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Raise a hand if you're excited for the best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Connecticut! Magic of Lights photo courtesy of the XL Center
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Families will wonder at the best neighborhood Christmas light displays in Connecticut this 2025 holiday season. Photo courtesy of Amarante's Winter Wonderland.
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Connecticut is full of happiness, joy, and free Christmas and holiday activities in 2025, like Santa at Cabela's Wonderland. Photo courtesy of Bass pro Shops
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Our ultimate Connecticut bucket list has all the things to do in Connecticut with kids! Mystic Seaport photo by author Kelly Patino
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Kennedy Under the Stars, Holiday Celebrations, and More Festive Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend With Kids

It's the final weekend to attend Oh What Fun! Lake Nona Holiday Festival and prove to Santa you've been nice! Photo courtesy of the event
It's the final weekend to attend Oh What Fun! Lake Nona Holiday Festival and prove to Santa you've been nice! Photo courtesy of the event
12/17/25 - By Charlotte B

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

It’s the final weekend before Christmas, and Central Florida is packed with festive family fun! If you’re looking for merry ways to celebrate, we’ve rounded up the best events to check out. Head to the Kennedy Space Center for Kennedy Under the Stars: Holiday Edition, experience the magic of Holiday Nights at Give Kids the World Village, and celebrate at the City of Longwood’s Chanukah Celebration. Plus, it’s your last chance to catch Gatorland's Holiday Ho-Ho-Ho-Down, Amber Brooke Farms Winter Fest, and Lake Nona's Oh What Fun! Holiday Festival. Keep reading for all the festive details!

More Things To Do in Orlando this Week with Kids

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Best Things to Do This Weekend in Orlando with Kids

Longwood Movie in the Park

Longwood - FREE
Friday, December 19
Bring your family and friends for a free outdoor movie at Reiter Park with a showing of a family-friendly film. READ MORE

Windermere Food Truck & Holiday Movie Night

Windermere - FREE
Friday, December 19
This event includes over a dozen food trucks as well as a free screening of the movie Home Alone at 7pm. READ MORE

Christmas on the Farm at Santa's Christmas Tree Forest

Eustis
Final days! December 19 & 20
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

Kennedy Under the Stars: Holiday Edition

Merritt Island
December 19 & 20
Kennedy Under the Stars: Holiday Edition returns to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for two nights. This festive after-hours event features live entertainment, a holiday dance party, festive décor, and a brand-new holiday drone show that journeys through NASA’s historic programs from Apollo and Shuttle to Artemis. READ MORE

Amber Brooke Farms Winter Fest

Eustis
Final weekend! December 19-21
Celebrate the magic of the season at Amber Brooke Farms! At the annual Winter Festival, holiday cheer meets farm fun. Enjoy a festive day filled with Santa visits, face painting, play areas, u-pick strawberries and flowers, and more. READ MORE

Oh What Fun! Lake Nona Holiday Festival

Lake Nona
Final weekend! December 19-21
Oh, What Fun! returns to Lake Nona Town Center this December! Visit Peppermint Square (Lake Nona Town Center) for a magical holiday festival filled with nightly snowfalls, live entertainment, local vendors, festive treats, and endless photo ops, including a towering 24-foot Christmas tree. READ MORE

Krampus Haunt

Kissimmee
December 19-21
This immersive Krampus experience brings spooky holiday fun to life with a dim, maze-like walk-through filled with eerie lights, creepy sounds, and surprise scares. Brave guests make their way past undead characters before coming face-to-face with Krampus himself. READ MORE

Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade

Daytona Beach - FREE
Saturday, December 20
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

Gatorland's Holiday Ho-Ho-Ho-Down

Orlando
Final weekend! December 20 & 21
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

Holiday Nights at Give Kids The World Village

Kissimmee
December 20 & 21
Give Kids The World Village is partnering with CFCArts this holiday season to host a magical evening of festive family fun, all in support of a great cause. Guests can enjoy live music from local Central Florida performers, stroll through the Village, play mini golf, watch a holiday movie, and access select attractions. READ MORE

City of Longwood Chanukah Celebration

Longwood - FREE
Sunday, December 21
Visit Reiter Park for a Chanukah Celebration featuring Cruz & Roxy Monkey Business, Israeli Chassidic rockstar Barak Grossberg, helicopter gelt drop, Chanukah man on stilts, face painting, bounce house, photos with Spiderman, grand Menorah lighting, Chanukah crafts, food and drink, doughnuts, gelt, and dreidels. READ MORE

Disney Jollywood Nights

Lake Buena Vista
Final days! Select nights through December 22
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

Orlando Ballet's The Nutcracker

Orlando
Select days through December 24
Step into a world of holiday magic with breathtaking battles, sparkling snowfalls, and larger-than-life sets in this unforgettable celebration of the season. Follow Clara’s enchanting journey through the Land of Sweets, filled with soaring choreography, dazzling costumes, and whimsical wonder. READ MORE

Promenade at Sunset Walk Holinights Celebration

Kissimmee - FREE
Final days! Select nights through December 25
Join the Promenade at Sunset Walk for our annual Holinights Celebration, featuring Santa Claus and his Mischievous Elves, towering toy soldiers, and the nightly lighting of our 40-foot animated Holinights Christmas tree at 6:30 PM. READ MORE

Christmas at Gaylord Palms

Kissimmee
Daily through January 7
Experience so much Christmas with dazzling displays, tempting treats, holiday shows, and festive activities. ICE! features beloved scenes from "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" brought to life through colorful, colossal ice sculptures. READ MORE
Hang 10 with lots of Santas at one of the oddest Orlando holiday events. Photo courtesy of Surfing Santas
Hang 10 with lots of Santas at one of the oddest Orlando holiday events. Photo courtesy of Surfing Santas

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Orlando’s Unusual & Underrated Christmas and Holiday Activities

Meet Gator Claus and other odd characters at these Xmas events! READ MORE

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Best Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in Orlando: Christmas Meals at Orlando Theme Parks

You deserve a great holiday meal...here's what's open Christmas Day! 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
Disney's Jollywood Nights is a great way to spend the holidays in Orlando! Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World
Disney's Jollywood Nights is a great way to spend the holidays in Orlando! Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World

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Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for Orlando Kids

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Outdoor Activities Guide for Orlando Kids

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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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