The holidays are a time for family and friends to come together, enjoy the season, and celebrate. In Orlando, there is no shortage of holiday events that can help you get in the spirit! Orlando has so much going on this holiday season, from Santa Claus parades to light displays at nightfall. Check out these top Holiday events in Orlando you need to know about this season!
December Holiday Events In Orlando
Magical and heartwarming, this adaptation of Dickens’ classic tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey to change for good. With your favorite carols from around the world as well as awe-inspiring special effects you’ll be able to revisit a time when life was simpler with its warmth in every note played on stage!
Where: 812 East Rollins Street Orlando, FL 32803
Who: Orlando Shakes (407) 447-1700
Cost: $22 – $56 per ticket
Date/Time: Varies
Experience live music from every Ole Red with the Battle of Bands competition that lets you be the judge of who is the ultimate band each week. Join us every Wednesday night in December at Ole Red Orlando as rising artists compete from Nashville, Tishomingo, Gatlinburg, and Orlando for the top spot.
Where: 8417 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Who: Ole Red Orlando (321) 430-1200
Cost: Free
Date/Time: Recurring weekly on Wednesdays
Ring in the holidays with this fresh, swingin’ musical! From classic Sinatra tunes to seasonal favorites Rat Pack Style, this show is complete with 40 popular hits including “Fly Me to The Moon,” “That¹s Life,” “New York, New York,” “Mistletoe and Holly,” “The Christmas Song,” “Silver Bells,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and many more.
Where: 711 North Orange Avenue Winter Park, FL 32789
Who: The Winter Park Playhouse (407) 645-0145
Cost: $20 – $45 per ticket
Date/Time: Varies
Our Colorful Christmas Crew is back with a NEW challenge! Can you help Santa and his friends save the holiday? Plus enjoy some SNOWtastic adventures as you go! Meet our animatronic Christmas characters and listen to them tell stories as you solve their riddles. Dive into a life-sized snowglobe, watch a light show starring Scarlet and her singing reindeer friends. All while crafting unique gifts from the heart! It’s a holiday hullabaloo with SNOW much to do!
Where: 8001 South Orange Blossom Trail Orlando, FL 32809
Who: Crayola Experience (407) 757-1700
Cost: Ages 3+ $26.99, Ages 2 and under – Free
Date/Time: Recurring daily
Orlando’s 50-acre Harry P. Leu Gardens will transform once again into a stunning, winter wonderland featuring a million dazzling lights, shining forests, magical displays, music and beautiful sculptures during “Dazzling Nights” – a family-friendly adventure that gives guests the opportunity to embark on an unforgettable, three-quarter mile, interactive holiday experience.
A few snapshots of the all-new, totally redesigned 2021 adventure include:
- A forest lit with the flickering of hundreds of hand-made Moroccan lanterns
- A 7,000 square foot light maze
- The Leu Gardens Rose Garden comes to life with 150 colored balls of light
- A forest of neon trees
- A 65’ long tunnel of 12’ tall stars
- The finale of snow returns, but this time enhanced by two giant light trees
- Brand new entertainment and food offerings
Where: 1920 N Forest Ave, Orlando, FL 32803
Who: Leu Gardens (407) 246-2620
Cost: $22 per person, $25 peak nights
Date/Time: Varies
Experience Deck the Seas and enjoy a wintery scavenger hunt, write letters to your favorite sea creatures, and on Thursdays in December, hear a special FISHmas story with Scuba Claus! Plus, experience our holiday decorations and take the perfect holiday SHELLfie with our sea creatures.
Where: 8449 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
Who: Sea Life (855) 450-0680
Cost: $33.95 per person (Check Groupon for cheaper prices)
Date/Time: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Experience the sights and sounds of the season when visiting Downtown for the Holidays. Throughout the entire month of December, downtown Orlando is offering free holiday events for all to enjoy! Stroll around Eola Wonderland to see the dazzling holiday décor and lights. See the beautifully illuminated Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree and watch in wonder as the lights dance to popular holiday music. Grab a blanket and enjoy a holiday movie on the East Lawn of Lake Eola. And many more festive events!
Where: 512 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801
Who: Lake Eola (407) 246-4484
Cost: Free
Date/Time: Varies
The holiday shopping season is upon us! Finish (or start) your holiday shopping at Discover Downtown. Throughout November and December, you are invited to stop by Discover Downtown’s pop-up shop every Friday from November 12 – December 17 (except November 26) and check out merchandise from local retailers not previously sold in the Discover Downtown retail store.
Where: 512 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801
Who: Lake Eola (407) 246-4484
Cost: Free Entry
Date/Time: 11 am – 2 pm
EPCOT® International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth, you’ll be surrounded by the wondrous sights, sounds and flavors of the season. Savor treasured recipes from around the globe at Holiday Kitchens throughout the park … and embark on a sweet Holiday Cookie Stroll while you’re at it.
