ORLANDO, Fla. -- It's officially holiday season in Central Florida. What better way get into the holiday spirit by enjoying local events and festivities with family and friends?

Here are some events across the region to check out with your loved ones:

Orange County

Downtown for the Holidays

  • Downtown Orlando is offering free holiday events for all. Stroll around Eola Wonderland. See the beautifully illuminated six-story Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree, and watch in wonder as the lights dance to popular holiday music. 
  • When: December 6 to December 26
  • Where: Downtown Orlando (multiple locations)

Light Up UCF

  • This year’s festival offers 45 nights of ice skating, a world-class choreographed light show, featuring new music, free holiday movies, live entertainment, rides like the Ferris Wheel, a new Carousel, and Light Up Express kids train, and much more.
  • When: November 22 to January 5
  • Where: 12777 Gemini Blvd North, Orlando

Annual Violectric Holiday Show

  • Violectric is performing its annual Violectric Holiday Show, presented by the City of Orlando Families, Parks & Recreation Department. This is a free and pet-friendly live concert featuring holiday classics.
  • When: December 14
  • Where: Walt Disney Amphitheater, Lake Eola Park

Jingle Eve at the Ivanhoe Village Main Street District

  • Jingle Eve is a holiday celebration featuring a Santa’s Village, Christmas tree lighting, food trucks, local artists, a boat parade, vendors and live musical performances.
  • Where: Ivanhoe Village, North Orange Avenue, Orlando
  • When: 5 p.m. Saturday, November 23

Deck the Downtown

  • The Downtown Orlando Partnership, Downtown Arts District Orlando, the Church Street and Thornton Park Orlando Main Streets districts and the Downtown Development Board are hosting “Deck the Downtown” December 1 – 31. During this time, downtown Orlando businesses will be “decked-out” with festive lights and window decorations.
  • Where: Downtown Orlando
  • When: December 1-31

Handel’s Messiah, Presented by the Messiah Choral Society

  • The Messiah Choral Society is hosting its the annual performance of “Handel’s Messiah”. The concert features familiar masterworks performed by a more than 120– member choir, including professional soloists.
  • Where: Bob Carr Theater, 401 West Livingston Street, Orlando
  • When: 3 p.m. Sunday, December 1

Light Up SoDo

  • The SoDo Main Street District will host its annual family and pet-friendly holiday event that will feature face painting, a letter writing station for kids to share their wish list with Santa, train rides, ornament making and wreath making, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus and more.
  • Where: SoDo Shopping Center, 80 West Grant Street, Orlando
  • When: 4 p.m. Sunday, December 1

What’s Up Downtown for the Holidays

  • The Downtown Development Board’s annual holiday edition of What’s Up Downtown at Lake Eola Park will feature performances from the Russian Ballet Orlando, Mad Cow Theatre, Howard Middle School Jazz Band and Howard Middle School Elective Orchestra, First United Methodist Church of Orlando students and the NYCE Guys.
  • Where: Walt Disney Amphitheater, Lake Eola Park, Orlando
  • When: 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Thursday, December 5

Downtown Orlando Tree Lighting Celebration

  • The city of Orlando’s annual Tree Lighting Celebration at Lake Eola Park will feature the official lighting of the city’s 72-foot Christmas tree featuring 160,000 animated lights that will perform nightly in a synchronized light show. This free event will also include live music and performances, vendor booths and The Daily City’s Food Truck Bazaar serving delicious bites.
  • Where: Walt Disney Amphitheater, Lake Eola Park, Orlando
  • When: 5 p.m. Friday, December 6

Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show

  • The city of Orlando’s Christmas tree comes alive with synchronized light and music. The show will take place at the following times: 5:45 p.m.; 6:45 p.m.; 7:45 p.m.; 8:45 p.m., and 9:45 p.m.
  • Where: Walt Disney Amphitheater, Lake Eola Park, Orlando
  • When: Friday, December 6-Sunday, December 22

Santa Claus at the Eola House

  • Santa Claus will be available for photos at the Eola House all-month long, spreading Christmas cheer.
  • Where: Lake Eola Park, 512 East Washington St., Orlando
  • When: December 6-22. Times: Friday-Saturday, 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 5-8 p.m.

