Your guide to holiday happenings in West Orange County

FRIDAY, DEC. 1

“CHRISTMAS STORIES”

8 p.m. Dec. 1, 2, 8 and 9 and 2 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Winter Garden Masonic Lodge, 230 W. Bay St. Mimi's Community Theater's show is a feel-good play that will leave audience members feeling like it was written about their own family. Tickets can be purchased on the Facebook page of Mimi's Community Theater.

30TH ANNUAL LIGHT UP WINTER GARDEN

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, on and around Plant Street in downtown Winter Garden. Join the city of Winter Garden and the West Orange Ministerial Association in welcoming the season with this annual event. Live entertainment from local church choirs and bands, vendors, shopping and children’s activities. Street- and building-lighting ceremony will be held at 6:15 p.m. (407) 656-4111.

ORLANDO TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION

5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at the Walt Disney Amphitheatre at Lake Eola Park, 99 N. Rosalind Ave., Orlando. Enjoy the festivities as the city of Orlando kicks off the holiday season. Cityoforlando.net.

SATURDAY, DEC. 2

37TH ANNUAL OCOEE CHRISTMAS PARADE

10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Rain date is 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. Starts at the intersections of Maguire Road and Enterprise Street and ends at Bill Breeze Park, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive. Folks will line the streets to see festive floats, marching bands, motorcycles, fire trucks, Santa Claus and more. Judges will score participants in the following categories: Youth, Commercial, Non-Commercial, Churches and Judges Overall Winner. (407) 905-3100.

WINTER GARDEN CHRISTMAS PARADE

1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Starts on South Dillard Street, heading north, and goes west on Plant Street. Marching bands, decorated floats, festive music and more. The Mayor's Trophy and Grand Marshal’s Award will be given, as well as trophies in these categories: Best Youth or Children's Group; Best Commercial or Business Entry Float; Best Band, Vocal or Performance Group; Best Church or Fraternal Group; and Best Antique Vehicle. (407) 656-4155.

OCOEE HOLIDAY TREE-LIGHTING CELEBRATION

5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the historic Withers-Maguire House, 16 E. Oakland Ave., and the adjacent Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive. The tree-lighting will take place at 6:15 p.m. Photos with Santa Claus, horse-and-carriage rides, pony rides, a fire pit for making s'mores, food trucks, silent wreath auction, tours of historic Withers-Maguire House, face painting and music from DJ Tod.

Small fee for some activities. ocoee.org.

JINGLE JOLLY JOG 5K

6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Oakland Park, 15241 E. Oakland Ave., Winter Garden. Top 3 overall and age group awards will be given out. Age groups will be in five-year increments. There will be a kids' fun run, live disc jockey, activities and a visit from Santa Claus. This year's race is held in memory of Allison Gray. The cost is $30 through Dec. 1 and $35 check or cash on race day. Register at trinrun.com and at Tri & Run of West Orange, 56 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. The West Orange Junior Service League is the beneficiary of the race. wojsl.com or [email protected].

FRIDAY, DEC. 8

MUSIC ON THE PLAZA

7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at the Plant Street gazebo in downtown Winter Garden. This week's performer is the Paint it Black Quartet. (407) 656-4111.

SATURDAY, DEC. 9

REINDEER RUN 5K

7 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves. The event, presented by Observer Media Group and other sponsors, raises funds for the Reading Reindeer literacy program and to benefit Oakland Nature Preserve and Nehrling Gardens post-Hurricane Irma. All finishers will receive a medal. Awards will be presented to the top male and female overall and the top male and female masters. Age-group awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers. Race-day registration and packet pick-up begins at 6 a.m. Cost is $30. Preregister online at trinrun.com. Allison Brunelle, (407) 656-2121, or [email protected].

NEHRLING GARDENS HOLIDAY AMARYLLIS FESTIVAL

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Nehrling Gardens, 2267 Hempel Ave., Gotha.

The 6th annual nature-themed community event will feature a variety of amaryllis bulbs for purchase, family photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, live music, nature-themed vendors, food, a gift shop, silent auction and eco-activities for children. There will also be a focus on “Be the Gift,” and Nehrling will collect toys and food for local charities. Free admission. (407) 445-9977, nehrlinggardens.org.

