Prepare for a holiday adventure in Winter Haven! Our guide has all the exciting festive activities. For Winter Haven experts and wide-eyed newcomers, our guide is your compass to yuletide treasures.
Popular events will make this season unforgettable. Step into a winter wonderland at ICE at Gaylord Palms Resort, where stunning ice sculptures and a magical atmosphere await. Experience the festive charm of Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, featuring elaborate light displays and seasonal attractions. And the enchanting Holidays at LEGOLAND offers fun for families with themed activities and festive LEGO displays you definitely don't want to miss. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Winter Haven
- Holidays at LEGOLAND
- ICE at Gaylord Palms Resort (Kissimmee)
- Christmas Town at Busch Gardens (Tampa)
- Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade (Tampa)
- Light Up BSP (Lakeland)
- Ariana Village Christmas Lights (Lakeland)
- Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience Orlando (Orlando)
- Holiday Spectacular at Tampa Riverwalk (Tampa)
- Clearwater’s Polar Express Experience (Clearwater)
- Gingerbread Village at Glazer Children’s Museum (Tampa)
See these and even more events listed below!
Winter Haven Holiday Light Displays
Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Decorated boats with synchronized light displays.
Description:
The Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade is a spectacular event where boats are decorated with vibrant lights and parade along the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. The event features a SmallMotor Boat Competition, a Captain's Party with swag bags and giveaways, and a chance to win the best-decorated boat trophy.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Light Up BSP
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday event with nightly themes and activities.
Description:
Light Up BSP at Bonnet Springs Park features unique holiday themes each night, including live music, strolling performers, face painting, and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The event includes a large walk-through Christmas light display on the Crenshaw Canopy Walk and various activities on the Allen & Company Family Lawn.
Where: Lakeland | More Info: Light Up BSP
Ariana Village Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Twinkling decorations in a charming garden setting.
Description:
Ariana Village Christmas Lights feature twinkling decorations that create a cheerful atmosphere, perfect for families to stroll through and enjoy the holiday season.
Where: Lakeland | More Info: Ariana Village Christmas Lights
Holiday Spectacular at Tampa Riverwalk
What to Expect:
Unique floating holiday displays along the Hillsborough River.
Description:
The Holiday Spectacular at Tampa Riverwalk features a 35-foot-tall LED Christmas tree floating in the harbor, festive holiday lights along the Riverwalk, and unique floating displays like gingerbread houses and toy trains. The event also includes a holiday selfie station, lighted garland and red bows on the Riverwalk light poles, and festively decorated gazebos and oak trees.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Holiday Spectacular at Tampa Riverwalk
Winter Waterland at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with underwater mermaid performance and festive lights.
Description:
Winter Waterland at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park features a festive stroll through the park lit up with holiday lights, an Elf Story Mermaid Underwater Performance, Candy Cane Lane, a Live Nativity Scene, and a Water Sleigh ride. The event also includes photo opportunities with Santa and his mermaid elves, as well as Elsa and the Grinch.
Where: Spring Hill | More Info: Winter Waterland at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Lake Eola Christmas Tree
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on a historic park setting.
Description:
The Lake Eola Christmas Tree is a 64-foot tall tree adorned with 2,000 ornaments and 200 pounds of lights, featuring nightly musical performances synchronized with the Lake Eola Fountain.
Where: Orlando | More Info: Lake Eola Christmas Tree
Bonnet Springs Park Christmas Activities
What to Expect:
Sensory-friendly Santa visits with quiet and low-sensory environment.
Description:
Bonnet Springs Park offers a variety of holiday activities, including a large walk-through Christmas light display, live music, strolling performers, face painting, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Each night features unique holiday themes and engaging activities.
Where: Lakeland | More Info: Bonnet Springs Park Christmas Activities
Winter Haven Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holidays at LEGOLAND
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with LEGO-themed festivities.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at LEGOLAND Florida with seasonal shows, special treats, twinkling lights, and festive activities. Meet LEGO Santa and friends, enjoy holiday-themed rides and activities, and ring in the new year with colorful LEGO brick fireworks.
Where: Winter Haven | More Info: Holidays at LEGOLAND
ICE at Gaylord Palms Resort
What to Expect:
Immersive ice sculpture exhibit featuring scenes from Elf.
Description:
At Gaylord Palms Resort, ICE features larger-than-life ice sculptures from the Christmas film Elf, carved from over 2 million pounds of ice. Guests can journey through immersive scenes, enjoy two-story-tall ice slides, and witness live ice carving demonstrations.
Where: Kissimmee | More Info: ICE at Gaylord Palms Resort
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with synchronized light and sound displays.
Description:
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with twinkling lights, festive shows, and holiday-inspired culinary delights. Enjoy animal encounters, thrilling rides, and festive shows like Christmas on Ice.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience Orlando
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities and themed crafts.
Description:
At Crayola Experience Orlando, Colorful Christmas offers a vibrant holiday celebration with animatronic Christmas characters, a life-sized snowglobe, and a light show starring Scarlet and her singing reindeer friends. Guests can participate in a seasonal scavenger hunt, craft handmade gifts, and enjoy live entertainment and holiday treats. The event also features a new Magical Circus Adventure inspired by the popular POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance book series.
Where: Orlando | More Info: Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience Orlando
Clearwater’s Polar Express Experience
What to Expect:
Free holiday event with a movie screening and live chorus performance.
Description:
The Polar Express Experience at BayCare Sound features a holiday sing-along with the Ruth Eckerd Hall Chorus, followed by a free screening of the Oscar-nominated animated movie "The Polar Express" starring Tom Hanks. Enjoy falling snow, family-friendly activities, and concessions with food trucks.
Where: Clearwater | More Info: Clearwater’s Polar Express Experience
Nutcracker Ballet
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker ballet is a timeless tale of Clara, a young girl whose extraordinary journey intertwines with a life-sized Nutcracker, magically brought to life. Together, they cross whimsical realms, battling the daunting Mouse King. This rendition of the cherished holiday tradition features family-friendly performances with pre-show children's activities, adjusted sound and lighting, and relaxed exit and re-entry into the theater.
Where: Various | More Info: Nutcracker Ballet
Winter Haven Other Holiday Activities
Gingerbread Village at Glazer Children’s Museum
What to Expect:
Interactive gingerbread house building with recycled materials.
Description:
At the Glazer Children’s Museum, build gingerbread houses using recycled materials like cardboard, pipe cleaners, and bottle caps. Add your creations to our growing village and take them home.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Gingerbread Village at Glazer Children’s Museum
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Haines City (9 miles)
- Lakeland (13 miles)
- Poinciana (19 miles)
- Four Corners (22 miles)
- Plant City (23 miles)
- Kissimmee (27 miles)
- Valrico (31 miles)
- Saint Cloud (32 miles)
- Buenaventura Lakes (32 miles)
- Bloomingdale (32 miles)
- Meadow Woods (34 miles)
- Brandon (34 miles)
- Oak Ridge (36 miles)
- Clermont (37 miles)
- Riverview (38 miles)
- Winter Garden (39 miles)
- Wesley Chapel (39 miles)
- Ocoee (39 miles)
- East Lake-Orient Park (39 miles)
- Palm River-Clair Mel (40 miles)
- Temple Terrace (40 miles)
- Pine Hills (41 miles)
- Orlando (42 miles)
- University (43 miles)
- Tampa (45 miles)