College Park's Holiday on the Drive 2019

  • The College Park Main Street District’s Holiday on the Drive features a Christmas tree lighting, live music, Santa Claus and other holiday festivities.
  • Where: College Park Main Street, 648 Dartmouth St., Orlando
  • When: 5 p.m. Thursday, December 12

Osceola County

Christmas at Gaylord Palms

  • Featuring over two million twinkling lights and acres of lavish decorations, Christmas at Gaylord Palms is an extraordinary holiday spectacle you and your family must see to believe. 
  • When: November 25 – January 5
  • Where: 6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee

St. Cloud Holiday Festival

  • This annual St. Cloud event has become a holiday tradition, with over 120 crafters, carnival foods, chalk artists, antique cars, with a fun festival atmosphere. 
  • When: December 7-8
  • Where: Downtown St. Cloud

Seminole County

Holiday Tour of Homes

  • The self-guided walking tour, which serves as one of the first events on the area’s annual holiday calendar, features a mix of local businesses and private homes. While walking from house to house, you will be reminded of celebrations of years past, as holiday music, performed by local musicians, fills the streets of Historic Sanford. 
  • When: December 7
  • Where: Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center 

Wekiva Island's Winter Wonderland

  • Join Wekiva Island for movies, holiday parties, and tons of real snow every night. Meet Santa, the Grinch & more lovable characters. 
  • When: November 29 to January 1
  • Where: 1014 Miami Springs Drive, Longwood

A Longwood Christmas

  • Illuminated trees lead you on an enchanting holiday journey through Longwood Gardens. 
  • When: November 22 to January 5
  • Where: Longwood Gardens

Brevard County

Space Coast Lightfest

  • More than 3 million twinkling holiday lights will ignite the night sky at Wickham Park in Melbourne. It's a holiday event transforming Wickham Park into a virtual winter wonderland.
  • When: November 18 through January 1
  • Where: 2785 Leisure Way, Melbourne

Chanukah Snow Festival in Viera

  • Celebrate Hanukkah with Chabad of the Space Coast at the Avenue Viera. 
  • When: December 2
  • Where: The Avenue Viera

Surfing Santas Cocoa Beach

  • Surfing Santas is an annual Cocoa Beach tradition that brings hundreds of surfers dressed up as Santa. Watch them ride in on the waves and kick off your holiday weekend beachside.
  • When: December 24
  • Where: Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach

Volusia County

Orange City Christmas Village and Parade

  • Vendors of all types will be at Dickinson Park selling their holiday items. There will also be photos with Santa at the park's Gazebo. Don't forget to catch the Christmas Parade, along Volusia Avenue.
  • When: December 4
  • Where: Mill Lake Park, Orange City

Snow & Glow Christmas Show in New Smyrna Beach

  • The hot air balloon festival features special shape balloons, more than 100 Christmas craft and retail vendors, all types of great festival food, and Santa Claus.
  • When: December 7-8
  • Where: 560 Tomoka Farms Road, New Smyrna Beach

Stetson Mansion Christmas Tours

  • The Stetson Mansion Christmas Spectacular takes place at “Florida’s first luxury estate." Its architectural details make the perfect backdrop for elaborate holiday decorations, which are different each year. 
  • When: November 15 to January 15
  • Where: Stetson Mansion, DeLand

Flagler County

Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade

  • The parade is expected to exceed its record of more than 40 brightly lit and decorated boats. It is now considered one of the largest boat parades in Central Florida.
  • When: December 7
  • Where: Waterfront Paying

Marion County

Ocala Christmas Parade

  • The Ocala Christmas Parade is a decade-old, beloved holiday event in Marion County, where you’ll see festive floats travel along Silver Springs Boulevard. 
  • When: December 14
  • Where: Silver Springs Boulevard

A Small Town Christmas

  • Join the city of Dunnellon for its outdoor community event to light Dunnellon's Christmas tree. There will also be a Christmas parade. 
  • When: December 7
  • Where: Ernie Mills Park, Dunnellon

Lake County

Cottom Farm's Christmas Village

  • Cottom Farm's Christmas Village and Santa's Southern Home will be open nightly this 2019 season.
  • When: November 29 - December 24 
  • Where: 122 East Main Street, Tavares

Polk County

Christmas at Bok Tower Gardens

  • Come “Home for the Holidays” and experience a holiday showplace and the grandeur of the 1940s. Enjoy festive carillon concerts, seasonal holiday foliage, and a full schedule of events and holiday programming. 
  • When: November 29 - January 5
  • Where: Lake Wales, Fla.

Downtown Lakeland Holiday Walkabouts

  • Shops will be open late serving up yummy goodies (like cider and cookies) and special deals. There will be live music on the street corners, carriage rides, holiday lights, and costumed characters.
  • When: December 3
  • Where: Downtown Lakeland