Here at Gotta Go Orlando we've brought together all the amazing Christmas and Holiday Season Events taking place in Orlando's theme parks this Holiday Season.
Anytime is a magical time to visit Orlando's theme parks, but we highly recommend a visit during the holidays!
Traditions are important, especially at Christmas time. They can inspire generations of families and friends to create lasting bonds and cherished memories. If you travel over Christmas, Orlando's theme parks celebrate with holiday decorations, special events, after-hours parties and so much more.
At Walt Disney World, sparkle and shine during the merriest season of the year at all four theme parks and beyond! At Magic Kingdom, discover oh-so-jolly holiday trimmings and touches along Main Street, U.S.A. and throughout the park. At Hollywood Studios, gaze in wonder as the Hollywood Tower Hotel is transformed nightly with holiday projections. Over at Animal kingdom, see Discovery Island come to life with artisan-sculpted puppets of arctic animals—like penguins, reindeer, foxes and polar bears. At EPCOT you will discover festive traditions from cultures around the world during EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
After hours events take place at Magic Kingdom, with Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party offering festive entertainment, a storybook holiday atmosphere, sweet treats and more. Another after hour event is Disney Jollywood Nights, celebrate the season in style with a ticket to this 5-hour event in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Moving onto Universal Orlando Resort, get ready for Holidays at Universal! Don't miss Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's and Seuss Landing all spruced up for Grinchmas.
Find festive fun around every corner with holiday-themed entertainment, exclusive limited-time holidays food and drink offering, and New Year's celebrations at both Universal Studios Florida, and Islands of Adventure. Plus, there are even more festivities at Universal Orlando Resort's spectacular hotels.
Over at SeaWorld Orlando, gather your family and join all your festive friends at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. See the park transformed into a winter wonderland sparkling with millions of beautiful Christmas lights. With plenty of holiday cheer, this event is sure to create unforgettable memories at a wondrous Christmas celebration you’ll only find at SeaWorld.
Plus, experience the ultimate holiday thrill with SeaWorld Orlando/s limited capacity Coasters After Dark: Christmas Edition! Enjoy a festive night filled with excitement as each ride transforms under twinkling lights, creating a perfect holiday atmosphere for family and friends.
At Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, the holidays shine brightest at Busch Gardens Christmas Town! Celebrate the year with holiday cheer and gather with family and friends to create merry memories. Indulge in new holiday-inspired culinary delights and meet festive characters like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends. All under the nearly 70 miles of dazzling lights throughout the entire park. Experience Tampa Bay’s longest running holiday celebration, only at Busch Gardens Christmas Town.
Next, sleigh into the holly jolliest time of year as Holidays at LEGOLAND presented by Hallmark Channel returns to LEGOLAND Florida Resort! Surprise your family with tons of bricktastic holiday fun coming down the chimney, including an all-new ginormous LEGO brick-built Christmas Tree, a festive LEGO crew, new elf-tastic entertainment, and bunches of new holly jolly LEGO décor.
At Kennedy Space Center look in wonder at the festive holiday décor that has taken over the visitor complex. Décor includes - a 50 foot tree illuminating the Rocket Garden and Gateway with more than 61,000 pixels of light, the all-new Rocket Tree Trail sponsored by , six-foot-tall astronaut nutcrackers and more. You will also see the return of your favorite décor, such as the NASA meatball turned holiday ornament.
Read on for all the holly jolly details....
Theme Park Holiday Season Events 2024
November 12 - December 31, 2024
Get wrapped up in all things merry and bright, with sensational sights and holiday delights. The Magic Kingdom, truly is extra magical during the holidays, with beautiful decor, festive entertainment, and extra jolly eats and treats.
Highlights this holiday season includes:
Seasonal Décor
Discover oh-so-jolly holiday trimmings and touches along Main Street, U.S.A. and throughout the park.
Frozen Holiday Surprise
Gather ‘round Cinderella Castle for a dazzling experience illuminating the castle—featuring Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and the Snowgies!
Jingle Cruise
During the holiday season, the beloved Jungle Cruise undergoes a yuletide transformation. It’s a festive-yet-familiar adventure from stem to stern!
Select Nights, November 8 - December 20, 2024
One of Walt Disney World's favorite holiday tradition, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is returning to Magic Kingdom Park this year.
On select nights, Nov. 8 - Dec. 20, this separately ticketed event will welcome guests to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Magic Kingdom.
Holiday magic is unwrapped with the return of festive favorites like the Christmas extravaganza stage show, “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration,” the sparkling spectacular “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks” and the merry must-see “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.”
November 29 through December 30, 2024
Embrace holiday traditions from around the world and delight in the telling of the Christmas story.
Highlights include:
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth
Be immersed in the wondrous sights, sounds and flavors of the season! Savor treasured recipes from around the globe at Holiday Kitchens. And embark on a journey with Holiday Storytellers sharing holiday traditions from around the world.
Candlelight Processional
Hear the stirring story of Christmas presented by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by an orchestra and massed choir.
Meet Santa Claus
Visit with jolly old St. Nick at the Odyssey Pavilion for a festive photo.
Holiday Storytellers
Gather around as lively storytellers share legends and lore from around the world.
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
Witness a joyous tribute to Christmas and Kwanzaa—with Gospel, R&B and holiday songs.
Glimmering Greenhouses – Living with the Land
Celebrate the most bountiful time of the year on a special voyage through greenhouses glimmering with dazzling lights.
November 12 - December 30, 2024
Embark on yuletide adventures in a park full of entertainment and thrills.
Decor at Hollywood Studios includes SANTA GERTIE! There are also oversized Christmas ornaments in Echo Lake, as well as a giant Christmas tree, and other decor.
You will also discover vintage inspired decor on Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards, with snow falling along Sunset Boulevard.
Highlights include:
Sunset Seasons Greetings
Gaze in wonder as the Hollywood Tower Hotel is transformed nightly with holiday projections.
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration – Enjoy an unforgettable holiday finale featuring everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf.
Minnie's Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine – See Minnie Mouse and her pals during an oh-so-merry meal. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Toy Story Land Characters in Holiday Attire – See some Pixar pals decked out for the season.
Select Nights, November 9 to December 21, 2024
Celebrate the season in style with a ticket to this 5-hour after-hours event in Disney’s Hollywood Studios—select nights from November 9 to December 21, 2024!
Get ready to dress in your holiday glam best or festive flair, dance the night away to merry mashups, indulge in divine treats and bubbling spirits, and snap selfies with iconic characters during this new festive event.
For an extra dose of cheer, the party wraps with the return of the nighttime spectacular, “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!”
November 12 - December 30, 2024
Merry Menagerie
See Discovery Island come to life with artisan-sculpted puppets of arctic animals—like penguins, reindeer, foxes and polar bears.
Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition
Watch in awe as the park’s magnificent icon shimmers and sparkles each evening, accompanied by a heartwarming musical score.
Mickey & Minnie at Adventurers Outpost
Pose for a photo with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse all decked out in their holiday attire.
November 8 - December 30, 2024
Enjoy a host of holiday-themed activities and savor the comforting flavors of the season while shopping for the perfect gifts for everyone on your list!
Highlights Include:
Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth
Discover holiday magic around every corner, as you come across a collection of elaborately decorated trees throughout Disney Springs.
Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar
Decorated for the season, this restaurant-meets-lounge offers eye-catching décor and tasty holiday-inspired menu items for the whole family.
Meet Santa Claus
Swing by Disney Springs this holiday season to take a photo with jolly old St. Nick.
November 12 - December 30, 2024
Make a splash at a winter wonderland offering a daily “snowfall,” holiday-themed treats and so much more.
November 12 - December 31, 2024
Set your sights on holiday decorations—including magnificent Christmas trees—at select Disney Resort hotels.
Select Dates, November 16 - January 5, 2025
SeaWorld Orlando's beloved Christmas Celebration returns even more dazzling this year with an expanded array of festive entertainment, ALL-NEW holiday food, drinks and more. Starting November 16 through January 5, guests are invited to experience the park’s transformation into a stunning winter wonderland. With over three million twinkling lights illuminating the grounds, SeaWorld becomes a dazzling spectacle of holiday cheer.
