactive characters, and seasonal treats available for purchase. Capture the essence of a Floridian holiday by snapping a photo with Gator Claus aboard his swamp-worthy sleigh. Meet the mischievous Krampus Croc and sing along with the Florida Skunk Ape as he performs his favorite “Cryptid carols.” READ MORE

Leesburg Christmas on the Water

Leesburg - FREE
Sunday, December 7
This annual Christmas event includes a lighted holiday boat parade, food vendors, live entertainment, and Light Up Venetian Gardens. Vendors will be set up at 5pm, entertainment starts at 5:30pm, Light Up Venetian Gardens starts at 6:10pm, and the boat parade begins at 6:15pm. READ MORE

OCLS The Nutcracker Presented by the Central Florida Ballet

Orlando - FREE
Sunday, December 7
Enjoy a live performance of excerpts from the classic ballet The Nutcracker. Presented by the Central Florida Ballet. READ MORE

More Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend

Is Disney Jollywood Nights Good for Kids? Here’s What to Know!

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We've gathered Orlando homes with dazzling Christmas lights! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Winter Garden City Hall
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Mount Dora Christmas Parade
Mount Dora Boating Center & Marina
Winter Springs Town Center
Central Florida Fairgrounds
Orlando Public Library
Walt Disney World - Hollywood Studios
Bivona Christmas Light Show

About the Author

Charlotte Blanton
Charlotte Blanton, a Central Florida native and mom of three, holds a business degree from the University of Florida (Go Gators!). After a career in corporate finance, she pivoted to stay home with her kids and found her passion for writing through Mommy Poppins. She loves exploring local theme parks and discovering fun activities for families in Central Florida.
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