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Christmas Weekend 2024 in Orlando Top Things To Do: Theme Park Festivals, Holiday Lights, and More

Winter Wonderland at Wekiva Island is back with a supersized Christmas tree, snow flurries, Christmas lights, Santa, and more! Photo courtesy Wekiva Island
Winter Wonderland at Wekiva Island is back with a supersized Christmas tree, snow flurries, Christmas lights, Santa, and more! Photo courtesy Wekiva Island
12/20/24 - 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, Universal, 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 and Leu Gardens.

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

Things to Do Christmas Weekend in Orlando

Orlando Ballet's The Nutcracker

Orlando
Through December 22, 2024
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

Winter Wonderland at Wekiva Island

Longwood
Through December 25, 2024
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

A Christmas Carol at Orlando Shakes

Orlando
December 18-22, 2024
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

Phantasmagoria’s An Even More Haunted Victorian Christmas

Multiple Locations
December 19-22, 2024
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

Holinights Celebration

Kissimmee - FREE
December 19-25, 2024
Join the Promenade at Sunset Walk for their annual Holinights Celebration, featuring Santa Claus, Mischievous Elves, towering toy soldiers, live music, and the nightly lighting of the 45-foot animated Christmas tree at 6:30 p.m. READ MORE

Longwood Movie in the Park

Longwood - FREE
Friday, December 20, 2024
Bring your family and friends for a free outdoor movie at Reiter Park with a showing of The Polar Express. READ MORE

Windermere Food Truck & Holiday Movie Night

Windermere - FREE
Friday, December 20, 2024
This event includes over a dozen food trucks as well as a free screening of the movie How The Grinch Stole Christmas at 7pm. READ MORE

Beach Nights at Aquatica

Orlando
Final weekend! December 20 & 21, 2024
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 Saturday. READ MORE

Lake Conway Boat Parades

Belle Isle - FREE
December 20-22, 2024
Enjoy a weekend full of lighted boat parades on Lake Conway. The South Lake Conway takes place on Friday at 8pm on the South side of the Nela bridge. On Saturday, the Middle Lake Conway boat parade starts at the Sand Bar at 7:30pm. To wrap up the weekend, the North (Little) Lake Conway boat parade takes place on Sunday at "The Point" and runs clockwise. READ MORE

Oh What Fun! Lake Nona Holiday Festival

Orlando - FREE
December 20-22, 2024
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

Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade

Daytona Beach - FREE
Saturday, December 21, 2024
This annual lighted boat parade takes place along the Halifax River in Daytona, with local boat owners and organizations teaming up to spread holiday cheer.  READ MORE

Holiday Drone Show

Orlando - FREE
Saturday, December 21, 2024
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

Maitland Movie in the Park

Maitland - FREE
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Maitland's Movies in the Park presents a monthly family-friendly movie under the stars at Independence Square Park next to City Hall. READ MORE

Gatorland's Holiday Ho-Ho-Ho-Down

Orlando
December 21 & 22, 2024
Gatorland's signature holiday extravaganza unfolds with a delightful mix of holiday tunes, festive displays, interactive characters, and seasonal treats available for purchase. Capture the essence of a Floridian holiday by snapping a photo with Gator Claus aboard his swamp-worthy sleigh. Meet the mischievous Krampus Croc and sing along with the Florida Skunk Ape as he performs his favorite “Cryptid carols.” READ MORE

Santa's Christmas Tree Forest

Eustis
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Admission to this event includes access to the farm, Christmas tree lot and u-cut tree field as well as the hayride, petting zoo and Jolly Acres play area complete with jump pillow, barrel train rides, maze, trike track, and more. READ MORE

Morse Museum Christmas Eve Celebration

Winter Park - FREE
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
On Christmas Eve, enjoy free admission to the Morse Museum galleries with live music. READ MORE

Fun Spot's Huge Christmas

Orlando & Kissimmee
Through December 26, 2024
Fun Spot's Orlando & Kissimmee parks are festively decorated for the holidays, with lights, themed "foto" spots, and tasty Christmas treats. READ MORE

Ten Days of Christmas at Southern Hill Farms

Clermont
Select days through December 29, 2024
At Southern Hill Farm's Ten Days of Christmas events, enjoy festive fun for the whole family, including snow showers, holiday movies, seasonal treats, Christmas shopping in the Southern Hill Farms Merry Market, and more. READ MORE

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

Lake Buena Vista
Through December 30, 2024
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 in Space at Kennedy Space Center

Melbourne
Through December 30, 2024 (closed 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

Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort

Orlando
Through December 31, 2024
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

Christmas at Gaylord Palms

Kissimmee
Through January 4, 2025
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

Magic of Lights Daytona

Daytona
Through January 4, 2025
This drive-through holiday lights attraction features holiday scenes and favorite characters of the season using LED lighting and digital animation. READ MORE

SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration

Orlando
Through January 5, 2025
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

Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens

Orlando
Select nights through January 5, 2025
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

Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo

Sanford
Select nights through January 19, 2025
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

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

Snow Park, Snow Tubing, and More Snow Events in Central Florida

Don't head north: Enjoy Florida fun in the snow just 90 minutes away! READ MORE

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Orlando

Give the gift of light this holiday season at Orlando Christmas light shows! 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

Places featured in this article:

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Windermere Town Square
Lake Conway Chain of Lakes
Halifax River Yacht Club
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

About the Author

Charlotte Blanton
Charlotte Blanton, a Central Florida native and mom of three, holds a business degree from the University of Florida (Go Gators!). After a career in corporate finance, she pivoted to stay home with her kids and found her passion for writing through Mommy Poppins. She loves exploring local theme parks and discovering fun activities for families in Central Florida.
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