ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando is unwrapping a full lineup of holiday celebrations to spread holiday cheer all season long. Through December, visitors and locals alike can deck the halls in all eight of Orlando’s theme parks and enjoy festive celebrations beyond the parks, including luminous light shows featuring millions of lights, the longest-running holiday parade in Central Florida, and various holiday concerts and stage productions in Orlando’s state-of-the-art performance venues. Visitors can find even more magic with hotel savings of up to 30% off and special festive experiences to create unforgettable holiday memories.
“Research indicates that more than half of Americans plan to travel during the holiday season,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “Orlando adds a little extra magic this time of year with events starting as early as November 8, giving travelers of all ages more than 50 days of holiday festivities to enjoy throughout the season.”
HOLIDAY THEME PARK EVENTS
Walt Disney World (Nov. 8 – Dec. 30)
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns to Magic Kingdom Park for 24 select nights (Nov. 8 – Dec. 22) this holiday season. This event will offer an evening of merriment featuring “Minnie’s Wonder Christmastime Fireworks,” “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade,” and complimentary cookies and hot cocoa at locations throughout the park (separately ticketed event).
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth (Nov. 25 – Dec. 30) takes guests on a global holiday celebration with a candlelight processional, storytellers, costumed performances, seasonal food throughout World Showcase nations, along with sights, sounds and flavors of the season celebrated by cultures near and far.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom brings a holiday twist to the magic of nature with festive flotillas featuring holiday percussionists and Santa sailing down the Discovery River. Discovery Island will spring to life with artisan-sculpted puppets of arctic animals like penguins, reindeer, polar bears, and more during the Merry Menagerie. As nighttime falls, a holiday edition of the Tree of Life Awakening will begin accompanied by a heartwarming musical score.
- At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests can dine with Minnie and friends at Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine, enjoy a holiday finale featuring Olaf during the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, catch a glimpse of old St. Nick as he cruises in his candy-apple red convertible down Hollywood Boulevard and experience a captivating projection show on the Hollywood Tower Hotel.
Universal Orlando Resort (Nov. 12 – Jan 1)
- Grinchmas ™at Universal’s Islands of Adventure brings holiday charm to Seuss Landing with The Grinchmas ™Who-liday Spectacular, a live retelling of the classic tale starring the Grinch ™. The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast will return this year, on select dates from Nov.12 – Dec. 29, allowing guests to start their day with breakfast and appearances by Dr. Seuss characters, including the Grinch himself.
- Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter ™features seasonal holiday shows and festive decor in both Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. Once night falls in Hogsmeade, guests can revel in a spectacular holiday projection on Hogwarts Castle during “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
- At Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, characters from Illumination’s “Despicable Me” and DreamWorks Animation’s “Shrek” and “Madagascar” – along with larger-than-life balloons, dozens of holiday floats, hundreds of festive performers and Santa – will fill the streets of Universal Studios Florida. Guests can also enjoy the iconic sounds of the season with live performances by holiday artist, Mannheim Steamroller, at Universal Studios Florida on select dates Dec. 3-11.
- Universal’s Holiday Tour, a holiday add-on experience, offers guests a guided tour and special access to holiday entertainment taking place across Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, including an exclusive after-hours showing of “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle”, access to reserved seating at the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular”, character meet-and-greets and more.
SeaWorld Orlando (Nov. 11 – Jan. 3)
- During SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, SeaWorld Orlando transforms into a winter wonderland featuring millions of sparkling lights throughout the park. Included with theme park admission, this year’s festivities include live performances, seasonal food and character dining add-ons: Sesame Street Breakfast at SeaFire Grill, offering breakfast classics with Sesame Street characters dressed up in festive attire and Dinner with Santa, an opportunity to enjoy a holiday meal with Santa Clause himself.
LEGOLAND Florida (Nov. 26 – Dec. 31)
- Holidays at LEGOLAND ®will feature a giant LEGO Christmas tree, seasonal shows, holiday characters, special treats, LEGO ®activities, twinkling lights and more.
FESTIVITIES BEYOND THE THEME PARKS
Family-Friendly Fun
- Christmas Nights in Lights, an all-new seasonal attraction, will debut at Dezerland Park Nov. 11 – Jan. 1. The immersive light show experience will take guests through a showcase of holiday displays and more than 1.5 million lights as part of a drive-thru light show fully synchronized to popular holiday classics tuned directly to each vehicle’s car stereo on a private radio frequency.
