Snow Bar At Gaylord Palms Christmas

Holiday Events

CHRISTMAS AT GAYLORD PALMS        

Through Jan. 3: The Gaylord Palms is a Christmas destination for locals and visitors alike, with acres of festive decorations, dozens of sensory experiences, fun activities, live shows and more. The ICE! show returns, featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” built of truckloads of ice blocks that are carved by artisans from China. Buy tickets online. 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee. 407-586-0000. christmasatgaylordpalms.marriott.com

DAZZLING NIGHTS AT LEU GARDENS

Through Jan. 6: Immerse yourself in the wonders of the holidays at Dazzling Nights, a three-quarter-mile journey of awe-inspiring light experiences brought to life by Creative City Project. This magical, interactive family experience features a 30-foot-tall tree made of thousands of shimmering gold sequins, a 70-foot-long light tunnel, a laser forest, snowy nights and holiday tunes, treats and beverages. Choose dates and entry times online. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. dazzlingorlando.com

HOLIDAY BLOOMS

Through Jan. 7: Thousands of colorful poinsettias and other seasonal flowers and foliage burst with yuletide spirit along the paths of the garden’s 50 acres. Included with daytime admission. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org

Special Events

VENARDOS CIRCUS

Through Jan. 1: Step inside the red-and-white big top for a peek at circus traditions of the past blended with a show honoring modern sensibilities as the crew turns into the performers in this animal-free circus. 11 a.m., 2 & 5 p.m. St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340C S.R. A1A South, St. Augustine. 904-209-0367. theamp.com

ASIAN LANTERN FESTIVAL—INTO THE WILD

Through Jan. 14: One of the zoo’s most popular events is back for a fourth year for a stunning evening experience with larger-than-life illuminated lanterns celebrating the culture, art and beauty of Asia’s traditional lantern festivals. LED-lighted sculptures depicting animals, plants and traditional Chinese elements line the paths for this outdoor display. 6-10 p.m. Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, 3755 W. Seminole Blvd., Sanford. 407-323-4450. centralfloridazoo.org

ZORA! FESTIVAL

Jan. 7-28: This festival celebrates the life and words of a Central Florida icon—author, anthropologist, filmmaker and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960.) The annual event in Eatonville offers arts, cultural and humanities programs, museum exhibits, panel discussions, tours of historic Eatonville and music. Visit website for dates, times and tickets. Zora Neale Hurston National Museum, 344 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville. 407-647-3307. zorafestival.org

MECUM COLLECTOR CAR AUCTION

Jan. 2-14: Expect to see more than 4,000 antique, muscle and exotic cars for sale, along with old auto signs, hood ornaments and other memorabilia at the world’s largest collector car auction. 8 a.m. Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee. 321-697-3333. mecum.com

MATT FRASER—PSYCHIC MEDIUM

Jan. 9: The star of “Meet the Frasers” on E! Entertainment brings his psychic skills to the live stage with audience readings and spiritual teachings. 8 p.m. King Center for the Performing Arts, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. 321-242-2219. kingcenter.com

Courtesy Of The Ritz Theater

A MAGICAL EVENING WITH JOHN WESTFORD

Jan. 12: This illusionist, humorist, film actor and magical mastermind has performed in more than 30 countries, bringing his grand illusions and comedic stories to stages all over the world. 7:30 p.m. Ritz Theater at Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford. 407-321-8111. ritztheatersanford.com

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY

Jan. 12-15: The Greatest Show on Earth returns after a six-year hiatus during which everything imaginable was reimagined and what once was a circus with heart-stopping animal shows is now an extravaganza of death-defying human talent in a 360-degree environment. Use code FM2GCL for savings on tickets. Visit Amway Center website for tickets and times. Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., Orlando. 407-440-7900. amwaycenter.com

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

Jan. 12-Feb. 19: Let creativity shine as you “sip, savor and stroll.” A trifecta of fabulous awaits as you browse the works of new and established artists, enjoy songs from award-winning Disney on Broadway musicals and indulge in culinary masterpieces. Included with park admission. EPCOT, 200 Epcot Center Drive, Lake Buena Vista. disneyworld.disney.go.com

FLORIDA WEDDING EXPO

Jan. 14: Plan your wedding all in one place, all in one afternoon at the largest wedding expo of the year. Browse more than 150 vendors and enter to win 100-plus giveaways, including five free honeymoons. Noon-5 p.m. Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse, 9800 International Drive, Orlando. 407-571-9990. floridaweddingexpo.com 

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS LPGA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

Jan. 15-21: Winners from the two previous LPGA Tour seasons and more than 50 celebrities, athletes and entertainers play the Tom Fazio-designed course at Lake Nona. Tour champions compete for $1.5 million in prize money and celebrities play to win $500,000. Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, 9801 Lake Nona Club Drive, Orlando. hgvlpga.com

