Sunshine, sandy beaches, and temps in the 80s don’t invoke Christmas, but Orlando has a lot of ways to get into the holiday spirit. From theme parks to resort spectaculars to winter carnivals, Central Florida has plenty of ways to enjoy the holidays.
Here are our picks for the ten best ways to celebrate Christmas week in Central Florida:
Light Up UCF, one of Orlando’s best annual holiday traditions, starts up this Friday, November 18, 2016, and runs through January 7, 2017.
During the event, the area in and around the CFE Arena at the University of Central Florida is transformed into a winter wonderland with lights, holiday music and rides.
Light Up UCF, one of Orlando’s annual holiday traditions, starts up this Friday, November 13, 2015, and runs through January 3, 2016.
During the event, the area in and around the CFE Arena at the University of Central Florida is transformed into a winter wonderland with lights, holiday music and rides.
Light Up UCF, one of Orlando’s annual holiday traditions, starts up this Friday, November 14, 2014, and runs through January 4, 2015.
During the event, the area in and around the CFE Arena at the University of Central Florida is transformed into a winter wonderland with lights, holiday music and rides.
In addition to the fan favorite Ice Rink Pavilion, the CFE Federal Credit Union Ferris Wheel, Blizzard ride, the Arctic Glide Ice Slide presented by Race Trac and Santa’s Workshop presented by Coca-Cola, there are several free opportunities for all to enjoy, including the Holiday Light Show presented by Orlando Sanford International Airport with thousands of lights choreographed to seasonal musical selections and snow, spun by a live DJ.
Light Up UCF, one of Orlando’s annual holiday traditions, starts up this Friday, November 15, 2013, and runs through January 5, 2014.
During the event, the area in and around the CFE Arena at the University of Central Florida is transformed into a winter wonderland with lights, holiday music and rides.
Several times throughout the event, they will be showing free movies outdoors on a two-story screen. Start times are at 7pm, with a repeat at 9:30pm, and the movie listing can be found online.
Santa will also be making appearances for photo ops. Price for the photo is $12.50.
It’s free to wander around, and check out the Holiday lights, but there is a charge for the rides ($4.25-$6.50), which include an Ice Slide and a Ferris Wheel. There is also a charge for using the outdoor tented ice skating rink ($12 nightly skating/$19.75 nightly unlimited skate and rides pass).
Tickets are available at the CFE Arena Box Office or online at lightupucf.com.
Light Up UCF, one of Orlando’s annual holiday traditions, starts up this Friday, November 16, 2012, and runs through January 6, 2013.
During the event, the area in and around the University of Central Florida arena is transformed into a winter wonderland with lights, holiday music and rides.
Opening weekend will have a concert by country artist Dustin Lynch at the UCF arena building. It starts at 5pm on November 18, and is free to attend.
Several times throughout the event, they’re also showing free movies outdoors on a two-story screen. According to their schedule, here are the movies they have lined up (start times are at 7pm, with a repeat at 9:30pm):
Light Up UCF, one of Orlando’s annual holiday traditions, starts up this Friday, November 11, 2011, and runs through January 1, 2012.
During the event, the area in and around the University of Central Florida arena is transformed into a winter wonderland with lights, holiday music and rides.
Several times throughout the event, they’re also showing free movies outdoors on a two-story screen. According to their schedule, here are the movies they have lined up (start times are at 7pm, with a repeat at 9:30pm):
Santa will also be making appearances at the neighboring Barnes & Noble for photo ops on the weekends and every day from December 16-23. Price for the photo is $12.50.
It’s free to wander around but there is a charge for the rides. There is also a charge for using the ice skating rink ($12 nightly skating/$19.75 nightly unlimited skate and rides pass/$75 seasonal skate pass).
Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster. Light up UCF has several group packages, including discounts on skating for groups of 10 or more.
Hours are Monday through Thursday 5pm to 10pm, Fridays 5pm to midnight , Saturday 11am to midnight, and Sundays 11am to 10pm.
For more info on the event, visit the Light Up UCF website.
Need a break from the family and shopping? Here’s a list of concerts and other events happening around Orlando this weekend.
November 26:
November 27:
November 28: