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Christmas Weekend 2023 in Orlando Top Things To Do: Theme Park Festivals, Holiday Lights, and More

Dazzling Nights is back at Leu Gardens, with a sparkly winter wonderland, featuring music and interactive elements. Photo courtesy of Dazzling Nights
Dazzling Nights is back at Leu Gardens, with a sparkly winter wonderland, featuring music and interactive elements. Photo courtesy of Dazzling Nights
12/20/23 - By Charlotte B

Looking for the best things to do in Orlando this Christmas weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list!

Christmas weekend is here...hopefully the tree is decorated, presents are wrapped, and holiday plans are finalized. Assuming you're looking to get out of the house on Christmas weekend, Orlando is brimming with things to do. Celebrate Christmas in Orlando at SeaWorld, Epcot, Legoland, or any of the other Central Florida theme parks open during the holiday weekend. Looking for Christmas lights? Check out amazing displays at Daytona International Speedway, Leu Gardens, or Island H2O Water Park.

We've also rounded up the best Orlando Restaurants Open on Christmas Day for Kids as well as What's Open on Christmas Day in Orlando. Whatever your plans this weekend, have a very happy holiday from your friends at Mommy Poppins!

More Things To Do in Orlando this Week with Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Discover holiday traditions at Epcot's 11 World Showcase nations with live holiday entertainment, seasonal foods, festive decor, and the famous candlelight processional. Photo courtesy of WDW
Discover holiday traditions at Epcot's 11 World Showcase nations with live holiday entertainment, seasonal foods, festive decor, and the famous candlelight processional. Photo courtesy of WDW

Things to Do Christmas Weekend in Orlando

Santa's Winter Wonderland Village

Winter Garden - December 21-23, 2023
This winter festival features Santa's Magical Midway with rides for all ages, visits with Santa, and giant LED holiday light displays. READ MORE

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve Tour

Orlando - Friday, December 22, 2023
Ring in the holiday season with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Kia Center for the band's Ghosts of Christmas Eve tour. READ MORE

Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells

Orlando - December 22 & 23, 2023
This hilarious holiday tale is based on the best-selling book series by Barbara Park. Follow first-grader Junie B. Jones as she participates in the holiday sing-along and Secret Santa gift exchange at her school, where she draws the name of her nemesis. READ MORE

Oh What Fun! Lake Nona Holiday Festival

Orlando - December 22 & 23, 2023
Lake Nona’s annual Oh What Fun! holiday festival returns on select nights in Lake Nona Town Center. Visit Central Florida’s 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. READ MORE

Beach Nights at Aquatica

Orlando - Saturday, December 23, 2023
Visit Aquatica for unforgettable evenings with family-friendly movies and engaging beach games. Bring a blanket or settle into a beach chair while Aquatica treats you to a new movie experience each Friday and Saturday. READ MORE

Holiday Drone Show

Orlando - Saturday, December 23, 2023
This show will feature a display of synchronized drones flying in formation to create beautiful holiday-themed designs in the night sky. Attendees will be able to sit back and watch the 15-minute light show from the comfort of their own blankets and lawn chairs. READ MORE

Skate with Santa

Orlando - Saturday, December 23, 2023
Skate with Santa at Astro Skate Orlando. Wear red to get half off admission. READ MORE

Phantasmagoria’s An Even More Haunted Victorian Christmas

Multiple Locations - Through December 23, 2023
Celebrate the holidays with Central Florida's Steampunk Storytelling Troupe Phantasmagoria for an evening of ghost stories and Christmas cheer, a festive journey through whimsical and haunted tales of the holidays. READ MORE

Morse Museum Christmas Eve Celebration

Winter Park - Sunday, December 24, 2023
On Christmas Eve, enjoy free admission to the Morse Museum galleries with live music. READ MORE

A Christmas Carol at Orlando Shakes

Orlando - Through December 24, 2023
Don't be a Scrooge—watch a live production of A Christmas Carol and learn the true meaning of the holiday spirit. Enjoy carols, special effects, and the time-honored story of this holiday classic. READ MORE

Orlando Ballet's The Nutcracker

Orlando - Through December 24, 2023
Enjoy Orlando Ballet's take on the holiday classic, The Nutcracker. Parents and children are taken to a world of color, imagination, and magic. READ MORE

Holinights Celebration

Winter Wonderland at Wekiva Island

Longwood - Through December 25, 2023
Winter Wonderland at Wekiva Island is back with a supersized Christmas tree, nightly snow flurries, Christmas lights, Santa & holiday character visits, and special events. READ MORE

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

Lake Buena Vista - Through December 30, 2023
Discover holiday traditions at Epcot's 11 World Showcase nations with live holiday entertainment, seasonal foods and treats, festive decor, and the famous annual candlelight processional. READ MORE

