Oh, What Fun! Holiday Festival
The annual winter festival brings holiday magic to Lake Nona
Dec. 7 – 23, 2023
Gather your loved ones this holiday season as the Lake Nona Town Center transforms into Peppermint Square for the return of the Oh, What Fun! Holiday Festival. The annual celebration, open to the public at no cost, will be held on select nights — Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from December 7 through December 23.
This year, the season kicks off with a special Hanukkah celebration on Thursday, December 7, featuring a menorah lighting and blessing, fire performers, a live DJ, a stilt walker, children’s activities, face painters, and more. Then, experience the magic of the holiday season in Peppermint Square, filled with festive decorations, nightly snowfalls, and live entertainment Fridays through Sundays.
As you stroll through Peppermint Square, snack on something sweet from a collection of holiday-themed, pop-up food stands. Get a chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus in their whimsical winter cottage. Make holiday memories to last a lifetime with your loved ones along the Oh, What Fun! Photo Wall or in front of Peppermint Square’s centerpiece 24-foot-tall Christmas tree.
Each day brings a new adventure from the high-flying acrobatic shows of Santa’s Toy Box on Fridays to enchanting Snow Days on Saturdays and the activity-filled Family Fun Days on Sundays. Enjoy live shows throughout the festival, including showcases from local schools, professional carolers, live bands and the return of dance parties with everyone’s favorite MC, Peppermint the Penguin. Explore the holiday market, featuring local vendors and artisans, to find one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your nice list.
Enchanting Tree Trail & Fa La La La Bar
Stroll through the glittering Evergreen Tree Trail, where Christmas trees, festively decorated by local Lake Nona businesses, light up the path to the Lake Nona Wave Hotel, where adults can sneak away to the sculpture garden’s Fa La La La Bar for a crafted seasonal cocktail or a spiked hot chocolate with all the sweet garnishes.
Santa’s Cottage Experience
Snowbirds Santa and Mrs. Claus have made their way down south once again to their winter home at Peppermint Square. Visit the Clauses for storytime and a sing-along experience, then meet and greet St. Nick and his sweetheart and take the perfect holiday photo with them. Advance booking is required, so be sure to reserve your tickets now.
Verse Orlando’s Peppermint Forest VR Experience
New this year, dive into a magical augmented reality adventure with Lake Nona’s favorite holiday character, Peppermint the Penguin, at Verse Orlando next to Boxi Park.
Step into Peppermint’s enchanted wonderland and immerse yourself in a magical world of holiday cheer! Engage in delightful conversations, decorate a Christmas tree and indulge in snowball fights, all while experiencing cutting-edge AR technology. Peppermint’s Forest is a seasonal experience crafted by the ingenious minds behind the Unreal Garden and Star Walk, promising an unforgettable adventure for the entire family. Book this seasonal experience before tickets run out.
Make sure to bookmark www.ohwhatfunlakenona.com to stay in-the-know on all things holly and jolly as we get closer to the holiday season.
As one of the nearly 1,000 free community events hosted annually, this festival stands out as a beacon of holiday cheer and community spirit. Lake Nona events are known for immersive experiences featuring live musical performances, interactive displays, mouthwatering food and beverages and specially curated photo opportunities. For the latest information on what events are happening in Lake Nona, visit facebook.com/learnlakenona/events.