Light Up Winter Garden tree lighting is Friday, Dec. 4; the Winter Garden Christmas Parade is 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Both free. Hamlin lists its own tree lighting.

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Updated each year. Dates come from the City of Winter Garden calendar and Hamlin’s events page. Orange County government does not hold a Christmas parade in Horizon West.

Horizon West has no city government, so there is no Horizon West city parade. The nearest public Christmas parade and tree lighting are in downtown Winter Garden, where the city’s “‘Tis the Season” weekend starts with Light Up Winter Garden on Friday, Dec. 4, and the Christmas Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Both are free. In Horizon West itself, Hamlin lists its own tree lighting on the same Saturday evening.

Who to call

  • City of Winter Garden (parade, tree lighting, light show): 407-656-4111
  • Hamlin events: hamlinfl.com/events
  • Road closures on the day: FL511 and the city’s event pages

Light Up Winter Garden: Friday, Dec. 4

The city’s annual tree-lighting ceremony, 6 to 9 p.m. in historic downtown Winter Garden, 300 W. Plant St., free admission. It opens the city’s 31 days of holiday events, with the light show, live holiday entertainment, a children’s snow play area and sled hill, and vendors.

Saturday, Dec. 5 in downtown Winter Garden

  • Winter Garden Christmas Parade, 10 to 11 a.m. From South Dillard Street and West Plant Street through historic downtown. Floats, community groups, holiday entertainment and Santa Claus. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Free.
  • Holiday Night Market, 4 to 8 p.m. At the downtown fountain and pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Ave.: gifts, treats, trolley rides and visits with Santa, free to attend.
  • Christmas Golf Cart Parade, 6 to 7 p.m. Decorated golf carts roll down West Plant Street, then park so people can see them up close. The city says registration for carts opens on its website in late fall.

A Merry Winter Garden Light Show

The holiday light show runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on these nights, the city calendar says:

Dates Where
Dec. 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18 and 20 Winter Garden City Hall, 300 W. Plant St.
Dec. 19 Winter Garden Masonic Lodge
Dec. 26 and 27 Winter Garden City Hall

Christmas at Hamlin

Hamlin’s events page lists Christmas at Hamlin: A Festival of Holiday Traditions on Saturday, Dec. 5, 5 to 9 p.m., on the Lake District green space at 14111 Shoreside Way, with the lighting of its 25-foot Christmas tree and caroling at 6 p.m., photos with Santa, holiday crafts, cookie decorating and letters to Santa. Park on the first floor of the Cinépolis garage or on the street. Hamlin’s page mixes past and future listings, so confirm the date with Hamlin before you go; we will update this page when it is announced.

Hamlin also lists the 12Ks of Christmas, a 12K and 5K run from the same green space at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, with registration through its events page.

What this means for you

  • Dec. 5 is the big day: a parade in the morning, a market and golf cart parade in Winter Garden in the evening, and the Hamlin tree lighting at the same time. Pick one for the evening.
  • Live Christmas trees go out on your yard waste day after the holidays; see our trash and recycling guide.
  • Trash pickup on Christmas week shifts a day for Friday routes.
  • Light shows, Santa visits and the Southern Hill Farms Christmas Festival are on our holiday lights and Christmas events page.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Christmas parade near Horizon West in 2026?

The Winter Garden Christmas Parade is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, starting at South Dillard Street and West Plant Street in historic downtown Winter Garden. It is free, and Santa Claus appears.

When is the Winter Garden tree lighting in 2026?

Light Up Winter Garden, the city’s annual tree-lighting ceremony, is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, downtown at 300 W. Plant St. Admission is free.

Is there a tree lighting at Hamlin in Horizon West?

Hamlin lists Christmas at Hamlin on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 9 p.m. on the Lake District green space, with the lighting of its 25-foot tree and caroling at 6 p.m. Confirm with Hamlin closer to the date.

Is there a golf cart Christmas parade in Winter Garden?

Yes. The Winter Garden Christmas Golf Cart Parade rolls down West Plant Street from 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. The city will post registration for participants in late fall.