There is so many Christmas and Holiday Events taking place in Orlando that it can be difficult deciding what to do, and that's where our list of the must-do holiday happening helps!
Orlando is a wonderful place to enjoy Christmas and the Holidays, and whether you're a local looking for inspiration, or a visitor looking forward to experiencing the holidays in the sunshine, we've got you covered with the absolute best things do do in Orlando and Central Florida.
Our top 10 list is in no particular order!!!
The Top 10 Best Holiday Events in Orlando
Orlando's Theme Parks
The Holidays At Magic Kingdom
Now - December 31, 2023
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.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Now through December 30, 2023
Embrace holiday traditions from around the world and delight in the telling of the Christmas story. . Highlights include the Candlelight Processional – Hear the stirring story of Christmas presented by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by an orchestra and massed choir.
The Holidays At Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Now - December 31, 2023
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!
Holidays At Disney Springs
Now - December 30, 2023
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 meeting Santa and enjoy festive holiday tunes with live musical performances and DJs. Plus, encounter Toy Soldier Stilt Walkers and Snowflake Skaters, plus the entire family will love strolling the Christmas Tree Stroll.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration
Select Dates, Now - December 31, 2023
SeaWorld Orlando’s award-winning Christmas Celebration returns with the sights, sounds and flavors of the holiday season. The event transforms SeaWorld Orlando into a winter wonderland with more than 3 million sparkling lights. Enjoy all the family-friendly holiday entertainment, from the iconic Sea of Trees that dance to music as they light up the central lagoon, to delicious holiday treats, and an impressive holiday firework show.
Holidays At Universal Orlando Resort
Now, 2023 to January 4, 2024
Enjoy the Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort! Join the celebrations of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Larger-than-life balloons float through the streets of Universal Studios Florida in Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, plus enjoy the music and fun of The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular starring the Grinch.
Christmas Town At Busch Gardens Tampa
November 13, 2023 to January 4, 2024
Celebrate the year with holiday cheer & gather with family and friends to create merry memories. Experience animal encounters, thrilling rides, holiday inspired culinary delights and festive shows like Christmas on Ice. Keep the holiday spirit shining bright from day to night with millions of twinkling lights and dazzling fireworks, plus heartwarming moments with Santa and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Holidays At LEGOLAND Florida Resort
Select Days, Now - December 31, 2023
At LEGOLAND Florida Resort, this jolly time of year features a giant LEGO Christmas tree, unforgettable seasonal shows, holiday characters, special treats, LEGO activities, twinkling lights and more during Holidays at LEGOLAND!
Holiday Lights at Island H20
Holiday Lights at Island H20 Water Park
Now - December 31, 2023
Island H20 Water Park has revealed that Holiday Nights, an exciting new island-themed holiday light spectacular will take place select nights at the Kissimmee water park from November 8 to December 31.
This sparkling new event will feature countless twinkling lights, enchanting displays, live entertainment, and delightful treats, all while supporting a charitable cause.
Visitors can look forward to hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, themed displays, unique photo spots, live entertainment, and tantalizingly themed treats and gifts, all which will transform Island H2O Water Park into an extravaganza for the whole family.
Tickets are available for purchase from Nov. 1 at Islando H2O Water Par for $34.99 per adult / $29.99 per child with a portion of proceeds supporting Kissimmee's Give Kids The World Village.
Holiday Lights at Leu Gardens
Dazzling Lights at Leu Gardens
Now - January 6, 2024
Produced by Creative City Project, Dazzling Nights is back for its third year — and this time, it will be bigger and even more interactive.
The all-ages holiday event transforms the 50-acre Harry P. Leu Gardens into a stunning winter wonderland featuring a million dazzling lights, shining forests, magical displays, music and beautiful sculptures.
Highlights include a 70' long candy cane path, giant neon flowers, a brand new laser light show with live singers, meet and greet characters in an icy world, a giant, inflatable play area with a chimney slide, and so much more!
Holiday Events at Gaylord Palms
Ice at Gaylord Palms Resort
Now - January 3, 2024
There's no better way to celebrate the holidays than by gathering your family for Christmas at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida.
Step into a wonderland carved by expert artisans out of 2 million pounds of colorful ice with a dazzling display of larger-than-life sculptures, thrilling ice slides, and awe-inspiring tunnels.
This must do holiday event in Central Florida will feature Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, who will be the stars of this year's holiday celebration as ICE! returns for 2023.