SIXTH ANNUAL EMPOWERING NIGHT OF LAUGHTER

Jan. 19: Nine of Orlando’s Fearlessly Funny Women step out of their comfort zones and take center stage to perform five-minute comedic routines they’ve written themselves. Mixer 6 p.m., show 7 p.m. Quantum Leap Winery, 1312 Wilfred Drive, Orlando. empoweringnightoflaughter.com 

PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ—BROADWAY’S BEST MUSIC

Jan. 20: Come for the buffet dinner, stay for the Annual Ritz Repertory Awards and showcase of theatrical productions. This party wraps up with a performance by the Sanford Jazz Ensemble. 5:30 p.m. Ritz Theater at Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford. 407-321-8111. ritztheatersanford.com

THE SHANGHAI CIRCUS

Jan. 23: Chinese acrobats, jugglers and contortionists bound across the stage demonstrating 2,000 years of Chinese circus traditions while defying gravity and stretching the limits of human ability. 7 p.m. King Center for the Performing Arts, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. 321-242-2219. kingcenter.com

FRIENDS MUSICAL INSIGHTS

The award-winning musical-awareness series presented by Friends of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra returns to explore an array of musical subjects. Visit website to learn more about each subject. 5 p.m. Sessions are held in the Palmer Room at The Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando. 407-896-6700. friendsorlandophil.org 

Jan. 23: Chelsea Gallo—OPO’s Multi-Faceted Principal Guest Conductor.

Feb. 20: James Lee III—American Composer Extraordinaire! 

March 19: The Trombone—Powerhouse of the Orchestra.

April 30: A Collaboration of Choirs and Orchestras—A Journey of Joy.

MORSE MUSEUM LECTURE SERIES

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art’s 2024 free lecture series will focus on historic preservation. Visit website to learn more about each session. 2:30 p.m. Jeannette G. and Hugh F. McKean Pavilion, 161 W. Canton Ave., Winter Park. 407-645-5311. morsemuseum.org

Jan. 24: Marcus & Co.—A New York Jeweler in the Victorian Era

Feb. 21: Politics & Pageantry—Hiram Powers’ Greek Slave, Frederick Douglass, and the Capital City

March 27: Collecting Inspiration—Tiffany & Co.’s Edward C. Moore

April 17: An Illuminating Look at Tiffany Lighting

Photo sourced from Florida Storytelling Association website

FLORIDA STORYTELLING FESTIVAL

Jan. 25-28: The festival is known nationally for its unique combination of workshops, concerts, youthful voices and sense of community. Listen to featured storytellers, learn from masters and tell your own story in workshops, swaps and slams. Lakeside Inn, 100 N. Alexander St., Mount Dora. 352-234-6422. flstory.com

ROCK THE UNIVERSE

Jan. 26-27: Raise your hands. Raise your voice. Raise your spirit. Rock the Universe is Florida’s biggest Christian music festival and it draws the big names, including Casting Crowns, We the Kingdom, Lecrae, Riley Clemmons, Brandon Lake, Cody Carnes and more. 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Universal Studios Florida, 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando. universalorlando.com

THE LORD OF THE RINGS—THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING

Jan. 26-28: Composer Howard Shore brings J.R.R. Tolkien’s words to symphonic life with his score of the Peter Jackson film. The Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra and Bach Festival Youth Choir join performers from around the world to create a dramatic live concert experience. Friday, Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 844-513-2014. drphillipscenter.org

THE MOZART DINNER—MOZART & MARIACHI

Jan. 27: Perhaps the most anticipated black-tie fundraiser of the year is Opera Orlando’s immersive, clever and delicious Mozart Dinner. This year is a little spicier, with a musical program presented on the set of Robert Xavier Rodriguez’s Frida, amid a three-course candlelight dinner. Tenor John Osborn and soprano Maria Laetitia will sing arias and duets, operatic favorites and special surprises. Cocktails 6 p.m., dinner 7 p.m.  407-512-1900. operaorlando.org. Steinmetz Hall, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 844-513-2014. drphillipscenter.org

ORANGE CITY BLUE SPRINGS MANATEE FESTIVAL

Jan. 27-28: Each winter, 100 or more manatees visit the warm waters of Blue Spring. Celebrate this unique aquatic mammal and enjoy live music, crafts, face painting, dancing, rides and, of course, manatee viewing. The 39th annual festival is a fundraiser for Friends of Blue Spring State Park, scholarships and Greater Orange City organizations. Valentine Park, 1511 W. French Ave., Orange City. themanateefestival.com

EDWARD TWINS PRESENTS THE ULTIMATE VEGAS VARIETY SHOW

Jan. 30: If you remember the awesome variety shows of the 1970s and ’80s, (or just wish you were old enough to be this cool) the Edward Twins have you covered with their on-point impersonations of all the best superstars, such as Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Lionel Richie, Elton John, Sonny & Cher, Stevie Wonder, Bette Midler and more. 2 & 7 p.m. Osceola Arts, 2411 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee. 407-846-6257. osceolaarts.org