Holidays
HOLIDAY GUIDE: Central Florida light displays, parades, events to get in the spirit this 2025 season
Read full article: HOLIDAY GUIDE: Central Florida light displays, parades, events to get in the spirit this 2025 seasonFrom markets to festivals to drive-through displays, the options are endless when it comes to holiday fun.
Krampus comes to Orlando this week. Where to celebrate this European Christmas tradition
Read full article: Krampus comes to Orlando this week. Where to celebrate this European Christmas traditionFor centuries, winter has been a time for scary stories as people gave form to their fears of the dark. From Gryla in Iceland to the Kallikantzari in Greece, many of the stories seem to be intended as a last-ditch effort to scare naughty children straight. Take the Central European legend of the Krampus.
Cyber Monday shifts to Giving Tuesday as Salvation Army to host world’s largest red kettle at Cranes Roost Park
Read full article: Cyber Monday shifts to Giving Tuesday as Salvation Army to host world’s largest red kettle at Cranes Roost ParkAfter Cyber Monday comes Giving Tuesday. It’s a day that began back in 2012 and is dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations and giving back to others.
Who would do a thing like this? Enormous Christmas bulbs missing from downtown Melbourne display
Read full article: Who would do a thing like this? Enormous Christmas bulbs missing from downtown Melbourne displayMelbourne Main Street wants to know who took two giant Christmas decorations from a downtown display.
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Experience the magic of Christmas at Gaylord Palms: Family fun, shows and holiday cheer
Read full article: Experience the magic of Christmas at Gaylord Palms: Family fun, shows and holiday cheerFrom meeting Santa and snow tubing to Broadway-style shows and a spectacular light show, find out why this holiday event is a must-visit for families and holiday lovers.
‘Just feels magical:’ How Park Avenue in Winter Park gets its holiday glow-up
Read full article: ‘Just feels magical:’ How Park Avenue in Winter Park gets its holiday glow-upIf you stroll down Park Avenue this time of year, you can feel it - that warm, glowing little shift that says the holidays have arrived. But behind the twinkling trees and festive storefronts is a tiny team with a very big job.
Altamonte Mall vending machines provide items to those in need. Here’s how they work
Read full article: Altamonte Mall vending machines provide items to those in need. Here’s how they workThis isn’t your typical vending machine — it’s The Light the World Giving Machine, giving-focused vending machines sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, set up inside the Altamonte Springs Mall.
Florida state offices will be closed even longer for the holidays this year, DeSantis says
Read full article: Florida state offices will be closed even longer for the holidays this year, DeSantis saysThis year, state offices will be closed for three more days alongside the standard holidays, according to the governor's office.
Orange County deputies give out Thanksgiving turkeys, fixings. Here’s where to get yours
Read full article: Orange County deputies give out Thanksgiving turkeys, fixings. Here’s where to get yoursHundreds of Central Florida families found holiday relief as the Orange County Sheriff’s Office gave away 600 turkeys just days before Thanksgiving.
Henry Winkler, Brie Larson among 2025 EPCOT Candlelight Processional narrators
Read full article: Henry Winkler, Brie Larson among 2025 EPCOT Candlelight Processional narratorsWalt Disney World has announced a star-studded list of celebrity narrators for the 2025 season of EPCOT’s “Candlelight Processional.”
Go down in history: See full ‘Rudolph’ ICE! reveal at Gaylord Palms
Read full article: Go down in history: See full ‘Rudolph’ ICE! reveal at Gaylord PalmsA team of 40 expert ice carvers spent over a month crafting 2 million pounds of ice sculptures that bring the classic 1964 stop-motion special to life across a 20,000-square-foot exhibit.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays returns with global traditions, flavors
Read full article: EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays returns with global traditions, flavorsThroughout the park, guests can immerse themselves in festive cheer from around the world, from Holiday Kitchens, and the Candlelight Processional.
News 6, Salvation Army kick off Angel Tree program to bring joy to families in Central Florida
Read full article: News 6, Salvation Army kick off Angel Tree program to bring joy to families in Central FloridaNews 6 is kicking off the annual Salvation Army Angel Tree program to get results for families across Central Florida.
Bah, humbug! Air Force base housing landlord in Florida says no Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving
Read full article: Bah, humbug! Air Force base housing landlord in Florida says no Christmas decorations before ThanksgivingA private company managing housing near Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida has told residents to remove Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving.
Straight from the North Pole! Santa will send mail to Volusia County children. Here’s how
Read full article: Straight from the North Pole! Santa will send mail to Volusia County children. Here’s how'Tis the season! Volusia County is "partnering" with Santa Claus himself to get personalized mail to children ahead of the holidays.
Petition raises concerns over Christmas celebrations in Winter Park
Read full article: Petition raises concerns over Christmas celebrations in Winter ParkA petition circulating in Winter Park is raising concerns that city officials plan to downplay Christmas in local holiday celebrations, but leaders say that perception isn’t accurate.
Oviedo will not launch fireworks on Fourth of July — again
Read full article: Oviedo will not launch fireworks on Fourth of July — againSeveral Central Florida cities are hosting fireworks shows on July 4th - Sanford, Winter Springs, Celebration, St. Cloud, to name a few - but not Oviedo for a second year in a row.
