ORLANDO, Fla. — Holiday cheer has been filling up downtown Orlando in front of the Dr. Phillips Center all month as the annual Frontyard Holiday Festival brings families and visitors together for some festive fun — all free of charge.
Twinkling lights, holiday music, fire pits, and plenty of food and drinks highlight the festivities.
What You Need To Know
Dr. Phillips is holding its annual Frontyard Holiday Festival in front of the Dr. Phillips Center in downtown Orlando.
The event includes food and drink vendors, live music, the lighting of the Tree of Light and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Admission into the Frontyard Holiday Festival is free.
The Frontyard Holiday Festival continues through Jan. 4 with the exceptions of closures on Christmas and New Year’s Day, with hours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then reopening 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
It’s a mini winter wonderland in the middle of the Sunshine State inviting families to enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of the season.
“There’s just such a vibe, and you know we’re just here spreading joy and it’s like infectious,” said Dr. Phillips on-call banquet bartender Katrina Harvey. “You get out here and you just can’t help but to be in a good mood.”
Harvey works part-time with the Dr. Phillips Center and took on a role at one of the Dr. Phillips owned vendors, the Cocoa Emporium, to be a part of the festivities.
Her stand sells traditional and spiked hot chocolate along with s’more kits to truly set the mood for the holidays and create an environment for everyone to enjoy.
“If you have kids that are out of school, family members in town you need to entertain and get out of the house a little bit, then this is a magical place to do it,” Harvey said. “You can come in and walk around. We have fires, and we sell s’mores kits so you can you know get different sized packs for your group and go and make s’mores together.”
The Frontyard Holiday Festival is also a place where even new traditions can begin.
“We wanted to do a little something for the holidays. We have a new little one who just turned one, so we wanted to spend a little time as a family together,” said Sabriya and Taylor Charles.
And after experiencing seeing Santa and Mrs. Claus, musical performances and the lighting of the tree of light, the Charles family says it was an adventure that couldn’t have been better.
“I love the Christmas Village kind of feel; that’s my vibe and person. And then with the music and with Santa, that’s just chef’s kiss,” said Sabriya Charles.
“Yeah, we love it and love coming out for the holidays in Orlando. Normally, we would go to Disney, but we came here for the first time and we’re loving it so far,” Taylor Charles said.
Showcasing the ingredients for success when it comes to celebrating the holidays and reminding everyone to just be kind.
The Frontyard Holiday Festival continues through Jan. 4 with the exceptions of closures on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Their hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then reopening 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.