The City of Oviedo has set its holiday season at Center Lake Park, and it runs four weekends deep. A free movie night opens it on Friday, November 20, followed by a tree lighting on December 3, a night parade on December 5 and Winterfest, a day of rides and activities, on December 12. Three of the four are free to attend.

All four happen at or around Center Lake Park, 299 Center Lake Lane, the park, amphitheater and boardwalk at the center of Oviedo on the Park in Seminole County, Florida.

Friday, November 20: Food Trucks and Movie Night

The city is screening The Polar Express on the lawn at dusk, around 6:30 p.m. Food trucks serve from 5 to 8 p.m., and the city is handing out hot chocolate and running holiday crafts and activities before the film. Admission is free. Bring chairs and blankets.

Thursday, December 3: Oviedo Tree Lighting

This year's tree lighting has a Little Drummer Boy theme. The park opens for it from 5 to 8:30 p.m., and the tree lights at 6:30 p.m., with what the city says is a special show to follow. The evening includes live animals, free photos with Santa, costumed characters and carolers, plus food trucks and vendors.

Groove Slayers play the Oviedo Amphitheatre through the evening. The Oviedo Police Department's community outreach team runs family booths with coloring pages, face painting and caricatures. The event is free, no registration is needed, and food and drinks, including alcohol, are sold on site.

Saturday, December 5: Oviedo Winter Parade

The Winter Parade returns with a new addition: a pre-parade celebration at the Oviedo Amphitheatre from 4 to 6:30 p.m., with a performance by School of Rock Oviedo and local vendors.

The parade steps off at about 7 p.m. from the Oviedo Gym & Aquatic Center and travels along Oviedo Boulevard, ending at the corner of Center Lake Lane, Boardwalk and Windy Pine. Spectators line both Oviedo Boulevard and Center Lake Lane. The city suggests picking up dinner or takeout at one of the restaurants at Oviedo on the Park before claiming a spot. A cash bar opens at 6 p.m. at the front of the Cultural Center and in the main parking lot near Center Lake Lane and Oviedo Boulevard. Attendance is free.

Sign-ups to march in the parade are not online; groups that want to take part contact the city's special events staff by email, listed on the parade's calendar page.

Saturday, December 12: Winterfest 2026

Winterfest runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is the one ticketed event of the four. An all-inclusive wristband, sold through Eventbrite, covers unlimited use of the rides and activities, and every ride and attraction requires one. Children 2 and under are free with a paid adult.

The city's activity list, which it notes may change, includes:

  • Swan boat rides on Center Lake
  • An alpine slide, a Santa's Workshop bounce house, a Santa Sleigh Avalanche and a winter combo bounce house
  • A North Pole Post Office for writing letters to Santa
  • Selfies with Santa inside the Cultural Center, with cookies and drinks
  • Ornament making, a snowman table, holiday bingo, face painting and temporary tattoos
  • A chance to paint a police car with the Oviedo Police community outreach team
  • Photos with an Oviedo Fire Department tower engine
  • A Jingle Bell Run and a Build-A-Bear station, both by advance registration in the ticket section

Food trucks and a cash bar with holiday cocktails are on site. Bags are checked at entry, and outside food, drinks, coolers and pets (other than service animals) are not allowed on the lawn.

This weekend, too

Before the holiday run begins, the city's calendar lists Great Day in the Country at the Oviedo Mall, inside and outside, through Sunday, November 15, at 3 p.m.

Plan ahead

Center Lake Park is at 299 Center Lake Lane, with the restaurants of Oviedo on the Park around it. For the parade, the city suggests arriving early to eat nearby and find a viewing spot. Questions go to the city's event hotline at 407-971-5590, and Winterfest wristbands are on sale now through the city's Winterfest page.

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