Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Now to Dec. 27 – ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ – the musical

The beloved classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” flies off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season with all your favorite characters in this new production at the Orlando Rep. Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, and of course, Rudolph are all there in this beloved musical adventure that teaches us what makes us different can be what makes us special. Call 407-896-7365, ext. 1, or visit orlandorep.com

Nov. 24 to Jan. 3 – Christmas at Gaylord Palms … with ICE!

Gaylord Palms, famous for its holiday ICE! show will create “The Night Before Christmas” in 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice. Accompanied by four ice slides, live ice carving stations, and an adult-only On The Blocks Ice Bar, Gaylord Palms has holiday offerings for every age. New this year is The Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt, which invites guests to find Santa’s 10 scout elves, and Broadway director and Cirque Dreams founder Neil Goldberg is creating an exclusive 25-minute show the entire family can enjoy presented with the inventive theatrics for which Cirque Dreams is renowned. Christmas at Gaylord Palms is open daily from Nov. 24 to Jan. 3 in Kissimmee. Visit ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com

Nov. 27 to Jan. 3 – Holiday Nights at inventors’ homes in Fort Meyers

It’s a source of pride that inventors Henry Ford and Thomas Edison had winter homes in Florida. During the holidays the homes and gardens of the Edison and Ford families are decorated with millions of lights and decorations. Visitors enjoy nightly entertainment, tours, and Santa visits on select nights (call for dates). There is also food service, evening river cruises and the Edison Ford Museum and Lab open nightly. USA Today called Edison Ford Holiday Nights one of the top-10 historic holiday sites in the nation. The 40th annual Edison Ford Holiday Nights opens Nov. 27. Call 239-334-7419 or visit Edisonfordwinterestates.org

Nov. 28 – Orlando Philharmonic: Home for the Holidays

A joyful Central Florida tradition, the Orlando Philharmonic’s Home for the Holidays is back with audience favorites Maestro Albert George Schram, The Holiday Singers, Florida Opera Theatre Youth Chorus, and the incomparable “Mr. Entertainment” Michael Andrew joining together with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra to perform holiday favorites for the entire family. Scheduled with impeccable timing – just two days after Thanksgiving – the two concerts will be presented at the Bob Carr Theater. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Nov. 29 – Thirty harps to hang the greens

The Central Florida Chapter of the American Harp Society will present the annual Hanging of the Greens concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29, at Broadway United Methodist Church. With 30 harps taking part in the concert, admission is free, but a free will offering will take place. A reception with light refreshments will take place after the concert at 406 E. Amelia St. in Orlando.

Nov. 29 – 44th annual free performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’

The 44th annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah” will usher in the holiday season at 3 p.m. on Nov. 29 at the Bob Carr Theatre in a free performance as a gift to Central Florida. Conducted by Dr. John Sinclair, the concert features all the familiar “master-moments” including the ever-popular “Hallelujah” chorus performed by a 120 voice choir, professional soloists and orchestra. The Society continues its support of the Second Harvest Food Bank by requesting concert attendees bring donations of food items to the performance. Visit messiahchoralsociety.org or call 321-285-6382.

Nov. 29 – Orlando Philharmonic’s free Holiday Pops in Central Park

The city of Winter Park and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra invite you and your family to celebrate the holiday season with a free Holiday Pops concert at 4 p.m. on Nov. 29 in Winter Park’s beautiful Central Park. Conductor Yaniv Segal will lead the Philharmonic in a program including “A Christmas Festival” and “Sleigh Ride,” as well as “Home for the Holidays,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “White Christmas” with soloist Marina Jurica. This free event is made possible by the Charlotte Julia Hollander Trust. Audience members are encouraged to bring canned or dry food to restock the pantries at Second Harvest Food Bank. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Dec. 1 – Essential Emeril live on-stage at Dr. Phillips Center

As a national TV personality, Emeril Lagasse has hosted more than 2,000 shows on the Food Network, and is food correspondent for ABC’s “Good Morning America.” This superstar chef will be live at Dr. Phillips Center for a night of cooking and camaraderie as we learn more about Emeril and how to make some of his favorite dishes. The show will be followed by a book signing of his 19th book, “Essential Emeril” in the lobby. Our own nationally recognized John Rivers – restaurant entrepreneur and head chef of the award-winning 4 Rivers Smokehouse and The Coop – will host the evening with Emeril. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Dec. 2 – Christmas at the Casa

Casa Feliz’ sixth annual Holiday Open House, sponsored by Commerce National Bank, will take place beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2. Guests may have photos taken with Santa, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, admire the traditional Christmas decorations at Casa Feliz (courtesy of Lee Forrest Design), while enjoying a quartet of Dickensian Carolers. There is no charge to attend Christmas at the Casa, but a donation of $2 per person, or $5 per family is suggested. (Professional Santa portraits are $10.) Call 407-628-8196 or email [email protected]

