Need more ideas this holiday season? Just call us Santa's little helpers by visiting our Christmas Activities & Holiday Guide for Orlando Kids for endless info about the best of the best seasonal events.

Christmas Bucket List in Orlando: Theme Parks

1. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - Lake Buena Vista

Enjoy the holidays with Mickey and his crew at Walt Disney World. Standouts include a holiday-themed fireworks show, parade, stage shows, and speciality bites (can we say Gingerbread Milkshake?!).  

2. SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration - Orlando

Even underwater creatures want to celebrate the holidays! Wander the park as it glitters with millions of Christmas lights, and don't forget to hang with Santa, Rudolph, and all the beloved holiday friends.

3. Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort - Orlando

Universal Orlando welcomes happy holidaygoers and grumpy Grinches at events including Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, parades, and much more.

4. Holidays at LEGOLAND Florida Resort - Winter Haven

Every weekend at the end of November and all of December feature holiday fun at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. Take a look at the massive LEGO brick-built Christmas tree, enjoy elf entertainment, and jolly decor.

5. Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience Orlando - Orlando

Go beyond red and green with Crayola's colorful Christmas! Families can hang with animatronic Christmas characters, watch a light show with singing reindeer, complete a seasonal scavenger hunt, and more.

Christmas Bucket List in Orlando: Holiday Markets, Parades & More

6. Gaylord Palms - Kissimmee

A Christmas bucket list MUST include a visit to Gaylord Palms! This Orlando attraction brings the ICE! experience to life, with a Cirque Christmas show, snow tubing, Santa visit, and much more.

7. Christmas Parades

Orlando has holiday parades marching down roads, floating down lakes, and rolling through neighborhoods. 

8. Holiday Markets

Shop 'til you drop at some of the best Central Florida holiday markets this year and finish your gift list. 

9. Oh What Fun! Lake Nona Holiday Festival - Lake Nona

This Central Florida event is always a crowd pleaser, with amazing events for 2024 like an acrobatic performance, snow slide, concerts, Santa's Cottage, holiday market, and more.

10. Florida "Snowfall"

Obviously we don't get too much (or any) snow in Central Florida, so fake it by enjoying "snow" flurries at holiday events, including Disney Springs Town Center.

11. The Nutcracker and Holiday Shows

Nothing says Christmas like sugarplum fairies and Ebenezer Scooge. Take the entire family to a Nutcracker production or other holiday-themed show!

12. Menorah and Tree Lightings

Hanukkah starts the evening of December 25 in 2024 so it's the great overlap of holidays this year. Attend a menorah lighting or Christmas tree lighting happening throughout Central Florida.

13. Visit with Santa

No Christmas season is complete without a visit with Santa. Better yet, bring your camera and capture the holiday memories forever with Old St. Nick.

14. Now Snowing - Celebration

Live the Christmas life at Celebration's Now Snowing holiday event, featuring nightly snowfall, concerts, ice skating, and more.

15. Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens - Orlando

Experience the magic of the holiday season at this magical event. Leu Gardens' puts on an epic holiday light display, including a 70-foot tunnel covered in garlands and a forest illuminated by 800 candles.

16. Winter Wonderland at Wekiva Island - Longwood

Meet Santa or The Grinch at Wekiva Island's annual holiday spectacular. More activities include a Christmas tree forest, snow flurries, Santa's workshop and more.

17. Volunteer

The holidays are a good reminder to give back to your community. Find volunteer opportunities that the whole family can participate in.

18. Holiday Movies

Stay bundled up indoors and watch a Christmas movie at home; or head to one of Orlando's outdoor holiday movie screenings.

19. ICON Park

Ride The Eye at ICON Park to see Orlando lit up for the holidays from 400 feet in the air!

Christmas Bucket List in Orlando: Sweet Treats & Drinks

20. Hot Chocolate, Eggnog, and More Drinks

There's nothing better than filling up on a cozy mug of hot chocolate, eggnog, cider, or a grown-up holiday beverage!

21. Christmas Restaurants

Make your life much easier this holiday season by eating Christmas dinner (or lunch) at Orlando restaurants open for business on December 25.

22. Gingerbread Houses

Craft your gingerbread from scratch or buy a pre-made kit --either way, it's a fun way to ingest even more sugar and flex creativity skills.

23. Christmas Cookies & Holiday Treats

Spend time with the kiddos by baking and decorating tasty Christmas cookies. Share some with Santa or enjoy them all for yourself!

24. Santa Breakfasts and Character Meals

Break (ginger)bread with Santa, Mickey, Elmo, and other beloved characters this holiday season.

25. Holiday Pop-Ups

Sure, holiday pop-up bars serve themed adult beverages, but many have family hours (usually before 8pm) where kids can visit and enjoy cute holiday beverages and tasty snacks. And these Orlando pop-ups feature classic Christmas tunes, decor, Santa, and lots of fun.