Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department gave some children and families at AdventHealth for Children in Orlando a holiday surprise on Thursday, as they rappelled down the side of the children’s hospital, spreading cheer through the windows. Now in its ninth year, the “Elf Rappel” event has become a tradition for Orlando-area fire departments. Dressed as elves, they gave Santa and Mrs. Claus—who were also high above on ladder trucks—an assist as they flipped and played along with the kids, having a jolly ol’ time.

Alex "Fonzy" Ildefonso, from Orange County Fire Rescue, rappels down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)Alex “Fonzy” Ildefonso, from Orange County Fire Rescue, rappels down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department rappel down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department rappel down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department rappel down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department rappel down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Santa gives a wave from high above in a ladder truck as Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department rappel down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)Santa gives a wave from high above in a ladder truck as Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department rappel down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Adam Garcia, from Orange County Fire Rescue, rappels down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)Adam Garcia, from Orange County Fire Rescue, rappels down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)

Adam Garcia, from Orange County Fire Rescue, rappels down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)Adam Garcia, from Orange County Fire Rescue, rappels down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Santa gives a wave from high above in a ladder truck as Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department rappel down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)Santa gives a wave from high above in a ladder truck as Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department rappel down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Santa goes through his sack from high above in a ladder truck as Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department rappel down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)Santa goes through his sack from high above in a ladder truck as Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department rappel down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department rappel down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department rappel down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Santa gives a wave from high above in a ladder truck as Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department rappel down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)Santa gives a wave from high above in a ladder truck as Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department rappel down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Alex "Fonzy" Ildefonso, from Orange County Fire Rescue, rappels down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)Alex “Fonzy” Ildefonso, from Orange County Fire Rescue, rappels down the side of AdventHealth for Children, interacting with children and their families through the windows on Thursday, December 18, 2025. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Thomas Farrel waves to Kaleb Muniz and Elijah Brown, patients at AdventHealth for Children, as Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department rappel down the side of the building, interacting with children and their families through the windows. Now in its ninth year, the "Elf Rappel" event has become a tradition for Orlando-area fire departments. Dressed as elves, they spread cheer down the side of the children hospital with help from Santa and Mrs. Claus, who are also high above on ladder trucks, playing along in their usual jolly manner.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)Orange County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Thomas Farrel waves to Kaleb Muniz and Elijah Brown, patients at AdventHealth for Children, as Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orlando Fire Department rappel down the side of the building, interacting with children and their families through the windows. Now in its ninth year, the “Elf Rappel” event has become a tradition for Orlando-area fire departments. Dressed as elves, they spread cheer down the side of the children hospital with help from Santa and Mrs. Claus, who are also high above on ladder trucks, playing along in their usual jolly manner.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)