ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 helped to kick off the holidays in Central Florida by celebrating the annual tree-lighting ceremony at Lake Eola on Friday.
Bridgett Ellison, Crystal Moyer, Candace Campos and Trooper Steve Montiero flipped the switch on the 64-foot-tall tree structure at a free event that also featured musical performances and a holiday market in and around the park’s Washington Plaza, located on the west end along Rosalind Avenue.
The 64-foot-tall Christmas tree is adorned with 2,000 ornaments and over 200 pounds of lights that musically sync with the Lake Eola fountain during the performance, according to the city.
Attendees who aren’t able to make Friday’s tree-lighting ceremony can catch the synchronized light-and-music Christmas Tree Show every evening through Jan. 6, with the show running each hour between 5:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
Additionally, the downtown Merry Market is set to return at Lake Eola Park, taking place each weekend through Dec. 22. Attendees are promised “snowfall,” local shopping from more than 30 vendors and visits with Santa.
The fun doesn’t end after the tree is lit! We’ve got your holiday experiences covered every weekend, all season long at Eola Wonderland.
• New this year, check out DTOLive for musical entertainment at the Lake Eola Park amphitheater every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening thru December 22.
• Shop with more than 30 vendors at the Merry Market.
• Visit Santa for free at the Eola House.
• Experience snowfall in Florida!
• Catch a movie on the east lawn.
• And on December 21, the drone show, presented by AdventHealth, returns to light up the sky over Lake Eola.
Get all the details for what's happening at Lake Eola Park and throughout DTO at downtownorlando.com/holidays
City of Orlando Communications Manager Karyn Barber statement (excerpt)
Click here for the city’s interactive map of nearby parking lots and garages.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: