If you’re looking for the twinkliest of lights in the Orlando area, you’ve got options. From boat parades, to entire neighborhoods that go all out, here are some of the best ways to experience Christmas lights this year.
Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show
512 E. Washington St.
The Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show is an Orlando favorite. If you head out to this holiday display, be sure to stroll through the tunnel of lights for an unforgettable experience.
Photo via cuzzintruck/InstagramChristmas in the Shire
14645 Grand Cove Drive
The Shire offers one of Orlando’s largest private Christmas light displays. With over 100 trees illuminated by lights, this is definitely a holiday house that packs a big punch.
Photo via Christmas in the Shire/FacebookLight Up UCF
12777 Gemini Blvd.
This slice of the UCF campus transforms into a wickedly fun winter theme park. It’s the perfect backdrop for a night to remember with friends. Hop on the ferris wheel or try to keep balanced while ice skating.
Photo via Light Up UCF/FacebookCross Christmas
4241 N. Econlockhatchee Trail
A trip to the Cross Christmas holiday display will make you feel right at home… that is if your home is shining with 75,000 lights. The large oak alone is wrapped up with 35,000 bright Christmas lights!
Photo via Cross Christmas/Facebook2nd Annual Boat Parade
1014 Miami Springs Drive, Longwood, Fla.
Nothing says “Christmas in Florida” quite like a line of boats floating on the river with a bunch of Christmas lights attached to them.
Photo via wekivaisland.comChristmas at Bok Tower Gardens
1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, Fla.
Bok Tower Gardens is a wonderful destination for a day trip any other time of the year, but around Christmas? It just so happens to be THE destination in Central Florida. Tour the spectacularly decorated mansion or walk the gardens while relaxing to holiday music.
Photo via boktowergardens.orgChristmas Wonders
1642 Sunburst Way, Kissimmee, Fla.
There isn’t a square inch of this house without a Christmas light, and for that we applaud the Christmas Wonders house.
Photo via christmaswonders.comNow Snowing at Celebration
701 Front St., Celebration, Fla.
Snow’s-a-fallin’ in Celebration and it’s just begging to be basked in. It’s not often that Floridians get to enjoy snow in any fashion, so get your snow angels in while you can.
Photo via Experience Kissimmee, Florida/FacebookHoliday in the Park
100 N. Country Club Road
The large and plentiful trees outside Lake Mary City Hall get wrapped up in Christmas lights each year like they’re a present for our eyes. A stroll around this park is a perfect way to spend an evening.
Photo via City of Lake Mary, FL/FacebookTravel back to the 1880s with a tour around the Stetson Mansion
1031 Camphor Lane, Deland, Fla.
There’s the way your mom decorates her house, and then there’s the way the Stetson Mansion decks the halls. Taking a tour of this vintage home is nothing short of awe-inspring.
Photo via Stetson Mansion Tours/FacebookSinging Christmas Tree
3000 S. John Young Pkwy
A large, boisterous choir sing all the classics around two 40-feet tall Christmas trees. If that’s not exciting enough, then how about the 250,000 Christmas lights to boot?
Photo via firstorlando.comBivona Christmas Light Show
1601 N. Wind Court, Winter Springs, Fla.
The Bivona family turns their house into a living, breathing nightmare for their neighbors in December, but for the rest of us it’s one damn cool light show.
Photo via Bivona Christmas Light Show/FacebookHoliday Lights & Fountain Show at Crane’s Roost
274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs, Fla.
Spending the holidays at Crane’s Roost is classic in Central Florida. Walk the trail with friends and family while you’re illuminated by large, colorful Christmas light displays.
Photo via altamonte.orgFestival of Lights Parade
421 Broadway, Kissimmee, Fla.
If there’s one town that knows how to throw down at Christmas, it’s Kissimmee. This holiday parade is family fun in a nutshell with just a little bit of extravagance thrown on top.
Photo via USERChristmas at the Leu House
1920 N. Forest Avenue
The Leu Gardens has gets itself a makeover at Christmastime. Take a tour of Orlando’s most beloved home in its most festive iteration ever.
Photo via Harry P. Leu Gardens/FacebookLake Nona Lights
9800 Old Patina Way
The Lake Nona Lights started out with two totally rad guys just wanting to make a killer light show. Afters months of construction, Central Floridians flood the neighborhood to see the house that blasts holiday tunes to an unforgettable light show.
Photo via Lake Nona Lights/FacebookSnow Fest
8701 Maitland Summit Blvd.
The RDV Snow Fest has ice skating, real snow, a snow slide, a bounce house and face painting. What could possibly be more fun for kids?
Photo via RDV Sportsplex Ice Den/FacebookWinter in the Park
401 S. Park Avenue, Winter Park, Fla.
There’s nothing like holding on to the people next to your for dear life in an ice skating rink. The surrounding Winter Park area is always well-decorated for the holidays, so go for a stroll if ice skating has got you down.
Photo via tiffany7799/InstagramLight up the Wild
12901 Moss Park Road
Gas up the car and head out to Moss Park which transforms its acres of trees into a Christmas Light odyssey.
Photo via capamerica411/InstagramChristmas at Gaylord Palms
6000 Osceola Pkwy., Kissimmee, Fla.
The Gaylord Palms atrium is already a sight for sore eyes, but during the holidays this hotel truly becomes the winter wonderland Orlando deserves.
Photo via marriott.comRetro City Christmas Lights Ride
1806 N. Orange Ave.
Ride in style with fellow bikers at Retro City Cycle’s annual Christmas Light Ride. This color event brings out tons of festive bicyclists of all skill levels for a ride around Downtown Orlando.
Photo via Retro City Cycle/FacebookRiver Grass Lights
River Grass Lane, Winter Garden, Fla.
Six neighbors are banding together to bring you one of Orlando’s most elaborate Christmas lights and music displays. Turn the radio to 99.5 FM when you get there and let the show begin.
Photo via River Grass Lights/FacebookSanta’s Winter Wonderland Village
413 N. Alafaya Trail
It’s not officially Christmas until you take the family to see the Big Guy.
Photo via liani_illa777/InstagramWinter Spark
4990 New Broad Street
Baldwin Park is no stranger to hosting fun events, but the Winter Spark takes this neighborhood to the next level. This wintery block party has everything from holiday vendors to live bands serenading your favorite tunes.
Photo via Baldwin Park Events/Facebook
