Get set for a holiday adventure in Orlando with our guide. Discover all the exciting festive happenings. Locals and travelers alike, explore the holiday magic of Orlando with our comprehensive guide.
One popular event during the holiday season is SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, where guests can enjoy dazzling light displays and festive culinary treats. Featuring captivating shows and a Christmas Market, this event brings the ocean to life with holiday cheer. And don't forget about the Festival of Trees: Let the Joy of the Season Shine, an enchanting showcase of beautifully decorated Christmas trees that embody the spirit of giving. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Orlando
- SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
- Holidays at LEGOLAND (Winter Haven)
- Lake Eola Christmas Tree
- Festival of Trees: Let the Joy of the Season Shine
- I-Drive District Holiday Tree Lighting
- Jingle Eve
- ICE at Gaylord Palms (Kissimmee)
- 71st Annual Winter Park “Ye Olde Hometown” Christmas Parade (Winter Park)
- Light Up the Holidays (Altamonte Springs)
- Orlando Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker
See these and even more events listed below!
Orlando Holiday Light Displays
Lake Eola Christmas Tree
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on a historic tree.
Description:
The Lake Eola Christmas Tree is a 64-foot tall tree adorned with 2,000 ornaments and 200 pounds of lights, synchronized to the Lake Eola fountain's musical displays.
Where: Orlando | More Info: Lake Eola Christmas Tree
I-Drive District Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Glittering lighting ceremony with special guest lighting.
Description:
Join ICON Park for the I-Drive District Holiday Tree Lighting, featuring a 50-foot holiday tree, special performances, and characters throughout the night.
Where: Orlando | More Info: I-Drive District Holiday Tree Lighting
Light Up the Holidays
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday displays with 200,000 lights and a 60-foot tree.
Description:
Light Up the Holidays in Altamonte Springs features spectacular holiday displays with 200,000 lights, a 60-foot tree, live music, entertainment, fireworks, and train rides. Santa and Mrs. Claus are part of the festivities, along with promotional booths and kids' activities.
Where: Altamonte Springs | More Info: Light Up the Holidays
30th Annual Nights of Lights
What to Expect:
Historic downtown buildings illuminated with millions of tiny white lights.
Description:
The 30th Annual Nights of Lights in St. Augustine features over three million tiny white lights adorning historic buildings, creating a dazzling holiday display that transforms the city into a spectacular winter wonderland.
Where: St. Augustine | More Info: 30th Annual Nights of Lights
Orlando Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holidays at LEGOLAND
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with LEGO characters and festive light displays.
Description:
Holidays at LEGOLAND features seasonal shows, special treats, and twinkling lights. Guests can meet LEGO Santa, send letters to the North Pole, and enjoy hands-on activities like building ornaments and sleighs. The event includes a giant LEGO Christmas tree with a 360-degree light show and festive fun throughout the park.
Where: Winter Haven | More Info: Holidays at LEGOLAND
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with synchronized lights and festive activities.
Description:
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration features millions of twinkling lights, snow flurries, award-winning live shows, ice-skating, and delicious holiday foods, all while meeting beloved Christmas characters like Santa and Rudolph.
Where: Orlando | More Info: SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
ICE at Gaylord Palms
What to Expect:
Immersive ice sculpture exhibit featuring scenes from Elf.
Description:
At ICE at Gaylord Palms, explore larger-than-life ice sculptures from the Christmas film Elf, featuring over 20,000 square feet of intricate carvings and immersive scenes. Enjoy thrilling two-story ice slides and witness live ice carving demonstrations.
Where: Kissimmee | More Info: ICE at Gaylord Palms
Oh, What Fun® Holiday Festival
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Description:
The Oh, What Fun Holiday Festival at Lake Nona Town Center features a calendar of celebrations including live entertainment, holiday markets, sweet treats, and photo opportunities. Enjoy storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus, visit the Evergreen Tree Trail, and experience nightly snowfalls.
Where: Orlando | More Info: Oh, What Fun® Holiday Festival
Orlando Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Orlando Ballet's production of The Nutcracker features Clara's extraordinary journey with a life-sized Nutcracker, battling the Mouse King in whimsical realms. Choreographed by Artistic Director Jorden Morris, this classic tale is set to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's iconic score.
Where: Orlando | More Info: Orlando Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker
Holiday Harmonies at Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
What to Expect:
Holiday concert with narration and live music.
Description:
Join the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra's Brass Quintet for a fun holiday story, featuring Danielle Ziss as narrator. Dance and sing along to holiday favorites in a perfect way to celebrate the season with family.
Where: Orlando | More Info: Holiday Harmonies at Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
Orlando Other Holiday Activities
Festival of Trees: Let the Joy of the Season Shine
What to Expect:
Designer-decorated trees and live entertainment.
Description:
The Festival of Trees: Let the Joy of the Season Shine is a holiday event at the Orlando Museum of Art featuring over 30 designer-decorated trees, exceptional gingerbread houses and wreaths, and various special events including an Opening Night Party, Breakfast with Santa, and a Silent Disco Party.
Where: Orlando | More Info: Festival of Trees: Let the Joy of the Season Shine
Jingle Eve
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday festivities with fireworks.
Description:
Jingle Eve is an annual holiday celebration in Ivanhoe Village, featuring beer gardens, music, local artisans, food trucks, and a children's holiday village. The event culminates with fireworks displayed above Lake Ivanhoe.
Where: Orlando | More Info: Jingle Eve
71st Annual Winter Park “Ye Olde Hometown” Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday parade with diverse community participation.
Description:
The 71st Annual Winter Park “Ye Olde Hometown” Christmas Parade is a festive event featuring over 80 Central Florida organizations, including marching bands, local police and fire departments, scouting groups, and Santa Claus. The parade showcases the city's traditional charm and holiday spirit.
Where: Winter Park | More Info: 71st Annual Winter Park “Ye Olde Hometown” Christmas Parade
Santa Workshop Experience at ICON Park
What to Expect:
Free rides and photo opportunities with Santa.
Description:
At ICON Park, create lasting memories with Santa during the Santa Workshop Experience. Enjoy photo opportunities with Santa, a free carousel ride, and a complimentary ride on The Wheel in a private holiday capsule. Various photo packages are available, including options for additional siblings and friends.
Where: Orlando | More Info: Santa Workshop Experience at ICON Park
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Pine Hills (5 miles)
- Winter Park (5 miles)
- Oak Ridge (5 miles)
- Altamonte Springs (9 miles)
- Casselberry (10 miles)
- Ocoee (10 miles)
- Alafaya (10 miles)
- Meadow Woods (11 miles)
- Wekiwa Springs (11 miles)
- Winter Springs (12 miles)
- Apopka (12 miles)
- Winter Garden (13 miles)
- Oviedo (14 miles)
- Buenaventura Lakes (14 miles)
- Kissimmee (16 miles)
- Sanford (19 miles)
- Saint Cloud (21 miles)
- Four Corners (22 miles)
- Clermont (24 miles)
- Deltona (26 miles)
- Poinciana (28 miles)
- Haines City (33 miles)
- DeLand (34 miles)
- Titusville (35 miles)
- Leesburg (36 miles)
- Winter Haven (42 miles)
- Rockledge (42 miles)
- Edgewater (42 miles)
- New Smyrna Beach (43 miles)
- Merritt Island (44 miles)
- The Villages (45 miles)