- Give Kids The World’s Night of a Million Lights will return for its third year at Island H2O Water Park Nov. 11 – Jan. 1, 2023. The all-new venue will transform into a winter wonderland featuring millions of lights, luminous displays, festive family activities and live entertainment for a one-of-a-kind, fully immersive holiday experience. Proceeds from the event will once again benefit Give Kids The World Village, 89-acre, a whimsical nonprofit resort that provides critically ill children and their families from around the world with magical week-long wish vacations at no cost.
- Jingle Eve, a free event held in Ivanhoe Village on Nov. 19, will feature a variety of yuletide festivities from beer gardens to live music, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, a children’s holiday village, a fireworks finale and more. The event will also feature the ticketed “12 Wines of Christmas” Wine Walk experience for access to tastings among a curated selection of wine options at 20 locations.
- Crayola Experience’s Colorful Christmas, taking place Nov. 19 – Jan 3, includes a life-sized snow globe, complete with falling snow, a light show featuring Scarlet and her singing reindeer and crafting unique gifts.
- Harry P. Leu Gardens will transform once again into a winter wonderland featuring a million dazzling lights, shining forests, magical displays, music and beautiful sculptures during “Dazzling Nights” Nov. 25 – Jan. 1, 2023. This year’s event brings a completely redesigned show featuring new lighting installations, character meet-and-greets, a kid’s play area, and food offerings.
- Celebrating its 70th year, Winter Park’s annual Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade, the oldest continuous holiday parade in Central Florida, will be held on Dec. 3 featuring over 80 participating organizations, marching bands, an appearance by Santa Clause, and more.
- Gatorland’s Holiday Ho Ho Ho-Down will return for its third year on select dates Dec. 3-18. The family-friendly event, included with park admission, will feature live music, festive food items and displays with interactive characters like Gator Claus, Merry Elves and more.
- The Outta Control Magic Comedy Holiday Show at WonderWorks Orlando will receive a holiday makeover this season, from Dec. 10 – Jan. 1, featuring festive décor, special storytelling, and tricks for a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience along with audience participation.
Holiday Performances
- The Orlando Repertory Theatre in Loch Haven Park will present “True North: A Magical New Holiday Musical” Nov. 19 – 22. The world premiere production centers around a magical and insightful story about being authentic, accepting change, and holding an unwavering hope in the magic of Christmas.
- The Orlando Shakespeare Theater will present “A Christmas Carol”, on select dates Nov. 30- Dec. 24, the story of the ghosts of Christmas and Tiny Tim and Scrooge’s redemption at the Margeson Theater once again featuring fresh hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies at intermission.
- The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will host award-winning electronic violinist, dancer and artist Lindsey Stirling for the Lindsey Stirling: Snow Waltz Tour on Nov. 30 in the Walt Disney Theater.
- The 10th Annual Violectric ®Holiday Show will be held at the Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park on Saturday, Dec. 10. The free, family and pet-friendly 90-minute concert will feature traditional holiday songs mashed up with classic rock tunes and modern hits, delivering an energetic and unique holiday show.
- The Trans-Siberian Orchestra will return to Orlando’s Amway Center to rock into the holiday season on Dec. 17 to present The Ghosts of Christmas Eve.
VERY MERRY HOTEL DEALS AND EXPERIENCES
- Universal Orlando Resort will offer savings of up to 30% off five-night accommodations, Nov. 12 – Jan. 1, at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort or Universal’s Aventura Hotel as part of a special vacation package for the holidays.
- JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa will offer a ‘Deck the Halls’ experience, a complete décor package featuring a decorated Christmas tree, personalized stockings and a holiday gift, for guests to transform any guestroom or suite into a festive wonderland from Dec. 17 – Jan. 2.
- Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort will feature festive programming ranging from cookie decorating with Executive Pastry Chef Rabii Saber and pizza-making classes with Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi. The Resort’s complimentary kids camp, for ages 4-12, will offer interactive programming such as Santa’s helper’s workshop craft time, holiday-themed scavenger hunts, supervised “polar plunge” swim times and more.
- Homewood Suites by Hilton at FLAMINGO CROSSING Town Center, Home2 Suites by Hilton at FLAMINGO CROSSINGS Town Center, Residence Inn by Marriott at FLAMINGO CROSSINGS Town Center, and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott at FLAMINGO CROSSINGS Town Center, will transform into a winter wonderland adding magical moments for overnight guests to enjoy from Nov. 11 – Jan. 2. The four properties will feature festive theming, dazzling displays, a “Happy Holiday Hour” each afternoon with fresh-baked cookies, hot chocolate and champagne, story time with Santa & Mrs. Claus, and weekly activities including ornament decorating and more.