Light Up Winter Garden 2023 - December 1

Light Up Winter Garden 2023
Friday, December 1

6:00-9:00 pm (Lighting at 6:15 pm)

Winter Garden City Hall, 300 W. Plant Street (Lighting) 

and throughout Historic Downtown

Free

Join us to welcome the holiday season at our 36th annual Light Up Winter Garden on Friday, December 1. 

The time-honored tradition starts at 6:00 pm and at 6:15 pm, join us at City Hall for the momentous flipping of the switch to turn on the holiday lights and watch downtown glow. 

Holiday activities and entertainment for all to enjoy will continue through 9:00 pm. 

Hosted by the City of Winter Garden, Light Up Winter Garden is a free community event.

Thank you to our sponsor, Duke Energy!

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

LIVE HOLIDAY MUSIC PERFORMANCES

City Hall Stage
Centennial Plaza Gazebo
Main Street 
Parking Garage Plaza

CHILDREN'S SNOW AREAS (BRING GLOVES!)

Select locations downtown.

STREET PERFORMERS

Roaming street performers from holiday character stilt walkers and jump ropers to musicians and more will entertain visitors.

MEET AND GREET WITH A VARIETY OF HOLIDAY CHARACTERS AND PHOTO OPS

Butterfly Sculpture Park
Parking Garage Plaza
Downtown Pavilion

NOTE: This is a permitted special event and no unauthorized costume characters are permitted downtown during this event. Failure to adhere will result in a trespassing violation and immediate removal.

HOLIDAY-THEMED PHOTO STATIONS

Parking Garage Plaza
Downtown Pavilion
Centennial Plaza
City Hall
South Main Street
Winter Garden Police Station
ALL of Downtown! 

AND MORE!

ROAD CLOSURES

Please note that select roads will be CLOSED in the historic downtown area for this event and other events, December 1 - 2:

West Plant Street from Dillard Street to Park Avenue, and a portion of the adjoining side streets through historic downtown, will be closed from Friday, December 1, at 2:00 pm, through Saturday, December 2, at approximately 11:00 pm.

The road closures are due to the following free, community holiday events: Light Up Winter Garden (December 1, 6:00-9:00 pm), Winter Garden Christmas Parade (December 2, 10:00 am) ,outdoor Holiday Market (December 2, 1:00-4:00 pm), and Winter Garden Christmas Golf Cart Parade (December 2, 6:00 pm). 

PARKING & SHUTTLE INFORMATION - Free!

Parking is always free downtown, including at the public three-level parking garage (160 S. Boyd St.), 117-space parking lot (37 N. Boyd St.), Sam Williams Little League Complex (415 S. Park Ave.), and a little further up the road at Veterans Memorial Park (420 S. Park Ave.).

Parking along West Plant Street from Dillard Street to Park Avenue, and a portion of the adjoining side streets, will not be available for parking due to the road closures.

Offsite Parking and Shuttles Service information as well as Shuttle Stop locations will be announced closer to event date.

DINING & DESSERT -- SWEET TREATS, HOT CHOCOLATE, & MORE!

Downtown boasts an assortment of restaurants, cafes, bakeries, chocolate shops, and ice cream parlors. Gather your friends and family for Light Up Winter Garden, and  dine at the outdoor patios to watch the entertainment close up, 

Grab a hot chocolate, a spice latte, a caramel Boba tea, or your favorite beverage or to-go while strolling through the lights and festivities. Be sure to get a gingerbread cookie or holiday cupcake to go along with it. Or, perhaps some peppermint ice cream or decorative chocolates!

SHOPPING 

The unique shops of downtown are ideal for holiday shopping. Pop inside to check off items on your gift list. You will be glad you did!

MORE HOLIDAY FUN

Light Up Winter Garden kicks off the City's 39 days of Tis the Season, turning historic downtown into a Holiday Wonderland along with providing seasonal programming (December 1 - January 8). 

The festive-decorated historic downtown is adorned with twinkle lights, lighted arches & displays, holiday decorations, multiple photo stations, and more that creates a Holiday Wonderland for the community. 

Check the Tis the Season Event Schedule website page for holiday happenings in historic downtown (Nov. 1, 2023 - Jan. 5, 2024).