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It’s beginning to feel a lot like ... winter? 🥶

Dazzling Nights returns for 2024 season (Quay Hu - Creative City Project)

Hi, friends! It’s Brenda, back in your inbox for all the Central Florida Happenings.

I’m sure y’all are enjoying the weather today, but I hate to break it to you ... the coldest is yet to come!

Either way, this weekend is going to be great for checking out some holiday events and pretending we live somewhere up north for a bit ☃️. And yes, I will be breaking out my puffer jacket at some point in the next few days. So what!

Here’s what’s happening for the next couple of weekends ⤵️


(Pixabay)

If you’re trying to enjoy the amazing weather this weekend or trying to plan ahead on what there is to do to entertain the family Thanksgiving weekend, we’ve got you covered 🎄.

From markets to festivals to drive-through displays, the options are endless when it comes to holiday fun this season.

I put together a complete guide of events across Central Florida that you can check out through the end of the year!

Click here to see what’s on tap.

And if you’re more interested in holiday lights, don’t worry we have you covered too. Click here to check out where you can find Christmas light displays around Central Florida.


Smoothie (Pixabay)

The Space Coast VegFest is BACK this weekend in Cocoa.

Listen to speakers in the vegan community, find arts and crafts to take home and of course, try some vegan food! 😋

Admission to the festival is free for everyone.

Click here to learn more.


Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

This Thanksgiving weekend, FusionFest is back at the Dr. Phillips Center to showcase different cultures that make up our Central Florida community ❤.

Take part in arts & crafts, photo ops, try different foods, check out different cultural displays and more on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

“Fusion Fest is a grand celebration of all the incredible diversity we have here in Central Florida with everything you can think of that’s a part of life, food, merchandise, music and dance,” Terry Olson, who leads Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs Office, told us last year ahead of the event. “And much more.”

Admission is free, if you preregister. Click here to learn more.


Other happenings:

💡 Light Up Ocala brings over 100 vendors, parade to downtown: Downtown Ocala will be filled with the festive spirit as Light Up Ocala kicks off the holidays this weekend. There will be several zones throughout downtown with various activities. Click here to check it out.

🎨 Free DeLand festival showcases over 150 artists in historic downtown: In addition to the art, you can check out live music and local cuisine. And don’t forget to bring the kiddos! There will be arts and crafts for children to participate in. Click here to learn more.

❄️ Dazzling Nights transforms Orlando’s Leu Gardens into immersive winter wonderland: A million twinkling lights will once again cover Orlando’s Leu Gardens, bringing guests into an immersive winter experience this holiday season. And it all starts next Friday! Here’s everything to know about this year’s holiday event.

🎄 Celebrate ‘SWIFTmas’ with Taylor Swift-inspired trees at Festival of Trees: Thanksgiving may be a week away, but for those of you looking to get in the Christmas spirit, a local event is offering up some inspiration. Festival of Trees is underway at the Orlando Museum of Art and this year, some trees are getting inspiration from pop culture. Click here for a behind-the-scenes look.

  • Junior League of the Space Coast is also hosting its 40th annual Festival of Trees. “Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland filled with dazzling trees, wreaths, and festive decor. Enjoy shopping, delicious treats, and family-friendly activities.” Click here to learn more.

That’s all from me!

I hope everyone has a great weekend, and a great Thanksgiving. Chat with you all in December!

- Brenda


About the Author
Brenda Argueta headshot

Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday.