Tree Lighting, Holiday Parade and Holiday Expo in Downtown Oviedo

This holiday season, Oviedo takes center stage as they welcome you to a trio of special holiday events. On Saturday December 6th at 4:45 p.m., The Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce will kick off the season with their annual holiday parade followed by a tree lighting ceremony and holiday expo. The parade will begin at the Aquatic Center on Oviedo Boulevard and continue through County Road 419. The end of the parade will be at the Historic Lawton House where a very special guest, by the name of Santa Claus, will light the tree.

Local businesses and various other community organizations are participating in the parade by entering their floats. The Oviedo Optimist Club will be on site grilling hot dogs and the Oviedo Women’s Club will give away cookies.

The holiday expo will feature and showcase about 20 local businesses. This event is sponsored by Mix 105.1 FM. Oviedo’s City Council will take part in the parade along with A Kid’s Gym, The Discovery Bus, The Oviedo’s Women’s Club and many more.

The Oviedo-Winter Springs Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization that, among other things, designs events such as this to promote the associated businesses to economic prosperity within the community.

The City of Oviedo is centrally located in east Seminole County, only minutes from State Road 417, the University of Central Florida and both the Sanford and Orlando International Airports. For more information about this event, call (407) 365-6500 or log onto www.oveidowintersprings.org.

Sanford’s 3rd Annual Illuminated Christmas Parade

What event can get you in the holiday mood better than a Christmas Parade? An illuminated Christmas Parade right in beautiful Sanford! Join in the fun as the residents of this small town celebrate the 3rd annual illuminated Christmas parade in historic downtown Sanford. This year’s theme is “Christmas-Florida Style” and The City of Sanford is inviting you to celebrate the holiday with them. As the parade winds through Sanford’s beautiful downtown historic district, this illuminated parade will light up the night sky with gorgeous floats, music, dancing and a fun filled time for the entire family.

While at the parade be sure to stroll into the businesses in the historic district. The aroma of freshly cooked food and flavored coffee will be sure to lure you in. There may even be a little hot chocolate on deck to help get you in the spirit. Many of the on site restaurants welcome you and will offer food and drinks to help make the evening complete.

Sanford is located on the south shore of Lake Monroe at the head of the navigation on the St. John’s River. Sanford is a city that oozes history, southern hospitality, great food, great people and awesome scenery. Sanford also offers a booming arts and historic district highlighted with restored buildings and sidewalk cafes. The city is set apart from the norm with Victorian style cottage homes and businesses as well as residential areas accented with gingerbread trim and handsome picket fences. 

The parade will take place on Saturday December 6th at 6 p.m. This event promises a great time for all. For more information call (407) 688-5080 or log onto www.sanfordfl.gov.

Lake Monroe’s Illuminated Christmas Boat Parade

The illuminated Christmas boat parade takes it to the water beginning December 13th through December 18th on beautiful Lake Monroe. It all takes place on Sanford’s Riverwalk on Lake Monroe. The admission is absolutely free for spectators so grab the entire family, whip out your lawn chairs and blankets and come on down to enjoy Lake Monroe’s beauty as Central Florida’s boats and boat owners get all dressed up in the flavor of the season.

Located just south of Sanford, Lake Monroe is one of the lakes that make up the St. John’s River. It was named after president James Monroe and creates a gorgeous, liquid border of Seminole County and Volusia County. Lake Monroe is the 8th largest lake in the Orlando Metropolitan area.

For more information call (407) 330-0633.

Baldwin Park Festival of Lights

One of East Orlando’s favorite neighborhoods is getting the attention of many Central Floridians by hosting the Baldwin Park Festival of Lights. Saturday, December 13th, get ready for a neighborhood parade, horse drawn carriage rides, carolers, a merchant open house and much more. New Broad Street is the main street that runs through the community. New Broad Street maintains its reputation for allowing both residents and visitors to travel through the community viewing beautiful homes and businesses throughout the area.

During the Festival of Lights, Baldwin Park is even showing a movie on the green following the parade. As you stroll through the neighborhood be sure to wander into the various restaurants and shops that help to keep the community thriving. Restaurants like Planet Smoothie, Barnie’s Coffee and Tea Company, Pizzeria Valdiano, Cold Stone Creamery, Subway, Chi Pan Asian and many more are certainly highlights in the area.

The Baldwin Park neighborhood is best known for it’s old-fashioned feel. It is a traditional neighborhood development where homes are within walking distance of stores, offices and restaurants. Parks, lakes and open spaces in Baldwin Park all contribute to the beauty and natural, healthy surroundings among the residents.

Throughout history, parades have often been a highlight of various holiday seasons. Christmas, Thanksgiving and even Easter all have signature parade events throughout the country. Central Florida’s local community has also taken to the tradition of parades and festivals around the holidays making for a more enjoyable holiday season for people of all faiths.

There is no reason to get the holiday blues this season. Parades and festivals filled with music, lights and dancing offer you the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy all the wonderful events that Central Florida has to offer.

This event is also free to the public. For more information call (407) 896-3155.