‘There are laws:’ Orange County approves new, stringent fireworks rules
Read full article: ‘There are laws:’ Orange County approves new, stringent fireworks rulesAfter more than a year of nightly disruptions, the Orange County Board of Commissioners has approved a new ordinance restricting fireworks use to just three days.
🐇 Sacred hares, banished winter witches and pagan worship – the roots of Easter Bunny traditions are ancient
Read full article: 🐇 Sacred hares, banished winter witches and pagan worship – the roots of Easter Bunny traditions are ancientFolklorist Tok Thompson, a professor of anthropology and communications at USC, writes for The Conversation on the origins of the long and interesting journey this mythical figure has taken from European prehistory to today.
🥚 Hopping into spring: Instacart reveals America’s most loved and loathed Easter and Passover foods
Read full article: 🥚 Hopping into spring: Instacart reveals America’s most loved and loathed Easter and Passover foodsAs spring kicks into high gear, people across the country are preparing for family gatherings and festive meals for Passover and Easter.
Could President Trump’s birthday be a new national holiday? Here’s what to know
Read full article: Could President Trump’s birthday be a new national holiday? Here’s what to knowPresident Donald Trump was sworn in for a second time last month after coming out on top during the 2024 presidential race. But could his birthday soon become a national holiday?
6 of the most romantic restaurants in the US are in Florida. See where they are
Read full article: 6 of the most romantic restaurants in the US are in Florida. See where they areWith Valentine’s Day approaching, online restaurant reservation service OpenTable announces its top 100 most romantic restaurants in the country.
Have you seen this headless Florida dinosaur on the road? Well, it’s got a deadly past
Read full article: Have you seen this headless Florida dinosaur on the road? Well, it’s got a deadly pastThe large, headless sculpture of a brontosaurus still sits decades after its creator suffered a horrible accident.
These are the top cities for Valentine’s Day in Florida. No. 1 may be closer than you think
Read full article: These are the top cities for Valentine’s Day in Florida. No. 1 may be closer than you thinkWalletHub's ranking examines factors like cost-effectiveness, local activities and weather forecasts to determine the best romantic hotspots this year.
Merritt Island man cited in Christmas boat parade crash that injured 3
Read full article: Merritt Island man cited in Christmas boat parade crash that injured 3A 25-year-old Merritt Island man was cited for his role in the Brevard County Christmas boat parade crash that sent three people to the hospital, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Well-known Marion County pop warner coach mourned after accidental death
Read full article: Well-known Marion County pop warner coach mourned after accidental deathHe apparently died at work on Jan. 4. The family is going through an especially hard time since his daughter had just passed away before Christmas.
These Publix ducks are all the rage in Florida. But are more on the way?
Read full article: These Publix ducks are all the rage in Florida. But are more on the way?Visitors to Florida’s popular grocery chain last month may have seen something unusual on the shelves: an assortment of Publix-themed rubber ducks for sale.
NTSB, FAA investigating after drones collide, fall into crowd during downtown Orlando holiday show
Read full article: NTSB, FAA investigating after drones collide, fall into crowd during downtown Orlando holiday showThe National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating after drones collided and fell into a crowd during a holiday show Saturday evening in downtown Orlando.
Drones that fell during Orlando show were supposed to remain over Lake Eola, documents show
Read full article: Drones that fell during Orlando show were supposed to remain over Lake Eola, documents showThe lighted drones that fell from the sky during a holiday show in Downtown Orlando and injured a 7-year-old boy were supposed to fly above Lake Eola at a safe distance away from crowds, documents obtained by News 6 reveal.
Downtown Orlando drone show at Lake Eola canceled due to ‘technical difficulties’
Read full article: Downtown Orlando drone show at Lake Eola canceled due to ‘technical difficulties’The second of two drone shows that was set to take flight Saturday night at Lake Eola was canceled due to “technical difficulties,” city officials said on social media.
Kissimmee hosts first menorah lighting ceremony to celebrate Hanukkah
Read full article: Kissimmee hosts first menorah lighting ceremony to celebrate HanukkahThe City of Kissimmee celebrated a milestone moment this week by hosting its first menorah lighting ceremony at City Hall, honoring the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
How faith communities can be welcoming of believers with disabilities this holiday season and beyond
Read full article: How faith communities can be welcoming of believers with disabilities this holiday season and beyondThis holiday season, some religious congregations across the U.S. are holding events designed to be accommodating to and inclusive of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
WILD VIDEO: Drones fall from Orlando sky at Lake Eola holiday show into crowd, possibly striking attendees
Read full article: WILD VIDEO: Drones fall from Orlando sky at Lake Eola holiday show into crowd, possibly striking attendeesThe second of two planned holiday drone shows at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando was canceled after what the city described as “technical difficulties,” but one viewer who was at the show said he could see multiple drones crashing into each other before falling to the ground.
COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE: Central Florida holiday events to get in the spirit this 2024 season
Read full article: COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE: Central Florida holiday events to get in the spirit this 2024 seasonFrom markets to festivals to drive-through displays, the options are endless when it comes to holiday fun.
🎄 Which state leads the nation in Christmas tree production?
Read full article: 🎄 Which state leads the nation in Christmas tree production?Now that Thanksgiving is over, there's no reason to argue about whether it's acceptable to decorate for Christmas before Turkey Day (it is) and move on to more serious business, like which state sells the greatest quantity of America's most important crop: Christmas trees.