25 actually good holiday date ideas for the broke Orlandoan

Friday, Nov. 17-Sunday, Dec. 31

Light Up UCF Winter carnival with ice skating, pictures with Santa, rides, games, movies and more. Prices for activities vary. CFE Arena, 12777 N. Gemini Blvd.; free-$19.95; 407-823-6006.

Friday, Dec. 1-Saturday, Jan. 6

Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show The Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show is an Orlando favorite. If you head out to this holiday display, be sure to stroll through the tunnel of lights for an unforgettable experience. 5:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m; Lake Eola, 512 E. Washington St.; free; cityoforlando.net.

Friday, Dec. 1

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Outdoor screening of the holiday edition of the continuing adventures of the Griswold family. 6 pm; Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave.; $6; 407-246-2620; leugardens.org.

Friday, Dec. 1

Thornton Park Christmas Tree Decorating Volunteer to help decorate the Thornton Park Christmas Tree. 4-7 pm; Thornton Park, Summerlin Avenue and Washington Street; free; thorntonparkdistrict.com.

Friday, Dec. 1

String Ensemble Concert 5 pm; University of Central Florida Rehearsal Hall, 4000 Central Florida Blvd.; free; 407-823-1500.

Saturday, Dec. 2

Songs of the Season 6 pm; Seneff Arts Plaza, 445 S. Magnolia Ave.; free; 844-513-2014; drphillipscenter.org.

Saturday, Dec. 2

Hysterical Tour of Gnomes A pub crawl through seven Sanford bars with participants dressed as gnomes. Bring nonperishable food items to donate to Harvest Time International. 7 pm; Little Fish Huge Pond, 401 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford; free; 407-221-1499; sanfordhistorictrust.org.

Saturday, Dec. 2

West Fest Art, music and culture festival with street art, face painting, a breakdance competition, food trucks and more. Noon-midnight; West Art District, 1011 W. Central Blvd.; donations; 407-810-1127; westfestorlando.com.

Saturday, Dec. 2

Winter Wonderland Annual traditions include a Holiday Parade and Christmas tree lighting plus local entertainment. 4:30 pm; Winter Springs Town Center, 158 Tuskawilla Road, Winter Springs; free; 407-327-6593.

Sunday, Dec. 3

Sparkle Market Holiday market with handmade goods, art, live music and more. 10 am; Dandelion Communitea Cafe, 618 N. Thornton Ave.; free; 407-362-1864; dandelioncommunitea.com.

Thursday, Dec. 7

Christmas in the Park The Morse Museum decorates Central Park with stained glass windows while the Bach Festival Choir performs a holiday concert. 6:15 pm; Central Park, Winter Park, North Park Avenue and West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park; free.

Friday, Dec. 8

Art & Music in the Park Enjoy live music, local vendors and a food truck bazaar every month. second Friday of every month, 6-9 pm; Secret Lake Park, 200 N. Lake Triplet Drive, Casselberry; free; casselberry.org.

Saturday, Dec. 9

SantaCon 2017 Join a horde of Santas as they travel to various bars and restaurants, celebrating the holiday season. 11 am; Thornton Park, Summerlin Avenue and Washington Street; free; santacon.info.

Saturday, Dec. 9

Blacklist Babes Holiday Extravaganza Special holiday-themed burlesque cabaret with live music. 10 pm; The Falcon, 819 E. Washington St.; $5; 407-423-3060.

Saturday, Dec. 9

Holiday Lights Ride Decorate your bike and join a gang of cyclists as they oooh and ahhh their way around the neighborhood to look at holiday lights displays. 6-9 pm; Bikes Beans & Bordeaux, 3022 Corrine Drive; $2 suggested donation; 407-427-1440; bikesbeansandbordeaux.com.

Saturday, Dec. 9

Saturday Matinee Classics: It's a Wonderful Life Frank Capra's famous film about an ordinary guy who does the right thing. noon; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $8; 407-629-0054; enzian.org.

Saturday, Dec. 9

Violectric Holiday Show Free holiday concert. 7-10 pm; Walt Disney Amphitheater, Lake Eola Park, Rosalind Avenue and Washington Street; free; 407-246-2121.

Saturday, Dec. 9

Marc With a C's Annual Holiday Marathon Show 7 pm; The Geek Easy, 114 S. Semoran Blvd., Winter Park; free; 407-332-9636.

Sunday, Dec. 10

Will's A Faire Holiday Market Market with handmade gifts, live music, food and more. 1 pm; Will's Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave.; free; willspub.org.

Saturday, Dec. 16

Bad Santa Bike Pub Crawl Santa-themed bike pub crawl from Johnny's Other Side to Thornton Park and Ivanhoe Village. noon-6 pm; Johnny's Other Side, 1619 Michigan St.; free; 407-894-6900; johnnysfillinstation.com.