Orlando Event Calendar: December 2022
We've rounded up the best events in December and beyond!
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens presents the spectacular Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild. (PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CENTRAL FLORIDA ZOO & BOTANTICAL GARDENS)
SPECIAL EVENTS
ASIAN LANTERN FESTIVAL—INTO THE WILD
Through Jan. 15: See the zoo as you’ve never seen it before in a dazzling evening experience featuring more than 30 larger-than-life illuminated lanterns celebrating the culture, art and beauty of Asia’s traditional lantern festivals. LED-lighted sculptures depicting animals, plants and traditional Chinese elements line the paths of this outdoor experience. 6-10 p.m. Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, 3755 W. Seminole Blvd., Sanford. 407-323-4450. centralfloridazoo.org
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST COCKTAIL EXPERIENCE
Through Feb. 22: This is an immersive, interactive adventure that will take guests into a world of magic and fantasy as they enter the enchanted and cursed world of Beauty and the Beast for a Victorian cocktail party in a castle. Choose dates and times online. The Oliv Bar, 745 N. Magnolia Ave., Suite 100, Orlando. explorehidden.com
FLOREX FLORIDA STAMP SHOW
Dec. 2-3: The largest World Series of Philately show in the Southeast presents 40 dealers from all over North America, showcasing the rare and the beautiful. This year’s show features a youth area, a USPS booth, door prizes and more. Volusia County Fairgrounds, 3150 E. New York Ave., DeLand. florexstampshow.com
POP WARNER SUPER BOWL
Dec. 3-9: Each year, Pop Warner Little Scholars hosts the weeklong Pop Warner Football Championships and National Cheer and Dance Championships, bringing together 72 teams from eight regions nationwide. A National Champion is crowned from each division represented. Check website for times. Football: Camping World Stadium, 1 Citrus Place, Orlando. Cheer: Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive. popwarnersuperbowl.com
ORLANDO STORY CLUB
Dec. 7: The final show of the year is LIT (Best of 2022) and winners of previous storytelling shows will compete for the championship and slight fame. 7 p.m. CityArts Orlando, 39 Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-648-7060. downtownartsdistrict.com
2022 CURE BOWL
Dec. 16: This NCAA college football bowl game has raised $3.88 million for cancer research since 2015. Watch top-notch athletes from four top conferences while supporting an important cause at this nationally televised game. 3 p.m. Exploria Stadium, 655 W. Church St., Orlando. 833-278-2873. curebowl.com
SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR
Dec. 17: “Hope — It’s Been a Long Time Coming” commemorates the struggle for equality and freedom in South Africa and the United States. The rousing program begins with freedom songs that inspired the Rainbow Nation and then moves to the uplifting music that accompanied America’s civil rights movement, featuring the works of Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield and James Brown. 4 & 7:30 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-358-6603. drphillipscenter.org
TREMONTI SINGS SINATRA
Dec. 29: As guitarist, songwriter and frontman of bands Creed and Alter Bridge, Mark Tremonti has long distinguished himself in the world of rock. Here, he takes on the singular Frank Sinatra with classics from the Rat Pack era and he’s got original members of Sinatra’s band along for the ride. 7:30 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-358-6603. drphillipscenter.org
