At Brevard Zoo's annual Halloween event, guests participate in themed activities, photo-ops, and trick-or-treating. Photo courtesy of the zoo
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Pig on the Pond is an annual community event featuring carnival rides, kids zone, BBQ competition, and more. Photo courtesy of the event
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Experience the best of global flavors at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, running through the end of November. Photo courtesy Disney
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Tour the Florida Everglades aboard the coolest mode of transportation--airboat! Kids will LOVE getting close to nature on a Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures tour. Photo courtesy Visit Orlando
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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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Stay cool and dry this summer while battling dinosaurs at an Orlando arcade! Photo by author
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30 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Orlando for Kids

Enjoy the huge Universal Orlando Holiday Parade featuring Minions! Photo courtesy of Universal
Enjoy the huge Universal Orlando Holiday Parade featuring Minions! Photo courtesy of Universal
11/5/23 - By Charlotte B

There are dozens of fun Orlando Christmas events for families to enjoy this holiday season, including all-out theme park holiday lights, holiday parades, Christmas tree ceremonies, and more. At the theme parks, awe at more than 3 million lights on display at SeaWorld Orlando or explore a magical Harry Potter Christmas at Universal Orlando Resort. Families can visit the charming town of Mount Dora for a lighted boat parade, experience ICE! at Gaylord Palms, enjoy Florida "snowfall" at Celebration Town Center, and much more!

Read on for all the top holiday and Christmas events near Orlando to help make the season magical. Browse our events calendar for a complete list of events with more options in our Orlando Christmas Guide. And don't forget to follow us on Facebook for the latest and greatest happenings around Orlando!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Deck the halls at Legoland Florida Resort for the jolliest event of the year, Holidays at Legoland. Photo by the author
Deck the halls at Legoland Florida Resort for the jolliest event of the year, Holidays at Legoland. Photo by the author

Awesome Christmas Events at Orlando Theme Parks

Sold Out - Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Lake Buena Vista - November 9 - December 22, 2023
*This event is sold out for 2023.* 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

SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration

Orlando - November 10, 2023 - 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

Disney Jollywood Nights

Lake Buena Vista - November 11 - December 20, 2023
Disney Jollywood Nights is a new 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 Universal Orlando Resort

Orlando - November 17 - 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. Mannheim Steamroller will also be performing select nights. READ MORE

Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience Orlando

Orlando - November 18, 2023 - January 7, 2024
Bring the kids to Crayola Experience Orlando's Colorful Christmas experience with snow-tastic adventures including animatronic Christmas characters, a life-size snowglobe, a light show starring Scarlet and her singing reindeer friends, and more. Kids can also create unique gifts while visiting. READ MORE

Holidays at Legoland Florida

Winter Haven - Select days, November 24 - December 31, 2023
Celebrate the holidays at Legoland with seasonal shows, holiday Lego characters, twinkling lights, and fireworks on select nights. READ MORE
Watch the night light up with decorated boats at Leesburg Christmas on the Water. Photo by Ed Azzopardi
Watch the night light up with decorated boats at Leesburg Christmas on the Water. Photo by Ed Azzopardi

Top Orlando Holiday Parades and Lighted Boat Parades

Mount Dora Lighted Boat Parade

Mount Dora - Saturday, December 2, 2023
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

Oviedo Christmas Parade

Oviedo - Saturday, December 2, 2023
The Oviedo Christmas Parade features holiday floats, local bands, and more. Parade departs the Oviedo Gym & Aquatics Center at approximately 7pm. READ MORE

St. Cloud Annual Christmas Parade

St. Cloud - Saturday, December 2, 2023
The theme of this year's St. Cloud Christmas Parade is "Christmas Movie Time," with more than 100 community organizations and businesses with floats and displays participating. READ MORE

Winter Garden Christmas Parade

Winter Garden - Saturday, December 2, 2023
Bring the family out to enjoy the annual Winter Garden tradition of floats, local organizations and Santa himself in the holiday parade. READ MORE

Winter Park Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade

Winter Park - Saturday, December 2, 2023
The annual Winter Park Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade marches down Park Avenue with more than 80 organizations, including marching bands, local police and fire departments, floats, and Santa Claus himself. READ MORE

