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Hanukkah Events, Lighted Boat Parades, Teddy Bear Toss, and More Fun Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend

Lake Nona’s annual Oh, What Fun! holiday festival returns on select nights in Lake Nona Town Center and Boxi Park. Photo courtesy of the festival
Lake Nona’s annual Oh, What Fun! holiday festival returns on select nights in Lake Nona Town Center and Boxi Park. Photo courtesy of the festival
12/6/23 - 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.

If you missed holiday parades last weekend, don't worry! There are still several more events this weekend, including the Apopka Christmas Parade, Kissimmee Festival of Lights Parade, Sanford Parade of Lights, and lighted boat parades in Orlando and Winter Park. It's raining teddy bears on Saturday night at the Orlando Solar Bears Teddy Bear Toss, where guests bring teddy bears to throw on the ice when the Solar Bears score their first goal. It's opening weekend at Lake Nona's Oh, What Fun! A Holiday Festival, featuring nightly snowfall, the menorah lighting, live entertainment, Santa & Mrs. Claus, and more. The eight crazy nights of Hanukkah start tomorrow night, and we've got great Hanukkah events happening this weekend, including two on Sunday in Winter Park and South Orlando.

Be sure to subscribe to our email list and stay up to date on amazing activities in Orlando, and visit our Orlando Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for more ideas this holiday season!

More Things To Do in Orlando this Week with Kids:

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Spread some holiday cheer by bringing along a new teddy bear or stuffed animal to throw on the ice when the Solar Bears score their first goal at the Amway Center. Photo by the author
Spread some holiday cheer by bringing along a new teddy bear or stuffed animal to throw on the ice when the Solar Bears score their first goal at the Amway Center. Photo by the author

Things to Do This Weekend in Orlando with Kids

Venardos Circus at Hamlin

Winter Garden - Select days through December 17
Created by former Ringling Bros. ringmaster Kevin Venardos, the Venardos Circus wraps world-class animal-free circus acts into a Broadway, musical-style format dubbed “The American Circus with the heart of a Broadway Show.”   READ MORE

Christmas At The Movies: A Very Merry Sequel

Longwood - December 7-8
Step into your favorite holiday stories as the Central Florida Community Choir presents its annual holiday extravaganza, Christmas at the Movies. This concert features a collection of music from holiday films. READ MORE

Lake Nona's Oh, What Fun! A Holiday Festival

Orlando - Opening Weekend! Select days December 7-23
Lake Nona’s annual Oh, What Fun! holiday festival returns on select nights in Lake Nona Town Center and Boxi Park. Visit Central Florida’s magical, open-air winter wonderland for dazzling decorations, festive treats, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, nightly snowfalls, and hourly live entertainment guaranteed to spread holiday cheer. READ MORE

Avalon Park Movie Under the Stars

Orlando - Friday, December 8
Bring the family to enjoy a movie under the stars in Avalon Park. December's featured movie is Elf (rated PG). READ MORE

Celebrate the Season at Reiter Park

Longwood - Friday, December 8
This holiday tradition includes Santa's Workshop, the annual tree lighting, snow maze, giant slides, petting zoo, trackless train rides, laser light show, and more. Some activities have a fee. READ MORE

Free Movie in the Park - Meadow Woods Park

Orlando - Friday, December 8
Orange County Parks & Recreation is hosting a free movie night at Meadow Woods Park, showing The Grinch (2018, rated PG). READ MORE

Owl Prowl: Holiday Hoot

Maitland - Friday, December 8
The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey invites guests to a family friendly evening of owl education inlcuding up-close encounters with native Florida owl species, a presentation on owls and how to find them in the wild, and a walk around the center in the dark to encounter the resident owls as they awaken for the night. Ugly sweaters are encouraged at this holiday-themed event. There will also be owl themed games and a chance to decorate your own holiday ornament. READ MORE

Peghorn Park Light Up the Park

St. Cloud - Opening weekend! Select nights, December 8-17
Stroll through Peghorn Park as it is lit up with lights and cheer. Entry cost includes hot chocolate, cookies, crafts, movies, games, popcorn, music, and bounce houses. READ MORE