In addition to the ICE! attraction, a sleigh-full of events and activities will be featured across the 64-acre resort. Christmas shows and activities are presented in the atrium, while parts of the convention center transform into Alpine Village, a bustling, holiday hamlet with Bavarian-style storefronts, immersive activities and one of Florida’s largest Christmas shops.
The Holidays at ICON Park
Holiday Nights at ICON Park
Now - December 25, 2023
The 20-acre ICON Park has transformed into a holiday wonderland with the arrival of the I-Drive District’s 50-foot decorated tree, nightly snowfall, Santa Workshop Experience, The Wheel’s holiday light and music show, carolers – and, of course, Santa himself.
Guests are invited to bring a blanket, gather on ICON Park’s center lawn to enjoy the free nightly snowfall and magical light show, and grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants and entertainment venues.
Holinights at the Promenade at Sunset Walk
Holinights Celebrations
Select Nights, Now - December 25, 2023
The holidays are coming, and at the popular Promenade at Sunset Walk in Kissimmee, the Holinights are on the way too, bringing non stop holiday fun and entertainment.
The popular entertainment, shopping and dining destination, is hosting several holiday events throughout the festive season including Holinights on select nights from 5.00 pm to 10.00 pm
Holinights Celebration features Santa Claus, Mischievous Elves, Towering Toy Soldiers, Live Music & Tree Lighting Nightly, Snow Ball Fights with the Mischievous Elves, Holiday Craft & Street Markets, Car Shows & More!
Pirates Dinner Show
Pirates Dinner Adventure Christmas Show
Now to December 25, 2023
Ho! Ho! Ho! If you’re looking for a new tradition the whole family will love, get ready for a jolly good time and a swashbuckling adventure right here in Orlando, Santa’s even made his way from the North Pole to Central Florida to celebrate the holidays at Pirates Dinner Adventure!
Guests can experience the action, romance and excitement of the classic dinner show with a holiday overlay featuring Christmas music and a ship-side visit from a special guest at the end of the show!
During the post-show Buccaneer Bash, guests can party with pirates and take pictures with the Jolly Old Elf himself!
Celebration Holiday Fun
Now Snowing In Celebration
Now - December 31, 2023
Now Snowing, Central Florida’s original and premier Snowing event is celebrating 25 years this year, offering one of the area’s only synthetic ice rinks, special community performances by some of the area’s top young talent, and special concert events throughout the season.
Now Snowing is a month-long Winter Wonderland Spectacular featuring strolling Charles Dickens style Carolers, photos with Santa, horse drawn carriage rides, train rides, ice skating, and nightly snowfall at 6, 7, 8, 9pm. It’s a true throwback to the traditional family style holiday.
The Holidays in Downtown Orlando
Eola Winter Wonderland
Select Nights, December 1 - December 23, 2023
The most wonderful time of the year is here in Orlando, and the city invites Central Florida residents and guests to celebrate the holidays with family-friendly holiday events and activities for all ages to enjoy at Lake Eola including:
Eola Wonderland Snowfall: Experience a Florida snowfall in downtown Orlando near the Eola House. Snow will fall for 15 minutes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Downtown Orlando Merry Market: Enjoy downtown’s Merry Market where shoppers will find the best in arts and crafts and more. The market will be located on the east side of Lake Eola Park on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. Santa Claus at the Eola House: Santa Claus is coming to the City of Orlando and he’s not camera shy. Parents have festive picture-taking opportunities for their children with Santa at the Eola House every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm.
Holiday Fun in Lake Nona
Oh, What Fun! Lake Nona
December 7 - 23, 2023
With nightly snowfalls, live entertainment, photo ops and memorable encounters that will amaze and enchant, Oh, What Fun! makes the holidays magical for everyone.
Enjoy all your favorite chilly-weather foods as sweet-treats stations and pop-up stands offer specialty snacks and beverages made especially for the season. Enjoy classic Christmas tales with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s Cottage. Stroll through Lake Nona’s very own Holiday Market for some Christmas shopping or explore the Evergreen Christmas Tree Trail.
Snap memories in front of the picture-perfect photo walls and Peppermint Square’s 24-foot Christmas tree centerpiece with family and friends. Ready to trim the tree together at home? Pick out your perfect blue spruce or Douglas fir at the Peppermint Forest Christmas tree lot. Join us on the first night of Hanukkah to kickoff the festival of lights with a menorah blessing.
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