Leesburg Christmas on the Water

Leesburg - Sunday, December 3, 2023
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

Apopka Christmas Parade

Apopka - Saturday, December 9, 2023
The Apopka Christmas Parade's theme is "A Christmas Story In Apopka." READ MORE

Kissimmee Festival of Lights Parade

Kissimmee - Saturday, December 9, 2023
Bring the family to enjoy this annual nighttime holiday parade featuring music, dancing, and thousands of lights. The parade will begin at 7:30pm. Visit Lakefront Park Veterans Lawn beginning at 4:30pm for holiday festivities including cookie decorating, pictures with Santa, and more. READ MORE

Old Town Holiday Golf Cart Parade

Kissimmee - Saturday, December 9, 2023
Before the weekly car cruise, the residents from Sherwood Forest RV Resort present their personal golf carts paraded in holiday glory. READ MORE

Sanford Christmas Parade of Lights

Sanford - Saturday, December 9, 2023
Bring the family out for an evening of festive fun at the annual downtown Sanford illuminated Christmas parade. READ MORE

Winter Park Christmas Boat Parade

Winter Park - Saturday, December 9, 2023
Families can enjoy this annual boat parade with decorated boats from local homeowners. READ MORE
Take advantage of the holiday photos ops at the Winter Wonderland at Wekiva Island. Photo by the author
Take advantage of the holiday photos ops at the Winter Wonderland at Wekiva Island. Photo by the author

More Fun Orlando Christmas Events for Kids

Festival of Trees at Orlando Museum of Art

Orlando - November 10-18, 2023
Get in the holiday spirit while browsing a wonderland full of decorated trees, wreaths, decor, and gingerbread houses. Also enjoy live entertainment and programs throughout the week. READ MORE

Christmas at Gaylord Palms

Kissimmee - November 17, 2023 - 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

Ivanhoe Village Jingle Eve

Orlando - Saturday, November 18, 2023
At Jingle Eve, families can visit Santa's Village and enjoy live music, food trucks, vendors, and fireworks. There will also be a children's holiday village with activities. Attendees are encouraged to dress in holiday attire. READ MORE

Santa's Christmas Tree Forest

Eustis - Select days November 18 - December 20, 2023
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, elf maze, trike track, and double barrel slide. READ MORE

Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens

Orlando - November 24, 2023 - January 6, 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

Holinights Celebration

Kissimmee - Select nights November 17 - December 25, 2023
Join the Promenade at Sunset Walk for Holinights, featuring Santa Claus, mischievous elves, towering toy soldiers, live music and tree lighting nightly, Pearl Express Train Tour, holiday craft & street markets, car shows and more. READ MORE

Celebration's Now Snowing

Celebration - November 25 - 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

Winter Wonderland at Wekiva Island

Longwood - December 1-25, 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

Fezziwig Festival

South Orlando - December 2, 9, and 16, 2023
This holiday festival in Hunter's Creek includes food, music, Santa, snow, a tree light show, and activities for the whole family. READ MORE

Celebrate the Season at Reiter Park

Longwood - Friday, December 8, 2023
This holiday tradition includes Santa's Workshop, the annual tree lighting, snow maze, giant slides, petting zoo, trackless train rides, laser light show, and more. Some activities have a fee. READ MORE

Peghorn Park Light Up the Park

St. Cloud - Select dates December 8-17, 2023
Stroll through Peghorn Park as it is lit up with lights and cheer. Entry cost includes hot chocolate, cookies, crafts, movies, games, popcorn, music, and bounce houses. READ MORE

Oviedo Winterfest

Oviedo - Saturday, December 9, 2023
Oviedo's annual Winter Fest features a day full of festive family fun activities. Food trucks and vendors will also be onsite. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Walt Disney World - Magic Kingdom
Walt Disney World - Hollywood Studios
Mount Dora Boating Center & Marina
Oviedo Gym & Aquatics Center
Apopka Christmas Parade Route
Kissimmee Lakefront Park
Orlando Museum of Art
Celebration Town Center