Christmas is an unincorporated community in eastern Orange County, Florida, about twenty-five miles east of Orlando along State Road 50. The 2020 census counted roughly 2,400 residents. The community's unusual name dates to the Second Seminole War, when U.S. Army soldiers built Fort Christmas on December 25, 1837; a full-scale replica of the fort now anchors Fort Christmas Historical Park, which preserves the area's pioneer and military history. Christmas is part of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area, but it sits on the transition between the region's suburban development and the more rural, agricultural land that extends east toward the St. Johns River and Brevard County. The community is known for its festive place name, which draws visitors and holiday-themed attention, and for a large alligator-shaped roadside building that has become a local landmark. Housing in the area includes a mix of older homes, newer subdivisions, and larger rural parcels as growth from Orlando pushes eastward. Residents enjoy the proximity of Orlando's employment and amenities while retaining a quieter, more spacious setting. The nearby Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area and the St. Johns River basin offer outdoor recreation, and the community's location on State Road 50 keeps the Space Coast and Orlando within convenient reach. Public schools in Christmas are part of Orange County Public Schools, the region's large countywide district. The community's identity remains tied to its name and its frontier history, which set it apart from the rapidly developing suburbs closer to Orlando. For residents, Christmas offers a blend of rural character, historical character, and access to one of Florida's fastest-growing metropolitan areas. Its location along a major east-west corridor makes it a practical base for commuters who work in Orlando or toward the coast while preferring a less dense setting.