Seven great holiday events this weekend

Kickoff the holiday season with Mayor Buddy Dyer at the City of Orlando’s annual Tree Lighting Celebration. The highlight of the free event is the traditional lighting of the City’s 72-foot Christmas tree. The evening also includes Trinity Lutheran Downtown’s musical, TheDailyCity.com Food Truck Bazaar, gift vendors and the showing of the cartoon version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Find out more »

The Thornton Park District will host its first 12 Bars of Christmas December 1-5, a holiday pub crawl culminating in the lighting of the Christmas Tree at Lake Eola Park. Each night from 5-9 pm, 12 participating bars/restaurants in the Thornton Park District will offer pub crawlers holiday drink specials, as well as one signature “holiday cocktail.” Participants are encouraged to pick up a 12 Bars of Christmas promotional card at any of the participating venues, and get a stamp…Find out more »

We will be showing the classic “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” Gardens open at 6:00 pm, Movie time at 7:30 pm. Enjoy an outdoor movie in a beautiful garden. Blanket/chairs are recommended. You may bring a dinner picnic basket. Alcohol is permitted. Garden Admission is $6 adult and $3 child; Leu Members receive free admission. Admission is collected at the door. Leu Gardens close at the end of the movie. Curbie’s Sidewalk Cafe will be selling great food and Peak Season… Find out more »

Hosted by WKMG Local 6 and in support of the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Network, the award-winning Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra will hold their 7th annual holiday benefit concert featuring all four FSYO orchestras playing holiday favorites. As part of the event, donations and gifts will be collected for kids in need. Find out more »

13th Annual Santa Stumble This is the crawl that started it all – now in it’s 13th year, the Santa Stumble is the best way to get into the Holiday Spirit!! Join hundreds of revelers as we “stumble” to some great Orlando Bars and enjoy some holiday spirit. Make sure you are in the spirit of things by dressing up as your favorite Holiday character – it can be Santa, Frosty, Rudolph, or whomever – it is not required, but… Find out more »

Get in the “spirit” of the season at the 12 Pubs of Christmas Pub Crawl! Buy a wristband for $10 at Wally’s in Mills 50 District or Thirsty Topher in Ivanhoe Village and enjoy drink specials at 12 bars! O-Cartz Orlando will be available to transport you — included with your wristband! Find out more »

The second annual Light Up Downtown South will feature a weekend of activities, culminating with a 6 p.m. Christmas Tree lighting on Sunday, December 7, 2014, at Lake Beauty Park, located at the corner of South Orange Avenue and Miller Street.  Breakfast with Santa, at the Peach Valley Café, 2849 S. Orange Avenue, kicks off the fun at 8 a.m., Saturday, December 6 from 8 a.m. to noon. www.DowntownSouthOrlando.org.

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