Orlando Holidays Guide 2013: Shopping Events + Food Events + Thanksgiving Day + Special Events

Orlando Holidays Guide 2013 

Here's our curated list of events we think you'd like to know about, culled from several local news sources. They're grouped into four sections:
  • (1) Shopping Events
  • (2) Food Events
  • (3) Thanksgiving Day Lunches and Dinners
  • (4) Special Events

(1) Shopping Events

All the fun, quirky,down home, city-riffic, hipster, un-cool, old-people, un-professional, professional, lame and great holiday shopping events that we know of. Did we forget one? Tell us about it in the comments and we'll add it!

  • Saturday November 1 + Sunday November 3 10am-6pm Fall Fiesta in the Park (Facebook | Website) Lake Eola Park, Orlando. Outdoor fun and family activities draws thousands of Central Floridians to Lake Eola for the largest arts and crafts festival in Orlando. While live entertainment and a kids' area highlight this event that spans the entire walkway of Lake Eola (over a mile long), the real stars of Fall Fiesta are the 600+ artists and crafters that come from all over the United States to display and sell their original works. There is also a neighborhood-wide yard sale near the event. 
  • Saturday November 2 + Sunday November 3 10am-5pm The Villages Craft Festival at Spanish Spring (Website) With a quaint, Southwestern look and feel, Spanish Springs Town Square, in The Villages is a grand community offering something for everyone. From shopping and dining, both indoors and out, to movie theaters special events, houses of worship, and live entertainment daily, Spanish Springs provides the ultimate weekend of adventure.??Join us at Spanish Springs for another fantastic craft festival at The Villages. Shop handcrafted leather goods, paintings, photography, personalized products, glassworks, and much more - all made in The USA! ?Stroll along beautiful Spanish Springs and visit with the nation's best crafters, at this free weekend event. Hours: Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday November 6 6:30pm-8:30pm Best of High Winter Fashion Event (Website). Carmen Steffens Store inside The Mall at Millenia. From minimalism to extravagance. Enjoy Complimentary Drink Selections & Appetizers, DJ Entertainment & Orlando Style Magazine November Issue reveal. Receive 20% off during the event. Limited space! RSVP today via email to: Get on the List
  • Friday, Saturday, Sunday  November 15 + 16 + 17 8am inside dealers open, 10am outside dealers open. Renninger's Extravaganza (Website) Admission $10.00 Friday, $6 Saturday, $4 Sunday. Three Day Pass: $15.00. Three times a year, Renninger's hosts the Antiques and Collector's Extravaganza at Renninger's in Mount Dora, FL. The show runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Nearly 1400 from all over the country come in to set up and sell out in the show field, in the antique center, and under the pavilions. The Extravaganza will run rain or shine.
  • Sunday, November 17th 3-6pm Yelp's Bohemian Bash (Website) The Acre, in College Park. Free admission. RSVP here. Crafty cocktails, nifty nibbles, and eclectic entertainment from over 45 vendors. We only ask that you help benefit a great cause: The Harbor House of Central Florida, with a donation at the door.
  • Saturday November 23 10am-4pm Winter Park Harvest Festival (Facebook) Central Park's West Meadow 150 North New York Ave. Winter Park, FL 32789. Free admission. The FREE day long festival is focused on growing our good food movement by celebrating our Farmers, Gardeners, Chefs and Non-Profits. Come enjoy a producer-only Farmers Market, DIY Workshops and Cooking Demonstrations, a mobile Community Garden, Beer Garden and Kids Activities all to some foot-stomping tunes.
  • Saturday November 23 6pm-11pm Ivanhoe Village's Jingle Eve. (Website) All along Alden Road and Virginia Drive in Orlando. 5-8pm Santa's Workshop. 6:30pm Lake Ivanhoe Boat Parade. The Food Truck Bazaar, Wine Stroll, Beer Garden, Vendors, Artists, Live Entertainment. 
  • Saturday, Sunday November 23 + 24 10am-5pm DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts (Website). Woodland Boulevard, Downtown Deland. More than 50,000 patrons enjoy the fine art exhibits presented by over 180 juried artists of various mediums including painting, glass, sculpture, jewelry, leather, photography, printmaking, wood, ceramics, and fiber.
  • Saturday November 23 12:00pm Lure Design Storefront Grand Opening (Facebook) 1009 Virginia Drive, Orlando. Whether you've been naughty or nice this year, we don't care - bring your wallets, friends and fam to check out our new storefront on November 23rd. To sweeten the deal we are having an epic card + poster sale, a screenprinting demo, snickety snacks and booze too - good times to be had by all. There'll be a free screenprinting demo at 2PM to see how it all gets done! We offer no degree or certification. Just plain fun with ink. Take part in the workshop and learn the basics! Don't feel like printing? Thats ok too!
