The holidays are fast approaching, which means it’s time to start cramming in all the festive fun you can between now and New Year’s. Even though we won’t be getting a white Christmas this year, Orlando is still home to plenty of holiday events perfect for the season.
From synthetic snowfall to holiday shows to tree farms and more, there’s no shortage of things to do this holiday season. For even more holiday to-dos, check out our comprehensive local guide to all things holly, jolly and bright.
Creative City Project’s Dazzling Nights
Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando
Dates open: Nov. 17 through Jan. 6, 2024
Cost: Tickets start at $15
This family-friendly event transforms Leu Gardens into a stunning winter wonderland featuring dazzling lights, shining forests, magical displays, music and festive sculptures. Credit: Photo via Creative City Project
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/FacebookHoliday happenings at Dezerland Park
5250 International Drive, Orlando
Dates open: Select dates Dec. 2-17
Cost: 15 minutes of skating for $7.95, 30 minutes for $13.95 per person
Dezerland Park is now home to a synthetic “ice” skating rink at the iconic I-Drive destination. The whole family can skate together at their own pace in a comfortable environment for everyone. All season long, visitors can also explore the Holiday Village and enjoy hot cocoa, warm spiced apple cider and other holiday treats from Dezerland’s Food Hall. Credit: Photo courtesy Dezerland Park
Multiple locations including Sanford, Lake Mary, Kissimmee and Winter Garden Open daily starting Nov. 23 This family-owned Christmas tree farm offers tons of tree varieties and a fun, festive experience at several lots across Florida. Credit: Photo via Severt's Tree Farm/FacebookThe Santa Workshop Experience at ICON Park
(8375 International Drive Orlando, Florida 32819; 407-601-7907)
Dates open: November 5 – December 24; Dec. 3 – 24: open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Cost: $20 – $60 Credit:Photo via Icon Park/Facebook
36111 County Road 44A, Eustis Various dates through December The farm’s most wonderful time of year offers Santa photo-ops, a winter wonderland with snow flurries, treats like hot chocolate, seasonal music, and even the chance to pick your own strawberries and sunflowers. Credit: Photo via Amber Brooke Farms/Facebook
14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando Dates not yet announced for 2024 Gatorland’s Ho Ho Ho-Down holiday event features Christmas-themed set-ups, music, festive food and plenty of wild photo-ops. Credit: Photo via Gatorland/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/FacebookSanta’s Christmas Tree Forest
(35317 Huff Road, Eustis; 352-357-9863)
Dates open: November 19 – December 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Admission to farm begins at $7 and goes up from there, under $40 – $350 for Christmas tree prices, admission depends on activity, two and under are free
More info:Take your pick of pre-cut trees and U-cut Florida trees that come in all sizes. Admission tickets are required for all guests visiting the farm. Make sure to get your tickets early online. Visit with Santa on certain dates. Credit:Photo via Santa's Christmas Tree Forest/Facebook
1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven Nov. 29-Dec. 31 Holidays at Legoland presented by Hallmark Channel returns Nov. 29 and runs select dates through Dec. 31. The biggest (literally) new attraction this year is the Lego Christmas Tree — made of nearly 365,000 Lego and Duplo bricks and towering over 30 feet high. There are also dozens of Lego holiday displays, a life-sized Lego sleigh with reindeer, a giant Lego wreath and Lego Santa, gingerbread man, snowman and nutcracker. Miniland USA also gets in the holiday spirit with festive decor. Credit: Photo via Legoland/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 OrlandoLake Nona’s “Oh, What Fun!” holiday festival
Lake Nona Town Center, 6955 Tavistock Lakes Blvd., Orlando
Dates open: Dec. 7 through Dec. 23
Cost: Ticketed activities range from free to $20
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/FacebookSeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration
7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando
Dates open: Nov. 10 through Jan. 2, 2024
Cost: Park tickets $55-$78, event upgrades range from free to $55
