Family Calendar

DEC. 12-13

Orlando Circle of Friends is rehearsing and polishing for our audiences a fun and entertaining collection of many holiday favorites at An Ugly Sweater Christmas at Orlando Museum of Art. We'll take a “Sleigh Ride” as we “Let It Snow” then we'll have “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.” Join us for some rollicking fun, or have a “Blue Christmas” without us! Tickets are available for $20 for shows at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. Student/senior/child rate is $15. As always, a portion of the proceeds of our concerts benefits a charity. Visit our website at ocofchorus.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

DEC. 12-14

Join the Winter Park High School drama department at their production of “Almost, Maine.” A charming romantic comedy about love, loss, and the northern lights, “Almost, Maine” is full of warm fuzzies in the midst of winter. “Almost, Maine” plays at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12-14 at the Winter Park 9th Grade Auditorium. There is a special matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Dec. 14. Tickets are $10 at the door. Written in 2004, this play is set in the small territory of Almost, Maine. It follows 19 residents as they attempt to make sense of love and loss. These sundry people overcome their fear of the unknown, accept each other for who they are, and rediscover lost hope, all in the midst of a cold Maine winter. Call 407-622-3200 for tickets.

DEC. 15

Come enjoy “Winter Dreams,” the holiday sounds of the Maitland Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Maitland Presbyterian Church, 341 N. Orlando Ave. The concert is free. For information, call 321-303-1404.

A Christmas musical presentation at Winter Park Presbyterian Church will lift your holiday spirits at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 15. Enjoy a special harpist-accompanied musical presentation, “The Ceremony of the Carols” at Winter Park Presbyterian Church, 400 S. Lakemont Ave. Call 407-647-1467 or visit winppc.org for more information.

DEC. 19-22

The Winter Park Presbyterian Church’s holiday schedule will again feature the Longest Night, which is a worship service of remembrance, and its 45th annual Living Nativity. The Longest Night service, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m., provides a time of quiet reflection, special music, healing prayer, and candlelight for those experiencing loneliness and loss because of the death of a loved one, relationship problems, job insecurities, health concerns, or weariness from holiday preparations. All are welcome. Show times for the Living Nativity are 7, 7:30, 8, and 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, and Friday, Dec. 20. The Living Nativity, a tradition of the telling of the Christmas story, features a storyteller, carols and live animals.

DEC. 22

Please join Winter Park Presbyterian Church at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22, for a lessons and carols service with congregational participation in singing of classic Christmas carols at 400 S. Lakemont Ave. Call 407-647-1467 or visit winppc.org for more information.

ONGOING

The Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust Planetarium at Seminole State College offers Central Florida the chance to celebrate the holidays with multiple performances of its most popular show. The Planetarium will present “The Star of Bethlehem” two showings each on Dec. 13, Dec. 20 and Dec. 21. Show times for each date are 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. “The Star of Bethlehem” looks at how the calendar system has changed over the millennia and examines clues from the Bible to pin down the birth year of Jesus under our current calendar. The origins of the Magi are then looked at to determine what celestial phenomena they would have most likely interpreted to be the Star.

Now through Sunday, Jan. 5, the city of Winter Park is bundling up once again for “Winter in the Park,” the city’s annual holiday ice skating rink in Central Park West Meadow. The West Meadow is located at 150 N. New York Ave., on the corner of New York Avenue and Morse Boulevard, in downtown Winter Park. Snowflakes of all ages and skill levels are invited to chill out as they glide, spin and turn at “Winter in the Park”: Monday through Thursday, 3 to 9 p.m.; Friday, 3 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. See website for extended school holiday hours.

Snow angels are invited to skate all day for only $10 per skater (skate rental included). For a blizzard of 20 or more people, some cool group discounts are available for all this frigid fun. If you are interested in bringing your whole igloo to celebrate birthdays, special events, private parties or corporate holiday gatherings, the rink is available for rental opportunities. Advance reservations are required for private party and group reservations to avoid an icy avalanche of skaters at the rink.

Holiday music, games, carolers and so much more will flurry around you as you enjoy “Winter in the Park.” For more information, please call 407-599-3203 or visit cityofwinterpark.org/WITP.

If you are interested in showcasing your business during the busy holiday season to the 30,000-plus expected attendees, please visit the website and click on the “SPONSOR” tab for information on how to become an ice rink dasher board sponsor.

Take a stroll down memory lane as the Winter Park Playhouse pays tribute to two of America’s most well-loved composers of all time, George and Ira Gershwin! This high-energy song and dance celebration will put a smile on your face and a song in your heart! Featuring a collection of Gershwin favorites, including “Embraceable You,” “I’ve Got a Crush on You,” “I Got Rhythm,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” and “S’Wonderful!” Who could ask for anything more? It’s through Dec. 14. It’s all conceived by Roy Alan with the narrative by Todd Allen Long and musical arrangements by Christopher Leavy.