Holidays at Disney Springs

Lake Buena Vista - Through December 30, 2023
Celebrate the holidays at Disney Springs with a Disney Christmas Tree Stroll, snow flurries, toy soldier stilt-walkers, and snowflake skaters. Visit with jolly Old St. Nick through December 24. A virtual queue is available to meet with Santa. READ MORE

Holidays in Space at Kennedy Space Center

Melbourne - Select days through December 30, 2023 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
Visit the Kennedy Space Center as its transformed into a winter wonderland with holidays light displays, street performances, and more. This event features a projection mapping show called Starflake's Holiday Voyage, as well as a 50-ft tree illuminating the Rocket Garden, astronaut nutcrackers, and more. READ MORE

Celebration's Now Snowing

Celebration - Through December 31, 2023
Celebration's annual Now Snowing event features snowfall nightly, as well as ice skating, strolling Carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, train rides, and photos with Santa. READ MORE

Holiday Nights at Island H2O Water Park

Kissimmee - Through December 31, 2023
Each evening, Island H2O Water Park transforms into a holiday wonderland, adorned with twinkling island-themed lights that'll rival the brightest North Star. Check out island-festive immersive light displays and snap some holiday-card worthy photos with friends and family.  READ MORE

Holidays at Legoland Florida

Winter Haven - Weekends through December 31, 2023
Sleigh into the holly jolliest time of year at Holidays at Legoland Florida Resort. Surprise your family with tons of bricktastic holiday fun coming down the chimney, including an all-new ginormous Lego brick-built Christmas Tree, a festive Lego crew, new elf-tastic entertainment, and bunches of new holly jolly Lego décor. READ MORE

Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort

Orlando - Through December 31, 2023
During the holidays at Universal, families can enjoy the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's, and Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. READ MORE

Magic of Lights Daytona

Daytona - Through December 31, 2023
This drive-through holiday lights attraction features holiday scenes and favorite characters of the season using LED lighting and digital animation. READ MORE

Fun Spot's Huge Christmas

Orlando & Kissimmee - Through January 1, 2024
Fun Spot's Orlando & Kissimmee parks are festively decorated for the holidays, with lights, themed "foto" spots, and tasty Christmas treats. READ MORE

SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration

Orlando - Through January 2, 2024
Enjoy more than 3 million lights on display, a Christmas parade, live shows, ice skating, and more at SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration. Families can also visit Santa near the Wild Arctic area. READ MORE

Christmas at Gaylord Palms

Kissimmee - Through January 3, 2024
If you haven't experienced Christmas at Gaylord Palms, add it to your calendar this season. Enjoy holiday activities and things to do, including the return of the iconic ICE! experience with two million pounds of colorful ice, a Cirque Spirit of Christmas show, snow tubing, photos with Santa, snow factory, Shine Light Show with thousands of dancing lights, a Christmas Tree Trail, and much more. READ MORE

Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens

Orlando - Select nights through January 6, 2024 (closed Christmas Day)
Dazzling Nights is back with its winter wonderland of lights throughout Leu Gardens, featuring music and interactive elements. Walk through a 70-ft long light tunnel, see a laser light show, enjoy snowfall, and more. Kids will love exploring the play area as well. READ MORE

Holidays at Leu Gardens

Orlando - Through January 7, 2024 (closed Christmas Day)
Enjoy holiday blooms and a gnome scavenger hunt throughout the gardens during the holiday season. The historic Leu House Museum is also decorated for the holidays, with guided tours available select days and times. READ MORE

Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo

Sanford - Select nights through January 14, 2024 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
Experience the Zoo like you’ve never seen it before! See dozens of all-new, hand-constructed lantern displays illuminated by thousands of LED lights around the Zoo on a 3/4 mile path. Celebrate the art, beauty and wonder of traditional Asian lantern festivals. READ MORE
The Johanessen house offers a dazzling view of holiday lights. Photo courtesy of Johanessen Lights
The Johanessen house offers a dazzling view of holiday lights. Photo courtesy of Johanessen Lights

More Fun Things to Do in Orlando Right Now

Christmas Vacation in Orlando: 20 Staycation Ideas for Things To Do With Kids

Here are our picks for the most fun during winter break! READ MORE

Where to Pick Strawberries Near Orlando: 8 Family-Friendly Strawberry Farms

Make sweet memories at these kid-friendly strawberry farms in Central Florida. READ MORE

What's Open on Christmas Day in Orlando: A List of Awesome Things To Do

Think beyond movie theaters -- here's what to do on Christmas Day! READ MORE

Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Orlando

We've gathered our fave Orlando homes with dazzling Christmas lights! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Santa's Winter Wonderland Village
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Celebration Town Center
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Bivona Christmas Light Show