  • Saturday Nov 30 10am-4pm WinterFest Holiday Craft Show and Bake Sale (Facebook) Hope Lutheran church 2600 North Dean Road Orlando. The Hope Lutheran church will be selling trees and wreaths at their Winter Fest on Saturday November 30th. The Central Florida Artisan's Guild will have vendors set up in the community room selling wonderful handmade crafts, holiday items, and baked goods along with beverages. The event will take place from 10am - 4pm and there will be a raffle. Raffle tickets are earned with purchases, more info to be released on this. Come one come all and get your holiday shopping started with handmade and love. Help support local small businesses in the process.
  • Saturday, November 30 All Day Small Business Saturday. All over town. Independently-owned small businesses in Orlando Main Street districts and throughout Downtown. Mayor Dyer encourages residents to take part in Small Business Saturday on November 30, and get a start on their holiday shopping at small businesses in our community, the backbone of our local economy. Many of the City’s independent retailers and restaurants are located within Orlando’s eight Main Street districts and Downtown Orlando. 
  • Sunday December 1st 11am-6pm Black Sunday (Facebook) Trim Salon and Spa, 1910 Alden Rd, Orlando, Florida 32803. Free admission. Vintage: The Owl's Attic, Lady Day Vintage, Ginger Darling Vintage, After Life Artwork jewelry, AesOrnamentum jewelry, Czech Glass jewelry, Keppel Handmade clutches & bags, Blue Betty gifts & jewelry, Agustin's Art, Henna by Tiffy Paints, Dreadlocks by Nicole.
  • Wednesday December 4 9am-4pm Howard Middle School Craft Fair. On the tack field across from the school at 800 E Robinson St, Orlando, FL 32801. Outside vendors, parents, teachers, students selling crafts. 
  • Saturday, Sunday Dec 7 + 8 11am-6pm Big Bang Bazaar (Website) Maitland Civic Center 641 S. Maitland Ave, Maitland. $5 admission. Tons of vendors selling repurposed items ranging from earrings to pillows all with pop culture references (mostly video game and movie references). 
  • Friday, Saturday Dec 6 + 7 6pm-midnight on Friday night, 10am-10pm on Saturday. Big Box of Orlando (Facebook) Say It Loud 1121 N Mills Ave, Orlando, Florida 32803. $10 admission Friday, $5 admission Saturday. One stop shopping for a cause! A $1 from each admission goes to Saving Grace in Uganda. Big Box of Orlando is a weekend pop-up shop inside a warehouse featuring a tightly curated collection of gift-giving merchandise. FRIDAY DEC 6th 6pm-12am is the preview party. Get first dibs on everything and enjoy tamales from the BRAND NEW Tamale Co food truck, coffee bar, wine&beer, cupcake bar, a live DJ, drinks and general frivolity. SATURDAY DEC 7th 10am-10pm is general shopping hours open to the public with mimosas and food truck noms for sale. Brunch by The Crepe Co and dinner by La Empanada.
  • Sunday December 8 11am-5pm Sparkle Holiday Handmade Market (Facebook) 618 N Thornton Ave, Orlando, Florida 32803. Free admission. At least 25 artists and their handmade offerings will dazzle you. There will be a variety of gifts galore. Lunch at Dandelion and get the best healthy food in town. Bring your friends and kids. Park at Hillcrest Elementary School south of Dandelion Communitea Cafe. 
  • Saturday December 14 + Sunday 15 9am-5pm City Wide Market presents Retro Rodeo (Facebook) Bergeron Rodeo Grounds Area, 4271 Davie Road, Davie. Florida. South Florida needed a traditional, old-school style flea market full of truly great finds and great deals, and City-Wide Market accepts the challenge. It's a huge garage sale, flea market, vintage and local product fair rolled into one show with Vintage, Collectibles, Secondhand, Antiques, Locally Made, Curiosities & More. 
  • Sunday December 15 10am til sundown Grandma Party (Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr). Stardust Video & Coffee 1842 E. Winter Park Road. 407-623-3393. "Grandma Party is you and me and all of us making it happen" so says the organizers' website. The event is a don't-miss. Very, very creative people knit, stitch, weave, loom, bake, cook and craft for weeks in preparation for this event. The thing that differs this event from other is that the products are creative, most often with a sense of humor.
  • Saturday January 25 - Monday January 27 9am-5pm daily American Craft Retailers Expo (Website) Orange County Convention Center, Orlando. Cooperatively co-located with the Orlando Gift Show including Orlando Cash & Carry Show, ACRE™ Orlando is truly the latest revolution in wholesale shows for the East. Just as artists and buyers have come to expect from ACRE™ Las Vegas in the West, ACRE™ Orlando will feature hundreds of juried wholesale artists among seven distinct juried showcases - Handmade Jewelry, Handmade Gifts & Accessories, The Gallery of Fine Crafts, The Gallery of Fine Jewelry, Handmade Wearable Art, and One-of-a-Kind, with Emerging Artists who are brand new to trade shows, sprinkled throughout. The Gallery of Fine Crafts and the Gallery of Fine Jewelry spotlight handmade items that mostly wholesale at price points of $100 and above. Within these two showcases retailers will find gold, silver and platinum jewelry, furniture, home decor, garden accessories, and more. The One-of-a-Kind showcase is by invitation only and features products mostly in the $500 price point and above. Rounding out the show is the Retailer Resource area, which will offer a collection of services and products such as imprinted bags, lighted display stands, industry publications and organizations.

(2) Food Events

Food is not shopping and shopping is not food. A celebration based around food does nto mean a quick squat in a food court. It means preparation, timing, and making sure everyone in your group bought the right ticket. Below are some highlights from the tons of food events in this town. Tell us if you know of others worth mentioning. 

  • Thursday, November 14 5:30-7:30pm Happy Hour for Hunger (Website) Winter Park Village (400 N Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789). Tickets are available online for $20 and at the door. Expect live entertainment (Dwayne Marrett Trio jazz ensemble) and drinks and appetizers provided by Winter Park Village restaurants: Brio Tuscan Grille, Cabot Creamery, Edible Arrangements, Florida Distributing Co., Lime Fresh Mexican Grille, Mitchell’s Fish Market, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Taps Wine & Beer. All ticket proceeds will benefit Feed the Need, Winter Park’s community-wide initiative to raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida this month.
  • Saturday November 16 7pm-9pm Fall Harvest Dinner (Website) Audubon Park Exchange (3201 Corrine Dr., Orlando, FL 32803) $125 per person. The Fall Harvest Dinner celebrates the local farmers, ranchers, fishers, and food artisans who contribute to Central Florida’s ever-growing food culture. Out of Florida’s fortunate year-round growing climate, the fall harvest brings some of the tastiest of foods. Please join us for this unforgettably delicious dining experience, featuring the best seasonal ingredients of our area, prepared by East End Market’s chef and local foodpreneurs. With sommelier- selected wines, a signature fall cocktail, handcrafted beer, dancing and live musical entertainment, there is plenty a reason to celebrate Thanksgiving early this year!
  • Sunday, November 17 2-6 p.m.  A Sweet Thanksgiving Carnival, Taverna Opa (Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Dr #1040, Orlando, FL 32819). Free admission. Taverna Opa Orlando will have food-and-wine stations, a dessert bar, live entertainment, and carnival games ranging from wine bottle ring toss to dunk-the-belly dancer. Local participating brands include Wondermade, Sassafras Sweet Shoppe and The Hyppo Orlando. Donations will be accepted at the door to assist the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
  • Friday November 29 6:30pm Holiday Harbor Nights (Website) $45 online or $55 at the door. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando, 5601 Universal Boulevard, Orlando. Join us for Holiday Harbor Nights, a wine tasting and jazz event designed to capture the ambiance of the Mediterranean. Enjoy select wines and sparkling wines, gourmet food, complimentary hand-rolled cigars and live music. Plus, don't miss the grand illumination of Portofino's Christmas tree under the twinkling lights of the Harbor Piazza. 
  • Friday, December 13 2-4pm and 5 – 8pm IKEA Orlando Julbord Buffet (Website) IKEA Orlando, 4092 Eastgate Drive, Orlando. Note: The IKEA Orlando Restaurant will close at noon on Friday, December 13, to decorate and prepare for this special event. Menu is subject to change due to product availability. The traditional, all-you-can-eat holiday smörgåsbord is an institution within Swedish culinary tradition. Many Swedes look forward to it months ahead. Tickets are currently on sale in the IKEA Orlando Restaurant, as seating is limited for this event. Adults can feast for just $12.99 each and $4.99 for children 12 and under. IKEA FAMILY members are eligible for additional savings, with members-only Julbord pricing of $9.99 per adult or $2.49 per child age 12 and under.

