Welcome to Thanksgiving Morning, Orlando!

Today is a condensed version of the newsletter, given the holiday, but I still wanted to set you up nicely for the weekend.

I’m obviously thankful for my family, but I’m also thankful for YOU! Over 10,000 of you crazy kids have invited me into your inbox, allowing me to share what I think the best of Orlando offers, as a local.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Gobble-gobble.

Now onto today’s Orlando Signal (weekend fun) issue:

• Dazzling Nights

• FusionFest

• Let’s Sing Taylor

• + lots of weekend recs

Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Subscribe here.

On with it!

- Philip

P.S. Love the newsletter? 👇 Orlando Signal is powered by java, and cat-treats!

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens

📍Harry P Leu Gardens. 1920 N Forest Ave, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 Kicking off Friday, November 29th, 5:30 p.m.

Experience a mesmerizing transformation at Orlando's Leu Gardens during Dazzling Nights, where one million lights craft an enchanted evening landscape.

Journey through towering oaks draped in brilliant lights, wander past luminaria walls inspired by European festivals, and discover a forest where trees share global holiday greetings.

Marvel at an elegant 70-foot tunnel of ornaments, a pristine white garden featuring a swan topiary, and 800 candle-lit stained glass windows.

Culminating in a majestic 50-foot tree, this spectacle promises pure winter magic.

[Get more info, right here]

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
FusionFest 2024

📍Seneff Arts Plaza In front of The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 445 South Magnolia Avenue. Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, November 30th starting at 10 a.m. and Sunday December 1st, starting at noon.

Experience a dazzling celebration of global traditions as FusionFest 2024 transforms downtown Orlando's Seneff Arts Plaza and City Hall Commons Plaza into a cultural wonderland.

This free two-day festival unites more than 110 cultural communities, featuring over 1,000 local artists who bring their heritage to life through music, dance, cuisine, and visual arts.

From mesmerizing performances to interactive installations, from traditional games to spoken word poetry, every moment offers a new cultural discovery at this vibrant international showcase.

[Get more info, right here]

Sugar Plum Fairy's Winter Tale

📍Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater. 445 South Magnolia Avenue. Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday, November 29th, 7:30 p.m.

Embark on a wintry reverie through Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker," where a simple gift ignites an extraordinary two-act adventure.

As midnight chimes, Clara's cherished nutcracker transforms into a prince, leading her into a snow-dusted realm of wonder. Here, the ethereal Sugar Plum Fairy presides over the Land of Sweets, where confections spring to life in a dazzling dance spectacle.

Her sublime performance crowns this timeless production, weaving magic through every crystalline note until the final, mesmerizing curtain fall.

[Get more info & tix, right here]

Let's Sing Taylor: Live Band Experience Celebrating Taylor Swift

📍The Plaza Live. 425 North Bumby Ave., Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, November 30th, 8 p.m.

Are you a Swiftie (secretly or otherwise)? Or maybe you now know?

Enter the enchanting world of "Let's Sing Taylor," where Taylor Swift's musical legacy comes alive through masterful live performances.

This all-ages celebration transforms her iconic catalog into vibrant, authentic renditions that capture the essence of pop's beloved queen.

From seasoned Swifties to newcomers, immerse yourself in an electrifying tribute where fans can dress in their favorite Swift-inspired looks and experience the magic of Taylor's discography in a whole new light.

[Get more info & tix, right here]

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Multi-day:

Thanksgiving Weekend Celebration | Fri & Sat 9:30 a.m.and Sun 1 p.m. | Winter Park Area | More

Holiday Market | Fri & Sat 12 p.m. | Thornton Park | More

Sommore | Fri 6 & 9 p.m. Sat 5 & 8:30 p.m. Sun 5 p.m. | I-Drive/Universal | More

Deck the Halls with Raptors | Sat & Sun 10 a.m. | Winter Park Area | More

Crealdé Artists At FusionFest | Sat & Sun 12 p.m. | Downtown | More

Winter Youth Music Festival | Sat 1 p.m. & Sun 9 p.m. | Downtown | More

Friday:

Elf in Concert | 3 & 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

UCF Knights Football vs Utah | 8 p.m. | UCF | More

Le Petite Fete: The Drop Party | 8 p.m. | South Eola | More

Saturday:

CB Cares Holiday Market | 12 p.m. | Dr. Phillips | More

Small Business Saturday | 12 p.m. | Thornton Park | More

Home for the Holidays | 2:30 & 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Let's Sing Taylor | 7 p.m. | Milk District | More

Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

Silent Discos In Amazing Spaces | 7:30 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Final Orlando City SC v New York Red Bulls | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Universal Funk Orchestra, Creativ Angel, E-Turn, DJ K1X, Warm Fuzzy, Conscious Mind Records | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Shine | 10 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Sunday:

Packing District 2024 Jingle Jog 5K Fun Run & Walk | 6:45 a.m. | College Park | More

Faire of the Dog: Holiday Market | 12 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

European Christmas Market - Christkindlesmarkt  | 12 p.m. | Kissimmee | More

Tasting with Master Sommelier George Miliotes | 1:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Monster Mart | 3 p.m. | Central | More

UCF Knights Mens Basketball vs. California Baptist Lancers-Men's Basketball | 4 p.m. | UCF | More

Eugene Snowden | 6 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Hawt and Popular Vol 3.4 Release Party | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

THANKS!

Interested in reaching smart readers like you? Grow with us right here.

🆕 Do you put on events? Submit your event.

We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal