Happy "Hol O Days" 20 Holiday Events for Under $20

Tis the season my fellow Orlandoans (is that even what we call ourselves?) and I know you're pockets are gonna be tapped to the max. There is so much to do with Disney and Universal and Amway and Bob Carr for the holidays but I decided to go about finding 20 things to do this holiday season that will cost you $20 or less. I found about 50 so I just listed the ones in Orlando and surrounding areas. So grab the children and lock down the boo cause there is no excuse not to enjoy this holiday season with the ones you love.

Best of Florida Christmas (Through Jan 3) Holiday shows and displays, featuring ICE!, the walk-through ice sculpture. Daily at the Gaylord Palms. $13. Call 4075681600 for details.

Light Up UCF (Nov 20-Jan 8) Light show, rides, skating rink and 100 ft. ice slide at the UCF Arena. $10. Call 4078236006 for details.

Now Snowing (Nov 28-Dec 31) Snow machines, carolers and entertainment from 6pm to 9pm Sat-Thurs in Celebration. FREE. Call 4075661202 for details.

A Christmas Carol (Nov 27-Dec 20) Traditional telling of the classic story. Thurs-Sat 8pm and Sun 2:30pm at Theater Downtown. $18. Call 4078410083 for details

History Center Holiday (Dec 2) Mayor Richard Crotty lights the square at this festive celebration with music performances, Santa, crafts and more from 5:30pm-9pm Wed at the History Center. FREE. Call 4078368500 for details.

Need a Little Christmas (Dec 3-Dec 13) Cabaret of seasonal songs and characters at the Breakthrough Theater of Winter Park. $15. Call 4079204034 for details.

Holiday Showcase (Dec 13-Dec 19) A variety of acts from local choirs to the Windermere Ballet and Community Dance Theater perform selected works from the holiday. 6pm-9pm at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort. FREE. Call 4079969770 for details.

The Gift Musical Production (Dec 4) Presentation featuring a variety of holiday music. 7:30pm to 9:30pm Friday at the Walt Disney Amphitheater in Lake Eola Park. FREE. Call 4072462827 for details.

Christmas Vespers (Dec 4-Dec 6) Annual festival of lessons and carols presented by the Rollins College Dept of Music. 6pm Fri-Sun at Tiedtke Concert Hall. $5. Call 4076461517 for details.

Its a Wonderful Life: Radio Play (Dec 4-Dec 13) Staged radio version of the Christmas tale 7:30pm Fri-Sat and 2pm Sun at the Osceola Center for the Arts. $20. Call 4078466257 for details.

Winter Wonderland (Dec 4) A student choreographed production from Dr. Phillips High School 7pm Fri at St Paul's Presbyterian Church. $10. Call  4072933696 for details.

Christmas in the Square (Dec 4) Live entertainment, tree lighting, and Santa in Downtown Sanford from 6pm-8pm Friday. FREE. Call 4076885120 for details.

Popcorn Flicks (Dec 4) White Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas 7pm Fri at Central Park in Winter Park. FREE. Call 4076290054 for details.

Noche Latina en Ice! (Dec 4) Puerto Rican musicans play traditional Latin Christmas music while guests enjoy the Ice! exhibit and various Spanish treats. From 9:30pm911:30pm Friday at the Gaylord Plans. $20. Portion of proceeds go to charity, Ca// 4075861600 for details.

Festival of Trees (Dec 5-13) Weeklong holiday celebration with decorations and a tree trimming contest. From 10a4pm Sat-Sun at the Museum of the Apopkans. FREE. Call 4077031707 for details. 

Avalon Aglow (Dec 5) Santa leads the evening with hay rides, ice skating, live performances and fireworks. From 5pm-9pm in Avalon Park. FREE. 076586565 for details.

Light Up the Holidays (Dec 5) More than 200,000 colorful lights illuminate the park with live music and entertainment froom 5pm-9pm Saturday at Cranes Roost Park. FREE. Call 4075718180 for details.
Leadership Winter Park Pancake Breakfast (Dec 5) All-you-can-eat pancakes to warm you up before the parade, with proceeds benefiting local elementary schools. From 7am-10:30am Sat in Central Park. $5 Call 4076448281 for details.

Cracker Christmas Weekend (Dec 5-Dec 6) Old Florida-style holiday fair with arts, crafts, demonstrations and food. From 10am-4pm Sat-Sun in Fort Christmas. FREE. Call 4075684149 for details.

Holiday Movie Nights (Dec 7-Dec 21) Family classics shown in the park at 7pm Monday at Cranes Roost Park. FREE. Call 4075718863 for details.

Alive After Five: Cheers to the Holidays (Dec 10) Downtown street party featuring food and wine, art displays, and live performances. 5pm Thursday in Downtown Sanford. $7. Call 4073241577 for details.

Baldwin Park Festival of Lights (Dec 12) Carriage rides, holiday parade, and a holiday movie.  From 4:30pm-9pm Saturday at Baldwin Park Village Center. FREE. Call 4072063300 for details.
Holiday in the Park (Dec 11-Dec 20) The city opens an ice rink next to Lake Eola. 12pm to 10pm Friday, 10am to 10pm Saturday. $7. Call 4072462827
Snow Fest (Dec 19) The winter party involves ice skating and playing with real snow in the Florida sun. From 2pm-6pm Sat at RDV Sportsplex. $7 adults $13 for children. Call 4079162442 for details.