Apopka Christmas Parade

Apopka - Saturday, December 9
The Apopka Christmas Parade's theme is "A Christmas Story In Apopka." READ MORE

City of Ocoee Jolly Jamboree

Ocoee - Saturday, December 9
Celebrate the holiday season and bring the family to the City of Ocoee's Jolly Jamboree, featuring an ice slide, zipline, dog parade, tree lighting, food trucks, marketplace, and more. READ MORE

Free Movie in the Park - Magnolia Park

Apopka - Saturday, December 9
Orange County Parks & Recreation is hosting a free movie night at Magnolia Park, showing The Grinch (2018, rated PG). READ MORE

Holiday Pops with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra

Apopka - Saturday, December 9
The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra presents this free public concert full of holiday favorites for all ages. READ MORE

Kissimmee Festival of Lights Parade

Kissimmee - Saturday, December 9
Bring the family to enjoy this annual nighttime holiday parade featuring music, dancing, and thousands of lights. The parade will begin at 7:30pm. Visit Lakefront Park Veterans Lawn beginning at 4:30pm for holiday festivities including cookie decorating, pictures with Santa, and more. READ MORE

Light Up the Lake Boat Parade

Orlando - Saturday, December 9
Enjoy lights and festivities at this event, with Crowned Rebels playing from 6-10pm, and a boat parade at 7:30pm. READ MORE

Mount Dora Snow in the Park

Mount Dora - Saturday, December 9
This annual holiday event includes snow sledding in Donnelly Park, food, music, and other holiday festivities. READ MORE

Orlando Solar Bears Teddy Bear Toss

Orlando - Saturday, December 9
Watch the Orlando Solar Bears take on the Atlanta Gladiators at the Amway Center. Spread some holiday cheer by bringing along a new teddy bear or other stuffed animal to throw on the ice when the Solar Bears score their first goal. READ MORE

Oviedo Winterfest

Oviedo - Saturday, December 9
Oviedo's annual Winter Fest features a day full of festive family fun activities. Food trucks and vendors will also be onsite. READ MORE

Sanford Christmas Parade of Lights

Sanford - Saturday, December 9
Bring the family out for an evening of festive fun at the annual downtown Sanford illuminated Christmas parade. READ MORE

Winter Garden Santa Bike Ride

Winter Garden - Saturday, December 9
Winter Garden Wheel Works is hosting its annual Santa Bike Ride. Families can meet Santa and his elves at the shop from 3-5pm. Bike parade led by Santa will begin at 6pm. Participants will be caroling through the streets of Winter Garden. READ MORE

Winter Park Christmas Boat Parade

Winter Park - Saturday, December 9
Families can enjoy this annual boat parade with decorated boats from local homeowners. READ MORE

Holly Jolly Sounds of the Season Symphony Storytime at Orlando Philharmonic

Orlando - December 9-10
Symphony Storytime at Orlando Philharmonic teaches little ones about instrument families through classical music, illustrations and narration. At December's program, musicians play holiday classics, including Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. READ MORE

Repticon Orlando

Orlando - December 9-10
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

Stone Dance Academy's The Nutcracker

Sanford - December 9-10
Follow Clara's journey through the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets in this timeless tale where reality and dreams collide. READ MORE

Chanukah on the Park

Winter Park - Sunday, December 10
This annual celebration is full of Chanukah spirit for the whole family, including live music, Kosher food, dog show, face painting, balloon twisting, Chanukah crafts, strolling magic, jugglers on stilts, and a Grand Menorah lighting with the Mayor. READ MORE

Unity Chanukah Celebration

Orlando - Sunday, December 10
Unite in light for Chanukah through Chabad of South Orlando. Event activities include snow sledding, snow tubing, live performance by Alex Clare, menorah lighting, a raffle, food, and fun! READ MORE
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens transforms into the Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild during the holiday season! Photo courtesy of the zoo
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens transforms into the Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild during the holiday season! Photo courtesy of the zoo

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Places featured in this article:

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey
Apopka Christmas Parade Route
Kissimmee Lakefront Park
Central Florida Fairgrounds
Central Park - Winter Park
Bivona Christmas Light Show