November 2020 Calendar

HOLIDAY EVENTS

FESTIVAL OF TREES

Nov. 12-29: The 34th year of this seasonal tradition at the Orlando Museum of Art transforms gallery rooms into a glittering holiday showplace with themed, decorated trees, vignettes and décor, all for purchase. Proceeds benefit OMA. Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando. omart.org

I LOVE CHRISTMAS MOVIES AT GAYLORD PALMS

Nov. 13-Jan. 3: Travel restrictions on the Chinese artisans who sculpt massive ice displays for Gaylord Palms’ annual ICE! extravaganza prompted the hotel chain to brainstorm a new event: an interactive, pop-up experience with holiday movie favorites such as “Polar Express,” “Elf’” and “A Christmas Story.” Families can also enjoy ice slides and ice tubing, photos with Santa, a dazzling light show and more. 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee. christmasatgaylordpalms.marriott.com

NIGHT OF A MILLION LIGHTS

Nov. 13-Jan. 3: Give Kids the World Village comes alive each night with a spectacular, walk-through holiday display of more than 3 million lights. Enjoy treats, storybook attractions and accessible rides. Give Kids the World Village, 210 S. Bass Road, Kissimmee. gktw.org/lights

HOLIDAYS AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO

Nov. 14-Jan. 3: Muggles are invited to spend the holiday in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are transformed for the season. Visitors can watch Universal’s Holiday Parade and the live show “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular.” Activities included in park admission. Universal Orlando Resort, 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando. universalorlando.com

SEAWORLD’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

Nov. 21-Dec. 31: Start a holiday tradition with festive shopping, animal shows, specialty foods and entertainment for the kids. Meet Rudolph, witness a live nativity and see the spectacular Sea of Trees on the waterfront. Included with park admission. SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando. seaworld.com

HOLIDAYS AT THE MORSE MUSEUM

Nov. 27-Dec. 18: On four consecutive Friday nights during the holiday season, patrons enjoy free admission to the museum, special art demonstrations and live music. 445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park. morsemuseum.org

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE HOLIDAYS

Nov. 27-Dec. 30: This yuletide extravaganza features traditions from Epcot’s 11 World Showcase nations and presents live musical productions and seasonal foods and beverages. Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista. disneyworld.disney.go.com

HANDEL’S MESSIAH

Nov. 29: The Messiah Choral Society presents a virtual performance of this classical masterwork in honor of the holidays. Time TBA. 407-721-6171. messiahchoralsociety.com

SPECIAL EVENTS

MORTEM MANOR

Ongoing: Journey through two floors in this Old Victorian-themed haunted mansion open year-round and named one of the scariest haunted houses in America by The Travel Channel. 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee. 407-507-0051. mortemmanor.com

BUSCH GARDENS HOWL-O-SCREAM

Through Nov. 1: The fear is in your eyes in the open-air scare zones on the 21st year of this premier Halloween experience. Fridays and Saturdays 7 p.m.-midnight, Sundays 7-11 p.m. 10165 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa. 813-884-4386. buschgardens.com

SCREAM ‘N’ STREAM HAUNTED DRIVE-THRU

Through Nov. 1: Experience a horror movie as it unfolds live from the safety of your vehicle. 5:30 p.m.-midnight. 2001 E. Southport Road, Kissimmee. 407-552-4129. screamnstream.com

SEAWORLD HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR

Through Nov.1: Explore a slightly spooky trick-or-treat trail, show off your costumes and meet silly Halloween characters, all included in the price of admission on weekends. 11 a.m. until closing. 7007 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando. 407-545-5550. seaworld.com

A TASTE OF EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

Through Nov. 1: The folks at Disney have cooked up a new way to serve a fall favorite, with a measured approach due to COVID-19. More than 20 global marketplaces such as Hawaii and Islands of the Caribbean await adventurous foodies. 200 Epcot Center Dr., Orlando. disneyworld.disney.go.com

A PETRIFIED FOREST DEADLY DESTINATIONS

Through Nov. 2: Voted one of the top haunted houses in Florida in 2019, A Petrified Forest is a walk in the park—if you love terror. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. 1360 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs. 407-468-6600. apetrifiedforest.com

THE HAUNTED ROAD

Through Nov. 7: Travel through a twisted take on the beloved fairy tale Rapunzel from the comfort of your car in this contactless drive-through experience. Two versions are available: a family-friendly version on weekends and a more intense, unrestricted version. Times vary. 15239 Lake Pickett Road, Orlando. 407-906-8878. thehauntedroad.com

IN MY OWN WORDS—CONVERSATIONS WITH HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS

Nov. 1 & 15: Join the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida for live, virtual discussions with survivors of the Nazi occupation of Europe. Hear real accounts of bravery, determination and the will to live. Peter Feigle, Nov. 1, 3-4 p.m., and Dr. Mordecai Paldiel, Nov. 15, 3-4 p.m. holocaustedu.org

