Orlando goes all in on the holidays. As a local, it's easy to pull a Grinch and ignore all of that festive cheer. But trust us, this would be a huge mistake. Here are a few local holiday activities everyone should have on their calendar this year.
25 holiday activities in Orlando that everyone should do at least once
By Orlando Weekly Staff on Fri, Dec 1, 2017 at 11:16 pm
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Sip some holiday libations at Frosty’s Christmastime Lounge
50 East Central Blvd. | 407-969-0911
For those who aren’t into the gift giving and tree decorating side of the holiday, come to Frosty’s to instead get into the Christmas spirit by getting blasted with Christmas-themed cocktails and beers. Open year-round.
Photo via Frosty’s Christmastime Lounge/Facebook
50 East Central Blvd. | 407-969-0911
For those who aren’t into the gift giving and tree decorating side of the holiday, come to Frosty’s to instead get into the Christmas spirit by getting blasted with Christmas-themed cocktails and beers. Open year-round.
Photo via Frosty’s Christmastime Lounge/Facebook
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Nov. 19 - Dec. 30
No one celebrates the holidays quite like Disney, the world’s superpower for fun. At their Epcot theme park, you can find a number of novel attractions, including the decked out decorations of their 11 ‘nations’: mini-Mexico, Norway, Canada, and more. And yes, that does include holiday-themed menus. Included with admission, 1-day tickets are $99.
Photo via rowanb73/Instagram
Nov. 19 - Dec. 30
No one celebrates the holidays quite like Disney, the world’s superpower for fun. At their Epcot theme park, you can find a number of novel attractions, including the decked out decorations of their 11 ‘nations’: mini-Mexico, Norway, Canada, and more. And yes, that does include holiday-themed menus. Included with admission, 1-day tickets are $99.
Photo via rowanb73/Instagram
Zipline, pet farm animals, and meet Santa at Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest
35317 Huff Road, Eustis | 352-357-9863
On this farm, holiday experiences range from farm animal zoos and pony rides to a zip line and an elf maze. You can also choose and chop down your own Christmas tree as well as visit with Santa. Prices for experiences vary, and the event continues until Dec. 23. Attractions are mostly open on the weekends, during the week it’s mostly tree sales.
Photo via santaschristmastreeforest.com
35317 Huff Road, Eustis | 352-357-9863
On this farm, holiday experiences range from farm animal zoos and pony rides to a zip line and an elf maze. You can also choose and chop down your own Christmas tree as well as visit with Santa. Prices for experiences vary, and the event continues until Dec. 23. Attractions are mostly open on the weekends, during the week it’s mostly tree sales.
Photo via santaschristmastreeforest.com
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
6000 Universal Blvd. | November 18, 2017 - January 6, 2018
Who doesn’t wish they could spend every Christmas at Hogwarts? While 75 degrees of Florida sunshine doesn’t exactly live up to the magic of haunted English castles, you can still relish in the Wizarding World’s Christmas light show at Hogsmeade Village and Diagon Alley.
Photo via Universal
6000 Universal Blvd. | November 18, 2017 - January 6, 2018
Who doesn’t wish they could spend every Christmas at Hogwarts? While 75 degrees of Florida sunshine doesn’t exactly live up to the magic of haunted English castles, you can still relish in the Wizarding World’s Christmas light show at Hogsmeade Village and Diagon Alley.
Photo via Universal
Experience the ice sculptures, sledding and more at Gaylord Palms
6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee | 407-586-4423
Gaylord Palms has a wide variety of events they put on for the holidays, including snow tubing in real snow. Their most popular event is ICE!, an annual walkthrough of ice sculptures and ice slides. This year’s theme is Christmas Around the World. For adults, tubing is $20 and ICE! is $30.
Photo via Gaylord Hotels/YouTube
6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee | 407-586-4423
Gaylord Palms has a wide variety of events they put on for the holidays, including snow tubing in real snow. Their most popular event is ICE!, an annual walkthrough of ice sculptures and ice slides. This year’s theme is Christmas Around the World. For adults, tubing is $20 and ICE! is $30.
