ORLANDO, Fla. -- It's officially holiday season in Central Florida. What better way get into the holiday spirit by enjoying local events and festivities with family and friends?

Here are some events across the region to check out with your loved ones:

Orange County

Downtown for the Holidays

  • Downtown Orlando is offering free holiday events for all. Stroll around Eola Wonderland. See the beautifully illuminated six-story Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree, and watch in wonder as the lights dance to popular holiday music. 
  • When: November 22 to December 26
  • Where: Downtown Orlando (multiple locations)

Light Up UCF

  • This year’s festival offers 47 nights of ice skating, a world-class choreographed light show, featuring new music, free holiday movies, live entertainment, rides like the Ferris Wheel, and Light Up Express kids train, and much more.
  • When: November 19 to January 1
  • Where: 12777 Gemini Blvd North, Orlando

Annual Violectric Holiday Show

  • Violectric is performing its annual Violectric Holiday Show, presented by the City of Orlando Families, Parks & Recreation Dept. This is a free and pet-friendly live concert featuring holiday classics.
  • When: December 14
  • Where: Walt Disney Amphitheater, Lake Eola Park

Dinos in Lights

  • Join Stan the T-Rex and his fossil friends in DinoDigs as they show off their twinkling talent in a festive display of music and light.
  • When: Now through January 6
  • Where: Orlando Science Center, 777 E. Princeton St

Osceola County

Christmas at Gaylord Palms

  • Featuring over two million twinkling lights and acres of lavish decorations, Christmas at Gaylord Palms is an extraordinary holiday spectacle you and your family must see to believe. 
  • When: November 16 – January 6
  • Where: 6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee

St. Cloud Holiday Festival

  • This annual St. Cloud event has become a holiday tradition, with over 120 crafters, carnival foods, chalk artists, antique cars, with a fun festival atmosphere. 
  • When: December 1-2
  • Where: Downtown St. Cloud

SantaFest

  • The Loop West is welcoming Santa in a big way. Enjoy holiday entertainers and crafts, raffles, a kids fun zone, gift raffles, a wine experience, a hot chocolate bar, and Santa's grand entrance.
  • When: December 8
  • Where: Loop West Shopping Center, Kissimmee

Seminole County

Holiday Tour of Homes

  • The self-guided walking tour, which serves as one of the first events on the area’s annual holiday calendar, features a mix of local businesses and private homes. While walking from house to house, you will be reminded of celebrations of years past, as holiday music, performed by local musicians, fills the streets of Historic Sanford. 
  • When: December 1
  • Where: Historic Sanford Welcome Center 

Wekiva Island's Winter Wonderland

  • Join Wekiva Island for movies, holiday parties, and tons of real snow every night. Meet Santa, the Grinch & more lovable characters. 
  • When: December 1 to December 30
  • Where: 1014 Miami Springs Drive, Longwood

A Longwood Christmas

  • Illuminated trees lead you on an enchanting holiday journey through Longwood Gardens. 
  • When: Now through January 6
  • Where: Longwood Gardens

Brevard County

Space Coast Light Fest

  • More than 3 million twinkling holiday lights will ignite the night sky at Wickham Park in Melbourne. It's a holiday event transforming Wickham Park into a virtual winter wonderland.
  • When: November 19 through January 1
  • Where: Wickham Park, Melbourne

Chanukah Snow Festival in Viera

  • Celebrate Hanukkah with Chabad of the Space Coast at the Avenue Viera. 
  • When: December 2
  • Where: The Avenue Viera

Surfing Santas Cocoa Beach

  • Surfing Santas is an annual Cocoa Beach tradition that brings hundreds of surfers dressed up as Santa. Watch them ride in on the waves and kick off your holiday weekend beachside.
  • When: December 24
  • Where: Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach

Kennedy Space Center Holidays in Space

  • The annual 'Holidays in Space celebration' at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex returns with a new kinetic light show and holiday decor throughout the complex.
  • When: December 14 to December 30
  • Where: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Volusia County

Orange City Christmas Village and Parade

  • Vendors of all types will be at Dickinson Park selling their holiday items. There will also be photos with Santa at the park's Gazebo. Don't forget to catch the Christmas Parade, along Volusia Avenue.
  • When: December 8
  • Where: Dickinson Park, Orange City

Snow & Glow Christmas Show in New Smyrna Beach

  • The hot air balloon festival features special shape balloons, more than 100 Christmas craft and retail vendors, all types of great festival food, and Santa Claus.
  • When: December 7-8
  • Where: 560 Tomoka Farms Road, New Smyrna Beach

Stetson Mansion Christmas Tours

  • The Stetson Mansion Christmas Spectacular takes place at “Florida’s first luxury estate." Its architectural details make the perfect backdrop for elaborate holiday decorations, which are different each year. 
  • When: November 15 to January 15
  • Where: Stetson Mansion, DeLand

Flagler County

Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade

  • The parade is expected to exceed its record of more than 40 brightly lit and decorated boats. It is now considered one of the largest boat parades in Central Florida.
  • When: December 15
  • Where: Departs from Cimmaron Basin south

Marion County

Ocala Christmas Parade

  • The Ocala Christmas Parade is a decade-old, beloved holiday event in Marion County, where you’ll see festive floats travel along Silver Springs Boulevard. 
  • When: December 8
  • Where: Silver Springs Boulevard

A Small Town Christmas

  • Join the city of Dunnellon for its outdoor community event to light Dunnellon's Christmas tree. There will also be a Christmas parade. 
  • When: December 1
  • Where: Ernie Mills Park, Dunnellon

Lake County

Cottom Farm's Christmas Village

  • Cottom Farm's Christmas Village and Santa's Southern Home will be open nightly this 2018 season.
  • When: December 1 to December 24
  • Where: 122 East Main Street, Tavares

Groveland's Annual Christmas Parade

  • The City of Groveland's 27th Annual Christmas Parade. 
  • When: December 8
  • When: North Indiana Ave. & Cherry Street, Groveland

Polk County

Christmas at Bok Tower Gardens

  • Come “Home for the Holidays” and experience a holiday showplace and the grandeur of the 1940s. Enjoy festive carillon concerts, seasonal holiday foliage, and a full schedule of events and holiday programming. 
  • When: November 23 to Jaunary 6
  • Where: Lake Wales, Fla.

Downtown Lakeland Holiday Walkabouts

  • Shops will be open late serving up yummy goodies (like cider and cookies) and special deals. There will be live music on the street corners, carriage rides, holiday lights, and costumed characters.
  • When: December 14 & December 21
  • Where: Downtown Lakeland