(3) Special Events

  • Tuesday November 19 9am The official City of Orlando Christmas tree begins to gets trimmed. Lake Eola Park Amphitheater. Lasts 7-10 days. Free admission. On Tuesday, November 19, the City’s 60-foot Christmas tree will be decorated with 8,000 to 10,000 lights and 6,000 ornaments. With more than 300 branches, the tree will take seven to 10 days to decorate.
  • Friday November 22 6-6:30pm Happy Holidays sign lighting ceremony at the historic Ivanhoe building (1111 N. Orange Ave). Reception to follow at The Hammered Lamb (1235 N. Orange Ave). On Friday, November 22, the Ivanhoe Village Main Street will light up the Happy Holidays sign on top of the Historic Ivanhoe Building. The history of the sign is shrouded in mystery and is believed to have been put up in the mid 1950’s. Although restored in the early 1990s, the Happy Holidays sign hasn’t been lit since 1992. More than twenty years later, the sign is being lit up once again as a historical holiday icon in the community.
  • Sunday November 24 7am start time Jack Kazanzas Star Installation begins at 7am. The raising of the star will take place at approximately 7:30am. Corner of Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard. Another Orlando tradition is the raising of the Jack Kazanzas Star which will take place on Sunday, November 24. The raising of the 600-pound golden star started in the 1950s when two competing department stores, Ivey’s on the east and Dickson and Ives on the west of Orange Avenue, joined together in 1955 to hang the Christmas star between the two. In 1984, after the department stores had closed, Jack Kazanzas, a lifelong resident of Orlando, raised the funds to replace the original Christmas Star that had fallen into disrepair. 
  • Wednesday December 4 5:30-8pm USGBC Winter Social (Website) at East End Market, 3201 Corrine Drive Orlando Florida 32803. $20 student/$30 advance. Entry includes hors d'oeuvres by Cuisiniers and a drink. Register Register Here. The US Green Building Council invites you to celebrate the season while supporting a great cause. Proceeds from the social will go towards building efficiency upgrades at the Women's Residential and Counseling Center in downtown Orlando. 
  • Thursday December 5 5-9pm Holiday on the Drive, (Website) Edgewater Drive in College Park, Orlando. Christmas tree lighting at 6pm, Santa Claus in the gazebo, bounce houses, train ride, face painting, pony rides, photo booth, petting zoo, Mister Richard will be in attendance to entertain the kids, My Neighbor Band will play 7-9pm. 
  • Friday, December 6 4pm festivities begin, 6:15pm tree lighting ceremony. Holiday Lights Orlando. Lake Eola Park. The City’s annual Holiday Lights Orlando event on Friday, December 6, 2013, will feature the official tree lighting ceremony at Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando. The event also includes the 6th annual presentation of Trinity Lutheran Downtown’s musical celebration, “The Gift,” and a Christmas festival including The Food Truck Bazaar, gift vendors and the showing of the cartoon version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
  • Saturday, December 7 4pm. Florida Youth Symphony Orchestra 4th annual holiday concert. Lake Eola Amphitheater. Free admission. On Saturday, December 7, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra (FSYO) will host its 4th annual holiday benefit concert, supporting the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree network. The concert is performed to help gather donations and collect gifts for kids in need. Each of the four FSYO orchestras will perform holiday inspired music.
  • Thursday, December 12 7pm. Holiday Movies in Lake Eola Park Jim Carey Version of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Lake Eola Amphitheater. Free admission.
  • Thursday, December 19 7pm. Holiday Movies in Lake Eola Park ("Elf"). Lake Eola Amphitheater. Free admission. 
  • Nov. 28 – Jan. 1: Capone’s Holiday Show dinner theater celebrates the holidays 1920s Chicago style, from .
  • Starting Nov. 23: ICE! at Gaylord Palms features Frosty the Snowman this year, with two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures, including four ice slides. It starts , and this year, guests can watch ice artisans in action.
  • Dec. 14 at 7pm: Kissimmee’s Festival of Lights parade,  live caroling, tree lighting ceremony
  • Nov. 30-Dec. 31 Now Snowing at Celebration has an ice rink, strolling Charles Dickens Carolers, photos with Santa, horse drawn carriages, a train, and nightly snowfall every hour 6-9pm. 
  • Nov. 28 – Jan. 1: The Red Christmas Barn at Green Meadows Petting Farm will host "an old-fashioned Christmas." Children ages 1-12 get a free toy from Santa's bag.

