Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens is a magical, immersive experience featuring an awe-inspiring light spectacle. (SONIA SIMPSON)

SPECIAL EVENTS

DAZZLING NIGHTS AT LEU GARDENS
Through Jan. 1: Immerse yourself in the wonders of the holidays at Dazzling Nights, a three-quarter-mile journey of awe-inspiring light experiences brought to life by Creative City Project. This magical, interactive experience features a million lights, a snowstorm in a 40-foot snow globe, a candy cane tunnel, a laser forest and holiday tunes, treats and beverages. Choose entry time online. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. dazzlingorlando.com

ASIAN LANTERN FESTIVAL—INTO THE WILD
Through Jan. 15: See the zoo as you’ve never seen it before in an 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

VENARDOS CIRCUS
Jan. 1: Roll up! Roll Up! Step inside the red-and-white big top for a peek at circus traditions of the past blended with a show honoring modern sensibilities as the crew turns into the performers in this animal-free circus. 4 p.m. St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340C S.R. A1A South, St. Augustine. 904-209-0367. theamp.com

NEVERLAND—THE LOST ADVENTURE
Jan. 1-March 1: Explore Neverland and all the denizens who call it home in this 3/4 -mile interactive adventure perfect for Peter Pan’s Lost Boys and Girls. Choose dates and entry times online. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. dazzlingorlando.com

MECUM COLLECTOR CAR AUCTION
Jan. 4-15: Expect to see more than 4,000 antique, muscle and exotic cars for sale, along with old auto signs, hood ornaments and other memorabilia at the world’s largest collector car auction. 10 a.m. Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee. 321-697-3333. mecum.com

DR. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON
Jan. 8: “The Search for Life in the Universe” begins on Mars as America’s favorite astrophysicist embarks on an exploration that examines possibly habitable planets, the need for a water source and the chances of finding intelligent life somewhere beyond Earth’s atmosphere. 7 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-358-6603. drphillipscenter.org

FLORIDA WEDDING EXPO
Jan. 8: Plan your wedding all in one place, all in one afternoon at the largest wedding expo of the year. Browse more than 150 vendors and enter to win 100-plus giveaways, including five free honeymoons. Noon-5 p.m. Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse, 9800 International Drive, Orlando. 407-571-9990. floridaweddingexpo.com

ROYAL COMEDY 2023
Jan. 13: Take a seat! And enjoy some of the brightest stars in comedy, including Sommore, Bruce Bruce, Lavell Crawford, Don “DC” Curry and Arnez Jr. 8 p.m. Addition Financial Arena, 12777 Gemini Blvd. N., Orlando. 407-823-3070. additionfiarena.com

JURASSIC WORLD LIVE TOUR
Jan. 13-16: Your vacay to Isla Nublar takes a terrifying turn when an escaped Indominus rex rips through the park. Join a team of scientists as they attempt to restore calm and protect gentle dinos. Come an hour before the show for a free meet and greet with a Triceratops, a Stegosaurus, Baby Bumpy and a Jurassic World Jeep. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m., 3 & 7 p.m. Saturday; 1 & 5 p.m. Sunday; 1 p.m. Monday. Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., Orlando. 407-440-7900. amwaycenter.com

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Jan. 13-Feb. 20: Let creativity shine with the trifecta of fabulous: artistic cuisine, visual arts and live entertainment. Browse the works of new and established artists, enjoy Disney songs from award-winning Disney on Broadway musicals and indulge in creative culinary masterpieces. Included with park admission. EPCOT, 200 Epcot Center Drive, Orlando. disneyworld.disney.go.com

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS LPGA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
Jan. 19-22: LPGA Tour winners and more than 50 celebrities, athletes and entertainers play the Tom Fazio-designed course at Lake Nona. Tour champions compete for $1.5 million in prize money and celebrities play to win $500,000. Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, 9801 Lake Nona Club Drive, Orlando. hgvlpga.com

AN EMPOWERING NIGHT OF LAUGHTER
Jan. 20: Nine of Orlando’s fearlessly funny women step out of their comfort zones and take center stage to perform a comedic routine they’ve written themselves. Mixer 6 p.m., show 7 p.m. Quantum Leap Winery, 1312 Wilfred Drive, Orlando. 407-730-3082. empoweringnightoflaughter.com

FRIENDS MUSICAL INSIGHTS 2022
The award-winning musical-awareness series presented by the Friends of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra returns to explore an array of musical subjects. 5 p.m. except for 4:30 p.m. on March 3. Classes are held in the Palmer Room at The Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando. 407-896-6700. friendsorlandophil.org

• Jan. 24: The Bassoon—Clown or Hero?
• March 3: The Mysteries of Shostakovich’s 10th
• April 4: Women of the Harp.
• May 2: Mahler’s 5th—Bold and Dramatic.

MORSE MUSEUM LECTURE SERIES
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art’s 2023 free lecture series will focus on historic preservation. 2:30 p.m. Jeannette G. and Hugh F. McKean Pavilion, 161 W. Canton Ave., Winter Park. 407-645-5311. morsemuseum.org

• Jan. 25: Preserving the Last Surviving Tiffany Residential Commission—The Ayer Mansion in Boston.
• Feb. 8: Preserving the Ephemeral—Interiors and Gardens.
• March 22: Henrietta King’s 100+ Year Legacy—The Main House.
• April 19: Hidden Treasures—Tiffany Windows at Woodlawn Cemetery.

FLORIDA STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
Jan. 26-29: The festival is known nationally for its unique combination of workshops, concerts, youthful voices and sense of community. Listen to featured storytellers, learn from masters and tell your own story. Lakeside Inn, 100 Alexander St., Mount Dora. 352-234-6422. flstory.com

ROCK THE UNIVERSE
Jan. 27-28: Raise your hands. Raise your voice. Raise your spirit. Rock the Universe is Florida’s biggest Christian music festival and it draws the big names, including Skillet, Zach Williams, Katy Nichole, Matthew West and Dante Brown. 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Universal Studios Florida, 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando. universalorlando.com

ORANGE CITY BLUE SPRINGS MANATEE FESTIVAL
Jan. 28-29: Each winter, 100 or more manatees visit the warm waters of the springs. Celebrate this unique aquatic mammal and enjoy live music, crafts, face painting, dancing, rides and, of course, manatee viewing. Valentine Park, 1511 W. French Ave., Orange City. themanateefestival.com

EDWARDS TWINS THE ULTIMATE VARIETY SHOW
Jan. 30: You’ll swear you’re seeing the real thing as Las Vegas impersonators Anthony and Eddie Edwards use state-of-the-art makeup and countless hours of practice to look and sound like the superstars of the 1970s and ’80s. 2 & 7 p.m. Osceola Arts, 2411 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee. 407-846-6257. osceolaarts.org