{"id":25965885,"date":"2025-11-13T20:46:39","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T20:46:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakenona.com\/?p=25965885"},"modified":"2026-01-22T18:51:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T18:51:56","slug":"your-insiders-guide-to-oh-what-fun-in-lake-nona-town-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakenona.com\/blog\/your-insiders-guide-to-oh-what-fun-in-lake-nona-town-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Insider\u2019s Guide to Oh, What Fun! in Lake Nona Town Center"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s the holidays and it\u2019s showtime in Lake Nona \u2013 or rather, snow time!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s Oh, What Fun!<\/em> is packed with even more holiday magic, live entertainment and festive cheer for Lake Nonians of all ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re thinking, \u201cWait, what\u2019s Oh, What Fun?\u201d<\/em> it\u2019s Lake Nona\u2019s annual celebration of family, community and (corny as it may sound) pure wintry joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All December long, Lake Nona Town Center transforms into the epicenter of all things candy-striped, cozy and bright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With so many ways to join in, we\u2019ve put together an insider\u2019s guide: what to do, where to stay and how to soak up every bit of the festive cheer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the end, you\u2019ll be saying it yourself: Oh, how easy <\/em>it is to make incredible holiday memories in Lake Nona!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The \u201cEndless Family Fun\u201d Itinerary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like the soothing aroma of a tray of fresh gingerbread cookies right out of the oven, here\u2019s an itinerary baked up for families, North Pole aficionados, and Santa fanatics alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200b\u200bSanta\u2019s Cottage: Friday – Sunday, Dec. 5-21<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s one of the most popular events for a reason! Where else can you step inside Santa\u2019s Cottage for story time and a sing-along, then enjoy a meet-and-greet with St. Nick and his sweetheart?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secret from the Elves: Santa\u2019s schedule is packed between now and Christmas, so reservations are required and seating is limited. Tickets start at $35 per person. Private experiences are available for families who want an extra-special visit. Don\u2019t miss out, book your spot today<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening Night & Tree Lighting: Friday, Dec. 5 (6\u201310 p.m.)<\/strong>
<\/a>What better way to kick off the holidays than by joining the tree lighting ceremony in the heart of Lake Nona Town Center? Watch as a stunning 24-foot Christmas tree lights up the night, surrounded by music, ohs, ahs and plenty of holiday sparkle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christmas Holiday Parade: Saturday, Dec. 13 (5\u20136:30 p.m.)<\/strong>
<\/a>Keep the holiday spirit rolling as a cavalcade of festive floats, sparkling with jewel-toned and candy-colored LEDs, make their way through Town Center. The parade begins at Laureate Park, but for the best view of the full procession, find a spot near Crescent Park at the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200b\u200bFamily Fun Days: Dec. 7 and 14 (6-9 p.m.)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there\u2019s one event that sets Oh, What Fun apart from other holiday festivals, it\u2019s Family Fun Days. You might expect a few carolers, but the main stage at Lake Nona Town Center comes alive with an impressive lineup of school choirs, dance teams and youth music groups, showcasing the holiday spirit and the creativity of the community. It\u2019s a celebration of local talent that also serves as an impressive finale to a day of festivities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insider\u2019s tip: Stress-free parking that\u2019s literally free is available in all Lake Nona Town Center garages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Code Wall Garage + Beacon <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wave Garage<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DNA Garage<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. The \u201cJingle, Jog & Stroll\u201d Itinerary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who believe the best way to celebrate the season is by dashing happily through as much festive fun as possible, here\u2019s a lineup of events to keep you moving (and merry).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, What Fun! 5K Run: Sunday, Dec. 6<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Check-in at 6 a.m.; race begins at 7:30 a.m.)<\/em><\/strong>
Celebrate Oh, What Fun\u2019s!<\/em> opening weekend with our 2nd Annual 5K! Whether you\u2019ve got a trophy room full of road race t-shirts and medals or just looking for a fun way to balance out those extra holiday cookies, this race is the perfect start to the season. Make sure you sign up before Dec. 1<\/a> to get an early-entrant discount. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another incentive? Every runner gets a commemorative medal and T-shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stroll Through Boxi Park: Anytime (Fridays-Sundays from Dec. 5-21)<\/strong>
