Light Up UCF has dazzled Orlando for nine years now. This year they have more than 30,000 lights around the UCF area. The event includes ice skating, light shows, holiday films and a holiday market. Light Up UCF begins Fri., Nov 18, and will go through Sat. Jan 7.

   You can skate around the ice skating rink while listening to the top 40 songs that they play. Another fun attraction is the ice slide. It’s a 100 foot long ice slide where you can ride down on sled discs. This activity is fun and suitable for all ages.

   Another popular event is the annual light show, designed by electrical engineer, Carson Williams. People will be in awe when the see the enchanting glow of the lights that are perfectly in sync with holiday music. The light show starts at 6pm and goes hourly until close.  

   Many classic holiday films that everyone loves including “Elf,” “Home Alone” and “Frozen” are shown at Light Up UCF’s film festival. The films are projected on a large outdoor screen and are shown Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm and at 9:30pm.

   If you want to have a panoramic view of the UCF campus, then you should enjoy a ride on the ferris wheel. Other rides you can go on are the Light Up Express or the winter whirl. You can also take a walk down Light Up Lane presented by Coca-Cola where you can take a walk through a lit up Christmas tree forest. After you walk through Light Up Lane, take a photo with Santa and make sure to tell him what you want for Christmas.

   Watch the UCF marching knights, local singers and dancers, and high school bands and choirs when you visit the community performance stage presented by Duke Energy. Make sure to also stop by the holiday market where local businesses and artists sell holiday goods. This is the perfect area for last minute shopping and Secret Santa gifts.