By Peter Covino

Entertainment Editor

The holidays jump into first gear this weekend with the St. Cloud Holiday parade this morning (Saturday).

Kissimmee’s annual Festival of Lights returns next Saturday at 6 p.m.

Both parades feature marching  bands and, of course, Santa Claus.

The St. Cloud parade theme is Home for the Holidays, while  Kissimmee’s floats will showcase a North Pole Fantasy.

Also in Kissimmee, Dec. 11, you can visit Santa at the Kissimmee Civic Center from 2-5 p.m. Photos with Santa are $5.

For more holiday fun, the 7th annual Winter Park Holiday Boat Parade returns Dec. 11. The rain or shine event takes place on Lakes Virginia and Osceola.  The parade and Festival of Lights is a community-wide water parade with holiday-themed and lighted boats along the lakes’ shorelines.

The event schedule:

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Water ski show will be on Lake Virginia with viewing on the Rollins College campus by the jump ramp in front of the campus student center/swimming pool. The area’s leading water skiers will be performing a one-hour ski show to music. More than two dozen professional skiers will be pulled by Southeast MasterCraft boats performing routines featuring jumps, multiple skiers’ acts, barefoot, wake boards, and high-performance equipment.

5 p.m.: Festivities kick off at the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens.  Live music will be provided by area favorites Tim and Mike Coons. The Coons Brothers will perform their updated versions of classic hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s  — songs that baby boomers and their children know and love. Also, the great sounds of the 12-piece band “The Escorts” will bring the holiday spirit of the season to life.

The Polasek Museum also hosts the official judging stand for the Winter Park Holiday Boat Parade.  In addition to live music, the Rotary Club of Winter Park will host a fundraiser to benefit local non-profit groups, with food, wine and beer available for purchase.  Admission to the Polasek Gardens for the parade is free. Limited onsite parking will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Polasek Gardens for a $5 donation.  

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, friends and family to the Polasek for the Winter Park holiday tradition.  Dinky Dock (off Fairbanks Avenue) is another public viewing area for the parade beginning at sundown.

Sundown: The parade will begin on east shore of Lake Virginia in front of Windsong and proceed clockwise around the shores of Lake Virginia, then proceed through the Palm Canal to Lake Osceola.

About 6:30 pm: Boat parade passes in front of judges at Albin Polasek Museum & Gardens and tours around Lake Osceola.

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Another holiday tradition returns with the 16th Annual Christmas at Pinewood holiday home tour at Historic Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. It runs through Jan. 2.   Central Florida designers have transformed the 1930s Mediterranean-style mansion into a glittering holiday showcase of “Christmas Memories.” New this year, “Letters to Santa” will provide funds for homeless children and needy families. The Gardens will donate $1 to the Salvation Army’s H.A.L.O. Child Enrichment Center and $1 to the Lake Wales Care Center for each letter written by a visiting child before December 20.  The holiday home tour is open daily including Christmas Day and requires an additional ticket.  

Also at the gardens daily, the sounds of the season can be heard with Singing Tower carillon selections every half hour and special concerts at 1 and 3 p.m.

The new exhibit at the visitor center is “Pinewood in Watercolor” by Sebring artist Janet King. King captures the essence of Pinewood Estate in this exhibit, showcasing one of the finest examples of Mediterranean-style architecture. The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and is included with general admission.

On December 17 and 18, evening holiday home tours at 7 p.m. will be included with Christmas concerts featuring Tammerlin at 7:30 p.m. The folk duo will perform ancient and modern carols, poems, readings and songs to fit the season. The concerts include a champagne reception. Space is limited and the cost is $40. Call 863-676-1408 for reservations.

The gardens will be open Christmas Day celebrating the season with Christmas carols from around the world during carillon concerts at 1 and 3 p.m. Visit www.boktowergardens.org for holiday home tour hours and to purchase tickets online.

Members will receive a special savings during the holiday season with the 12 Days of Shopping event. November 26 through December 7, members can receive a one time savings of 20 percent at the Tower & Garden Gift Shop.

Information about upcoming Gardens’ events and activities is available with a free subscription to the “Friends of Bok Tower Gardens” eNewsletter. Visit www.boktowergardens.org to join or call 863-676-1408 for more information.