DECEMBER NEWS & EVENTS for Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

Tis the season for holiday events. For the complete guide to holiday parades and festivities in the area click here. Attendees are advised to follow CDC guidelines and wear masks and practice social distancing.

It's one of the best family events of the year. The Mount Dora Santa Tour comes early this year and starts on December 1. Santa will tour the city's neighborhoods for three evenings so be ready for lots of lights and sirens. Read more. Kids can also drop off their letters to Santa in his official mailbox in Mount Dora. Letters dropped off by December 20 will get a personal reply. Read more

Although the Santa Tour is coming early this year, snow may come a little later. Mount Dora's annual Snow in the Park has been indefinitely postponed due to increasing COVID-19 cases. However, city leaders are hoping it will happen later this winter if cases decrease to a safer level. Stay tuned to Mount Dora Buzz's Facebook page for any updates.

Now there's a perfect gift for every local family and board game lover on your list. Mount Dora-opoly is a new board game styled after the classic Monopoly. Players compete to purchase and trade real estate with the names of familiar local businesses and landmarks. Read more

Another great gift, especially for teachers, is the new novel penned by a very familiar local face in Mount Dora. "Tales Out of School" is a semi-autobiographical book that chronicles the experiences, pitfalls and humorous happenings of a rookie teacher. Read more

As Covid-19 increases, so does the number of Lake County residents seeking testing. Mount Dora Buzz has put together some helpful information on free COVID-19 testing, when to get tested and the most accurate tests to take and where to find them. Read more

There is a lot of new business buzz this month, including new stores and restaurants coming soon. Scroll down for the buzz about what's coming to the area.

Wawa, a Pennsylvania-based chain of gas stations with food offerings that draw a loyal following, has finally broken ground in Mount Dora and has adjusted its targeted opening. Read more

At long last, Mount Dora will have its own bubble tea shop, Magic Tea. The new downtown business on Fourth Avenue has a familiar face as its owner and will whip up diverse offerings in addition to an impressive variety of boba teas. Read more

There is a whole slew of positive changes afoot right in the heart of downtown Mount Dora. The historic Renaissance Building, formerly a hotel, now has a new gallery, a small gourmet market, and brand-new eateries coming soon. Read more

The Renaissance Building isn't the only hot spot for new businesses in Mount Dora. A new women's apparel boutique is opening downtown that specializes in current trends at affordable prices. Read more

In restaurant and bar news, Tavares gained a large new Mexican restaurant and bar, Salsa, adding to the city's expanding dining choices. The large eatery is located in the former home of Angelo's on U.S. 441. Downtown Mount Dora now has a fifth bar mixing up craft cocktails. Handlebar opened in the second floor space above Wolf Branch Brewing. The space was formerly part of The Lost Parrot and Eduardo's.

Scroll down for local government buzz, Best of Mount Dora winners and links to more local entertainment.

© Mount Dora Buzz 2020

Mount Dora needs you! Now is the time for those wanting to give back to their community and armchair quarterbacks to have a real say in the future of their city. Mount Dora currently has openings for residents on its volunteer advisory boards on everything ranging from historic preservation, art in public places, planning and zoning (new development), parks and recreation, and others. No prior experience is required. Read more

Want to know more about what's happening or coming up at City Hall? Check out Mount Dora Buzz's government page.

View this month's entertainment calendar

Sign up for Mount Dora Buzz