Celebrate Christmas in Central Florida

In “Celebrate Christmas in Central Florida,” episode #221, Meredith Curtis takes your homeschool family to sunny Central Florida for the holidays in 2024. She shares famous and not-so-famous festive adventures for those who are visiting for the holidays as well as those who call Central Florida home. Inspirational, educational, and just plain fun Christmas experiences await!

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Show Notes

So many people visit Central Florida at Christmastime to enjoy the theme parks. For those who want something different and those who live in Central Florida, here are some fun ways to celebrate Christmas. I live in Central Florida so I am sharing some of my favorite places to go and things to do.

Saint Augustine

Historic St. Augustine, the continuously inhabited city in the USA, offer her beautiful annual Nights of Lights from Saturday, November 23, 2024, to January 26, 2025. Three million lights await you for a spectacular end to a family field trip. The trains and trolleys offer special seasonal tours, too.

https://www.visitstaugustine.com/event/nights-lights

Christmas in the Country

This is an annual Christmas event for our family and friends. Put on every year by River of Life Church, this event takes place at 130 Garfield Rd, Enterprise, FL, United States, Florida 32725.

Enjoy a FREE, family-friendly, one of a kind, holiday event!

Check out our 4-H display. Navigate a merry melt-proof maze. Create your very own ornament,
enjoy free cocoa, and roast marshmallows over a bonfire on the lakefront. Hot dogs or bottled water are available for a $1 Donation. Don’t miss our Hayride through a Christmas Wonderland!

Starts the day after Thanksgiving and open the following days: 11/29, 11/30, 12/2, 12/6, 12/7, 12/13, 12/14, 12/20.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1236932000687164/?active_tab=discussion

Fort Christmas Historical Park’s Cracker Christmas

Mark your calendar for December 7-8, 2024. From 10 am to 4 pm, step back in time with a Florida Cracker Christmas celebration. Enjoy pioneer demonstrations and sample some gator meat.

The park includes a replica of a fort built in 1837 during the Second Seminole Indian War; a traditional Florida “Cracker” house and eight pioneer homes; a schoolhouse and lunchroom; a sugar cane mill and other historical farming equipment.

https://www.facebook.com/events/466759382773764

Parades

Yes, there are parades at all the theme parks, but Central Florida cities have their own parades, too.

Sanford’s annual Christmas parade is on December 14, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1231111001281827/

Mount Dora’s annual Christmas parade is early in the morning on December 7, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/881104570200250

Minneola’s Moonlight Christmas parade is on December 14, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/387873457731304/

The City of Oviedo’s Holiday Parade is in the evening on December 7, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/881104570200250/

Boat Parades

Mount Dora has a boat parade on Lake Beauclair on December 7, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/3825059924415876/

Daytona Christmas Boat Parade is held in Daytona Beach, featuring decorated boats and a festive atmosphere.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2217032025364914/

There is also a boat parade in Cocoa Beach on December 14, 2024.

Home Tour

Stetson Mansion Tour takes you inside Florida’s Most Historic Home, c1886, of iconic hat maker JB Stetson, Florida’s First Snowbird. This home is beautifully decorated for Christmas.

https://www.facebook.com/stetsonmansiontours

The Holiday Candlelight Tour lets visitors explore DeBary Hall during holiday evenings when candlelight will fill the 19th century mansion with a warm glow, accentuating its historic treasures and Christmas decorations. Guests will be escorted to the mansion for an open style tour. The mansion, once owned by the prominent DeBary family, will be decorated with many Christmas trees, wreaths, and other festive adornments.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2692456947592494/

Lake Helen Christmas Home & Garden Tour visits beautifully decorated Historic Homes, Churches, Buildings and Local Gardens. Enjoy the Christmas Marketplace for all of your gift giving needs and delicious refreshments, as well as live entertainment!

December 7th & 8th, 12:30 PM-5:30 PM. Tour Begins at Hopkins Hall: 150 Connecticut Ave, Lake Helen, FL 32744.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1357305044410133/1357305051076799/

Living Nativity/Walk Thru Bethlehem

During this immersive experience, you will take a stroll through Bethlehem. You will see the guards at the front gate, talk to the people going about their daily lives, and hear the gossip about a strange couple who are staying in a stable.

 This year, we have a brand-new layout for the city of Bethlehem that will bring you up close and personal with the characters and story of Christmas. Even if you have been before, this will be a new experience!

 Whether it is your first Walk Through Bethlehem, or it is part of your Christmas tradition, we can’t wait to see you in Bethlehem!

Visit our family’s favorite Walk thru Bethlehem on December 7-8 or 13-15, 2024 at Crossroads Church, Daytona Beach.

https://crbible.com/events/

Experience the story of the birth of our savior Jesus Christ at the Living Nativity! The Biblical story will be narrated and portrayed by church members on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Children will have an opportunity to pet live animals. Cookies, hot cocoa and coffee will be served outside of the Fellowship Hall throughout the evening. We will also have coloring/craft tables set up for the little ones. Everyone is welcome!

Visit Beachside Baptist Church on December 18, 2024, in New Smyrna Beach.

https://www.beachsidebaptist.com/living-nativity/

Bring your family and friends to see Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth in this unique living nativity experience on Friday, December 13, 2024.

Begin your guided tour in the sanctuary. Follow the star to the manger, rejoice with the angels, hear the music, see the animals, pay your taxes to the Roman soldiers, and enjoy the festive marketplace. Your journey concludes with the joy of the nativity.

https://www.facebook.com/events/831861212189288

Concerts, Outdoor Movies, & More

St. Luke’s AMC Annual Christmas Concerts are “Sounds of the Seasons” from Thursday 12/12 24 to 12/15/24.

https://www.facebook.com/events/458290197338715/458290214005380/

Christmas movies at parks, churches, and downtowns.

Lights everywhere! Two favorites near me – 3 homes / owners of nursery and Lake Mary City Hall.

Ballets, concerts, Handel’s Messiah singalong, Christian concerts.

High Tea Aboard the Barbara Lee

Enjoy the beautiful decorations of the season while enjoying a wide array of endless tea along with savory finger sandwiches, scones with jelly and bite size sweets.

This 3-hour cruise on the St Johns River will take you back to a time when things were peaceful and pretty. Celebrate your sister or the women in your life.

You can dress casually or wear your favorite dress and hat. Gentlemen can break out their favorite top hat and long coat.

Live entertainment by Harpist and Composer Rene Devia. Friday December 20, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/3805730683041097/

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