INSIGHTS & SOUNDS—SWEET ON SUITES AND SERENADES

Nov. 5: Dr. John Sinclair offers a glimpse behind the scenes of classical music’s most intriguing composers and unfamiliar works. Part discussion, part performance and a favorite of Bach Festival Society’s patrons. 7:30-9 p.m. Tiedtke Concert Hall, Rollins College campus,1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park. 407-646-2182. bachfestivalflorida.org

PANDEMICS IN HISTORY

Nov. 5 & 18: The Valencia College Humanities Speakers Series offers virtual lectures on plagues throughout history and how past societies reacted. The bubonic plague, Thursday 6 p.m., the Spanish flu, Wednesday 6 p.m. 407-299-5000. events.valenciacollege.edu

FIRST FRINGE FRIDAY

Nov. 6: Orlando Fringe presents online performances by trans and gender nonconforming artists in its commitment to amplify artists through inclusion, diversity and equity. 407-648-0077. orlandofringe.org/live

SHRIEKFEST 2020

Nov. 7: The horror and sci-fi film festival and screenplay competition celebrates 20 years of bringing indie filmmakers to the screen. Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford. 407-321-8111. wdpac.com

VETERAN’S DAY at BOK TOWER GARDENS

Nov. 11: All veterans are invited to enjoy a musical tribute to America’s heroes with special patriotic carillon concerts and free admission. 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 863-676-1408. boktowergardens.org

VETERANS DAY AT LEU GARDENS

Nov. 11: Harry P. Leu Gardens salutes the men and women who have served and those who continue to serve our country. The gardens offers free admission to all veterans and current military on this day. 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. leugardens.org

THE INCLUSIVITY PROJECT

Nov. 13: Playwright-performer Paris Clayton III, in collaboration with Daytona State College, presents a new work online from the perspectives of race, culture, age, ability and sexual orientation. 407-920-5890. bethmarshallpresents.wordpress.com

ROTARY CLUB OF MAITLAND ART FESTIVAL

Nov. 13-15: This year’sboutique art festival features a virtual component with the juried artists exhibiting and selling their works online at http://bit.ly/artunderthestars. Friday 5-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 701 Lake Lily Drive, Maitland. 407-777-8515. maitlandrotaryartfestival.com

26TH ANNUAL MOUNT DORA PLANT & GARDEN FAIR

Nov. 14-15: Vendors and nurseries from across the state will be on hand with a wide variety of Florida native and exotic plants, garden wares and arts & crafts. 352-217-8390. mountdoraplantandgardenfair.com

ORLANDO JAPAN FESTIVAL

Nov. 14-15: The 20th annual event, presented by the Japan Association of Orlando, goes virtual this year. Check website for more information. jorlando.org/orlando-japan-festival

FUSIONFEST

Nov. 28–29: It’s a “diversitastic” two-day celebration in downtown Orlando honoring the many heritages found in Central Florida through music, dance, film, word, fashion and food. Free. Seneff Arts Plaza at Dr. Phillips Center and City Hall Commons, Orlando. 407-836-5540. fusionfest.org

 

ONGOING EVENTS

Note: Events may be canceled or moved to a virtual format as needed; call or check websites before attending.

THE SOKO MARKETPLACE IN HANNIBAL SQUARE

Nov. 1: Browse the goods on offer, listen to great music and indulge in delicious foods while helping to support entrepreneurs of color. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Shady Park, 721 W. New England Ave., Winter Park. hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org

FIRST THURSDAYS AT OMA

Nov. 5: Architecture and Placemaking—A community-based show focused on architecture, urban design and the broader sense of placemaking. Preview show livestreamed Nov. 3 on Facebook and YouTube. Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando. omart.org

APOPKA FARMER’S MARKET

Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26: The farmer’s market returns just in time for the holiday season with local produce, foods and crafts. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Kit Land Nelson Park, 10 N. Forest Ave., Apopka. 407-703-1784. apopkafarmersmarket.com

MOUNT DORA 2ND FRIDAY ART IN THE ALLEY

Nov. 6: Downtown galleries are open to the public while art exhibitors and musicians line Royellou Lane showcasing original works, handmade goods and acoustic sounds. Free. Galleries open 6-8 p.m. Sidewalk exhibitions until 9 p.m. 138 E. Fifth Ave., Mount Dora. mountdoracenterforthearts.org

3RD THURSDAY GALLERY HOP & ART WALK

Nov. 19: Visitors converge on the core of Orlando’s Downtown Arts District to browse the galleries and nontraditional art venues that spotlight the best of established and emerging Orlando-based artists. 6 p.m. Rogers Kiene Building, 39 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 3rdthu.com

FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC

Nov. 20: Bring a picnic basket and find a seat at the Apopka Amphitheater for live R&B, rock, country, calypso, reggae, pop and jazz. 6-9 p.m. Northwest Recreation Complex, 3710 Jason Dwelley Parkway, Apopka. 407-703-1784. apopka.net

WASHINGTON STREET OUTDOOR MARKET

Nov. 29: Monthly market featuring local works by artists/makers, held at The Falcon gallery and bar. 4-9 p.m. 819 E. Washington St., Orlando. 407-701-9382.
thorntonparkdistrict.com