Photo via Gaylord Hotels/YouTube
Listen to Christmas music at Lake Eola
512 E Washington St. | 407-246-2121
Through Jan. 6, evenings at Lake Eola will come alive with Christmas music, decorations, and a holiday light show. So bring a blanket, lay out, and enjoy hearing favorites like “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town”. Check their website for additional events, like a special appearance from the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra on Dec. 2, at 6p.m.
Photo via Lake Eola/Twitter
512 E Washington St. | 407-246-2121
Through Jan. 6, evenings at Lake Eola will come alive with Christmas music, decorations, and a holiday light show. So bring a blanket, lay out, and enjoy hearing favorites like “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town”. Check their website for additional events, like a special appearance from the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra on Dec. 2, at 6p.m.
Photo via Lake Eola/Twitter
Deck the Downtown
Downtown Orlando | December 1 - December 31
For the whole month of December, Downtown Orlando is getting a Christmas-themed makeover. Take a walk along Lake Eola or stroll through the downtown business center; you just might believe you’re rolling right through the North Pole. Maps of decorated areas are available at the Downtown Information Center, on 400 S Orange Ave.
Photo via City of Orlando - Government/Facebook
Downtown Orlando | December 1 - December 31
For the whole month of December, Downtown Orlando is getting a Christmas-themed makeover. Take a walk along Lake Eola or stroll through the downtown business center; you just might believe you’re rolling right through the North Pole. Maps of decorated areas are available at the Downtown Information Center, on 400 S Orange Ave.
Photo via City of Orlando - Government/Facebook
Check out a 30 ft-tall Lego tree Legoland's Christmas Bricktacular
One Legoland Way, Winter Haven | 877-350-5346
Taking place each weekend up to and including Christmas, this annual holiday celebration is home to a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree made entirely of thousands of Lego bricks, as well as meet-and-greets with Lego Santa. The event is included with park admission, with upgrades such as a fireworks dessert party available.
Photo via LEGOLAND Florida/Facebook
One Legoland Way, Winter Haven | 877-350-5346
Taking place each weekend up to and including Christmas, this annual holiday celebration is home to a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree made entirely of thousands of Lego bricks, as well as meet-and-greets with Lego Santa. The event is included with park admission, with upgrades such as a fireworks dessert party available.
Photo via LEGOLAND Florida/Facebook
Ride on the ferris wheel and watch holiday movies at Light Up UCF
12777 Gemini Blvd. | 407-823-3070
Visit the CFE Arena for ice skating, light shows, carnival rides, and holiday films daily until Dec. 31st. Prices vary for skating and rides, but the films and light shows are free! Daily hours and events vary, so make sure you check their site before you head out.
Photo via UCF Student Government Association - SGA/Facebook
12777 Gemini Blvd. | 407-823-3070
Visit the CFE Arena for ice skating, light shows, carnival rides, and holiday films daily until Dec. 31st. Prices vary for skating and rides, but the films and light shows are free! Daily hours and events vary, so make sure you check their site before you head out.
Photo via UCF Student Government Association - SGA/Facebook
Catch Mad Cow's annual cabaret "It Was a Very Good Yule: 1940’s Edition"
54 West Church St. | 407-297-8788
Mad Cow presents a holiday themed cabaret show each year, and this year’s looks to be no less exciting than the last. Come here the songs and carols of yesteryear, 1940s America. We promise it’ll be a gas, unless, of course, you’re a fuddy-duddy. The show runs from Dec. 8-23, and tickets start at $15.
Photo via Orlando Weekly
54 West Church St. | 407-297-8788
Mad Cow presents a holiday themed cabaret show each year, and this year’s looks to be no less exciting than the last. Come here the songs and carols of yesteryear, 1940s America. We promise it’ll be a gas, unless, of course, you’re a fuddy-duddy. The show runs from Dec. 8-23, and tickets start at $15.
Photo via Orlando Weekly
Take the kids, or our adult self, to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
1180 Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista | 407-939-5277
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at the happiest place on earth on select nights through Dec. 22. In addition to Disney’s nightly christmas parade, guests can see special shows and fireworks, meet characters in their festive outfits, grab some holiday treats, and ride Magic Kingdom attractions. Tickets start at $89 per person.
Photo via Comfort Inn Maingate/Facebook
1180 Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista | 407-939-5277
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at the happiest place on earth on select nights through Dec. 22. In addition to Disney’s nightly christmas parade, guests can see special shows and fireworks, meet characters in their festive outfits, grab some holiday treats, and ride Magic Kingdom attractions. Tickets start at $89 per person.
Photo via Comfort Inn Maingate/Facebook
Learn to shred the gnar at Winterclub Indoor Ski and Snowboard
2950 Aloma Ave., Winter Park | 407-618-1123
Ski and snowboard without ever leaving the comfort of the indoors. Although it may cost you $49 minimum for a 60 minute session, it’s definitely cheaper than those expensive ski lodge trips that some people take this time of year. Plus, this place is open year-round.
Photo via Winter Club Indoor Ski and Snowboard/Facebook
2950 Aloma Ave., Winter Park | 407-618-1123
Ski and snowboard without ever leaving the comfort of the indoors. Although it may cost you $49 minimum for a 60 minute session, it’s definitely cheaper than those expensive ski lodge trips that some people take this time of year. Plus, this place is open year-round.
Photo via Winter Club Indoor Ski and Snowboard/Facebook
Make some memories at Christmas Memories
425 N. Bumby Ave. | 407-228-1220
Christmas Memories, Dec. 10, $10 - $30, 4:30 - 6:30, The Plaza Live We’ve all got them - Christmas memories, that is. Watching that one kid get his tongue stuck on cold metal, asking Santa for a one-of-a-kind Red Ryder - oh, wait, that’s from a movie. Make some new, real memories with the Orlando Gay Chorus’ Christmas Memories. We’re not really sure what the show is about, but we’re pretty sure what it will be: memorable.
Photo via marcusealy/Instagram
425 N. Bumby Ave. | 407-228-1220
Christmas Memories, Dec. 10, $10 - $30, 4:30 - 6:30, The Plaza Live We’ve all got them - Christmas memories, that is. Watching that one kid get his tongue stuck on cold metal, asking Santa for a one-of-a-kind Red Ryder - oh, wait, that’s from a movie. Make some new, real memories with the Orlando Gay Chorus’ Christmas Memories. We’re not really sure what the show is about, but we’re pretty sure what it will be: memorable.
Photo via marcusealy/Instagram
Retro City Christmas Lights Ride
1806 N. Orange Ave. | Saturday, December 16; 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Ride in style with fellow bikers at Retro City Cycle’s annual Christmas Light Ride. This colorful event brings out tons of festive bicyclists of all skill levels for a ride through Ivanhoe Village and College Park — and for a good cause, too. Event proceeds and gift donations benefit One Heart for Women and Children. Visit their facebook page to learn what sort Christmas goodies to pack your panniers with.
Photo via Retro City Cycles/Facebook
1806 N. Orange Ave. | Saturday, December 16; 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Ride in style with fellow bikers at Retro City Cycle’s annual Christmas Light Ride. This colorful event brings out tons of festive bicyclists of all skill levels for a ride through Ivanhoe Village and College Park — and for a good cause, too. Event proceeds and gift donations benefit One Heart for Women and Children. Visit their facebook page to learn what sort Christmas goodies to pack your panniers with.
Photo via Retro City Cycles/Facebook
Ice skate at Winter in the Park
150 W Morse Blvd., Winter Park | 407-599-3203
One staple of winter time is ice skating, and usually Floridians are limited in their participation. However, each year Winter Park hosts an ice rink in Central Park West Meadow. You can skate around for $13 (price includes skates) through Jan. 7.
Photo via City of Winter Park/Facebook
150 W Morse Blvd., Winter Park | 407-599-3203
One staple of winter time is ice skating, and usually Floridians are limited in their participation. However, each year Winter Park hosts an ice rink in Central Park West Meadow. You can skate around for $13 (price includes skates) through Jan. 7.
Photo via City of Winter Park/Facebook
Chop down your own tree like our ancestors did at Oviedo Choose and Cut Christmas Trees
1001 Geneva Drive, Oviedo | 407-235-8101
Cut down your own tree this Christmas to ensure you get the best one. On Saturdays and Sundays up until Christmas, you can cut down your own tree for $45 per tree, and they even provide the saw.
Photo via oviedotreefarm/Instagram
1001 Geneva Drive, Oviedo | 407-235-8101
Cut down your own tree this Christmas to ensure you get the best one. On Saturdays and Sundays up until Christmas, you can cut down your own tree for $45 per tree, and they even provide the saw.
Photo via oviedotreefarm/Instagram
Experience year-round Christmas cheer at the appropriately named Christmas, Florida
Highway 50, east of Orlando
The appropriately named Christmas is a city that celebrates, well, Christmas all year-round, with decorations around every corner. While you’re here, check some of their quirky attractions, including the world’s largest alligator shaped building.
Photo via ticbowen/Instagram
Highway 50, east of Orlando
The appropriately named Christmas is a city that celebrates, well, Christmas all year-round, with decorations around every corner. While you’re here, check some of their quirky attractions, including the world’s largest alligator shaped building.
Photo via ticbowen/Instagram
Singing Christmas Trees
3000 S. John Young Pkwy | December 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17
Take a trip to First Baptist Orlando and see the ‘singing Christmas trees’ - 45-foot marvels of engineering, complete with stacked rings of choir singers, hidden below the neck so as to make their heads appear as ornaments. Human heads decorating a Christmas tree? Now that’s the Christmas spirit! If that’s not exciting enough, then how about the 250,000 Christmas lights to boot? Presentations are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and 5:00 p.m. on Sundays, running through Dec. 8 - Dec. 10 and Dec. 14 - Dec. 17.
Photo via firstorlando.com
3000 S. John Young Pkwy | December 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17
Take a trip to First Baptist Orlando and see the ‘singing Christmas trees’ - 45-foot marvels of engineering, complete with stacked rings of choir singers, hidden below the neck so as to make their heads appear as ornaments. Human heads decorating a Christmas tree? Now that’s the Christmas spirit! If that’s not exciting enough, then how about the 250,000 Christmas lights to boot? Presentations are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and 5:00 p.m. on Sundays, running through Dec. 8 - Dec. 10 and Dec. 14 - Dec. 17.
Photo via firstorlando.com
Learn about the religious side of Christmas at the Holy Land Experience
4655 Vineland Road | 407-872-2272
You may have forgotten with all of the gift buying, but Christmas is actually a religious holiday. The Holy Land Experience will help you learn about the biblical roots. In additional to all of the normal educational exhibits, you can watch a musical about Jesus’ birth, younger visitors can participate in a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt, and more. Christmas events run through Jan. 7.
Photo via Holy Land Experience/Facebook
4655 Vineland Road | 407-872-2272
You may have forgotten with all of the gift buying, but Christmas is actually a religious holiday. The Holy Land Experience will help you learn about the biblical roots. In additional to all of the normal educational exhibits, you can watch a musical about Jesus’ birth, younger visitors can participate in a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt, and more. Christmas events run through Jan. 7.
Photo via Holy Land Experience/Facebook
Hop back in time at the Holiday Home Tour at Pinewood Estate
1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales | 863-676-1408
Take a step back in time as you tour this 20-room 1930’s estate and see how families celebrated the holidays in a bygone era. The estate will have the holiday home tour going until Jan.7, and admission is $24 for adults and $12 for kids (but free for kids under 5). Hours go from 10a.m. to 5p.m.
Photo via visitcentralflorida.org
1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales | 863-676-1408
Take a step back in time as you tour this 20-room 1930’s estate and see how families celebrated the holidays in a bygone era. The estate will have the holiday home tour going until Jan.7, and admission is $24 for adults and $12 for kids (but free for kids under 5). Hours go from 10a.m. to 5p.m.
Photo via visitcentralflorida.org
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