This holiday season, Lake Nona transforms into a festive hub of community celebrations, offering a full line-up calendar of holiday-themed events and local gatherings.
Festive highlights range from the annual Jingle Nights & Holiday Lights tree lighting ceremony at UCF Lake Nona Hospital, which includes a toy drive, to the multi-day “Oh, What Fun!” Holiday Festival at Boxi Park featuring live music, food trucks, and a themed 5K run.
Beyond the holiday cheer, the area hosts regular community events such as Art After Dark and tribute band festivals, leveraging local venues like Boxi Park, Dockside Lake Nona, and the Town Center to foster a lively, engaged community spirit year-round.
Read on to find out all that’s going on in
“Oh, What Fun!” Brings Holiday Magic to Lake Nona
Address: 6955 Tavistock Lakes Blvd., Orlando, FL, 32827 | Phone: 689-332-3179
Lake Nona Town Center is lighting up once again for the 9th Annual Oh, What Fun! Holiday Festival, and it’s every bit as magical as it sounds. Step inside Santa’s Cottage for a cozy 30-minute storytime, singalong, and photo session with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Tickets are $35 per guest, and each person will need their own. Be sure to grab your spot on the Santa’s Cottage page before they sell out, and make this holiday season one to remember.
Brunch with Santa, Seasonal Menus, and Gifts at Canvas Restaurant
Address: 13615 Sachs Avenue, Orlando, FL 32827 | Phone: 407-313-7800
Canvas Restaurant is ready to make your holiday season shine with festive dining, family events, and thoughtful gift options that make celebrating easy.
Start the season with the Canvas Santa Brunch at Dockside on December 13 and December 14, a cheerful morning filled with delicious food, holiday spirit, and fun for the whole family. Guests can enjoy a full brunch buffet, decorate ornaments, and snap photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Tickets are $85.08 for adults and $46.65 for children, inclusive of taxes, fees, and gratuity.
Reserve your spot for Saturday, December 13, or Sunday, December 14, through Eventbrite to join in the festive fun.
All month long, sip on the Mistletoe + Makers Holiday Winter Cocktail, available December 1–31, and savor festive features crafted for each holiday:
- Christmas Eve & Day Dinner (December 24–25): Sweet Potato Soup, Winter Heirloom Tomato Salad, Braised Short Ribs, Wood-Fired Scallops
- Christmas & New Year’s Day Brunch (December 25 and January 1): Chicken and Waffles, Brunch Burger
- New Year’s Eve & Day Dinner (December 31 and January 1): Crab Bisque, Beef Carpaccio, Chili-Rubbed Ribeye, Oven-Roasted Grouper
Reservations are required and can be made through OpenTable or by calling 407-313-7800.
While you’re there, stop by Canvas Restaurant’s Holiday Gift Station, where you can pick up Coquito, wine bottles, and gift cards perfect for sharing the spirit of the season. From now through December 31, guests who purchase $100 in gift cards will receive a $20 bonus card, while purchases of $400 in gift cards come with a $100 bonus card. Gift cards are available both online and in the restaurant and can be redeemed at all Tavistock Restaurant Group and Lake Nona Wave Hotel concepts.
Whether you’re gathering for brunch, toasting to the year ahead, or searching for a gift that tastes as good as it feels, Canvas Restaurant has something special waiting for you this holiday season.
Boxi Park Lights Up Lake Nona with Holiday and New Year’s Festivities
Address: 6877 Tavistock Lakes Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827 | Phone: (407) 536-9666
Boxi Park is the place to be for festive fun all December long. Kick things off with Santa’s Beach Bash from December 4 to 7, followed by Paws and Claus from December 11 to 14, and keep the holiday cheer going with Jingle Jam from December 18 to 21, featuring trivia on December 18. The celebration continues with the Holiday Fiesta Latin Weekend from December 26 to 28.
Wrap up the year with style at the Family New Year’s Eve Party (4 to 8 PM, $15 in advance, $20 at the door) or ring in midnight at the 21+ New Year’s Eve Party (9 PM to 1 AM, $40 in advance, $55 at the door, VIP $155). Bring your crew, mark your calendar, and get ready to celebrate all season long at Boxi Park.
Festive Dining and Zero-Proof Delights at Chroma Lake Nona
Address: 6967 Lake Nona Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827 | Phone: 407.955.4340
Make your holiday dining extra special this year at Chroma Modern Bar & Kitchen, where the atmosphere is as inviting as the menu. Celebrate Christmas on December 24 and 25 with a festive lineup featuring Harvest Ratatouille, Baked Brie, Josper-Roasted Pork Chops, and a creamy Basque Cheesecake to finish on a sweet note.
If you are starting Dry January early, Chroma has you covered with a colorful selection of zero-proof mocktails that can even be made bottomless. Try the Violet 75 with lemon, lavender, and sparkling bubbles; the N/Aperol Spritz with Italian aperitivo and soda; the Passion Fruit Fizz with passion fruit and bitter lemon; or the Spicy Agave “Marg” with agave, jalapeño, and lime.
It is the perfect spot for holiday gatherings in the heart of Lake Nona. Space is limited, so reserve early through OpenTable or call 407.955.4340 to secure your table and make your Christmas celebration truly unforgettable.
From cheerful Santa brunches to glittering pop-up bars, Orlando’s holiday lineup is overflowing with flavor, fun, and festive energy. Gather your favorite people, plan ahead, and soak up every twinkling moment this season brings.
