The City of Winter Park is once again preparing to host a string of festive events this holiday season.
Gather with friends, family and loved ones to experience these annual holiday traditions in Winter Park,
the "City of Culture and Heritage."

• New this year is "Winter in the Park" ice skating rink in Central Park West Meadow.  Skate your way through the holiday season every day during the month of December.
• The tradition continues as the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art celebrates the season with their annual Christmas in the Park celebration on December 3rd beginning at 6:15pm.
• Head over to the Casa Feliz after the Christmas in the Park celebration for Cookies Cocoa and Carols from 7 - 9pm.
• The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremnony and Holiday Stroll will be held on Friday, December 4th at 5pm in Central Park.  Watch for a special appearance from Santa.
• After the tree is lit, spread out your blanket and enjoy two holiday classic movies in the park.  At 7pm "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" starts the evening followed by the 1954 classic "White Christmas."
• Another option on December 4th is Music in the Galleries at the Morse Museum of American Art.  Free admission and music from 4 - 8pm.
• The 57th Annual Winter Park Christmas Parade will begin at 9am on Saturday, December 5th.  Holiday themed floats and Santa Clause will make their way down Park Avenue.
• Leadership Winter Park will host the annual Pancake Breakfast at the Central Park main stage from 7 - 10:30 am. Enjoy hot pancakes, sausage and beverages for just $5 per adult and $3 per child with proceeds benefiting Winter Park area elementary schools.

^{Father Christmas and the Christ Child: Photo © Morse Museum of American Art}

Interior Design Students from Seminole State College of Florida (formerly Seminole Community College) get hands on decorating experience as they once again transform the historic Leu House Museum at Leu Gardens into Leu's Holiday House. Each room has a different design theme ranging from Victorian to American Colonial to Funky Retro.

The house is currently open for tours and will remain decorated until the first week in January. The weather is absolutely perfect this time of year for a stroll through the gardens with a visit to this beautiful historic home. Admission to Leu Gardens is free on the first Monday of the month.

Read More: Students dress up Leu House.

^{Leu Garden's Holiday House Photo © TJohnston}

For those with a taste for fine dining, Victoria & Albert's at the Grand Floridian offers the ultimate dining experience.

Menu offerings are prix fixe and feature the freshest regional products, complemented by world-class wines. Diners can choose from a menu that's customized daily by Chef Scott Hunnel, offering seven courses, including four signature entrees and exquisite desserts. A wine-pairing menu also is available.

As Central Florida's only five-diamond restaurant, awarded by AAA for the 10th consecutive year, Victoria & Albert's has achieved a recognition given only to 52 restaurants in North America.

For the ultimate dining experience, guests can reserve a spot at the Chef's Table. Up to eight guests a night are given VIP treatment in Victoria & Albert's kitchen. After Hunnel consults with everyone at the table, guests can watch him and his culinary team create customized dishes.

More:

• Dining at Disney
• Best Wine Lists for Orlando Area Restaurants

The Orlando area Outlet Malls are getting ready for Black Friday as both the Orlando Premium Outlets and Prime Outlets International Orlando have both recently expanded their number of stores.

Prime Outlets International Orlando The open-air mall on I-Drive now features 175 specialty stores. The outlet center contains a wide range of luxury name brands at discount prices.

Orlando Premium Outlets Great savings at 150 outlet stores will be featuring a weekend- long after Thanksgiving sale.

Opening at 12:01 am, Black Friday:

• Orlando Premium Outlets - Midnight Madness, midnight till 11 pm.
• Prime Outlets - Pajama Jam, midnight till 11 pm.

Opening at 5 am, Black Friday:

• Altamonte Mall
• Florida Mall

Looking for extra savings?  Sign up for the Orlando Premium Outlet VIP Shopper Club.

More: Listing of Orlando area Malls and Shopping Areas.

^{Photo © Chelsea Premium Outlets}