A magical experience, a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit. The Festival of Trees, the Orlando Museum of Art's nine day holiday celebration begins on November 14, 2009. Partake in the glittering wonderland of decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses. Each day a presents a special activity or theme. General admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children. More on the Orlando Museum of Art.

• Friday, Nov. 13: Patron's Gala
• Wednesday, Nov. 18: Reindeer Romp Wednesday
• Friday, Nov. 20: Jazz Stroll Friday

How do you get into the holiday spirit? Share your ideas in the comments below.

Welcome Santa to the Orlando area with one of the grandest arrivals around. The Mall at Millenia marks the kick-off to the holiday season with a free spectacular celebration that begins at 6p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2009 with a dance party for children of all ages. Whimsical characters from Hollyville, Millenia's winter wonderland, mingle, perform and dance with the crowd. At 6:45p.m, Santa, magically descends from the night sky in a haze of Orlando snow. Families can enjoy hot dogs and beverages throughout the event by making a small donation to the Salvation Army.

The Mall at Millenia continues to offer support of local families in need by hosting The Salvation Army's Angel Tree. The spirit of gift-giving begins at Noon on Friday, November 13 with an exclusive live broadcast by WKMG Local 6, located in the Orangerie Cafes. Guests are invited to adopt an 'angel' from a decorated holiday Angel Tree and give clothing, shoes and unwrapped toys. All donations brighten the holidays for many local deserving children. The Salvation Army Angel Tree program will conclude on Saturday, December 13.

The Morse Museum of American Art contains the most comprehensive collection of the works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. If you have never had the opportunity to visit this famed museum, now is the perfect time. From November through April, visit the museum for free on Friday evenings. This year the museum is offering an eclectic mix of live music in the galleries on Friday evenings.

• November 13: Joshua Englert (classical guitar)
• November 27: Harpist Bizarre Quartet (bass, flute, guitar, and harp)
• December 4: Beautiful Music Holiday Flute Trio
• December 11: Beautiful Music Chamber Quartet (cello, flute, viola, and violin)
• December 18: Raintree Chamber Players (cello, flute, and viola)

^{Photo © Charles Hosmer Morse Foundation}

Villains, Vixens and Vampires the 2009 Fantasy Fest Celebration ended on October 31.  Readers are starting to post about this year's event.  First-time visitors are a little surprised at what they encountered on the streets of Key West this year.

Started in 1978 as a way to bring visitors to Key West to stimulate the non-existent October tourism, Fantasy Fest has grown in size to close to 100,000 visitors.  Party-goers from all over the world now visit Key West on the last full week before Halloween for a 10 day party.  Hotel prices are close to triple, restaurants are booked and parking is at a premium.

Have Fantasy Fest visitors gone overboard?  Have creative costumes been replaced with bawdy nudity?  Readers are posting their opinions on what they thought of this year's (2009) Fantasy Fest in Key West (and it doesn't sound pretty!)  Read the blog comments here.

^{Photo © M.Mcleskey, FF 2006}