Christmas in the Park Returns to Winter Park for 48th Annual Celebration

 The free holiday event will feature illuminated Tiffany stained-glass windows and a festive performance by the Bach Festival Society.

A longtime Winter Park holiday tradition is returning to Central Park this December as the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art and the City of Winter Park present the 48th Annual Christmas in the Park on Thursday, December 3, 2026.

The free outdoor celebration begins at 6:15 p.m., when seven century-old Tiffany leaded-glass windows illuminate Central Park, creating a colorful backdrop for a holiday concert featuring the Bach Festival Society Choir, Youth Choir and Brass Ensemble.

The performance is expected to conclude around 8 p.m., while the illuminated windows will remain on display for visitors to enjoy until 8:30 p.m. Guests planning to attend can set up blankets and lawn chairs beginning at 4 p.m.

A Winter Park Tradition Dating Back to 1979

Christmas in the Park began in 1979 as a way for Jeannette Genius McKean and Hugh F. McKean to share part of their rare Tiffany collection with the community. The couple envisioned an informal outdoor setting where the public could experience the beauty of the historic artwork.

The seven windows featured in the annual celebration were originally designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany’s firm as memorials with religious themes. They were created for the chapel at the Association for the Relief of Respectable Aged Indigent Females in New York City.

Today, the annual event continues that tradition, bringing together art, music and community during the holiday season.

For the 48th annual celebration, the Morse Museum will provide the Tiffany windows and coordinate the musical performances, while the City of Winter Park will oversee park arrangements, security, crowd management, traffic control and road closures.

Planning Your Visit

Christmas in the Park takes place Thursday, December 3, in Central Park in downtown Winter Park. Admission is free, and visitors are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs for the outdoor concert.

For additional information about the event, visit HERE.

To learn more about the Morse Museum and its holiday offerings, visit HERE.

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Ava McDonnell

Ava McDonnell is the Editorial Manager & Digital Content Creator for Central Florida Lifestyle Magazine. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with English BA in 2026. She also has experience in editing using AP Style and SEO guidelines. Originally from Clermont and now in Tampa, Ava loves all things local. Ava has always had a passion for learning about people's lives and sharing accurate stories with the world. She is dedicated to getting the job done right while making content interesting for readers. Aside from writing, you can find her indulging in the great outdoors with the people she loves. Whether it is hiking, taking photographs, or trying new activities, she is up for almost anything.

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