We’re probably not going to see any snow in Central Florida this season, which means we have to get our holiday feels where we can … and we’re leaning hard into the twinkly lights. Luckily, the Orlando area is home to plenty of ideal shows, events and attractions with Christmas sparkle plenty.
Here are the best places in and around Orlando to get in the holiday spirit with Christmas lights this year. [content-1]
Dinos in Lights at the Orlando Science Center
777 E. Princeton St., Orlando
Head over to the Orlando Science Center to catch your favorite prehistoric pals decked out in festive holiday lights. This shimmering display is available every 30 minutes between 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily. Credit: Photo via Orlando Science Center/FacebookSeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando
SeaWorld will be decked out for the holidays from Nov. 10 through Jan. 2, complete with an ice rink and a special fireworks display and millions (yes, millions) of lights. Credit: Photo via SeaWorld/FacebookDazzling Nights at Leu Gardens
1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando
Creative City Project transforms Leu Gardens into a winter wonderland with over a million twinkling lights again this holiday season. The walkthrough experience immerses guests into a magical holiday spectacular with themed areas and photo opportunities. This year’s event runs from Nov. 24 through Jan. 6 and features a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree, interactive lights that sparkle when you step on them, and a brand-new “Wintry Florida” display. Credit: Photo via Harry P. Leu Gardens/FacebookHolidays at Universal Orlando
6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando
Holidays at Universal kicks off on Nov. 17, with many experiences running daily through Dec. 31 at both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. This year, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter gets a twinkly makeover, there will be a Hogwarts castle show, and of course the park’s Macy’s parade, all illuminated by festive lights. Credit: Photo via Universal OrlandoHolidays at Legoland 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven Select dates through Dec. 31
The Winter Haven park turns into a brick-ified holiday wonderland with truly impressive Lego Christmas builds, plenty of lights and decor, character experiences and festive food and shopping. There are five holiday villages throughout the park featuring opportunities to build toys and a sleigh for Santa, sing-alongs, scavenger hunts and meet-and-greets with Lego Santa, Lego Gingerbread Man and Lego toys. Credit: Photo via Legoland/FacebookA Merry Winter Garden Light Show
300 W. Plant St., Winter Garden
Winter Garden’s downtown center will be covered in wreaths, lights and trees as it rings in the holiday season. Throughout the holiday they’ll have festive farmers markets, a golf cart Christmas parade and horse-drawn carriage tours. Credit: Photo via We Are Winter Garden/FacebookLake Nona’s ‘Oh, What Fun’ Holiday Festival
6955 Tavistock Lakes Blvd., Lake Nona
Pay a visit to the Lake Nona Town Center Evergreen Tree Trail, Santa’s cottage and starlight stage from Dec. 7 to 23. Don’t miss a chance to capture the perfect family photo in front of a 24-foot Christmas tree at Peppermint Square. Credit: Photo via Lake Nona/FacebookDisney Springs
407-939-5277, 1486 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista
Holiday shop, eat or enjoy live music while surrounded by glittering Christmas trees. There’s 17 decked-out, Disney-themed Christmas trees scattered at the shopping mall.
Photo via Disney Springs/Facebook Credit: Photo via Disney Springs/Facebook
530 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora
Select dates through Dec. 31
Keep the celebration going throughout the entire month of December in festive Mount Dora. With activities like Snow in the Park, the Lighted Boat Parade and Christmas at the Market, there are plenty of ways to remain cheery and bright through the season. Credit: Courtesy photoChristmas at the Gaylord Palms
6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee
ICE! Returns to Gaylord Palms this season, complete with masterful ice sculptures and slides. This year’s event is themed to A Charlie Brown Christmas, featuring characters, scenes and other holiday vignettes carved out of 2 million pounds of clear and colored ice to fill the 20,000-square-foot attraction. In this year’s exhibit, you’ll see the story come to life, including Charlie Brown’s sad Christmas tree, Lucy’s psychiatric help stand, the auditorium where the kids do their holiday dance and other classic scenes. Credit: Photo via Gaylord Palms/Facebook
Lake Eola Park, 195 N. Rosalind Ave. Through December Orlando’s 64-foot Christmas tree will be lit up and adorned with 2,000 ornaments at Lake Eola’s Washington plaza. Keep a look out for holiday performances at the Walt Disney Amphitheater, as well as food trucks, a holiday market, vendor village, Santa visits, Florida “snowfall” and more. Credit: Photo via Lake Eola Park/Facebook
210 S. Bass Road, Kissimmee Select dates through December Hosted at the 89-acre GKTW facility, Give Kids the World holiday events offer guests the chance to enjoy escorted VIP tours to select venues on the Avenue of Angels, view a dazzling tree trail, explore holiday vignettes and take festive photos. Credit: Photo via Give Kids the World/Facebook
1236 N. Orange Ave., Orlando Through December Jingle Trees’ Christmas tree decorating contest boasts dozens of trees on display at Ivanhoe Village. Each tree is sponsored and decorated by a local corporation, group or family. Credit: Photo via Jingle Trees/Facebook
100 N. Country Club Road, Lake Mary Throughout December Hosted at Central Park, the Christmas celebration will include a holiday tree lighting ceremony, dancing light show and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus. There will also be plenty of activities such as a winter maze, balloon artists, holiday carolers, food vendors and more throughout the holiday season. Credit: Photo via Lake Mary/Facebook
421 Broadway, Kissimmee Through December Kissimmee’s Historic Downtown will be covered with holiday decor and lights. Make sure to check out their Puerto Rican Parranda Pa’l Pueblo, a Christmas tradition that boasts great food, music and drinks. Credit: Photo via City of Kissimmee/FacebookWalt Disney World
Lake Buena Vista
If you’re looking for more holiday magic beyond Disney Springs, make sure to check out all the holiday festivities throughout the entirety of Walt Disney World. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a separately-sold nighttime event at Magic Kingdom, runs through Dec. 22 this year. Credit: Photo via Walt Disney World/Facebook
16313 New Independence Parkway, Orlando Throughout December Santa’s Winter Wonderland is open once again this holiday season, featuring Santa’s Workshop, holiday foods and thousands of Christmas lights and displays. Credit: Photo via Santa's Winter Wonderland Village/FacebookThe Fye’s Christmas House
407 Eagle Circle, Casselberry
The Fye’s Crazy Christmas House has nearly 50,000 lights, a music light show and a sleigh, perfect for a photo op. There’s even a mailbox waiting to be stuffed with letters to Santa
Photo via The Fye’s Christmas House/FacebookCranes Roost Park
274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs
Live music, fireworks, train rides and Santa will all be present at Cranes Roost Park throughout the holiday months.Take a stroll surrounded by 200,000 lights and pay a visit to a 60-foot Christmas tree, decorated with thousands of ornaments. Credit: Photo via City of Altamonte/Facebook
8375 International Drive, Orlando Through December The 50-foot tall tree on I-Drive is worth braving the deepest pits of tourist hell. For one night, guests can see the tree’s actual lighting, before it lights up the area for the holiday season. Credit: Photo via International Drive/Facebook
