Plan your festive fun in Lakeside with our detailed event guide. For those who know Lakeside's every nook and those just scratching the surface, this guide reveals holiday wonders.
This season, experience the magic of SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, where the park transforms into a winter wonderland filled with dazzling lights and holiday-themed shows. Featuring enchanting performances and festive décor, Busch Gardens Christmas Town offers visitors a vibrant blend of holiday cheer and thrilling attractions. And the Holidays at LEGOLAND is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing spectacular LEGO displays adorned with Christmas spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Lakeside
- SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration (Orlando)
- Busch Gardens Christmas Town (Tampa)
- Christmas at Gaylord Palms (Kissimmee)
- Holidays at LEGOLAND (Winter Haven)
- Now Snowing at Celebration (Celebration)
- 30th Annual Nights of Lights (St. Augustine)
- Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens (Orlando)
- Winter Wonderland at Westgate River Ranch (River Ranch)
- Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade (Tampa)
- The Light of Christmas (Plant City)
See these and even more events listed below!
Lakeside Holiday Light Displays
Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light display with interactive installations and live entertainment.
Description:
Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens features over a million lights, interactive installations, and live entertainment, transforming the gardens into a vibrant holiday experience.
Where: Orlando | More Info: Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens
30th Annual Nights of Lights
What to Expect:
Historic downtown buildings illuminated with over three million lights.
Description:
The 30th Annual Nights of Lights in St. Augustine features over three million lights adorning historic downtown buildings, creating a stunning holiday display. The event includes live music performances, special tours, and festive activities throughout the city.
Where: St. Augustine | More Info: 30th Annual Nights of Lights
The Light of Christmas
What to Expect:
Synchronized light show with a message of hope.
Description:
The Light of Christmas at First Baptist Church in Plant City features over 80,000 synchronized lights, great music, and a message of hope, running nightly from 6 PM to 10 PM through January 1st.
Where: Plant City | More Info: The Light of Christmas
Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Synchronized light displays on decorated boats along the Hillsborough River.
Description:
The Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade is a spectacular event where beautifully decorated boats illuminate the Hillsborough River, creating a dazzling display of lights and festive spirit.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Symphony in Lights
What to Expect:
Dazzling light show with Trans-Siberian Orchestra music and nightly snowfall.
Description:
Symphony in Lights at The Shops at Wiregrass features live music by Late Night Brass, stilt walkers, costumed characters, talented balloon artists, and Santa's arrival. The event includes a spectacular light show choreographed to the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, accompanied by nightly snowfalls.
Where: Wesley Chapel | More Info: Symphony in Lights
Lakeside Holiday Shows and Entertainment
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with synchronized lights and live animal presentations.
Description:
SeaWorld Orlando transforms into a vibrant holiday setting with millions of sparkling lights, snow flurries, and award-winning live shows featuring Santa, Rudolph, and Sesame Street characters. Enjoy ice-skating, delicious holiday foods, and festive shopping.
Where: Orlando | More Info: SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
Busch Gardens Christmas Town
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with animal encounters and festive shows.
Description:
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's Christmas Town is an award-winning holiday event featuring animal encounters, thrilling rides, holiday-inspired culinary delights, and festive shows like Christmas on Ice. The park transforms into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights and dazzling fireworks, offering a joyful experience for families.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Busch Gardens Christmas Town
Holidays at LEGOLAND
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with LEGO characters.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at LEGOLAND Florida with seasonal shows, special treats, and twinkling lights. Visit the Holiday Village Postal Service, rock around the giant LEGO tree, and take "elfies" with favorite holiday LEGO characters. Enjoy rides, activities, and a kid-friendly fireworks display.
Where: Winter Haven | More Info: Holidays at LEGOLAND
Christmas at Gaylord Palms
What to Expect:
Interactive ice sculptures and holiday-themed entertainment.
Description:
Christmas at Gaylord Palms features elaborate ice sculptures, live shows, and festive activities like snow tubing and gingerbread decorating, set amidst a beautifully decorated resort.
Where: Kissimmee | More Info: Christmas at Gaylord Palms
St. Petersburg City Theater presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical
What to Expect:
Timeless holiday musical with iconic Irving Berlin songs.
Description:
St. Petersburg City Theater presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical, a heartwarming adaptation featuring 17 Irving Berlin songs and a book by David Ives and Paul Blake. Set in 1954, the musical follows Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis as they follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge owned by their former army commander.
Where: St. Petersburg | More Info: St. Petersburg City Theater presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical
Florida Cracker Christmas
What to Expect:
Live music performances by renowned artists.
Description:
The 5th Annual Florida Cracker Christmas features live music performances by the Bellamy Brothers, Corey Smith, and special guest Andrew Jannakos. The event takes place at the Florida Cracker Jack Daniels Amphitheatre, offering a festive atmosphere with local vendors and historical demonstrations.
Where: Brooksville | More Info: Florida Cracker Christmas
Lakeside Other Holiday Activities
Now Snowing at Celebration
What to Expect:
Central Florida's original and premier "Snowing" event with nightly snowfall.
Description:
Now Snowing at Celebration is a month-long holiday event featuring strolling Charles Dickens style Carolers, photos with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating, and nightly snowfall at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00 PM. The event includes a synthetic ice rink, community performances by top young talent, and special concert events throughout the season.
Where: Celebration | More Info: Now Snowing at Celebration
Winter Wonderland at Westgate River Ranch
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday activities in a rustic setting.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Westgate River Ranch with activities like a tree farm, winterland hayride, candy land playground, and holiday maze. Enjoy the festive atmosphere and create memorable moments with your family.
Where: River Ranch | More Info: Winter Wonderland at Westgate River Ranch
Victorian Christmas Stroll
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with live music and complimentary refreshments in a historic setting.
Description:
The Victorian Christmas Stroll at the Henry B. Plant Museum is a beloved holiday tradition featuring elaborate decorations, live music, and complimentary cider and cookies. This event transforms the iconic building into a festive atmosphere, celebrating the warmth and spirit of an old-fashioned holiday.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Victorian Christmas Stroll
Season of Light – Maitland
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with snow sledding and Santa visit.
Description:
The Season of Light in Maitland is a family-friendly holiday celebration featuring snow sledding, carnival games, fireworks, vendors, live music, and a tree lighting ceremony with a visit from Santa. Admission is free.
Where: Maitland | More Info: Season of Light – Maitland
Florida Christmas Remembered – Barberville
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday activities in a historic setting.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at the Barberville Pioneer Settlement with arts and crafts vendors, make-and-take crafts for children, games, cookie decorating, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, bell choir and Christmas folk music, and living history demonstrations.
Where: Barberville | More Info: Florida Christmas Remembered – Barberville
The Christmas Mansion Tours – Deland
What to Expect:
Elaborate holiday decorations and nativities in a historic Gilded Age mansion.
Description:
The Stetson Mansion Christmas Spectacular features 10 elaborately decorated rooms, over 50 nativities, and a tour of this Gilded Age home. Visitors will explore the grand Victorian mansion, including the ground floor and three upstairs bedrooms, and visit the original School House converted into a Zen-like guest cottage and gift shop.
Where: Deland | More Info: The Christmas Mansion Tours – Deland
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Fleming Island (4 miles)
- Oakleaf Plantation (5 miles)
- Fruit Cove (8 miles)
- St. Johns (14 miles)
- Jacksonville (16 miles)
- Palm Valley (23 miles)
- Ponte Vedra Beach (24 miles)
- Jacksonville Beach (25 miles)