Throughout the event, guests are invited to glide across Central Florida’s only outdoor ice rink at Bayside Stadium and be mesmerized by the Sea of Trees as they stroll among shimmering holiday trees that light up the water in sync with classic holiday tunes. Plus, guests won’t want to miss the breathtaking 70-foot centerpiece tree at the heart of the display. In addition, the fan-favorite O Wondrous Night show returns this year. The show is a heartwarming retelling of the Nativity featuring more than 30 cherished Christmas carols, brought to life through beautifully crafted life-size puppets, live animals and a talented cast.
Dazzling Holiday Shows & Entertainment
SeaWorld Orlando is turning up the holiday magic this year. This season, guests can explore the all-new Christmas decor at Journey to Atlantis Plaza, featuring sparkling lights and festive displays, including the enchanting Snow Globe Ballerina. In the Antarctica Realm, the winter wonderland continues with a snowy Christmas ambiance, playful Donder Elves and the exciting All-New Penguin Trek ride, where visitors journey through a snowy Antarctic landscape and come face-to-beak with SeaWorld Orlando’s incredible penguins.
Mrs. Claus’ Magic Kitchen invites guests to join Mrs. Claus as she goes viral with cookie recipes straight from the North Pole, sharing holiday baking tips with a modern, social-media twist. The holiday celebration continues with “Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale,” a dazzling display of fireworks set to classic Christmas tunes.
In Sesame Street Land, families can enjoy the Sesame Street Christmas Parade with favorite characters, the Elmo’s Christmas Wish Show and Storytime with Big Bird. Guests can also explore An Elf’s Story by the fireside, meet Rudolph and Bumble in Rudolph’s Christmas Town and visit with Santa Claus at Wild Arctic gift shop. For winter fun, visitors can take a spin at ice skating and catch “Winter Wonderland on Ice,” an ice-skating show featuring sparkling lights, festive costumes and graceful performances. Access to the rink is first-come, first-served, with socks and gloves available for purchase.
ALL-NEW & RETURNING FAVORITE Decadent Holiday Treats and Drinks
Visitors to SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration can savor the flavors of the season with an exciting selection of new food and beverage offerings.
Saturdays, November 2 - December 21
Every Saturday, guests can extend their daytime fun into the night and enjoy exclusive screenings of some family-favorite seasonal cinematic delights. Guests can grab a blanket and settle into a beach chair to enjoy their favorite family-friendly holiday movies on the beach— all included with park admission! Freshly popped popcorn, delectable food, snacks, hot chocolate and beverages will be available for purchase at Kura’s Beachside Panini.
Beach Nights movie lineup includes:
November 9 – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
November 16 – The Grinch (2018)
November 23 – The Polar Express
November 30 – Elf
December 7 – The Santa Clause
December 14 – The Polar Express
December 21 – Elf
Select Dates, November 8 - December 13, 2024
SeaWorld Orlando, the Coaster Capital of Orlando is hosting Coasters After Dark – Christmas Edition this year, an exclusive festive nighttime event taking place on select nights this November through December, starting November 8.
This separately ticketed event offers guests the unique opportunity to experience their favorite roller coasters and attractions under the stars while surrounded by Christmas lights. With a limited capacity approach, guests can immerse themselves in all the thrills without the worry of long waits. Tickets for this jolly nighttime event start at $49.99.
SeaWorld Orlando is the ultimate destination for coaster enthusiasts. From the adrenaline of reaching speeds up to 73 mph on Mako, recognized as the Best Roller Coaster by USA Today’s 10Best, to the innovative surfing experience of Pipeline, the world's first surf coaster, and family-friendly enjoyment on Penguin Trek, thrill-seekers are promised an unforgettable evening of excitement and adventure.
