The holidays arrive early in Central Florida — along with "snow" flurries — for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom. Nov. 8-Dec. 18 disney.com

Robots invade South Florida for the Robotics exhibition at the South Florida Science Museum in West Palm Beach. Sept. 27-Jan. 16 sfsm.org

Wander through a winter wonderland of ice sculptures, slides and more during ICE! at Orlando's Gaylord Palms Resort. Nov. 16-Jan. 2 gaylordhotels.com

Key West lights up in festive fashion, from rooftops to the sea during the Key West "Bight" Before Christmas Holiday Celebration. Nov. 23-Dec. 31 keywestchristmas.org

Learn to create favorite holiday foods with a contemporary twist during a two-day cooking school at Salt, the signature restaurant at the renowned Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island. Dec. 15-16 ritzcarlton.com

See what it's like to celebrate the holidays in space at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex. Dec. 7-Jan.1 kennedyspacecenter.com

Visit Florida's only Skyspace installation — an artwork of light and space — by celebrated American artist James Turrell at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, opening appropriately on the winter solstice. Dec. 22 ringling.org

Welcome 2012 in style at any of the following New Year's Eve celebrations on December 31:

Count down to the descent of a 14-foot pelican during the Pensacola Pelican Drop in downtown Pensacola. pensacolapelicandrop.com

Catch multi-platinum recording artists Smash Mouth and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Universal Citywalk in Orlando. universalorlando.com

Take your pick of not one, not two, but three New Year's Eve parties at the Colony Hotel in Plam Beach. thecolonypalmbeach.com

Don a mask and your best black-and-whites for the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island's Black & White Masquerade Ball. ritzcarlton.com