Welcome to THANKSGIVING Morning, Orlando!
GOBBLE-GOBBLE. Happy Thanksgiving, fam!
Today’s issue is a little leaner than usual so I could chill out a bit heading into the holiday, but still stuffed with weekend plans, like a Thanksgiving plate, but with less regret. haha
Speaking of gratitude. The OS crew is over 20K strong and shows up twice a week to devour issue after issue. You're the cranberry sauce to my dry turkey. Thank you. 💚
Now, in today’s issue:
- Dazzling Nights 2025
- Into the Wild
- Holidays in Hollywood
- + lots of weekend recs
Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Subscribe here.
Let’s roll!
- Philip
P.S. Want some hawt community sourced foodie recommendations? Check out the Orlando Signal Restaurant Guide, right here.
⚡ Orlando's full of amazing people you've never met. Let's fix that.
ROUND 2: Orlando Signal Dinner Club
We're throwing strangers together over killer food in Ivanhoe Village on Wednesday, December 10th at 6:30 p.m.
This is a perfect way to relax and enjoy yourself heading into the busy holiday season!
Spoiler: they won't be strangers by dessert.
How it works: click here to start our quiz. We'll match you with five OS readers who either get your vibe perfectly, or will hilariously expand your worldview (your choice).
😎 The twist: your restaurant? A mystery until that morning. Mid-dinner, we'll text everyone a nearby spot to keep the night rolling: think drinks, games, and stories you'll actually remember.
What you're in for: 16 bucks reserves your seat (supports OS). Your meal is on you at the restaurant. We handle all the behind-the-scenes magic and orchestration.
Who's this for? Orlando newbies hunting for their people, and longtime locals ready to escape the same-old circle. Now….👇
🫵 Take the Quiz & Grab Your Seat →
WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Dazzling Nights 2025 @ Leu Gardens
Source: Dazzling Nights
📍Harry P. Leu Gardens. 1920 N Forest Ave Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.
🕐 Friday, November 28th through January 4th
Leu Gardens' beloved holiday spectacle expands this year with extended paths, more lights, and continuous live music.
Stand beneath a 50-foot star, explore the new Holiday Village, and marvel at giant crystal chandeliers suspended overhead. Experience "The Cathedral's" 80-foot stained glass tribute, battle elves in an 8-bit snowball zone, wander through Candy Cane Crossing's choreographed forest, and encounter towering Yetis in the Crystal Kingdom.
Sweet treats and festive drinks, including adult beverages, complete the evening's enchantment.
👉 Check It Out
TOP 3 4 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Palmers Gardens & Goods Presents Holiday Festival
Source: Palmers Gardens & Goods
📍Palmer's Feed & Seed. 912 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32805. Map to this location.
🕐 Sunday, November 30th, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Between Thanksgiving and Christmas magic, Palmer's Holiday Festival delivers something rare: actual snow in Florida.
Choose your farm-fresh Christmas tree while kids craft ornaments and build snowballs under sunny skies. Local vendors offer unique gifts that tell stories, not barcodes. Santa's waiting for photos that capture real wonder, not perfection.
With food, drinks, and holiday cheer woven through every corner, Palmer's transforms a simple outing into the memory your family will retell for years.
👉 Get more info, right here
Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild
Source: Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
📍Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens 3755 W. Seminole Blvd. Sanford, FL 32771. Map to this location.
🕐 Now through January 18th
This season, the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens lights up after dark with the Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild.
Walk a three-quarter-mile trail surrounded by handcrafted, illuminated sculptures, ice dragons, unicorns, and ocean scenes glowing with thousands of LEDs.
Created with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. from Zigong, Sichuan, China, over 50 larger-than-life displays bring centuries-old Asian tradition to Florida.
With seasonal food, drinks, live music, and artisan crafts, this limited-time, after-hours experience offers something genuinely different.
👉 Get the full details
Home for the Holidays: Holidays in Hollywood
Source: Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
📍Steinmetz Hall. 445 South Magnolia Ave. Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday, November 29th, 2 30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra blends traditional carols with beloved Hollywood film scores in "Home for the Holidays: Holidays in Hollywood."
Experience live orchestral performances of music from White Christmas, Polar Express, Home Alone, and more, melodies that have sound tracked countless family movie nights and cozy November & December evenings.
This interactive celebration features vocalists and audience sing-alongs, creating communal joy that invites everyone to participate.
It's nostalgia, music, and festive cheer rolled into one memorable evening that promises to grow your heart three sizes.
👉 Check it out, right here
Morse Museum Thanksgiving Weekend Celebration
Source: Charles Hosmer Morse Foundation, Inc.
📍The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. 445 North Park Avenue | Winter Park, FL 32789. Map to this location.
🕐 Friday, November 28th through Sunday, November 30th
Looking for an artful way to spend Thanksgiving weekend? The Morse Museum is rolling out free admission from Friday, November 28, through Sunday, November 30, plus live music in the galleries Friday evening from 5–8 p.m.
I’ve been here, and it’s worth your time.
This Winter Park gem houses the world's best collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933), featuring his luminous leaded-glass lamps, shimmering jewelry, pottery, and paintings.
Don't miss his chapel from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and treasures from his Long Island estate, Laurelton Hall. American art pottery and early 20th-century decorative pieces complete the experience.
👉 Get more info, right here
MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁
Multi-Day
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage | Fri, Sat, Sun | Downtown | More
FusionFest | Sat & Sun | Downtown | More
Friday - 28th
Belmont, Avoid, and Super Sometimes in Orlando | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More
Nick Shrubsole, Jason Choi, Please Be Kind | 6:30 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Orlando Solar Bears vs Jacksonville Icemen: Underwear Toss | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More
U.S. Women's National Team v Italy | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More
Given To Fly- The Pearl Jam Experience | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More
Jeff Rupert Quartet | 8 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Blade Rave | 9 p.m. | Downtown | More
Saturday - 29th
🔥 72nd Movember Beard & Mustache Contest, presented by Doc Good Beard | 2 p.m. | Clermont | More
🔥 Hop on the Main Street Merry Mobile | 11 a.m. | Curry Ford West | More
Shop Small, Support Local at the DTO Local Line-up! | 11 a.m. | Downtown | More
Small Business Saturday Goblin Market | 1 p.m. | Oviedo | More
Three Days of the Condor | 12 p.m. | Maitland | More
UCF Knights Mens Basketball vs. Virginia Military Institute Keydets Men's Basketball | 1 p.m. | UCF | More
Ariel Pink: With You Every Night Tour | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More
The Po' Ramblin Boys | 7 & 9 p.m. | Downtown | More
SAK Comedy | 7 p.m. | Clermont | More
Skinny McGee and the Handshakes with Swamp Poney and the Tom Haney Band | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
The Steel Crows and Hello Sister, with Palace Rats and The Bloomers | 7 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Zach Muth Quartet | 8 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Sunday - 30th
Wekiva Island Holiday Market | 1 p.m. | Longwood | More
Bride & Prejudice | 11 a.m. | Maitland | More
Punk Rock Flea Market | 11 a.m. | Winter Park | More
Faire of the Dog | 12 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Night Owl Book Society Paint and Sip Night | 5 p.m. | Milk District | More
Mark Paul | 6 p.m. | I-Drive | More
Punk Rock Saves Lives Benefit Show | 7 p.m. | Winter Park | More
🎭 Have an event to share?Submit it here.
THANKS!
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🌟 Know a community superstar? Tell me about them, right here.
We’ll see you on Monday.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal
