Whether you live here or you’re vacationing here during Christmas week, it can be overwhelming trying to decide from among all of the fun holiday offerings happening in the Orlando area.
Here are our picks for the best Holiday events for celebrating Christmas 2018 in Orlando:
THEME PARKS
BUSCH GARDENS
CHRISTMAS TOWN
Daily through January 6, 2019
Christmas Town beams with twinkling lights, Yuletide shows, holiday shopping and even a visit to Santa’s House. Plus, beloved characters from the television special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”™ return with Christmas Town’s debut of Sam the Snowman. The event is included with regular park admission. Visit buschgardens.com/tampa for tickets and more info.
LEGOLAND FLORIDA
CHRISTMAS BRICKTACULAR
Daily December 22-31
On weekends in December, enjoy the Holidays LEGO-style. There is a LEGO Christmas tree made with more than 30,000 blocks, a LEGO Santa to take photos with, LEGO Santa and LEGO Toy Soldier Characters, and more. Nightly fireworks run December 26th through 31st. All Bricktacular activities are included with regular park admission. For more information, visit legolandflorida.com or read our visit recap.
SEAWORLD ORLANDO
SEAWORLD’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
Nightly through December 31st.
Meet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends and share Rudolph’s family fun and holiday traditions while making spirits bright. Enjoy Holiday shows like Elmo’s Christmas Wish, O Wondrous Night, and Winter Wonderland on Ice, along with Shamu® Christmas Miracles and the Sea of Trees. All Christmas Celebration events are included with regular park admission. For more information, visit seaworld.com/orlando.
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
HOLIDAYS AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO FEAT GRINCHMAS, HARRY POTTER, AND MACY’S HOLIDAY PARADE
Daily through January 6, 2019
Experience Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ as Hogsmeade™ and Diagon Alley™ are transformed with wondrous spirit. Watch the live retelling of Dr. Seuss’s classic holiday tale starring The Grinch™ as the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular returns. Merry and Mayhem combine as the Minions join Santa Claus in the all-new Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s. All included with regular park admission. Visit universalorlando.com for more info.
WALT DISNEY WORLD
CANDLELIGHT PROCESSIONAL AT EPCOT
Daily through December 30
This annual event is a moving presentation of the traditional Christmas story told by celebrity narrators. The three-times-nightly event includes a mass choir and a 50-piece orchestra. It is included in regular park admission. For more information visit disneyworld.com, and a schedule of celebrity narrators, click here.
CHRISTMAS TREE TRAIL AT DISNEY SPRINGS
Daily through January 6, 2019
Back for its second year, the Tree Trail now boasts 25 Disney-inspired trees, including ten
additions featuring iconic characters. It’s free to experience and there is even a spot with photos with Santa. Visit DisneySprings.com for more info or read my recap over at The Disney Blog.
FLURRY OF FUN AT DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Daily through January 6, 2019
Festivities will include an immersive new nighttime experience that wraps all of Sunset Boulevard in holiday magic with jolly decorations, merry treats and beloved characters sharing their love for the holidays.“Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam!” nighttime projection and fireworks show returns as well. It is included in regular park admission. Visit disneyworld.com for more info.
HOLIDAY DISPLAYS AT THE DISNEY RESORTS
Daily through December 31
One of the most fun things to do around Christmas is to visit the various Disney resorts and check out their Holiday displays. Disney’s Grand Floridian has the Gingerbread Dream House, Disney’s Contemporary has a Frozen-themed gingerbread display, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Clubs have several displays including a carousel and a statue of Maleficent made out of chocolate. Best of all, it’s all FREE. For more information, visit disneyworld.com.
MICKEY’S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY AT MAGIC KINGDOM
December 18, 20-21
Ticket price is $115-$125 for adults, and $110-$120 for kids age 3-9 for this separately ticketed event. Enjoy the attractions along with holiday themed celebrations during this evening event. There’s even a special Christmas parade with Santa, and treats throughout the park. Visit disneyworld.com for more info.
AROUND ORLANDO AND CENTRAL FLORIDA
CHRISTMAS AT GAYLORD PALMS FEAT. ICE! AND CIRQUE DREAMS UNWRAPPED
Located at Gaylord Palms, 6000 West Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee.
Daily through January 6, 2019
Free admission to Joyful light show and Cirque Dreams Unwrapped in the resort’s atrium. Tickets needed for ICE!, Alpine Snow Tubing, and so much more. Individual tickets and combo passes available. Parking for day guests is $25 per vehicle. For tickets and more info, visit christmasatgaylordpalms.com. You can also read our recap with photos of this year’s ICE! at Gaylord Palms.
EOLA WONDERLAND CHRISTMAS TREE SHOW
Located at Lake Eola Park, Orlando
Daily through January 5, 2019
The Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree comes alive with a FREE synchronized light and music show every night at: 5:45pm; 6:45pm; 7:45pm; 8:45pm and 9:45pm. Visit cityoforlando.net for more information.
