The holidays are back in full swing in Orlando, and while we won’t be getting any snow, there are still plenty of ways to get your festive fix in the form of twinkly lights. Not all holiday displays are equal, so here are 24 of the best spots to find Christmas lights this holiday season.
Dinos in Lights at the Orlando Science Center
777 E. Princeton St.
11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 6
Head over to the Orlando Science Center to catch your favorite prehistoric pals decked out in festive holiday lights. This shimmering display happens every 30 minutes between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 6. Credit: Photo via Orlando Science Center/FacebookSeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
SeaWorld Orlando
Through Jan. 5
SeaWorld Orlando’s popular Christmas Celebration features a slate of holiday shows, live entertainment, immersive decor and snow flurries on the Waterfront. Popular attractions include the “O Wondrous Night” stage show retelling the story of Christmas through life-sized puppets and animal actors and “Mrs. Claus’ Magic Kitchen” cooking show. There’s also the Sea of Trees in the park’s lagoon, ice skating at Bayside Stadium, meet-and-greets with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus, and the Holiday Reflections Fireworks Finale every night. Credit: Photo via SeaWorldHolidays at Universal Orlando
6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando
Nov. 22 through Dec. 31
Holiday festivities at Universal Orlando return on Nov. 22 and run through Dec. 31 at both parks and CityWalk. That includes Grinchmas in Islands of Adventure, Christmas in the Wizarding World, the Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, a new Holiday Tribute Store and new menus of festive eats. Credit: Photo via Universal Orlando/FacebookHolidays 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/FacebookThe Fyes’ Christmas House
407 Eagle Circle, Casselberry
Through December
The Fye family’s “Crazy Christmas House” has nearly 50,000 lights, a music light show and a sleigh — perfect for a holiday photo op. There’s even a mailbox waiting to be stuffed with letters to Santa. Credit: Photo via Fye's Crazy Christmas House/FacebookA Merry Winter Garden Light Show
300 W. Plant St., Winter Garden
Select dates through Dec. 22
Winter Garden’s downtown center will be covered in wreaths, lights and trees as the city rings in the holiday season. Throughout the holiday, they’ll host festive farmers markets, a golf cart Christmas parade and horse-drawn carriage tours. Credit: Photo via A Merry Winter Garden Light Show
6955 Tavistock Lakes Boulevard, Orlando Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays Dec. 6-22 Lake Nona’s “Oh, What Fun!” holiday event features nightly “snowfalls,” live entertainment, holiday photo-ops and Santa meet-and-greets. Credit: Photo via Lake Nona/FacebookSanta Experience at Disney Springs
1486 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista
Select dates through Dec. 24
Disney Springs offers both a Santa Experience and Christmas Tree Stroll during the holiday season. Credit: Photo via Santa Experience at 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 photoInternational Drive Christmas Tree Lighting
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/FacebookChristmas at the Gaylord Palms
6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee
Various dates
Though not a theme park, Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee is known for having theme park-level attractions and entertainment and for being a destination vacation spot during the holidays with activities like a naughty or nice escape room, a scavenger hunt, photos with Santa and more. It’s also one of the few places that Floridians can experience true winter temperatures. Credit: Photo via Gaylord Palms/FacebookLake Eola Park Tree
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/FacebookGive Kids the World Village
210 S. Bass Road, Kissimmee
Select dates throughout December
Hosted at the 89-acre GKTW facility, Give Kids the World’s 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
Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando Nov. 29-Jan. 5 This family-friendly event transforms Leu Gardens into a stunning winter wonderland featuring twinkly lights, shining forests, magical displays, music and festive sculptures. Credit: Photo via Creative City Project/FacebookJingle Trees
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/FacebookLake Mary Christmas Celebration
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/FacebookSeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
SeaWorld Orlando
Through Jan. 5
SeaWorld Orlando’s popular Christmas Celebration features a slate of holiday shows, live entertainment, immersive decor and snow flurries on the Waterfront. Popular attractions include the “O Wondrous Night” stage show retelling the story of Christmas through life-sized puppets and animal actors and “Mrs. Claus’ Magic Kitchen” cooking show. There’s also the Sea of Trees in the park’s lagoon, ice skating at Bayside Stadium, meet-and-greets with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus, and the Holiday Reflections Fireworks Finale every night. Credit: Photo via SeaWorldMickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
Through December
This annual ticketed event is a Christmas sensory overload at Magic Kingdom. Mickey’s after-hours Christmas party promises low ride wait times, strolling for cookies and cocoa around the park, meet-and-greets with characters in their holiday outfits, exclusive holiday treats and merchandise, and a dizzying amount of live entertainment. Credit: Photo via Disney ParksEpcot’s International Festival of the Holidays
Disney World’s Epcot
Through December
Over at the prototype community of tomorrow, the Festival of the Holidays showcases wintertime traditions from around the world. Stroll through festive decor and hear holiday tales from storytellers at select countries in World Showcase, like Norway’s Barn Santa and Italy’s La Befana. Indulge in classic and cultural food fare at outdoor kitchens around the park, and partake in the popular Christmas cookie stroll to take home a sweet souvenir. Credit: Photo via Disney Parks
Between Highway 192 and I-4 near Walt Disney World Nov. 30-Dec. 31 Celebration’s “Now Snowing” offers a synthetic ice rink, plus community performances by local young talent and special concert events throughout the holiday season. Credit: Photo via Celebration/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/Facebook
1486 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista
Select dates through Dec. 30
Do some holiday shopping, eat or enjoy live music while surrounded by glittering Christmas trees. There’s nearly two dozen extravagantly decorated trees throughout Disney Springs, each sporting a different theme such as Moana, Frozen, Guardians of the Galaxy, Haunted Mansion and plenty more Disney favorites. Credit: Photo via Disney Springs/Facebook
