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This Weekend in Central Florida: Blanket Orlando, Jingle Eve and more!

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCF chapter.

Can we talk about how awesome of a line-up Orlando has for us this weekend? Get ready to put on those lbs right in time for the holiday season because the next few days are going to consist of a little bit of beer and a lot more food sampling!

Friday 11/22:

Blanket Orlando at Gaston Edwards Park: We don’t have many cold nights in Orlando, but this one goes out to the few that we do! Come out to Lake Ivanhoe from 4pm to 7pm with friends and family to support a good cause. Have a picnic, eat some snacks, Instagram, Tweet, you name it – just don’t forget to bring a blanket to relax on! All blankets will be left for the less fortunate to later distribute. Free to the public.

Nightmare Before Christmas at CFE Arena: Reminisce on the holidays over this 1993 classic! Remember, all Holiday Film Festivals and light shows at Light Up UCF won’t cost you a penny. Free to the public.


Saturday 11/23:

Winter Park Harvest Festival at Central Park’s West Meadow: Between 10am and 4pm, head over to Park Ave for locally grown produce, gardening and craft activities, live music, and a beer garden! Free to the public.

DeLand Fall Festivals of the Arts in Downtown DeLand: If you feel like getting away from the usual Winter Park/Orlando scene, take a stroll over to DeLand and enjoy this two-day festival displaying over 180 different artists’ work, including paintings, ceramics, photography, and more! Free to the public.

10th Annual Compassionate Thanksgiving Potluck at the Mead Garden: Vegetarians, vegans, and animal lovers unite! Enjoy a home-cooked meal brought to you by the Animal Rights Foundation and Vegetarians of Central Florida in the lovely gardens of Winter Park. $5 with a dish, $12 without.

Food Truck Crazy at Fleet Peeple’s Park: There’s no reason your pooch can’t enjoy a Saturday afternoon! Head over to the dog park and treat your tummy to some local tasty eats. Free to the public.


Brouhaha Film & Video Showcase at the Enzian: This isn’t just another Saturday at the Enzian! Sit back and watch screenings of locally produced films by Orlando artists. Stick around for the Audience Award taking place after all the films have been played. One lucky film will be up for grabs! $5-10.

Jingle Eve at Ivanhoe Village Main Street: Why wait until December to start getting festive over Christmas? From 6pm to 11pm, head over to the Lake Ivanhoe area to celebrate Jingle Eve for a fun night that everyone can partake in! You’ll find live entertainment, food trucks (as if you hadn’t already stuffed your face enough at these awesome festivals earlier), a wine stroll, “one night only” deals from merchants, and my personal favorite, a beer garden! Rumor has it that even Santa Claus will be making an appearance here, so the kiddies are in for a treat too. Don’t forget to check out the boat parade before you leave! Free to the public.

Sunday 11/24:

Although my Sunday Funday will be well spent at the Lake Eola Farmer’s Market per usual, there are a couple of events going on that might also interest you!

Sunday Beer School at Wall Street Plaza: Because you can’t take Beer 101 on campus! Sample beers and appetizers brought to you by Shipyard Brewery and your personal instructor for the evening, Bobby Baker. $10, RSVP required. 

Dead Parrot Comedy Show at Peacock Room: End your night off with some good hangs and some good laughs on the free! Free to the public.


UCF Contributor