(4) Thanksgiving Day Lunches and Dinners:

All of these occur on Thanksgiving Day unless otherwise noted. Source
  • Saturday November 23, 2:00pm Compassionate Thanksgiving Vegan potluck. COST: $5 with a dish to share, $12 without. Mead Garden, 1300 S. Denning Drive, Winter Park. Orlando-area vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday at the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida's annual Thanksgiving Dinner potluck, to be held at beautiful Mead Gardens. ARFF's vegan Thanksgiving is a holiday tradition in central Florida.
  • Norman's at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando.  Join us for a special 3-course Thanksgiving feast! This special menu is $90 (Sommelier wine selection is $37). Reservations are available from 5:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. Our a la carte menu is also available.
  • The Boheme - Grand Bohemian Hotel - Orlando four course sampler menu with a table side carved feature for $79 pp including specialty welcome drink from 1:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.
  • Cafe Gauguin at Rosen Centre Hotel champagne buffet from 11:00a.m. - 7:00p.m. featuring selections from Banshoo Sushi and 98Forty Tapas & Tequila. Adults $39.95 plus tax and gratuity; children ages 4 - 12 $16.95 plus tax and gratuity; children under 4 are free. Reservations: 407-996-2385.
  • Columbia Resturant in Downtown Celebration. The Gonzmart family invites you and your family to join us for a traditional Thanksgiving meal of Roast Vermont Turkey, Columbia stuffing, fresh vegetables, whipped potatoes, sweet potato pecan casserole, homemade cranberry sauce and giblet gravy. Dinner also includes hot Cuban bread and butter, a choice of Caesar salad or Spanish bean, black bean or gazpacho soup - $21.95 for adults and $5.95 for children under 10. Open at 11:00 a.m. on Thansgiving. Regular menu also available.
  • Capital Grille - International Drive and Mall at Millenia. Please join us for our take on Thanksgiving favorites ($36 per adult/$15 per child.) Our a la carte dinner menu is also available.
  • David's Club Bar & Grill at the Hilton Orlando. Relaxing 3-Course meal for $30, Mojo roasted turkey with mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, stuffing, gravy, cranberries and an appetizer and dessert.
  • Hemisphere Steak & Seafood Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport. Enjoy traditional favorites including fresh seasonal salads, classic and seasonal entrées, mouthwatering side dishes, and much more including a decadent dessert display at our Thanksgiving Brunch on Nov.28 from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. $34.95 for Adults and $16.95 for Children (ages 4-12). Complimentary 2-Hour Valet Parking. Call 407.825.1315 for reservations.
  • Islands Dining Room at Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Join us for our Thanksgiving Buffet from 10:00a.m. - 8:00p.m. $54a (champagne not included) / $24c ages 3-9 (under 3 complimentary).
  • Rosen Plaza Thanksgiving. Join us in the Rosen Plaza Grand Ballroom, noon to 5:00p.m., for our festive buffet selections and holiday themed décor. For reservations call (407) 996-0256. Cost is $36.95 for adults. Children, ages 4 - 10 are $15.95.
  • Texas de Brazil  11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. $46.99. Alcoholic beverages, tax and gratuity not included. Enjoy a Brazilian-style Thanksgiving feast, featuring signature cuts of beef, pork, lamb, chicken and Brazilian sausage carved tableside in true Brazilian Churrascaria fashion PLUS Traditional Thanksgiving roasted Turkey, sweet potato casserole, house-made gravy and cranberry sauce served from the 50-item gourmet salad area. Dessert and after dinner drinks include a decadent Pecan Pie. 5259 International Drive, 407.355.0355