The coaster- and sea life-filled park gets turned into a winter wonderland with millions of lights, holiday decor, live entertainment and pop-up kitchens serving festive and cozy fare. Christmas Celebration features shows like “O Wondrous Night,” the Holiday Reflections fireworks finale, Elmo’s Christmas Wish show and Sesame Street Christmas Parade and Christmas movie at the Seafire Grill. There are also snow flurries at the Waterfront, the Sea of Trees in the lagoon, Winter Wonderland on Ice show and visits with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus himself. Credit: Photo via SeaWorld/Facebook
Three locations across Central Florida including Orlando, Winter Garden and Lake Nona Hours differ across locations The story of Ciro and Sons began in Claire, Michigan, in 1965, when Ciro’s father came up with the idea to provide quality trees in the Central Florida area. A few decades later, Ciro is still committed to the same mission with his sons working alongside him. Credit:Ciro and Sons Christmas Trees/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/FacebookHolly Jolly Meadows Christmas Tree Farm
4705 Meadow Green Road, Mims
Dates open: Now until trees run out
Cost: Price varies depending on size of tree
As of the time of this article’s publication, very few trees are left at the farm, so hop to it! Credit: Photo via Holly Jolly Meadows Christmas Tree Farm/FacebookSanta Experience at Disney Springs
(1486 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830; 407-939-5277)
Dates open: Nov. 11 – Dec. 30, open Monday – Thursday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Cost: Prices vary on based on activities such as shopping or dinner Credit:Photo via Santa Experience at Disney Springs/FacebookChristmas 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/FacebookJosario’s Christmas Trees
300 E. Michigan St., Orlando
Dates open: Nov. 17 until trees run out
Trees and wreaths at this Christmas tree station start at $29.99. Credit: Photo via Josario's Christmas Trees/Facebook
just off Highway 40 in Silver Springs Through December Just north of Orlando, you can roll up your sleeves and cut down your very own Christmas tree in the Ocala National Forest. All that’s required is a $10 permit that can be purchased online plus some elbow grease. Credit:Photo via U.S. Government Recreation/WebsiteSanta Photo Experience at The Mall at Millenia
4200 Conroy Rd; 407-363-3555
Take some time out of your Christmas shopping to meet and take photos with Santa Claus at Orlando’s fanciest mall. Open every day through Dec. 24 during mall hours.
Photo via Mall at Millenia/Facebook Credit:Photo via Mall at Millenia/FacebookBass Pro Shop’s Santa Wonderland
Multiple locations
Dates open: Nov. 5 through Dec. 24
Cost: Free picture with Santa
You might not expect a fishing and hunting gear purveyor to be a holiday destination – but it is! Bass Pro Shops offers free photos with Santa and a festive holiday scene. Credit: Photo via Bass Pro Shop Orlando/FacebookWinter Wonder DeLand
(Downtown DeLand)
Dates open: Dec. 2 – Jan. 1, 2023.
Cost: Free
More info: “Launched in 2021, Winter Wonder DeLand is a month long celebration of the holidays, where residents can enjoy the holiday lighting displays and ambiance in Downtown DeLand while also supporting the city’s local businesses and restaurants,” their website reads. Find out more information here. Credit:Photo via Santa Visits DeLand/Facebook
1401 S. Hiawassee Road, Orlando Open now until trees run out This tree lot specializes in tall Northern trees, selling trees up to 20 feet tall for those looking for a very dramatic Christmas vibe. Open every day from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. until trees run out. Credit:Photo via Kelly's Christmas Trees tree lot/FacebookICE: “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee
Dates open: Nov. 17 – Jan. 3
Cost: Tickets are $22.99 for kids and $32.99 for adults
The most popular event at Gaylord Palms is ICE, a 20,000-square-foot walk-through exhibit filled with characters, slides and decor carved from 2 million pounds of ice. Since it’s a literal frozen attraction, ICE is kept at a frigid 9 degrees. Thick socks, gloves, hats and Gaylord Palms-provided blue parkas are highly recommended. This year’s theme is “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” in which classic Peanuts characters and scenes come to life. Credit: Photo via Gaylord Palms
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Through Dec. 21 Hollywood Studios brought back its ticketed Christmas event this year through Dec. 21. Like Mickey’s Party, Jollywood Nights also has exclusive character experiences, merchandise, food and entertainment. New this year is “Glisten!” — a skating show on Hollywood Boulevard featuring a holiday soundtrack of original songs and Disney favorites. There’s also a Pixar Disco dance party, “The Muppet Christmas Carol” photo moment inside the Stage 1 Company Store and more in store. Credit: Photo via Disney Jollywood Nights
