23 Christmas bucket list activities to do in Orlando this holiday season

Christmas in Mount Dora

530 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora
Keep the celebration going throughout the entire month of December with all the festivities in 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.

The Santa Workshop Experience at Icon Park
8375 International Drive, Orlando

Dates open: Nov. 10 through Dec. 24; open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: $20-$60
Icon Park's Santa photo-op experience is one of the most popular in the area, plus it comes with a free ride on The Wheel.

Santa's Winter Wonderland Village at Waterford Lakes

16313 New Independence Parkway, Orlando
Santa's Winter Wonderland will be open once again this holiday season, featuring Santa's Workshop, holiday foods and thousands of Christmas lights and displays.

Light up Kissimmee

421 Broadway, Kissimmee
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.

Amber Brooke Farms' Winter Fest
36111 County Road 44A, Eustis

Dates open: Dec. 9-17
Cost: $15 standard admission
Photos with Santa, strawberry and sunflower U-pick, holiday-themed photo-ops, live music, seasonal treats, farm activities and more.

Gatorland's Ho Ho Ho-Down
14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando

Dates open: Dec. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17
Cost: Park admission
Gatorland's Ho Ho Ho-Down holiday event features Christmas-themed set-ups, music, festive food and plenty of wild photo-ops.

Holiday happenings at Dezerland Park
5250 International Drive, Orlando

Dates open: Select dates Dec. 2-17
Cost: 15 minutes of skating for $8, 30 minutes for $14 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.

Santa at the Gaylord Palms
6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee

Dates open: Nov. 17 through Jan. 3, 2024
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. It’s also one of the few places that Floridians can experience true winter temperatures. Different holiday activities range from $19 to $99. Santa pictures range from $35 to $99.

ICE: "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee

Dates open: Nov. 17 - Jan. 3
Cost: Tickets are $23 for kids and $33 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.

The Fyes' Christmas House

407 Eagle Circle, Casselberry
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.

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.

Lake Mary Christmas Celebration

100 N. Country Club Road, Lake Mary
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.

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.

Give Kids the World Village
210 S. Bass Road, Kissimmee


Dates open: Select dates in December
Cost: Prices vary depending on holiday activities. Tickets can be purchased online now.
Hosted at the 89-acre village, 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.

Celebration’s Now Snowing Festival
Between Highway 192 and I-4 near Walt Disney World

Dates open: Nov. 26 through Dec. 31
Cost: Parking and admission are free
Celebration's "Now Snowing" offers a synthetic ice rink, plus community performances by local young talent and special concert events throughout the holiday season.

A 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 host festive farmers markets, a golf cart Christmas parade and horse-drawn carriage tours.

International Drive Christmas Tree Lighting

8375 International Drive, Orlando
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 to come. The tree lighting event happens Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.

Lake 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.

Night of a Million Lights at Give Kids the World Christmas Village

210 S. Bass Road, Kissimmee Dates open: Nov. 12 through Jan. 1, 2024
Cost: Ranges from $20-$40 depending on certain days and tickets
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. 1, and ticket prices vary by date.