FAIRWINDS BROADWAY IN ORLANDO PRESENTS ‘IRVING BERLIN”S WHITE CHRISTMAS’
Located at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando
Nightly December 18-23
Tickets start at $39.25. Based on the 1954 movie, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas tells the story of a song-and-dance team putting on a show in a magical Vermont inn and falling for a stunning sister act in the process. It’s full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written for a musical. Visit drphillipscenter.org for tickets and more information.
HOLIDAY NIGHTS AT ICON ORLANDO 360
Located at ICON Orlando 360, Orlando
Daily through January 6, 2019
More than 64,000 LED lights will bring the tallest observation wheel on the east coast of the United States to life in a kaleidoscopic 10-minute show, synchronized to a festive holiday soundtrack. The FREE light show runs nightly: Sun.-Thurs. at 8pm and 9pm; Fri. & Sat. at 8pm, 9pm and 10pm. Visit iconorlando.com for more info.
HOLIDAYS IN SPACE AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER VISITOR COMPLEX
Located at SR 405 Kennedy Space Center, Titusville
Daily through December 30
Witness the all-new Holidays in Space presentation, a kinetic light show like nowhere else on Earth. The continuous evening shows begin at 5pm each night. These performances are included with admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Visit kennedyspacecenter.com for tickets and more info.
LAKE NONA HOLIDAY FESTIVAL
Located at Lake Nona Town Center, Lake Nona
Thursday-Sunday from 3pm-10pm through December 30
Free admission. The Lake Nona Holiday Festival will feature one of Central Florida’s only outdoor, open-air skating rinks, live entertainment, occasional snow falls, festive food and drink options (including Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen, Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine, and the recently-opened Park Pizza Brewing & Co), classic holiday movies, and appearances from Santa Claus. Visit lakenona.com for more information.
LIGHT UP UCF
Located at CFE Arena at UCF, 12777 Gemini Blvd. N., Orlando.
Daily through January 6, 2019
This nightly FREE event includes an 8,000 square foot outdoor ice skating rink, rides, and holiday attractions. There is also a free outdoor movie several nights a week. Rides and skating are additional cost. For more information, visit lightupucf.com.
MAGIC OF LIGHTS AT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
Located at 441 Midway Ave. Daytona Beach
Daily through December 31
Cost: $20 per vehicle and up; save by buying online in advance.
The experience will include a drive behind the Ticket and Tours building, through the state-of-the-art motorsports facility and conclude in the Midway display area outside the facility. Magic of Lights is open Friday through Sunday from 5:30pm to 10pm and Monday through Thursday from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. Visit daytonainternationalspeedway.com for tickets and more info.
NOW SNOWING IN CELEBRATION
Located at Celebration Town Center, 701 Front St, Celebration.
Daily through December 31
This FREE event is a month long Winter Wonderland Spectacular featuring strolling Charles Dickens Carolers, community performers, photos with Santa, horse drawn carriage rides (for a fee), the Celebration Express train (for a fee), and nightly snowfall at 6pm, 7pm, 8om and 9pm. For more information, visit celebrationtowncenter.com.
THE NUTCRACKER PERFORMED BY THE RUSSIAN BALLET ORLANDO
Located at Walt Disney Amphitheater, Lake Eola Park, Orlando
December 22
Free event. The Russian Ballet Orlando will perform Tchaikovsky’s arrangement of the Nutcracker live, featuring unforgettable characters, dazzling costumes, onstage blizzards and timeless choreography. Visit cityoforlando.net for more information.
ORLANDO SHAKES PRESENTS ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’
Located at Lowndes Shakespeare Theater, Orlando
Shows Wednesdays through Sundays until December 30
Tickets: $32-$55. Back by popular demand, celebrate the holidays with Dickens’ classic ghost tale! The miserly and miserable Ebenezer Scrooge greets each Christmas with a “bah humbug,” until he is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Visit orlandoshakes.org for tickets and more information.
WINTER WONDERLAND AT WEKIVA ISLAND
Located at Wekiva Island, Longwood
Daily through December 30
Free admission. Enjoy movies on the river, holiday parties and tons of REAL SNOW. Meet Santa, the Grinch & more lovable characters. Plus, experience snowfall every night at 6pm. Visit wekivaisland.com for more information.
WEKIVA’S WINTER WONDERLAND VIP PARTY
Located at Wekiva Island, Longwood
December 22
Tickets are $50; $90 for two Portion of proceeds will be donated to The Audubon Center For Birds Of Prey. Boats decorated in Christmas lights illuminate the Wekiva River for hundreds of spectators in a uniquely Floridian procession, culminating with an appearance by a seafaring Santa Claus. Plus enjoy live music, food and drink, plus more. Visit wekivaisland.com for more information.
Do you have a favorite Holiday event in the Orlando area that we didn’t list? Let us know in the comments. You can also find more things happening during Christmas week and beyond in our events calendar.
