By Kyle Coppola
Local Holiday Events Guide
It’s officially here, the most wonderful time of the year!
We’ve compiled some of the best local events for you to enjoy with family and friends this holiday season. So get your ugly Christmas sweater out, put on your candy cane leggings, grab a peppermint mocha latte and go have some fun!
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR AREA
Clermont Enchanted Forest of Trees
NOW - JANUARY 8Clermont Enchanted Forest of Trees
NOW – JANUARY 8
5:30 – 9:00 PM
Victory Pointe
938 Victory Way, Clermont
Come gaze over 50 trees decorated by local organizations and businesses. You can also write a Letter to Santa to be placed in Santa’s mailbox (available from Nov. 19 – Dec. 19.)
Lake Catherine's Nightmare Before Christmas Maze
NOW - DECEMBER 23Lake Catherine's Nightmare Before Christmas Maze
NOW – DECEMBER 23
Friday’s & Saturday’s 6:00 – 10:00 PM
Lake Catherine Blueberries
5849 Lake Catherine Rd, Groveland
- Live Music
- Food Trucks
- Kids Play Area
- Fun Photo Ops
Christmas at Cottom's Farm
NOW - DECEMBER 31Christmas at Cottom's Farm
NOW – DECEMBER 24
6:00 – 9:00 PM
DECEMBER 26 – 31
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Wayside At Cottom Farm
41407 Edna C Blvd, Weirsdale
- Hay Ride Through the Lights Tour
- Hot Cocoa, Cookies & Vendors
- Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus
- Santa’s Southern Home Tour
Light Up Astatula
DECEMBER 2Light Up Astatula
DECEMBER 2
6:00 PM
13251 Park Avenue, Astatula
Clermont Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
DECEMBER 2Clermont Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
DECEMBER 2
5:30 – 9:00 PM
Downtown Clermont
- Live Holiday Music & Dancing
- Food Trucks & Vendors
- Carolers
- Photo Ops with Santa
Eustis First Friday
DECEMBER 2Eustis First Friday
DECEMBER 2
6:00 – 9:00 PM
Downtown Eustis
- Live Music
- Food Trucks & Vendors
- Santa in the Park
The Villages Spanish Springs Tree Lighting
DECEMBER 2The Villages Spanish Springs Tree Lighting
DECEMBER 2
4:00 – 9:00 PM
Spanish Springs Towne Square
Winterfest in Wildwood
DECEMBER 2Winterfest in Wildwood
DECEMBER 2
6:00 – 9:00 PM
100 North Main Street, Wildwood
- Pictures with Santa
- Letters to the North Pole
- Snow Play
- Magical Holiday Train
Bushnell Christmas on the Frontier
DECEMBER 3Bushnell Christmas on the Frontier
DECEMBER 3
2:00 – 7:00 PM
Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center
4101 River Bends Drive
- Music & Caroling
- Crafts
- Frontier Foods
- General Store
Lake Panasoffkee Holiday Boat Parade
DECEMBER 3Lake Panasoffkee Holiday Boat Parade
DECEMBER 3
5:00 PM Lineup | 6:00 PM Start
Canal at Pana Vista Lodge
Leesburg Christmas Parade
DECEMBER 3Leesburg Christmas Parade
DECEMBER 3
6:00 – 9:00 PM
Downtown Leesburg
Mt. Dora Christmas Parade
DECEMBER 3Mt. Dora Christmas Parade
DECEMBER 3
10:00 AM
Downtown Mt. Dora, Donnelly Street
Clermont Hometown Parade
DECEMBER 3Clermont Hometown Parade
DECEMBER 3
10:00 AM
Downtown Clermont
Tavares Sounds of Christmas Parade & Celebration
DECEMBER 3Tavares Sounds of Christmas Parade & Celebration
DECEMBER 3
5:00 PM
Downtown Tavares
Lady Lake Christmas Parade
DECEMBER 3Lady Lake Christmas Parade
DECEMBER 3
10:00 AM
Old Dixie Highway, Lady Lake
Webster Christmas Parade & Light Up
DECEMBER 3Webster Christmas Parade & Light Up
DECEMBER 3
5:30 – 9:00 PM
15 S Market Blvd, Webster
- Vendors & Food Trucks
- Live Music
- Photos with Santa
Light up Venetian Gardens
DECEMBER 4Light up Venetian Gardens
DECEMBER 4
5:00 – 7;30 PM
Ski Beach, Leesburg
- Food & Vendors
- Hay Rides
- Lighted Boat Parade 6:15 PM
- Music & Live Entertainment
Snowflakes by Lake Eustis
DECEMBER 9 - 30Snowflakes by Lake Eustis
DECEMBER 9 – 30
6:00 – 9:00 PM
Ferran Park
250 Ferran Park Dr, Eustis
Enjoy a peaceful snow fall while watching the million dollar sunset on the lake. Snow fall at the top of every hour until 9:00 PM.
