Clermont's holiday season has a theme this year, and it is the 1980s. The city's tree lighting and Christmas parade are both built around a Christmas Rewind, with the parade billed as a holiday mixtape, and residents are invited to show up in '80s holiday outfits. Before either of them, a trail of decorated trees opens at Victory Pointe.

The Enchanted Forest of Trees: Nov. 21 to Jan. 2

The city's Enchanted Forest of Trees returns to Victory Pointe from Saturday, Nov. 21, through Saturday, Jan. 2. This year's forest has 50 trees, each decorated by a local organization or business. Visitors walk the trail to see them, and the city suggests coming once by day and once after dark, when the trees are lit. Parking is available at the Clermont Boat House, a short walk from Victory Pointe on the shore of Lake Minneola.

Light Up Clermont: Friday, Dec. 4

The annual tree lighting and street party runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, at City Hall Park, 685 W. Montrose Street, and through the blocks of downtown around it. The evening includes live music, a DJ, food trucks, local vendors and carolers, and it ends with a countdown that lights up downtown. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Clermont Historic Village for photos, provided by the Kiwanis Club of South Lake.

Clermont Christmas Parade: Saturday, Dec. 5

The parade steps off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, from Waterfront Park and loops through Historic Downtown Clermont. Its theme is Christmas Rewind: Holiday Mixtape. Expect floats, marching bands and local groups. Entries compete for four awards: Most Festive Float, Youth Float, Christmas Cruiser for the best vehicle, and Performing Group, judged on the theme, music, originality, costumes and overall performance.

Also on the calendar

The Clermont Performing Arts Center at 3500 S. Highway 27 has its own holiday run: Home for the Holidays, a big band Christmas show inspired by classic Christmas movies and television specials, at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5; the Florida Philharmonia's orchestral holiday concert, conducted by Pasquale Valerio, at 7 p.m. on Dec. 18; and the Lake Community Choir's holiday concert at 7 p.m. on Dec. 20. Ticket links for the first two are on the city's event pages.

Clermont Main Street's farmers market continues on Sundays from 9 a.m. downtown, and its food truck night is the first Saturday of each month.

Getting there

Downtown Clermont is on the south shore of Lake Minneola in Lake County, Florida, between State Road 50 and the lake. From Orlando, take State Road 50 west or Florida's Turnpike to the State Road 50 exit. City Hall can answer questions at 352-394-4081.

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