Winter Garden is one of 25 places in the country that Hallmark Channel has named an Official Hallmark Christmas Town, the city announced. The west Orange County city was in the running in Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Towns contest; the overall title went to Carlinville, Illinois, but Winter Garden made the network's list of official towns, which comes with a seal the city may display for two years and a spot in the network's Official Guide to Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Towns 2026 on HallmarkChannel.com.

For residents, the designation shows up in one physical place first: a photo station with a replica of the Official Hallmark Christmas Town seal, set up in Centennial Plaza in historic downtown. The city says the selfie spot goes on display in late November.

What downtown has planned

The city has built its 'Tis the Season schedule for historic downtown around the honor, with decorations along Plant Street, a Main Street Holiday Stroll and a run of events through December.

Small Business Saturday, November 28. The independent shops in the historic district put their racks out on the sidewalks for a sidewalk sale, with live music downtown, to mark the national Small Business Saturday.

Holiday Night Market, Saturday, December 5. From 4 to 8 p.m., the Downtown Pavilion area turns into an outdoor market with stalls of holiday goods and treats, live entertainment, trolley rides and visits with Santa. The Christmas Golf Cart Parade runs nearby the same evening.

$5 Holiday Flix at the Garden. The city presents holiday movies at the Garden Theatre on Plant, 160 W. Plant St., on December Tuesdays: It's a Wonderful Life on December 15 at 7 p.m.; Elf on December 22 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.; and on December 29, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas at 10 a.m. and Christmas with the Kranks at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 plus a fee and are sold online only.

Decorate the house, win $100

Winter Garden Parks and Recreation runs its De-light-ful Decorations Contest again this year. It is free and open only to homes inside city limits. The entry deadline is Friday, December 11; judges tour on Tuesday, December 15, and Wednesday, December 16, from 5:30 p.m., and winners hear by phone on Friday, December 18.

There are four categories: Best Overall pays $100 for first place and $50 for second, while Best Theme, Most Original and Best Apartment or Townhome each pay $75 and $50. Winning displays are posted on the city's website after judging. Entry forms are on the city site, or in hard copy from the Parks and Recreation Department at 310 N. Dillard St. (407-656-4155).

Giving drives

Two drives are collecting through the season. The Winter Garden Police Athletic League's toy drive takes new, unwrapped gifts for children from newborn to 12 years old through December 11 at the police department, 251 W. Plant St. City Hall, 300 W. Plant St., is a drop-off point through December 3 for the Reading Reindeer book drive, which gives new books to children in the area for the holidays.

Getting there

Historic downtown Winter Garden runs along Plant Street, and the West Orange Trail passes right through it, so walkers and cyclists can arrive by trail. City Hall's main line is 407-656-4111, and the full holiday schedule is posted on the city's news page.

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