During this special event, guests can enjoy riding seven of the park’s most popular attractions: Mako, Manta, Kraken, Pipeline, Journey to Atlantis, Penguin Trek and Ice Breaker. Plus, select retail and food & beverage locations will be open, including guest favorites like Flamecraft Bar, South Pole Sips and the return of the seasonal favorite, hot chocolate hut.
November 15 - January 5, 2025
The holidays shine brighter than ever at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Christmas Town, filling the season with festive fun and holiday cheer.
Running daily from November 15 through January 5, the park will transform into a dazzling winter wonderland, featuring millions of twinkling lights, captivating shows, seasonal treats, holiday animal encounters and joyful rides for the entire family to enjoy. Christmas Town festivities are free with park admission.
New this year, the iconic Skyride will sparkle with festive lights, providing guests with breathtaking nighttime views of Busch Gardens dressed in its best holiday decor. Guests can also enjoy rides on fan-favorite attractions and coasters, including the all-new Phoenix Rising, making its Christmas Town debut. Beloved holiday experiences like Santa’s North Pole Experience, the Holly Jolly Express, and dazzling shows such as Christmas on Ice will fill the air with festive magic for all ages.
Seasonal treats from holiday-flavored hot chocolates to freshly baked cookies exclusive to Christmas Town will add extra sweetness to the celebration. This year, guests can delight in all-new holiday-inspired menu items, explore the gingerbread cookie decorating station to create their own edible masterpieces, and sip on a selection of new Christmas Town craft cocktails available throughout the park.
With unique holiday shopping, special photo opportunities, and endless ways to create lasting memories, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Christmas Town is the perfect holiday tradition for family and friends.
November 22 - December 31, 2024
Anyone can “Ho-ho-ho” and “Fa-la-la” for the holidays. But if you want to scream, laugh and shout your jingle bells off, you’ve got to awesome up your season with Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort.
Join the celebration of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as Hogwarts castle lights up for the holidays and festive decor brightens up the streets of Hogsmeade
and Diagon Alley. Enjoy a hot Butterbeer while both the Frog Choir and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees put a holiday spin on their performances.
Larger-than-life balloons float through the streets of Universal Studios Florida in Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, along with appearances by the Minions from Illumination’s Despicable Me and some of your favorite characters from DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek and Madagascar films.
Get together with the resident Whos in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, where you can enjoy the music and fun of The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular starring the Grinch.
There are even more festivities in store around every corner of Universal Orlando Resort.
You’ll find tasty holiday food and drinks, character encounters and more. And to top it all off, you’ll want to stay at one of Universal’s spectacular hotels, where you’ll find even more themed food, decorations and festivities.
From breathtaking hotels to Universal CityWalk to thrill-packed theme parks, it’s the biggest, loudest, awesomest celebration of the season.
And it’s only at Universal Orlando Resort, with all festivities included with park admission.
Select Days, November 29 - December 31, 2024
At LEGOLAND Florida Resort, celebrate a bricktastic holiday season on November 29-30 and December 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-31 during Holidays at LEGOLAND! In addition, end the year with a bricktastic bang at Kids' New Years Eve on December 26-31.
Surprise your family with tons of bricktastic holiday fun coming down the chimney, including an all-new ginormous LEGO brick-built Christmas Tree, a festive LEGO crew, new elf-tastic entertainment, and bunches of new holly jolly LEGO décor.
Plus, the icing on top of the fruitcake, admission is included with day tickets, hotel packages, and Annual Passes!
December 20 - December 30, 2024
Starflake's Holiday Voyage returns this year for Holidays in Space! From December 20 – 30, 2024, watch a nightly projected show on the massive exterior of Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex. Embark on a breathtaking journey with Starflake as she travels through the stars, Earth, and beyond. You will recognize familiar places along the way, like the Vehicle Assembly Building, International Space Station, James Webb Space Telescope and more.
Don’t forget! Festive holiday décor takes over the visitor complex throughout the entire month of December. The favorite 50-foot tree with more than 61,000 pixels of light returns this year, the expanded Rocket Tree Trail, six-foot-tall astronaut nutcrackers, the NASA meatball-turned-holiday ornament and so much more.
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