A new LEGO Santa drone show at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, fresh immersive elements at Dazzling Nights and expanded celebrations at Universal Epic Universe lead Orlando’s festive programme this year, with events running across the destination’s theme parks, gardens, hotels and neighbourhoods from November into January.
Beyond the parks, the line-up includes a free holiday wonderland in downtown Orlando featuring North America’s only transportable carillon, a Nutcracker-inspired holiday tea at the ette hotel and a new Elf Lounge pop-up at Wekiva Island. Orlando has also been included in WalletHub’s list of Best Warm-Weather Winter Holiday Destinations.
“The holidays in Orlando offer countless ways to celebrate the season and create holiday memories. From beloved theme park celebrations and dazzling light displays to festive performances, neighbourhood traditions and unique resort offerings, visitors planning a family vacation, a couple’s getaway or multigenerational trip will find their own unforgettable way to celebrate in Orlando.”
Casandra Matej, President and CEO, Visit Orlando
The theme parks
Walt Disney World Resort marks the season across all four of its theme parks from 7 November to 6 January. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns to Magic Kingdom Park on select nights between 8 November and 22 December, with a parade, fireworks, snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A. and complimentary cookies, while Disney Jollywood Nights brings evening entertainment, including the Glisten! skating spectacular and The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along, to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select nights from 7 November to 5 January. The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays runs from 27 November to 30 December, with Holiday Kitchens around World Showcase and a Candlelight Processional with celebrity narrators including Jodi Benson and Jason Kelce. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, from 13 November to 6 January, hand-crafted animal puppets and a holiday edition of Tree of Life Awakenings join the celebrations.
At Universal Orlando Resort, festivities run from 14 November to 3 January across its four parks. Grinchmas returns to Universal Islands of Adventure, Christmas comes to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley and Universal Epic Universe’s Ministry of Magic, and seasonal lighting and décor extend through Celestial Park, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk at Epic Universe. Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s brings giant balloons and floats to Universal Studios Florida, and a two-and-a-half-hour Universal Holiday Tour offers guided access, reserved viewing and meet-and-greets with the Grinch, his dog Max and Santa.
SeaWorld Orlando‘s Christmas Celebration runs on select dates from 6 November to 4 January with millions of lights, live shows, parades and the Holiday Reflections fireworks finale. At LEGOLAND Florida Resort, the LEGOLAND Christmas Bricktacular, on select dates from 21 November to 3 January, brings a giant LEGO Christmas tree and the new drone show featuring LEGO Santa.
Lights, festivals and shows
At Harry P. Leu Gardens, Dazzling Nights returns from 20 November to 3 January with a million lights along a three-quarter-mile trail, adding an acrobatic dance performance in the wintry Driftlands and a light show at the Twinkle Market this year, alongside the 60-foot illuminated Poinsettia Promenade. The Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild returns to Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens on select nights from 13 November to 17 January, and the Orlando Museum of Art’s Festival of Trees, from 14 to 22 November, features more than 50 designer-decorated trees and wreaths.
In downtown Orlando, the free Frontyard Holiday Festival at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts runs from 27 November to 31 December with nightly snowfall, light displays, live entertainment, a holiday market and the return of the transportable carillon, which carries nearly four tons of bronze bells. The centre’s seasonal programme also includes The Nutcracker by Orlando Ballet on select dates from 4 to 27 December.
Elsewhere, International Drive lights a 50-foot holiday tree at ICON Park nightly from 20 November, Celebration Town Center stages its 28th annual Now Snowing from 28 November to 31 December, and Lake Nona Town Center becomes Peppermint Square for the Oh, What Fun! Holiday Festival on select weekends from 4 to 20 December. Wekiva Island’s Winter Wonderland, from 29 November to 25 December, adds the new Elf Lounge, with North Pole décor, a build-your-own popcorn bar, hot cocoa and cabana seating. Dinner shows include A Pirate’s Christmas Carol at Pirates Dinner Adventure and A Speakeasy Christmas Carol at Teatro Martini, and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex hosts Kennedy Under the Stars: Holiday Edition on 19 December, ending with a holiday drone show.
Hotels
Orlando’s resorts are running their own programmes. ICE! featuring The Polar Express at Gaylord Palms Resort, from 13 November to 3 January, uses two million pounds of carved ice, while Winter at Grande Lakes adds a new ice skating experience, a Christmas market and Santa’s Teddy Bear Tea on select dates from 26 November to 3 January. The ette hotel, in partnership with Orlando Ballet, will host The Nutcracker Holiday Tea at Salt & The Cellar by Chef Akira Back on 5, 12, 19, 20 and 26 December. Evermore Orlando Resort, Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort and Conrad Orlando also have seasonal activities, dining and events planned through the holidays.
Further details of the season’s events are available from Visit Orlando, the official tourism association for the destination, which also offers a free AI-powered trip planner, OPAL, and a vacation planning service.
Publisher of Hospitality and Leisure News, 365 Retail, Retail Source and organiser of the Creative Retail Awards.
