Calendar

DEC. 18

The Parks and Recreation Department of Winter Park will host a dedication ceremony for The Peacock Project in the Central Park Rose Garden, located near the corner of Park and New England avenues in downtown Winter Park, at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18. The life-size peacock fountain is a limited edition design by Lloyd Le Blanc from England, who is known for his outdoor bronze sculptures. The fountain is the result of an Eagle Scout Service Project by John Michael Thomas, a sophomore at Bishop Moore Catholic High School, placed in memory of his late friend Elizabeth Buckley. For more information, call the city at 407-599-3399.

The Winter Park History Museum and the city of Winter Park celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Winter Park Country Club at the museum’s annual Holiday Open House on Thursday, Dec. 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Admission is complimentary for country club members and $10 for non-members. Please RSVP by calling 407-647-2330 or emailing [email protected] for more information.

DEC. 20

Enjoy the rich sounds of Christmas as tuba, euphonium, sousaphone and baritone players of all ages gather in Winter Park’s Central Park to perform a free concert from the main stage at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20. Winter Park’s 19th annual Merry Tuba Christmas is a free one-hour concert that has become a staple on the holiday list of things to do. Take a break from shopping on the Avenue and relax with loved ones to enjoy this annual event. Registration is $10 for musicians and begins at 9 a.m. with rehearsal running from 10 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, please call 407-599-3463.

The city of Winter Park Sustainability Program Workshop Series continues with a class on holiday plant care from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Winter Park Community Center. Spots must be reserved for this free event. For more information please call 407-599-3364 or email at [email protected]

Stop by the West End Craft Fair at Hannibal Square in Shady Park at the corners of west New England and Pennsylvania avenues to pick up any last minute gift items and stocking stuffers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20. There will be lots of vendors selling their handmade items from paper products to jewelry, pottery, paintings, body scrubs, ornaments, and children’s and pet items too! For more information, call 407-644-2175.

DEC. 21

Come on out to Central Park at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21, for a Chanukah family festival featuring a Grand Menorah Lighting. The night will include singing performances by children from the Jewish Community Center and Jewish Academy, live Jewish Rock music, dreidels, chocolate Chanukah gelt, Chassidic dancers, clowns, face painting, jugglers and a $1,000 grand raffle drawing. Food items will include hot dogs, donuts, chips and drinks. For more information, call 407-644-2500.

DEC. 24

Visitors to the Morse Museum receive free admission to the galleries all day during their Christmas Eve Open House on Wednesday, Dec. 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Live music by the Raintree Chamber Players will run from 1 to 4 p.m. The Morse Museum houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933), including the artist and designer’s jewelry, pottery, paintings, art glass, leaded-glass lamps and windows; his chapel interior from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago; and art and architectural objects from his Long Island country estate, Laurelton Hall. For more information, call 407-645-5311.

DEC. 29

The city of Winter Park will proudly host the eighth annual Russell Athletic Bowl Parade of Bands, featuring school bands from the University of Oklahoma and Clemson University, on Monday, Dec. 29, at 11 a.m. As a prelude to the Russell Athletic Bowl game at 5:30 p.m. at the Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium, school bands, cheerleaders and mascots will march through downtown Winter Park and perform a bandtastic game day preview. From 9:30 to 11 a.m., Interlachen Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Fairbanks and New England avenues, and Lyman Avenue will be closed between Knowles and Interlachen avenues for the band staging area. The parade will start at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Park and Lyman avenues, heading north on Park Avenue through downtown Winter Park. After turning west onto Garfield Avenue, they will proceed to Central Park where they will perform for all fans to enjoy. For specific information regarding the Russell Athletic Bowl Parade of Bands in Winter Park, please call 407-599-3463.

JAN. 5

The city of Winter Park is proud to announce the 14th annual Dinner on the Avenue will be held Saturday, April 11, 2015, from 6 to 10 p.m. Hosted by the city, this unique, fun-filled dining experience has become the social event of the year. Tables will go on sale Monday, Jan. 5, at 8 a.m. at the Winter Park Community Center, located at 721 W. New England Ave. Gather a table of friends, family, co-workers or neighbors to dine under the stars on beautiful Park Avenue. Tables of eight are available for just $125 each. Only the table, white linen tablecloth and chairs are provided – everything else is up to you. Get creative with table set-up and let your appetites decide whether you bring your own potluck dinner or hire a local caterer to satisfy your palate. Creativity is encouraged and each group is challenged to develop its own unique look and individual décor. Awards will be presented to winners in various categories including most colorful, most elegant, most original, best TV/movie-themed and honorable mentions. The judging will begin at 7 p.m. sharp, and awards will be presented once the judges have decided on the winners. For more information regarding this unique dining experience, please visit

cityofwinterpark.org or call 407-643-1613.

ONGOING

The Queen’s Head Theatre in the Howell Branch/Lake Howell area of Winter Park announces its soft-opening with the hilarious holiday show “The SantaLand Diaries” written by popular NPR contributor David Sedaris and adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello. Performances are Dec. 19, 20 and 21. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m. with Sunday Matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 and may be reserved by calling 407-960-4856, by emailing [email protected], or obtained at the door. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

This holiday season the city of Winter Park is hosting its sixth annual Winter in the Park Holiday Ice Skating Rink in Central Park now through Jan. 11. There’s a little bit of winter inside the tent – no matter the temperature outside. Join the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and Park Avenue Merchants Association as they spread holiday cheer to skaters and spectators. Visit winterpark.org or call 407-644-8281.

“A Christmas Story the Musical” is the classic account of Ralphie’s hilarious quest to ensure that the most perfect gift ends up under his Christmas tree: a Red Ryder Carbine-Action BB Gun! All the cherished moments are here – the Old Man’s leg lamp, the tongue-on-a-frozen-flagpole, the bunny suit are all there – on-stage for us to enjoy as a Tony-nominated Best Musical. Presented through Dec. 28 at Orlando Rep, call 407-896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com for tickets.