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Enjoy Central Florida Ballet's classic Nutcracker production for a fun family event. Photo courtesy of the ballet
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Kids love meeting Santa at The Santa Workshop Experience, full of holiday magic. Photo by the author
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If you haven't experienced Christmas at Gaylord Palms, add it to your calendar this season, including the return of the iconic ICE! Photo courtesy of Marriott International
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Visit Gatorland's play area during a visit to this beloved Florida roadside attraction. Photo Charlotte B
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Gideon's Handmade Cookies, at East End Market, are MASSIVE, like this drool-worthy pistachio toffee chocolate chip cookie. Photo courtesy Gideon's & East End Market
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The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens transforms into the Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild at night! Photo courtesy of the zoo
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens transforms into the Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild at night! Photo courtesy of the zoo
11/24/24 - By Melanie Preis

For many Orlando families, local Christmas light shows are a treasured holiday tradition. These holiday lights are a great way to get into the Christmas spirit, and Orlando has no shortage of options. From dazzling Christmas light displays at the theme parks to lighted boat parades, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to see Christmas lights here in Central Florida.

Get an exclusive look at the magic of the holidays at Give Kids the World Village via a Holiday VIP Tour; enjoy one of the many lighted parades, by land and by sea, throughout Central Florida; and awe at the Christmas lights from the comfort of your own car during Magic of Lights. Read on for the very best holiday light displays around Orlando and Central Florida. For more dazzling light shows in local neighborhoods, check out our awesome list of Christmas Light Displays in Orlando Neighborhoods.

Looking for other fun Christmas events in the area? Be sure to visit our Orlando Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide. Sign up for our FREE newsletters to get posts like this delivered to your inbox.

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The atrium is illuminated with holiday lights at Gaylord Palms. Photo courtesy of the Gaylord Palms
The atrium is illuminated with holiday lights at Gaylord Palms. Photo courtesy of the Gaylord Palms

Holiday and Christmas Lights in Central Florida

Give Kids The World Village Holiday VIP Tours

Kissimmee
Select nights through December 22, 2024
Taking place on select nights in December, Give Kids The World’s tree-mendous Holiday VIP Tours offer guests the chance to experience the enchanting Village all decked out for the holidays. 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

Christmas at Gaylord Palms

Kissimmee
Through January 19, 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

Dinos in Lights at Orlando Science Center

Orlando
Through January 9, 2025
Families with little dinosaur fanatics will want to add this to their holiday to-do list. Every 30 minutes between 11am and 3:30pm, the DinoDigs area transforms into a festive light display choreographed to music. Each show lasts four minutes with a surprise ending. READ MORE

Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo

Sanford
Select dates through January 14, 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

Florida Citrus Tower Holiday Light Show

Clermont - FREE
November 29 - December 31, 2024
Enjoy a light show on the Citrus Tower nightly from 7-8pm & 8-9pm. Citrus Coffee and the Citrus Tower are open for purchases. Hot cocoa and sugar cookies available for the little ones. READ MORE

Cranes Roost Holiday Lights Display

Altamonte Springs - FREE
November 29, 2024 - January 3, 2025
Enjoy the magic of the holiday season at Cranes Roost's holiday light display in Altamonte Springs. Enjoy a 60-foot tall Christmas tree with 8,000 LED lights, 2,600 ornaments, one mile of garland, and a fountain show with dancing water set to festive tunes. READ MORE

Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens

Orlando
November 29, 2024 - January 5, 2024
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

City of Orlando's Downtown for the Holidays

Orlando
December 6, 2024 - January 6, 2025
Stroll Lake Eola and watch the Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree come alive with lights and music. Weekends through December 22, see snowfall and meet Santa at the Lake Eola House. READ MORE
Come out to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party for shows, a parade, and more holiday fun! Photo courtesy of Disney
Come out to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party for shows, a parade, and more holiday fun! Photo courtesy of Disney

Holiday and Christmas Lights at Orlando Theme Parks

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Lake Buena Vista
Select nights through December 20, 2024
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a limited capacity after hours event featuring Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show, character meet and greets, stage shows, themed foods, and more. And best of all, enjoy fewer wait times at popular attractions. READ MORE

Disney Jollywood Nights

Lake Buena Vista
Select nights through December 21, 2024
Disney Jollywood Nights is a limited capacity after hours event at Hollywood Studios. Get glammed up for festive photo ops, event-exclusive shows, themed food and entertainment, and lower wait times for rides. READ MORE

Holidays at Legoland Florida

Winter Haven
Select days through December 31, 2024
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, 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

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

Holidays in Space at Kennedy Space Center

Merrit Island
December 20-30, 2024
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

Lighted Christmas Parades near Orlando

Avalon Aglow

Orlando - FREE
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Avalon Aglow is a free community event featuring a parade, a bounce park, real snow, train rides, community performances, pictures with Santa, and fireworks to end the night. READ MORE

Mount Dora Lighted Boat Parade

Mount Dora - FREE
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Enjoy the annual lighted Christmas Boat Parade on Lake Dora, where local boat owners deck their boats in holiday lights. Spectators can also stroll along the Mount Dora Boating Center and Marina, which is covered in an ornate light display. READ MORE

Old Town Holiday Golf Cart Parade

Kissimmee - FREE
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Before the weekly car cruise, the residents from Sherwood Forest RV Resort present their personal golf carts paraded in holiday glory. READ MORE

Leesburg Christmas on the Water

Leesburg
Sunday, December 8, 2024
This annual Christmas event includes a lighted holiday boat parade, food vendors, live entertainment, and Light Up Venetian Gardens. Vendors will be set up at 5pm, entertainment starts at 5:30pm, Light Up Venetian Gardens starts at 6:10pm, and the boat parade begins at 6:15pm. READ MORE

Kissimmee Festival of Lights

Kissimmee - FREE
Saturday, December 14, 2024
The City of Kissimmee's Festival of Lights features an annual parade and holiday festival, a celebration of the holiday season. Experience the enchantment as community, business, and groups illuminate the streets with dazzling floats. Embrace the spirit of the season and come together to create cherished memories and spread joy throughout the community. READ MORE

Sanford Christmas Parade of Lights

Sanford - FREE
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Bring the family out for an evening of festive fun at the annual downtown Sanford illuminated Christmas parade. 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

Places featured in this article:

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Florida Citrus Tower
Walt Disney World - Magic Kingdom
Walt Disney World - Hollywood Studios
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Mount Dora Boating Center & Marina
Kissimmee Lakefront Park
Lake Conway Chain of Lakes