We’ve passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane Forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then walked through the Lincoln Tunnel just to wrangle this list of 25 Christmas spots. Plenty of sleighs, Christmas trees, holiday lights and fake snow are to be found at these holiday festivities.
Dinos in Lights at the Orlando Science Center
407-514-2000, 777 E. Princeton St.
Head over to the Orlando Science Center to catch your favorite prehistoric pals decked out in festive holiday lights. This shimmering display will be available until Jan. 3. Credit: OSC/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/FacebookWalt Disney World
407-939-5277, Lake Buena Vista
Let’s take it up a notch. If you’re looking for more holiday magic beyond Disney Springs, make sure to check out all the holiday festivities throughout the entirety of the Happiest Place on Earth. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a separately-sold nighttime event at Magic Kingdom, runs through Dec. 22 this year. Credit: Walt Disney World/FacebookNow Snowing In Celebration
407-566-1234, Celebration
Who knew that Floridians could expect a white Christmas this year? Experience Celebration’s month-long ‘Now Snowing’ experience to kick the holiday season into gear.Christmas at the Gaylord Palms
407-586-0000, 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 the Grinch, who’s heart may be too small to enjoy all these festivities, but yours certainly won’t be after this spectacular display.Lake Eola Park Tree
407-246-2728, Lake Eola Park, 195 N. Rosalind Ave.
Orlando’s 72-foot Christmas tree will be lit up at Lake Eola’s Washington plaza. Keep a look out for holiday performances at the Walt Disney Amphitheater, as well as food trucks and a holiday market.
Photo via Lake Eola Park/FacebookNight of a Million Lights
407-396-1114, 210 S. Bass Road, Kissimmee
Hosted at the 89-acre Give Kids The World Village, Nights of a Million Lights features a sparkling tree trail, festive music, holiday treats, tram rides and a holiday marketplace. The event will run until Jan. 2., and ticket prices vary by date.
Photo via Give Kids The World/FacebookJingle Trees
407-896-0309, 1236 N. Orange Ave.
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.
Photo via Jingle Trees/FacebookLake Mary
407-506-2735, 100 N. Country Club Road
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.
Photo via Lake Mary/FacebookLake Nona’s “Oh, What Fun!” Holiday Festival
407-888-6500, 6955 Tavistock Lakes Blvd.
Pay a visit to the Lake Nona Town Center peppermint forest tree lot, Santa’s cottage, and starlight stage until Jan. 2. There’ll be a chance to capture the perfect family photo in front of a 24-foot Christmas tree at peppermint square.
Photo via Learn Lake Nona/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/FacebookLights On Jeater Bend
863-287-2354, Jeater Bend Drive, Celebration
This public light display has been running since 1996 and consists of 11 houses decorated for the Christmas season. The Lights on Jeater Bend have been nationally recognized and are definitely worth the drive.
Photo via Lights On Jeater Bend/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/FacebookHolidays at Universal Orlando
407-363-8000, 6000 Universal Blvd.
Universal Studios is celebrating the holidays with a holiday tree hunt. Guests can use a brochure to find decorated trees scattered around the amusement park. Those that find all the trees will earn a special holiday ornament.
Photo via Universal Orlando Resort/FacebookA Merry Winter Garden Light Show
407-656-4111, 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 farmer’s markets, a golf cart Christmas parade and horse-drawn carriage tours.
Photo via We Are Winter Garden/FacebookCranes Roost Park
407-571-8180, 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.
Photo via City of Altamonte/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 photoDazzling Lights at Leu Gardens
407-246-2620, 1920 N. Forest Ave.Leu Gardens will transform into a winter wonderland with over a million twinkling lights. The ¾ walkthrough experience will immerse guests into a magical holiday spectacular. With themed areas, walkways and photo opportunities, you won’t want to miss such a treat. Tickets are $25 for adults and $22 for children aged 3-13. Credit: Harry P. Leu GardensDisney Springs
407-939-5277, 1486 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista
Where else can you look at beautiful light displays and finish all your Christmas shopping in one go? The Orlando shopping hot-spot is the perfect place to grab a sweet holiday treat, some hot cocoa and some stocking stuffers as you experience the magic of a Disney holiday season. Credit: Disney SpringsI-Drive
The 50 foot tall tree on I-Drive is worth braving the deepest pits of tourist hell. Credit: CourtesyLegoland Christmas Lights
888-690-5346, 1 Legoland Way, Winter HavenIf you were over the moon with the Santa meet and greet opportunities at other locations on this list, just wait until you hear about sending letters to LEGO Santa. Legoland’s holiday season includes rocking around the LEGO Christmas tree, taking “elfies” with favorite LEGO characters and lots and lots of lights. Credit: LegolandSanford
407-688-5000, 200 E. 1 St., Sanford
Sanford’s Magnolia Square is home to many festive activities – take a stroll through the holiday lights, listen to live performances, chat with Santa Claus himself and even have a photoshoot with a giant snow globe. Credit: City of SanfordSeaWorld
407-545-5550, 7007 SeaWorld DriveSeaWorld will be decked out for the holidays through Jan. 3, complete with an ice rink and a special fireworks display and millions (seriously, millions) of lights. Credit: SeaWorld
