Get Off the Couch and Join the Fun!

December, 2008

November 12 - January 2:  Light Up UCF - Come try out Orlando's only outdoor ice skating rink, located just outside of the UCF Arena.  And while you're there, enjoy the free outdoor light show and Holiday Film Festival.

November 14 - January 4:  ICE! - Walk through a winter wonderland of ice monuments and sculptures, hand carved from 2 million pounds of ice by 40 craftsmen from China.  While you're there, also enjoy lots of fun activities and entertainment, as the Gaylord Palms Resort celebrates their Best of Florida Christmas.

November 21 - December 21:  A Christmas Story - Your kids will love this classic Christmas play about a boy's quest to get a BB gun under the tree for Christmas.  Showing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at the Orlando Repertory Theatre.

November 21 - January 18:  In Focus:  National Geographic Greatest Portraits - A Smithsonian traveling exhibition featuring some of the best portraits from National Geographic Magazine, on exhibit at the Orange County History Center.

November 29 - December 31:   Now Snowing -This month long event in downtown Celebration features strolling carolers, horse drawn carriage rides, visits from Santa, and nightly snowfalls at 6, 7, 8, and 9pm.  Yes, it snows in Florida!

December 2 - 7:  Avenue Q - Come see 2004's Tony Award winner for Best Musical at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center.  This musical is a comedy about trying to make it in New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account.

December 3 - 28:  The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge - A hilariously twisted tale about what happened to Scrooge one year after A Christmas Carol.  Playing at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre.

December 4:  Christmas in the Park - Kick off the holiday season with the lighting of nine century-old Tiffany windows and a free concert by the Bach Festival Choir in downtown Winter Park.

December 6:  Winter Park Christmas Parade - Celebrate 56 years of tradition with holiday themed floats, well-known local figures, and a special appearance from Santa himself.  Park Avenue, Winter Park.

December 6:  Light Up the Holidays - Come see Central Florida's biggest Christmas tree, along with live music performances, a holiday fountain show, and a special fireworks presentation, all at Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs.

December 11 - 15:  Wheel of Fortune - Join Pat and Vanna as they make a splash at Sea World to tape four weeks of the popular game show.

December 13:  Carrie Underwood - Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year performing at the UCF Arena.

December 14 - 21:  The Nutcracker - Help celebrate the Orlando Ballet's 35th anniversary with this holiday tradition full of magic, enchantment, and beautiful music and dance.  Showing on weekends at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center.

December 21:  Michael Andrew and Swingerhead - Orlando's own big band performs at the House of Blues in a concert to benefit Give Kids the World.

December 26 - 27:  Toxic Audio - Orlando's own a cappella group in concert at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in Sanford.

December 27:  Lipizzaner Stallions -  Amazing equestrian feats with these horses once bred for war.  December 26 at the Silver Spurs Arena, and December 27 at the Amway Arena.

December 27:  Champs Sports Bowl -  Atlantic Coast Conference vs. Big Ten at the Citrus Bowl.

December 30:  Orlando Citrus Parade - Don't miss Central Florida's biggest parade, taking place in downtown Orlando.  The floats feature over 100,000 pieces of fresh Florida Citrus, and you can help decorate them at the Orange County Convention Center from December 26 to 29.

January, 2009

January 1:  Capital One Bowl - Kick off the new year with a football game at the the Citrus Bowl, this year featuring Michigan State vs. Georgia.

January 15 - 19:  Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus - A great treat for children of all ages, this year's brand new show is called Zing Zang Zoom, and features a combination of magic and the traditional circus arts.  Amway Arena.

January 23 - February 1:  Playfest - Everybody needs a little drama in their lives, so why not check out this festival of new plays which features readings and workshops from many nationally recognized playwrights.  Taking place at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre.

January 24:  Dancing With the Stars Tour - Come see your favorite celebrities and professional dancers from last season's hit ABC TV show perform live at the Amway Arena.

January 24:  Monster Jam - Super-size your fun with the monster trucks at the Citrus Bowl.

January 24 - 25:  Golfest - Try and buy the latest golf equipment at the country's largest outdoor golf lifestyle event, taking place at the Orange County National Golf Course.  Sponsored by Golfweek.

January 29:  David Copperfield - An intimate evening of grand illusions at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center.

January 31:  The Eagles - Long Road Out of Eden tour, at the Amway Arena.