Fruitland Park Hometown Christmas
DECEMBER 9Fruitland Park Hometown Christmas
DECEMBER 9
5:30 – 9:00 PM
Downtown Fruitland Park
- Music & Entertainment
- Mr. & Mrs. Claus
- Bounce Houses
- Food & Vendors
Light Up Lady Lake
DECEMBER 9Light Up Lady Lake
DECEMBER 9
6:15 PM
Veterans Park
(Lady Lake Log Cabin)
106 S. Hwy 27/441
Christmas Time at Amber Brooke Farms
DECEMBER 10Christmas Time at Amber Brooke Farms
DECEMBER 10
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Amber Brooke Farms
36111 County Rd 44A, Eustis
The farms are decked-out with festive decor and ready to welcome you and your family for a fun-filled winter day. Take your picture with Santa, browse the holiday arts & crafts fair, experience fun farm activities, listen to live music, and more!
Christmas at Brown and Brown Farms
DECEMBER 10, 11, 17 & 18Christmas at Brown and Brown Farms
DECEMBER 10, 11, 17 & 18
10:00 AM
Brown and Brown Farms
13940 U.S. 301, Oxford
- Kids Activities
- Hay rides
- Live Music
- Photos with Santa & Grinch
Minneola Annual Moonlight Parade
DECEMBER 10Minneola Annual Moonlight Parade
DECEMBER 10
6:00 PM
S. Disston Ave, Minneola
Grinchmas at Puzzle Ranch
DECEMBER 10 & 17Grinchmas at Puzzle Ranch
DECEMBER 10 & 17
3:00 – 8:00 PM
Puzzle Ranch
33348 CR 437, Sorrento
- Photos with the GRINCH
- Pony & Hay rides
- Live Music
- Photos with Santa
TREATS WITH SANTA
Cookies with Santa Eustis
DECEMBER 3Cookies with Santa Eustis
DECEMBER 3
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Eustis Historical Museum
536 N. Bay St., Eustis
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Pancake Breakfast with Santa at Cottom's Farm
DECEMBER 10Pancake Breakfast with Santa at Cottom's Farm
DECEMBER 10
9:00 AM
Wayside at Cottom’s Farm
41407 Edna C Blvd, Weirsdale
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Breakfast with Santa Clermont
DECEMBER 10 & 11Breakfast with Santa Clermont
DECEMBER 10 9:00 AM
DECEMBER 11 9:00 AM & 10:00 AM
Once Upon a Creation Co.
4300 US 27, Suite 207, Clermont
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Grab a delicious hot cocoa or cup of coffee and enjoy a beautiful breakfast with a selection of pastries, fresh fruit and holiday treats.
Breaksfast with Santa and Friends Mt. Dora
DECEMBER 11Breaksfast with Santa and Friends Mt. Dora
DECEMBER 11
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Lil Bit of Life
2920 Robie Ave., Mt. Dora
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Cookies with Santa Wildwood
DECEMBER 16Cookies with Santa Wildwood
DECEMBER 16
6:30 – 8:30 PM
Wildwood Community Center
6500 CR-139, Wildwood
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
- Story Time with Mrs. Claus
- Sugar Cookie & Reindeer Food Making
CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS
Misty Mountain Christmas Tree Farm
HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLSMisty Mountain Christmas Tree Farm
Monday – Thursday 12:00 – 7:00 PM
Friday – Sunday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Howey-In-The-Hills
41407 Edna C Blvd, Weirsdale
- Uncut Southern Red Cedar Trees
- Pre-Cut North Carolina Fraser Fir Trees
- Handmade Wreaths
- Specialty-made Jams & Pottery
Santa's Christmas Tree Forest
EUSTISSanta's Christmas Tree Forest
November 19-December 18
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Eustis
35317 Huff Road, Eustis
- U-Cut & Pre-Cut Christmas Trees
- Petting Farm & Gift Shop
- Hay Ride, Zip Line & Activities
- Good Food & Drinks
- Visits with Santa
Christmas at Sunsational Farms
EUSTISChristmas at Sunsational Farms
TUESDAY – SATURDAY
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunsational Farms
35317 Huff Road, Eustis
- Pre-Cut Christmas Trees
- Fresh Produce & Orange Juice
- Good Food & Drinks
- Photos with Santa
BEYOND THE LOCAL FESTIVITIES
Santa’s Enchanted Forest is the World’s Largest Holiday Theme Park with over 100 Rides, Shows, Games and Attractions. Thousands of visitors come every year to experience the magic of South Florida’s tallest Christmas tree, millions of dazzling lights, hundreds of themed displays, festive Christmas music, delicious foods from around the world, live show entertainment and carnival rides suited for the entire family.
November 9 – January 8, 2023
7400 NW 87th Ave.
Miami, FL
Known as “the world’s largest Christmas maze,” The walk-thru maze will have more than 4 million sparkling lights, a 100-foot-tall tree, an ice skating trail, live entertainment, Santa visits and a holiday shopping marketplace with crafts, gifts and culinary treats.
November 25 – January 1, 2023
Tropicana Field
St. Petersburg, FL
Gather with friends and family along the 12-mile parade route for the 50th Annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade. Private boats to giant showboats and corporate superyachts will be on festive display with hundreds of thousands of lights, music, entertainment, celebrities, musical groups, beauty queens and more. The show is viewed annually by more than 1 million spectators.
December 10
Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Surfing Santas is an annual Cocoa Beach tradition that brings hundreds of surfers of all ages dressed up as Santa, his helpers and elves. Watch them ride in on the waves and enjoy your Christmas Eve beach-side at this free event benefiting local, charitable causes.
Christmas Eve December 24
3 Minuteman Causeway Beach
Cocoa Beach, FL
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