Where: 200 Epcot Center Drive Lake Buena Vista, FL 32821
Who: Epcot (407) 939-5277
Cost: Included with park admission price
Date/Time: Park Hours
Gather your family and join all of your festive friends at SeaWorld®’s Christmas Celebration™, December 1 st through January 2. SeaWorld transforms into a winter wonderland sparkling with holiday cheer, excitement, and over 3 million beautiful lights. Experience award-winning entertainment like the show-stopping ice-skating extravaganza Winter Wonderland on Ice. Meet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or head to Wild Arctic® and visit with Santa himself. Create unforgettable holiday memories with a magical Christmas celebration you can only find at SeaWorld.
Where: 7007 SeaWorld Drive Orlando, FL 32821
Who: SeaWorld Christmas Celebration 407-545-5550
Cost: Included with park admission price
Date/Time: Park Hours
For 52 magical nights, visitors can watch a dancing lights show in a fairytale neighborhood; stroll amidst millions of lights, featuring a sparkling tree trail; enjoy festive music and holiday treats; take a tram ride through the storybook Village; visit a holiday marketplace; and create unforgettable memories at the place Where Happiness Inspires Hope. Give Kids The World Village is an 89-acre, whimsical non-profit resort that provides critically ill children and their families from around the world with magical weeklong wish vacations at no cost.
Where: 210 S Bass Rd Kissimmee, FL 34746
Who: Night of a Million Lights (407) 396-1114
Cost: $25 – $40 Adults, $15 – $20 Kids
Date/Time: 5 – 10 pm
Anyone can “Ho-ho-ho” and “Fa-la-la” for the holidays. But if you want to scream, laugh and shout your jingle bells off, you’ve got to awesome up your holiday at Universal Orlando Resort, where we do the holidays big time. Join the celebration of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ as Hogwarts™ castle lights up for the holidays and festive décor brightens up the streets of Hogsmeade™ and Diagon Alley™. Enjoy a hot Butterbeer™ while both the Frog Choir and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees put a holiday spin on their performances.
Where: 6000 Universal Boulevard Orlando, FL 32819
Who: Holidays at Universal Orlando (407) 363-8000
Cost: Included With Park Admission
Date/Time: Park Hours
Lake Nona’s annual Oh, What Fun! holiday festival returns on select nights from Nov. 26, 2021 – Jan. 2, 2022 in Lake Nona Town Center and Boxi Park. Visit Central Florida’s most magical, open-air winter wonderland for dazzling decorations, festive treats, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, nightly snowfalls, and hourly live entertainment guaranteed to spread holiday cheer.
Where: 6900 Tavistock Lakes Boulevard Orlando, FL 32827
Who: Oh, What Fun! (407) 888-6500
Cost: Free
Date/Time: 5 pm
Join us for the all new Santa Workshop Experience and continue the tradition you’ve come to know and love!
-Free covered parking
-Free valet parking after 4pm
-Free ride on The Wheel in private holiday capsule for all children with photo purchase + discounted admission for all additional riders
-A lifetime of memories and more!
Where: 8375 International Drive Orlando, FL 32819
Who: ICON Park (407) 601-7907
Cost: $20 + Tax
Date/Time: Varies
The magic of Santa is back! The Santa Photo experience at The Mall at Millenia begins Wednesday, November 10, and continues through December 24th! We’ve created a Santa photo experience to ensure a safe setting for our guests, Santa and his helpers.
Where: 4200 Conroy Road
Orlando, FL 32839
Who: Mall at Millenia Santa (407) 363-3555
Cost: Free
Date/Time: Mall Operating Hours
Ready for a little holiday joy? Join Mickey and the gang select nights Dec 2nd–Dec 21, during Disney Very Merriest After Hours at Magic Kingdom® Park! Here, you can marvel at Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show. See Santa, Olaf and some of your favorite Disney pals during Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. And not only will you enjoy shorter wait times on over 20 attractions — but there’s also a sleigh full of Character moments, magical “snowfalls” and complimentary treats.
Where: 1180 Seven Seas Drive Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Who: Disney Very Merriest Christmas (407) 939-5277
Cost: Varies
Date/Time: 9 pm – 1 am
Map of Holiday Events In Orlando
Share the Holiday Events In Orlando!
With so many holiday events happening in Orlando, it can be hard to keep up with all of the top ones. Fortunately for you, we’ve rounded up some of the best that are sure to get your family or group into the spirit! Check out our list above and make plans now before they sell out! Share this blog post with a friend who loves celebrating holidays in Orlando by clicking on one of these share icons at the end. Happy Holidays from Orlando Magical Getaway!