Orlando’s holiday celebrations usher in more than 70 days of festive experiences across the destination — from a Nutcracker-themed afternoon tea at the ette Hotel and Holidays in Space at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to more than one million lights illuminating a three-quarter-mile trail with snowball fights and dazzling chandeliers at Leu Gardens. Orlando offers endless ways to make a holiday getaway unforgettable. It’s no wonder that Orlando made the No. 1 U.S. destination to travel to in 2025 by AAA.
“Orlando continues to rank among the top holiday travel destinations because we offer endless ways to make a holiday getaway unforgettable,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “Gifts come in many forms, but sharing a one-of-a-kind Orlando experience is something that stays with you. From snapping the perfect holiday selfie at our newest theme park to strolling through a glittering Asian Lantern Festival at the zoo, every corner of our destination offers meaningful ways to celebrate the season.”
THEME PARKS
Walt Disney World Resort
- Walt Disney World Resort spreads holiday cheer across all four theme parks:
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park (select nights, through December 21) transforms with a storybook holiday atmosphere, with “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade” and “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show,” plus complimentary cookies, festive beverages, snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A. and more.
- Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (select nights, through December 22) combines Hollywood and holiday glamour featuring dapper décor, merry mashups, unique tastes and sips, appearances from classic characters and live entertainment.
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth (November 28 – December 30) is a global celebration with a candlelight processional featuring celebrity narrators like Jennifer Garner and Henry Winkler, and Holiday Kitchens throughout the World Showcase.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom (through December 31) adds a festive twist with the Merry Menagerie’s hand-crafted animal puppets and a holiday edition of the Tree of Life Awakenings, set to a heartwarming seasonal score.
Universal Orlando Resort
- Universal Orlando Resort celebrates with a series of festive offerings (through January 4) across its four parks including:
- Grinchmas at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, with The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, a live retelling of the classic tale starring the Grinch.
- Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, featuring seasonal holiday shows and festive decor in Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley and in the all-new Ministry of Magic at Universal Epic Universe.
- Seasonal lighting and decorations within Celestial Park at Universal Epic Universe.
- Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s at Universal Studios Florida, featuring characters along with larger-than-life balloons, dozens of holiday floats, hundreds of festive performers and Santa.
SeaWorld Orlando
- SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration (through January 5) is a winter wonderland with millions of lights, live shows, character dining add-on options and the Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale.
LEGOLAND Florida
- Holidays at LEGOLAND presented by Hallmark Channel returns to LEGOLAND Florida Resort (Select dates from December 6 – December 31) with tons of holly jolly LEGO® décor and lights, a gigantic LEGO Christmas Tree and festive LEGO entertainment, plus character meet-and-greets throughout the park.
FUN FOR ALL AGES AND LIVE SHOWS BEYOND THE PARKS
- Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild returns at Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens (select nights, through January 18) with larger-than-life landscapes and mythical creatures lit by more than 10,000 LED lights. Situated on a three quarter-mile loop around the zoo, the event combines color, light and sound to deliver an authentic experience celebrating traditional Asian lantern festivals.
- During the I-Drive District Holiday Tree Lighting (through January 3), International Drive dazzles with a glittering lighting ceremony of a 50-foot Holiday Tree at ICON Park, where guests can enjoy special performances during the nightly tree lighting.
- Crayola Experience’s Colorful Christmas (through January 5) returns with SNOWtastic adventures including falling snow, a light show starring Scarlet and her singing reindeer, scavenger hunts, live entertainment, crafts, holiday treats and more.
- Dazzling Nights at Harry P. Leu Gardens (November 28 – January 4) blooms into a winter wonderland with a million sparkling lights, shining forests and beautiful sculptures. The three-quarter mile, family friendly interactive holiday experience features new immersive elements, including a snowball fight with elves in the 8-bit Christmas zone and the elegance of dozens of giant crystal chandeliers. Experience the artistry of “The Cathedral” – an 80-foot-long immersive homage to ancient stained glass.
- Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will Celebrate The Holidays with a series of star-studded concerts and joy-sparking events like Lindsey Stirling’s Snow Waltz Tour (November 26); Home for the Holidays presented by Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra (November 29); The Nutcracker presented by the Orlando Ballet (select dates, December 5-24) and more.
- Wekiva Island’s Winter Wonderland (November 28 – December 25) features “snow” flurries, dazzling trees, a holiday market and Santa’s Workshop, plus interactions with famous holiday characters, including Santa and Mrs. Claus.
- Oh, What Fun! Holiday Festival (select weekends December 5-21) transforms the Lake Nona Town Center into Peppermint Square, a winter wonderland with nightly snowfalls, live entertainment, festive photo ops and more.
- Historic Downtown Winter Garden will be home to several holiday happenings this season, including the immersive Main Street Holiday Stroll (December 5 – January 4), featuring a collection of Christmas trees, holiday street decorations, overhead market lights, festive photo vignette stations; the Holiday Night Market (December 6), offering festive treats, décor, holiday-themed live entertainment and festive activities; the Winter Garden Christmas Parade (December 6), a long-standing Winter Garden holiday tradition as festive floats, local bands, dance troupes and more march through downtown; plus other festivities.
- Winter Park’s 73rd annual Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade (December 6), the oldest continuous holiday parade in Central Florida, will feature 80+ participating organizations, including marching bands and an appearance by Santa.
- Celebrate the Holidays Aboard the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition (through January 5) with photo ops on front of the festively decorated Grand Staircase. Plus, special appearances by Santa Claus select days between December 6-14.
- Holidays in Space at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (select dates, December 21-30) is a festive celebration included with admission featuring holiday decorations and an all-new Holidays in Space Drone Show Spectacular. The breathtaking 600-drone performance will tell the story of Starflake, a celestial character formed from a meteor shower who journeys through NASA’s greatest programs, from Apollo and Shuttle to Artemis, culminating in the creation of a glowing cosmic tree.
HOTEL HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
- ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms Resort (through January 7) features oversized sculptures carved from two million pounds of ice, along with new POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, an immersive cirque-style holiday show based on the storybook and TV special.
- Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort celebrates the holidays with an array of elevated experiences including new festive decor throughout the property, fun poolside activities at the resort’s heated five-acre water park and at Kids for All Seasons complimentary child care program, and festive dining experiences on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve at Michelin starred Capa Steakhouse and Michelin recommended Ravello, as well as Winter Wonderland Afternoon tea at Ravello (weekends, through December 21).
- Winter at Grande Lakes (select dates November 27 – January 3) returns with a new ice skating experience; hands-on activities such as Gingerbread School; Santa’s Teddy Bear Tea, offering a lavish selection of tea, culinary delights, crafts, storytelling and a special visit from Santa Claus; a Winter Wonderland Market featuring a Christmas village; and more.
- Evermore Orlando Resort’s holiday experiences (happening throughout December) include themed holiday crafts and experiences like gingerbread house decorating, meet-and-greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and seasonal menus at Twin View Restaurant.
- The ette hotel, in partnership with Orlando Ballet, will host The Nutcracker Holiday Tea (select dates in December) featuring a whimsically themed presentation of traditional tea sandwiches, scones and intricately designed pastries in a ballet-inspired, commemorative box. On December 6, there will be a special seating of the tea with a personalized photo opportunity with artists from Orlando Ballet, The Nutcracker Prince and Sugar Plum.
OTHER CELEBRATIONS
- Zymarium Meadery’s Magical Meadmas (December 3 – January 4) is a festive celebration where guests can enjoy a new seasonal menu featuring a Coquito Flight with flavors like ube and traditional dairy-free coquito, a warming Hot Mulled Mead and the Yule Cat cocktail crafted with cranberry, vanilla and Zymarium’s signature Black Mangrove Mead. The celebration culminates with the intimate Black & Gold New Year’s Eve Party, an all-inclusive experience with reserved seating, live entertainment, light bites, a midnight champagne toast and raffle prizes throughout the evening.
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