Dec. 2 – Eddie Izzard – comic force majeure at Dr. Phillips Center

The comic force-to-be-reckoned-with Eddie Izzard has sold out Madison Square Garden and is the first stand-up comic to play a solo show at the Hollywood Bowl – twice. He has performed his solo act in 57 American cities, taking topics from Greek mythology to Darth Vader and creating bizarre, absurd, surreal comic narratives that he spiels off like the comic genius that he is. The New York Times calls him “the most brilliant stand-up comedian of his generation.” The LA Times goes a little further and calls Eddie Izzard, “the funniest man in all of the known universe." Highly recommended. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Dec. 2 – Free artist talk – Technological evolution and the fine arts

As man merges with technology, change is happening exponentially. Join Ed Myers as he describes how he is keeping himself from turning into “a Transformer with a paintbrush.” Ed’s career as an illustrator started in 1993, designing video games for Electronic Arts, merchandise for Universal Studios, and books for Scholastic. Since 2010, Ed has focused his art on the way in which tools and technology are changing humanity … at a rapid pace. The event is free, and no reservations required. The talk will be held at the Henao Contemporary Art Center at 5601 N. Edgewater Drive in Orlando. Call 407-221-7732 or visit HenaoCenter.com

Dec. 2 to Jan. 3 – Peter and the Star Catcher at Orlando Shakespeare Theatre

Young “star catcher” Molly Aster enlists the help of three orphan boys to return a trunk of precious “star stuff” to her father in this new play by Rick Elice. Pursued by a pirate captain and a giant crocodile, the children must come face to face with the scariest enemy of all – their looming adulthood. This somewhat familiar story, with music by Wayne Barker, is the wildly theatrical, hilarious, and innovative story of the young orphan who would become Peter Pan. Call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Dec. 2 and ongoing – The Capen-Showalter House open for public tours

Reunited, restored, and ready for tours, The Albin Polasek Museum announces the long-anticipated opening of historic Capen-Showalter House for public tours. Beginning Dec. 2, the Capen-Showalter House will open for tours twice a week: Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Built in 1885 by James Capen, the house stands as one of the few remaining homes of Winter Park’s founding decade. Docents will immerse guests in its 130 year-old historical and architectural story including the home’s harrowing journey to the museum’s gardens and Albin Polasek’s surprising connection to the residence. Please call the museum at 407-647-6294 to confirm availability.

Dec. 3 – Christmas in the Park with the Bach Festival

Each year, on the first Thursday of December, the Morse Museum helps launch the holiday season in Winter Park when it lights up Tiffany windows in Central Park and presents the Bach Festival Choir, Youth Choir, and Brass Ensemble in concert. This annual celebration was begun by Hugh and Jeannette McKean, the Morse Museum’s benefactors, in 1979 as a way to share their rare Tiffany collection with the public. Today, the Morse Museum and the city of Winter Park co-sponsor the event. Call 407-599-3343 or visit morsemuseum.org

Dec. 4 – Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions – video game concert

Called “the must-see video game concert of the year,” this Dr. Phillips Center event gives fans and newcomers of all ages a chance to experience the evolution of Pokémon like never before. Brought to life by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra with visuals from recent and classic Pokémon video games, this magical event, which begins at 8 p.m., is for young and old and diehard fans to experience firsthand. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Dec. 4 to 14 – Breakthrough Theater presents ‘Little Women’

“Little Women” is a coming of age play by Peter Clapham based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott. Presented by the Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park, the play follows the lives of four sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy during the American Civil War as they struggle to make ends meet while their father is away at war. Directed by Wade Hair, Breakthrough Theatre is at 419 W. Fairbanks Ave. in Winter Park. Call 407-920-4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com

Dec. 4 – City of Orlando annual Tree Lighting Celebration

Join Mayor Buddy Dyer to kick off the 2015 holiday season during the annual Tree Lighting Celebration at the Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park. The lighting of the 72-foot tree will be televised live on News 6 at 6 p.m. This free event includes live music by the Encore! Cast performing holiday favorites along with Trinity Lutheran School’s holiday musical, and TheDailyCity.com Food Truck Bazaar. Attendees are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to support the Salvation Army’s Tree program, which helps more than 3,500 underprivileged children receive new toys each holiday season. Visit cityoforlando.net/holiday

Dec. 4 – Wine and demo with master artist Steven Assael

You are invited to visit the new Henao Center for Contemporary Art for a fundraiser evening featuring Steven Assael, the New York artist hailed by The Art Newspaper as “the foremost figurative painter of his generation.” Open to the public, this event offers the unique opportunity for guests to enjoy a glass of wine as Steven Assael draws from life, as he "works toward two ideals: excellence and insight.” It’s from 4 to 10 p.m. Dec. 4 for $15 per person. Call 407-272-0317 or visit HenaoCenter.com

Dec. 4 to 20 – ‘Miracle on 34th Street’

This charming play, inspired by the 1947 20th Century Fox movie, is even more miraculous on stage than on the silver screen. Seven-year-old Susan has doubts about childhood's most enduring miracle: Santa Claus, but after meeting a very special department store Santa who's convinced he's the real thing, Susan is given the most precious gift of all – something to believe in. In performance at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, call 407-877-4736 or visit gardentheatre.org