Things to do in Central Florida for the holidays
Christmas is right around the corner and soon family members will start their travels down to the sunshine state for the holidays. Because not everyone can take off work for the full month of December to entertain their guests, we decided to help everyone out by making a list of things you can do/visit in Central Florida during the month of December.
#1 - Dazzling Nights at Harry P. Leu Gardens
At the Harry P. Leu Gardens you will get to experience an ornamental Christmas tree, a 70' long candy cane path, a walk through the garden with HUGE neon flowers, a forest of fog and lights, 65-foot tunnel of lights, a laser light show with live singers, meet and greet characters in an icy world, an inflatable play area with a chimney slide, and so much more dazzling things you will not want to miss out on this year!
Location: 1920 N Forest Ave, Orlando
Parking: On-site Parking Pass is $12 (Online only, will be listed when selected tickets) and will be located on-site at Leu Gardens OR Free Off-Site Parking will be located at Audubon Park K-8 School 1500 Falcon Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
Admission: Tickets must be purchased for a specific time and date, and are not available at the door. $25 per adult, $22 for children. Children 2 and under enter free.
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#2 - Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth
If you like free things, then this one’s for you and it is at Disney Springs! You will end up encountering 20 themed Christmas trees! During your stroll, you’ll find Christmas Trees celebrating some Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Superhero favorites, such as: Black Panther, Coco, Encanto, Frozen, Guardians of the Galaxy, Haunted Mansion, The Lion King, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Moana, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Princess and the Frog, Raya and the Last Dragon, Star Wars, and Toy Story.
Location: 1486 Buena Vista Drive, Orlando, Florida near the Once Upon a Toy store.
Dates: November 11 - December 30, 2022
Admission: Free
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#3 - Snowcat Ridge
Why miss out on the fun with snow tubing, snowball fights, and ice skating because you are in Florida, when it in is your backyard…well Dade City. At the Alpine Snow Park you will get to experience real snow and real fun! The snowy slopes to tube down are 60-foot tall and 400-foot long featuring single, tandem, and 10-person snow tubing. Not to mention, the riders participating do not have to walk to the top as they are transported using a pair of moving sidewalk conveyor lifts. The Arctic Igloo features a snow play area, a snowball target area, and a Bunny Slope for children under 42″ tall and the outdoor ice skating rink is an activity you can now enjoy in central Florida whether it be in the sunshine or at night with the colorful display of lights. This place has so much more to offer for the whole family and is the perfect destination to visit sometime this season.
Location: 27839 St Joe Rd, Dade City, FL 33525
Dates: November 27 - February 26, 2023
Admission: Each General Admission ticket includes a 2-hour snow tubing session starting at $26.95 and all-day access to the Arctic Igloo, while the Unlimited Snow Tubing Upgrade includes all-day snow tubing until park closing. Other upgrades to your ticket include: Ice Skating ($9.95), Parking Pass ($14.02), Snowcat Dining Plan with One Non-Alcoholic Beverage ($15.95), and Snowcat Dining Plan with One Alcoholic Beverage ($21.95).
Notes: A General Admission ticket is required for all guests 2 years old and older. Riders may alternate between single, tandem, and 10-person tubing throughout their session.
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#4 - Fort Island Gulf Beach
For those hot days in December that are bound to happen, why not visit Fort Island Beach in Crystal River where you get to experience the beautiful white sand beach, public restrooms, and a boardwalk overlooking the water that you can fish off of. Next to the beach is the Fort Island Trail Boat Ramp where you can take off into the Gulf and catch the family some dinner for your Christmas meal!
Location: 16000 W. Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, Fl. 34429
Admission: Free
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#5 - CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS
One of Citrus County's favorite holiday traditions, Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and the Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park are once again hosting the Celebration of Lights, featuring Sebastian Hawes' Spectacular Synchronized Light and Sound Show along with nightly entertainment. The Celebration of Lights will feature the visual and audio talents of Sebastian Hawes through a unique synchronized light and sound extravaganza, turning the park's Garden of the Springs into light show after dark. You will see holiday lights, ornate decorations, and festive music that ends up setting the perfect atmosphere for creating a lasting holiday family memory.
Location: 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa FL 34446
Dates: December 19 - December 24, and then again on December 26 for an after- Christmas party.
Admission: A cash donation of $7 for adults and $3 for children ages 3 through 12 is suggested. Children age 2 and younger are admitted free.
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#6 - Christmas Parades
Two different Christmas parades that happen in Citrus County during December is the Crystal River Christmas Parade and the Inverness Christmas Parade, where each of them take a tour through their historic downtowns for all to enjoy! The theme for this year’s parade at both is Christmas Around the World, decking the halls from the North Pole all the way to the South Pole. Take a trip to this year’s annual parades and see how festive Citrus can be!
Location: Crystal River - 114 NE 5th St, Crystal River, FL 34429 & Inverness - 100 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Inverness, FL 34450
Dates: Crystal River - December 3, 2022 @ 6pm & Inverness - December 10, 2022 @ 12pm
Admission: Free
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#7 - Light Up The Lake
When you think of Inverness, the “Cooter Festival” might come to mind.. but during the holiday season the town likes to light it up! Light up the Lake is a night of holiday fun for the whole family including tree lighting, lamp post decorating contest, boat parade, visits with Santa, children's activities, holiday shopping and food vendors. Located on Liberty park it’s time to take a stroll and see what this charming town has to offer!
Location: 268 N Apopka Ave, Inverness, FL 34450
Date: December 3, 2022 @ 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Admission: Free
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