HOLIDAY CRAFTING AND TREE-TRIMMING PARTY

Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at 13790 Bridgewater Crossings Blvd., #1080, Windermere. Help decorate the community Christmas tree. Children can enjoy a special surprise, cookies and hot cocoa, a holiday scavenger hunt and ornament-decorating. Businesses are being asked to donate a small item or gift card to be placed on the tree, which will be donated to The Sheridan of Windermere. Proceeds benefit Matthew's Hope homeless ministry. [email protected].

BOAR'S HEAD PAGEANT

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at Oakland Presbyterian Church, 218 E. Oakland Ave. A Medieval celebration of the birth of Christ, this musical production tells the story of Jesus’s birth using the time-period pageantry of the mid-14th century. Pageantry features musical performers, traditional songs and elaborate period costumes and includes a worship service. The feast will include many traditional foods such as plum pudding, mince pie and a boar's head. Reserved seats are available for a $10 donation. For tickets and information, call (407) 656-4452 or go to oaklandpres.org. Tickets also are available at the church.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, and 6 p.m. Dec. 10, at Beulah Baptist Church, 671 Beulah Road, Winter Garden. Enjoy an evening of Christmas music led by Lynn Bowman, plus a time for refreshments. Admission is free. (407) 656-3342.

HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES

4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, in and around downtown Winter Garden. (407) 656-4111.

SLEIGH RIDE WITH SANTA

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, in and around downtown Winter Garden. (407) 656-4111.

7TH ANNUAL METROWEST WINTERFEST

4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the MetroWest Golf Club, 2100 S. Hiawassee Road, Orlando. The MetroWest Master Association is holding its seventh annual event with fun for the whole family. “Shrek the Halls” will be shown on the big screen on the golf green, and children can ride a donkey and slide down a Shrek slide. There is also ice-skating, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, dance performances and food trucks. (407) 601-5995.

FRIDAY, DEC. 15

MUSIC ON THE PLAZA

7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at the Plant Street gazebo in downtown Winter Garden. This week's performer is the a capella group Key Harmony. (407) 656-4111.

SATURDAY, DEC. 16

HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES

4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, in and around downtown Winter Garden. (407) 656-4111.

HOLIDAY MOVIE

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the downtown Winter Garden pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Ave. Join friends for the holiday movie “The Polar Express.” Film starts at 6:30, with pre-movie entertainment starting at 6. (407) 656-4111.

IN HIS NAME! WE DANCE

4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Sandra O. Stephens Fine Arts Center, Montverde Academy, 17235 Seventh St., Montverde. Celebrate the story of Christmas in this contemporary journey with beautiful expression of dance. Presented by the Centre for Dance & the Performing Arts, this Winter Garden tradition is in its 24rd year. Tickets are are $12 to $15 and are available at (407) 877-3388 or CDPA, 301 S. Tubb St., Suite C., Oakland, from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA

3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., Orlando. What’s Christmas without a little Trans-Siberian Orchestra music? Enjoy “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” in this holiday musical tradition. Amwaycenter.com.

“THE NUTCRACKER”

2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Linda Chapin Theater at the Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive, Orlando. The Central Florida Ballet will present its annual “Nutcracker” performance with pyrotechnics and aerial acrobatics. Centralfloridaballet.com.

SUNDAY, DEC. 17

WINTER GARDEN CHRISTMAS GOLF CART PARADE

4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, along the historic streets of Winter Garden. Lineup starts at Bradford Park, 220 W. Division St. Neighbors can enjoy the parade from their front porch. The golf carts will travel along cart-approved streets and end at Walker Field baseball fields at Smith Street and Park Avenue. Participants should bring a minimum $50 donation (per cart), cash or check, for Edgewood Children’s Ranch. Go to the group’s Facebook page, Christmas Golf Cart Parade, for final details on this sixth annual event.

FRIDAY, DEC. 22

MUSIC ON THE PLAZA

7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, at the Plant Street gazebo in downtown Winter Garden. This week's performer is Safia Hudson. (407) 656-4111.

MOVIE UNDER THE STARS

6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St. Grab a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the Christmas comedy “Elf.” Free. (407) 876-2563.

SATURDAY, DEC. 23

WINDERMERE BOAT PARADE

Sunset Saturday, Dec. 23, starting at Bird Island and traveling Lake Butler to Wauseon Bay. Residents are invited to deck out their boats in holiday cheer for the annual parade. Meet at the north side of Bird Island to prepare. (407) 876-2563.

FRIDAY, DEC. 29

MUSIC ON THE PLAZA

7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at the Plant Street gazebo in downtown Winter Garden. This week's performer is the Good Times Jazz Band. (407) 656-4111.