Winter Park Christmas 2026: Parade, Tree Lighting and Winter on the Avenue

Winter Park is Central Florida's prettiest place at Christmas: brick streets, a tree in Central Park and a parade that's been going for 74 years. Most of it falls on one easy weekend, December 3 to 5, and it's all free.

The Christmas weekend

Christmas in the Park: Thursday, December 3

The Morse Museum sets out its Tiffany stained glass windows in Central Park, lit up after dark, with the Bach Festival Choir. It's listed for 6:15 to 8:30 PM. Confirm the 2026 date with the Morse Museum, and bring a blanket or a chair.

Winter on the Avenue: Friday, December 4

From 5 to 9 PM in Central Park, with Park Avenue turned into a pedestrian street party:

• The tree lighting and a menorah lighting
• Strolling carolers, children's choirs and stilt-walking elves
• S'mores, snow slides and a "snowy surprise" at Morse Blvd and Park Ave
• Santa and Mrs. Claus from 6:30 to 8 PM, who arrive with Winter Park Fire-Rescue
• Popcorn Flicks in the park

Christmas Parade: Saturday, December 5

From 9 to 10:30 AM on Park Avenue. It's the 74th year of what the Chamber calls the oldest continuous holiday parade in Central Florida, with more than 80 groups including marching bands, police and fire departments, and Santa. Before it, Leadership Winter Park hosts a fundraising pancake breakfast in Central Park.

Make a weekend of it

• Friday afternoon: Shop Park Avenue, then stay for the tree.
• Saturday morning: Pancakes and the parade.
• Saturday afternoon: Lunch on Park Avenue, or a clear kayak tour through the canals. It's about two hours in a tandem kayak.
• Saturday night: Drive to downtown Orlando for Lake Eola and the Merry Market, about 20 minutes away.

More ideas are in our Winter Park guide.

Tips

• Come early for the parade. Park Avenue is the busiest place in town that morning, and streets close.
• Bring a jacket on Friday night. December evenings can feel cool.
• Check the Chamber's site before you go. Its pages list Winter on the Avenue on December 4, though one line still mentions "Friday, Dec. 5", which looks like last year's wording.
• Note the dates. Lake Eola's tree lighting is also on December 4, so pick one.

More Christmas near Winter Park

• Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens, about 15 minutes away
• Orlando Christmas markets
• Orlando events in December

Coming from out of town? A Mini Moo Land bottle feeding or Boggy Creek airboat tour makes an easy daytime stop in Kissimmee, both 10% off through us. (I'm Boggy Creek's marketing manager.)

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