Fall Festivities & Holiday Happenings 2011 Cont'd

Oct. 29 & Nov. 24 — Holiday
Community Service Opportunities New City Church, 5425 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, offers two service opportunities: Oct. 29 at Second Harvest Bank of Central Florida Inc., where volunteers sort donated food; and Nov. 24, when volunteers prepare and serve Thanksgiving dinner at Orlando Union Rescue Mission’s women’s facility. For more information or to register, visit www.newcitynow.com on the Web.

Oct. 30 — Halloween Fundraiser
The Groove at Universal Orlando CityWalk hosts Monster Bash, a family-friendly event, sponsored by the Fatone Family Foundation, that includes music by Switch and Nerd Ranger, a costume contest and more. Time: 1-5 p.m. Cost: $20, adults; $10, children 3-10; free for children 2-younger, with proceeds benefiting the My Healing Harmony music therapy program. For more information, call 321-206-6581 or visit www.fatonefoundation.com on the Web.

Oct. 31 — Halloween Event
Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves, 3251 Daniels Road, Winter Garden, invites costumed trick-or-treaters and their parents to visit participating stores for free treats. Time: 5-8 p.m. For more information, visit www.wintergardenvillage.com on the Web.

Nov. 4 — Fall Festival
Windermere Preparatory School, 6189 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Windermere, invites the public to a fall festival, including musical performances, a 50-foot ferris wheel, carnival rides, obstacle challenge, attractions, vendors and more. Time: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Cost: Ride wristbands for children 3-17 are $35 in advance, $40 the day of the event; other ages and non-riding children are free. For more information, call 407-948-5706 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Nov. 12-20 — Tree Festival
The Council of 101 sponsors Festival of Trees 2011, Hip Holidays, including designer-decorated trees, vignettes, gingerbread houses and more, at Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando. Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: $10, adults; $6, children 3-11, with proceeds benefiting OMA. For more information, call 407-896-4231, ext. 254; or visit www.omart.org on the Web.

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Nov. 13 — Fall Family Festival
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando sponsors a free family festival, including live entertainment, midway rides, a petting zoo, video game station, health and safety zone, inflatable bounce houses and more, at Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs. Time: 11a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call 407-645-5933 or visit www.orlandojcc.org on the Web.

Nov. 13 — Fall Open House
The First Academy, 2667 Bruton Blvd., Orlando, holds a fall open house, during which prospective parents are invited to meet teachers and tour the campus. TFA is a K4-12 Christ-centered college preparatory school. Time: 2-4 p.m. For more information, call 407-206-8602 or visit www.thefirstacademy.org on the Web.

Nov. 24 — Thanksgiving 5K
The 22nd annual Turkey Trot 5K takes place Thanksgiving Day in downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola Park. Time: 8 a.m. Cost: $27 through Nov. 12; $30 from Nov. 13 through Nov. 23; and $35 the day of the event, with proceeds benefiting Seniors First Inc., a nonprofit organization that serves the needs of Central Florida’s elderly. For more information or to register, visit www.trackshack.com on the Web.

Dec. 2-4 & 9-11 — Christmas
Performances First Baptist Church of Orlando, 3000 S. John Young Parkway, Orlando, presents The Singing Christmas Trees, including a choir, full orchestra, worshipful dance, display of 250,000 lights, two 40-foot “singing” Christmas trees, and more. The event, which has been featured on Good Morning America, is an almost 30-year tradition and one of Central Florida’s most popular holiday happenings. Time: Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 5 p.m. Cost: $5-$45. For more information, call 888-461-9824 or visit www.singingtrees.org on the Web.