Attractions
Walt Disney World Resort
407-934-7639
www.disneyworld.com
On 14 special evenings beginning Nov. 27, holiday merriment fills the Magic Kingdom. Special holiday shows, fireworks and seasonal treats are in store for park goers.
From Nov. 23 to Jan. 8, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights brings a show to Disney unlike any other. As snow falls overhead, the Streets of America backlot cityscape at Disney-MGM Studios comes alive with millions of sparkling lights.
An Epcot tradition continues with Holidays Around the World/Candlelight Processional from Nov. 25 to Dec. 30. Guest narrators accompanied by a massed choir and orchestra retell the Christmas story with a stunning display of lights, daily tree lighting ceremony and candlelight processional.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party has expanded to 14 enchanting evenings - Nov. 27 and 29, Dec. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18 and 20. Each evening will feature two presentations of "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade," holiday storytelling, live music, unique merchandise, exclusive Disney shows and appearances by Santa Goofy. A new addition to the annual event is a holiday fireworks spectacular set to classic holiday jingles.
Disney's Animal Kingdom welcomes the holiday season with a jolly parade. "Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade" blends the spirit of Disney's Animal Kingdom with the spirit of the holidays. Included in regular park admission, the holiday parade kicks off in late November 2005 and continues through early January 2006.

Universal Studios Orlando
407-363-8000
www.universalorlando.com
Grinchmas is celebrated at Universal Studio's Islands of Adventure theme park. This annual holiday celebration is based on the beloved Dr. Seuss tale. Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure is transformed into a bah-humbug haven by the Grinch. The entire Seuss-themed Island is colorfully decorated for the season and guests are invited to meet the Grinch in his lair. Admission to Grinchmas is included in regular park admission.
Throughout the month of December, the world's most famous parade comes to Universal Studios. Some of the most popular balloons and floats from the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City are brought to Florida. The excitement and pageantry of the parade, complete with a festive tree lighting ceremony by Santa Claus himself, is exhibited each day of the holiday season through the new year.
If getting into the groove on New Year's is more your thing, CityWalk, a 30-acre entertainment complex with themed restaurants, nightclubs and shops, hosts one of Orlando's hottest New Year's Eve parties. The evening features live performances by national acts, an expansive gourmet buffet, a champagne toast and live entertainment.

SeaWorld Orlando
800-327-2424 / 407-351-3600
www.seaworld.com
Create yuletide memories and celebrate the season during "Christmas at SeaWorld". This holiday event features festive decorations, carolers and special seasonal presentations of your favorite SeaWorld shows and the Christmas-themed "Makahiki Luau".
Celebrate New Year's Eve with a brilliant fireworks show at The Waterfront at SeaWorld. On Dec. 31, SeaWorld Orlando is throwing a fabulous New Year's Eve party complete with live music and fireworks. Dance to the beat of a live DJ as the countdown to 2006 begins at one of SeaWorld's main attractions - The Waterfront.
In addition to the celebration, guests can also enjoy shopping, dining and entertainment venues. At the stroke of midnight, the Orlando skyline is brilliant with a fireworks show.

Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre in the Orlando Centroplex
407-426-1739
www.orlandoballet.org
Orlando Ballet's 2nd annual holiday festivity, a night of music, dance and theater, will be presented at Hard Rock Live at Universal Orlando on Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005. The curtain will open with the 50 singers of the Orlando Chorale singing holiday favorites. Orlando Ballet dancers will join the Orlando Chorale in choreographed works to the music from well-known holiday favorites. Tickets are available by calling Hard Rock Live! at 407-351-5483 or by going online at www.ticketmaster.com.
A holiday classic, The Nutcracker, returns to captivate audience members of all ages. The holiday presentation is choreographed by Fernando Bujones and features an enchanting rendition with breathtaking dance and dazzling artistic accomplishments brought to life.
Orlando audiences are not the only patrons able to thrill in the Nutcracker performances in December 2005. For the first time this year, the production will be repeated at the Carol Morsani Hall of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in Tampa. (800) 955-1045 / (813) 229-7827 / (www.tbpac.org).

Leu's Holiday House
407-246-2620
www.leugardens.com
Visit the beautifully restored late 19th-century Leu House Museum, decked out for the holidays by the designers of Saxon-Clark, from Dec. 1, 2005 through Jan. 1, 2006.
Stroll along the garden's meandering paths shaded by ancient oaks and forests of camellias. Dec. 4 offers guests a special evening as holiday favorites are performed live in an outdoor concert.

Kissimmee Lakefront Park
407-933-8368
www.kissimmeeparksandrec.com
On Dec. 10, live entertainment, 20 tons of snow, strolling performers and a spectacular fireworks display welcome the holiday season to Kissimmee Lakefront Park.

Orlando's Festival of Trees
407-672-3838
www.festivaloftreesorlando.com
Orlando's Museum of Art's 19th Annual Festival of Trees will astound spectators and delight visitors of all ages.
Running from Nov. 12 to Nov. 20, 2005, the OMA is transferred into a glittering wonderland where trees and festive decorations capture the holiday spirit.
A collection of 50 large trees, all decorated by local designers, are the heart of this enchanting event. Decorated wreaths and smaller trees adorn the Deck the Halls area. Local culinary artists exhibit their talents in the Gingerbread Village. Every tree, wreath and gingerbread house is available for purchase.

Venetian Gardens Light Up Ceremony
352-728-9885
www.leesburgfl.gov
Held annually in the gardens, more than 500,000 lights are on display and featured from Saturday, Nov. 27, 2005 through Jan. 1, 2006. Visitors can drive or walk through Lake County's largest holiday display.

Dinner Shows
Arabian Nights
800-553-6116 / 407-239-9223
www.arabian-nights.com
Choreographed to the holiday music of Andy Williams, Hillary Duff, The Tans-Siberian Orchestra, Brenda Lee, Jimmy Buffet and additional artists, the Spectacular Holiday Show, held Nov. 24, 2005 to Jan. 7, 2006, is full of the most wonderful things visitors have ever seen and heard.
Acrobatic elves, dancing reindeer, sugar plum fairies, a determined princess with a genie and a disbelieving sultan set the stage and present the romance and excitement that only Arabian Nights can.
On Jan. 31, count down your New Year's in the arena after the show with party favors, a cash bar, DJ and dancing in the Great Hall from midnight until 3 a.m. The evening is highlighted by a midnight champagne toast. A continental breakfast is served until 2 a.m.

Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show
866-443-4943 / 407-238-4455
www.dixiestampede.com
Once transformed into a winter wonderland, Christmas at Dixie Stampede, which begins Oct. 31, 2005, features holiday music, ice skating, majestic horses, snowfalls and an appearance by jolly ol' St. Nick himself.
"Christmas is my favorite time of the year," said Dolly Parton, "and we have captured all the best holiday traditions in the show. It's our most spectacular production of the year."
The show is highlighted by a seasonal twist on its regular program with a friendly rivalry between the North and South Poles featuring equestrian feats, graceful riders and audience participation games such as wreath tossing.
This seasonal celebration is complimented by a holiday feast that includes chicken, pork loin, potatoes, soup, biscuits and turnovers.
Tickets are $46.99 for adults and $19.99 for children ages four to 11. All seats are reserved and advance reservations are recommended. -