Dr. Phillips Center
From Dr. Phillips Center
In Summary:
The second annual Frontyard Holiday Festival will bring concerts, holiday movies, and family activities to Dr. Phillips Center’s three-acre lawn beginning November 27. Visitors can enjoy themed music nights, storytelling with Santa, tree lighting, and nightly snowfall during 27 operating days through December 31. Admission is free, with select activities, food and beverages available for purchase.
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Downtown Orlando’s holiday forecast calls for snow every night, country music one Thursday and yacht rock the next. Beginning November 27, the lawn outside Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will become a gathering place for families looking to celebrate the season without paying admission.
The second annual Frontyard Holiday Festival, supported by AdventHealth, returns through Dec. 31 with more than 80 free live performances, Sunday movie nights, storytelling with Santa and a lineup that includes Maggie Rose, The Frontmen, Michael Cavanaugh and Emmaline.
The festival will transform the arts center’s three-acre Frontyard with holiday lights, gift shopping, fire pits, games, and seasonal food and drinks. Admission is free, although select activities, food, and beverages will be available for purchase.
A holiday soundtrack with several styles
The Grand Stage lineup opens Friday, November 27, with the Swingin’ Holiday Big Band performing at 7 and 9 pm. The ensemble features 16 musicians and a vocalist in a show inspired by classic holiday television specials.
BK Jackson’s Jingle Jazz Tour follows December 4, with performances at 7 and 9 pm. The Tampa-born saxophonist will be joined by gospel vocalist Bobbi Storm and jazz artist Gino Rosaria.
Country Night on December 10 will feature The Frontmen, a trio comprising Richie McDonald, formerly of Lonestar; Larry Stewart of Restless Heart; and Tim Rushlow, formerly of Little Texas. Their performances at 7 and 9 pm will include hits such as “Amazed,” “God Blessed Texas” and “The Bluest Eyes in Texas.”
Singer-songwriter Maggie Rose takes the stage December 11 at 8 pm Michael Cavanaugh follows December 12 at 8 pm with “A Merry Rockin’ Christmas,” combining holiday favorites with music by Billy Joel, Elton John, and others.
Additional announced headliners include:
- Dec. 18: CeCe Teneal, 7 and 9 p.m.
- Dec. 19: Emmaline, presenting “Have Yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas,” 8 pm.
- Dec. 26: Gary Lovini, 8 pm.
Central Florida performers will also be part of the celebration, including Opera Orlando, the Orlando Gay Chorus, the Bach Festival Choir, the Brass Band of Central Florida, O-Town Brass and Ericka Dunlap. Area high school choirs and Dr. Phillips Center student ensembles will participate, with additional performances at The Alpine Chalet.
Thursday themes and Sunday movies
Thursday theme nights will give visitors a different musical experience throughout December. The expanded entertainment announcement lists Los Wizzards and Los Bombys for Latin Night on December 3, followed by The Frontmen’s Country Night on December 10 and New Kids on the Yacht for Yacht Rock Night on December 17.
A family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration featuring a DJ is planned for Dec. 31. The themed evenings are scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m.
Sunday Movie Nights, sponsored by OUC, will feature free screenings at 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. The announced lineup includes:
| Date |
Movies |
| Nov. 29 |
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “The Muppet Christmas Carol” |
| Dec. 6 |
“The Year Without a Santa Claus” and “Elf” |
| Dec. 13 |
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Home Alone” |
| Dec. 20 |
“The Year Without a Santa Claus” and “The Preacher’s Wife” |
| Dec. 27 |
“The Greatest Showman: Sing-Along Version” at both screenings |
Bells, stories and snowfall
Families can visit Santa’s Story Nook for storytelling and sing-alongs with Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves. Other attractions include the Little Elves’ Workshop, with holiday crafts and letters to Santa, a game lawn, a photo booth, and the All is Bright Celebration and tree lighting.
Cast in Bronze will return with a transportable carillon featuring nearly four tons of bronze bells. Its performances will mark the festival’s opening and closing each night, while nightly snowfall adds another seasonal touch.
Visitors can also gather around fire pits and purchase s’mores, hot cocoa, cider and other seasonal offerings. The Alpine Chalet and Fraser & Fir Tavern will offer full-service bars.
When to visit
The festival will operate for 27 days, from November 27 to December 31. It will open Wednesday through Sunday through December 13, then daily beginning December 16, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Hours are 5 to 10 pm on weekdays and 2 to 10 pm on weekends. The festival will be closed November 30, December 1, Dec. 7-8, Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 24-25.
Inside the arts center, a separate lineup of ticketed holiday performances includes Lindsey Stirling, “The Nutcracker,” Straight No Chaser, and other seasonal productions. Those shows are separate from the free outdoor festival.
Programming, dates, and times are subject to change. For the latest lineup and daily schedule, visit the Frontyard Holiday Festival website.
Key Points:
- The festival runs Nov. 27-Dec. 31 in downtown Orlando, with free admission.
- Headliners include Maggie Rose, The Frontmen, Michael Cavanaugh, Emmaline, CeCe Teneal, and others.
- Thursday themes include Latin, country, and yacht rock nights, plus a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration.
- Sunday movie screenings begin at 6:30 and 7:45 pm, featuring holiday classics and a “Greatest Showman” sing-along.
- Hours are 5–10 pm on weekdays and 2–10 pm on weekends on operating days; the festival is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
About Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is a private nonprofit organization (501(c)(3) in downtown Orlando, Florida. The arts center produces, presents, and serves as home to regional, national, and international works and co-presents Broadway in Orlando. The 698,312-square-foot venue has hosted 9,000+ performances and events to date, welcoming 6.2 million+ guests and contributing over $31.5 million to purpose and community since opening in November 2014. The arts center features renowned venues such as the Walt Disney Theater, Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, and the acclaimed Steinmetz Hall, recognized among Architectural Digest’s 11 most beautiful theaters worldwide. Judson's Live, the new live music room, complements established venues such as the DeVos Family Room, Rooftop Terrace, and front yard. Additionally, the AdventHealth School of Arts offers year-round performing arts education. For more information, visit drphillipscenter.org.