Maybe you\u2019re admiring your new race medal from that triumphant 5K finish. Maybe you\u2019re hunting for brunch. Or maybe you just need an afternoon meetup before dinner plans take over. Whatever your quest, stroll through Boxi Park and check out the special holiday lineup \u2013 from craft beers and hand-crafted cocktails to live music and\u2026shopping? Sure, why not! While you\u2019re there, snag a gift card<\/a> for someone special on your list; buy one during the holidays and you\u2019ll get a bonus card. Plus, there\u2019s plenty of holiday-themed activities in Boxi Park\u2019s Kid Zone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insider\u2019s tip: Prefer a reservation at your favorite Boxi Park restaurant? You can always reserve a table<\/a> under the Main Pavilion, rain or shine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wind Down on the Evergreen Tree Trail: Happening nightly (Fridays-Sundays from Dec. 5-21)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the day fades to twilight, take a stroll along the Evergreen Tree Trail, stretching from Town Center to the Lake Nona Wave Hotel. Local partners deck out trees in their most creative holiday finery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

End Up at Wave<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve earned it. After a long day of holiday hustle, make your way to the Fa La La La Bar<\/strong> <\/a>\u2013 Lake Nona Wave Hotel\u2019s festive pop-up, fully stocked with effortless charm and tucked right into the hotel lobby. Soak up the holiday vibes and sip on seasonal potables and other hand-crafted cocktails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from experience: They also have cake pops \u2013 they\u2019re delicious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cConstant \u2018Gram\u201d Itinerary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a social media shutterbug, Oh, What Fun has an incredible amount of gram-worthy moments and selfies waiting for you to post. Here are a few of our top recommendations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy Lake Snow-Na:<\/strong> In Peppermint Square, snowfall NOW happens DAILY throughout the entire celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#foodstagram:<\/strong> Click and wander through the holiday market for pop-up stands and sweet-treat stations offering seasonal snacks and specialty beverages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sweeten your feed: Stop by Before It Melts<\/em> to sample (or fully commit to) a scoop of their Snickerdoodle ice cream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Around Town Center:<\/strong> Snap pics in front of photo walls, oversized ornaments and several festive backdrops \u2013 every corner is designed for a perfect shot. No filter needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caption This as AMAZING:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s live entertainment will transport you straight into a winter wonderland with not one but two<\/em> incredible acrobatic shows: Spirit of the Holidays Live Acrobatics Show (Friday nights) and A Very Peppermint Christmas Show (Saturday nights).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both will deliver a mesmerizing mix of aerialists, dancers, gymnasts and balancing acts. The best part? There\u2019s no bad spot to get a great shot. See the website<\/a> for showtimes and more details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us a Shout-Out:<\/strong> Tag us on Instagram @learnlakenona<\/a> using #OhWhatFun<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to make Oh, What Fun part of your holiday plans and your new favorite Lake Nona tradition? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you follow one of our itineraries or create your own, stay right in the middle of the magic. Explore accommodations here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s the holidays and it\u2019s showtime in Lake Nona \u2013 or rather, snow time! This year\u2019s Oh, What Fun! is packed with even more holiday magic, live entertainment and festive cheer for Lake Nonians of all ages. If you\u2019re thinking, \u201cWait, what\u2019s Oh, What Fun?\u201d it\u2019s Lake Nona\u2019s annual celebration of family, community and (corny […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":25965886,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_crdt_document":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[191],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25965885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakenona.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25965885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakenona.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakenona.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakenona.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakenona.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25965885"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lakenona.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25965885\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25966029,"href":"https:\/\/lakenona.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25965885\/revisions\/25966029"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakenona.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25965886"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakenona.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25965885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakenona.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25965885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakenona.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25965885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}