Food, The Frugalista Life

70 Days of Orlando Holiday Celebrations and Festivities

by Alexandria Ebron

Orlando holiday celebrations and festivities start this month all across the popular destination (it’s the No. 1 travel destination in 2025 according to AAA). From Nutcracker-themed afternoon teas at the ette Hotel to Holidays in Space at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to one million light illuminating Leu Gardens, there’s plenty of way to make a holiday getaway unforgettable.

“Orlando continues to rank among the top holiday travel destinations because we offer endless ways to make a holiday getaway unforgettable,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “Gifts come in many forms, but sharing a one-of-a-kind Orlando experience is something that stays with you. From snapping the perfect holiday selfie at our newest theme park to strolling through a glittering Asian Lantern Festival at the zoo, every corner of our destination offers meaningful ways to celebrate the season.” 

Here’s what to expect holiday season:

Theme Parks

Walt Disney World Resort | Nov. 7 – Dec. 31

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park (select nights, Nov. 7 – Dec. 21) transforms with a storybook holiday atmosphere, with “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade” and “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show.” Indulge in some complimentary cookies, festive beverages, snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A. and more.  

Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (select nights, Nov. 8 – Dec. 22) combines Hollywood and holiday glamour with dapper décor, merry mashups, unique tastes and sips, appearances from classic characters and live entertainment.  

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth (Nov. 28 – Dec. 30) is a global celebration with a candlelight processional featuring celebrity narrators including Jennifer Garner and Henry Winkler, and Holiday Kitchens throughout the World Showcase. 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Nov.14– Dec. 31) adds a festive twist with the Merry Menagerie’s hand-crafted animal puppets and a holiday edition of the Tree of Life Awakenings.

Universal Orlando Resort | Nov. 21 – Jan. 4 

Universal Orlando Resort celebrates with a series of festive offerings across its four parks including:  

SeaWorld Orlando | Select dates, Nov. 7 – Jan. 5 

  • SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration is a winter wonderland with millions of lights, live shows, character dining add-on options and the Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale.  

LEGOLAND Florida | Select dates, Dec. 6 – 31 

  • Holidays at LEGOLAND presented by Hallmark Channel returns to LEGOLAND Florida Resort with tons of holly jolly décor and lights, a gigantic LEGO Christmas Tree and festive LEGO entertainment, plus character meet-and-greets throughout the park. 

Fun for All Ages and Live Shows Beyond the Parks

  • Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild returns at Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens (select nights, Nov. 14 – Jan. 18) with super huge landscapes and mythical creatures lit by more than 10,000 LED lights. The event combines color, light and sound to deliver an authentic experience celebrating traditional Asian lantern festivals.
  • Festival of Trees: “Let the Joy of the Season Shine” at Orlando Museum of Art (Nov. 15 – 23) features more than 50 designer-decorated trees and wreaths and artisanal gingerbread creations. The museum also hosts special events including Breakfast with Santa, an Ugly Holiday Sweater Party, new Holiday Workshops for bow and ornament making.
  • During the I-Drive District Holiday Tree Lighting (Nov. 21 – Jan. 3), International Drive dazzles with a glittering lighting ceremony of a 50-foot Holiday Tree at ICON Park.
    Guests can enjoy special performances during the nightly tree lighting. 
  • Ivanhoe Village kicks off the holiday season with Jingle Eve (Nov. 22), a free family friendly event with a variety of yuletide festivities, including beer gardens, live music, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, a children’s holiday village, a fireworks finale and more. 
  • Crayola Experience’s Colorful Christmas (Nov. 22 – Jan. 5) returns with SNOWtastic adventures like falling snow, a light show starring Scarlet and her singing reindeer, scavenger hunts, live entertainment, crafts, holiday treats and more.
  • Dazzling Nights at Harry P. Leu Gardens (Nov. 28 – Jan. 4) blooms into a winter wonderland with a million sparkling lights, shining forests and beautiful sculptures. The interactive holiday experience features new immersive elements, including a snowball fight with elves in the 8-bit Christmas zone and the elegance of dozens of giant crystal chandeliers. Experience the artistry of “The Cathedral” – an 80-foot-long immersive homage to ancient stained glass.
  • Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will Celebrate The Holidays with a series of star-studded concerts and joy-sparking events like Lindsey Stirling’s Snow Waltz Tour (Nov. 26); Home for the Holidays presented by Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra (Nov. 29); The Nutcracker presented by the Orlando Ballet (select dates, Dec. 5-24) and more.
  • Wekiva Island’s Winter Wonderland (Nov. 28 – Dec. 25) features “snow” flurries, dazzling trees, a holiday market and Santa’s Workshop, plus interactions with famous holiday characters, including Santa and Mrs. Claus.
  • Oh, What Fun! Holiday Festival (select weekends Dec. 5-21) transforms the Lake Nona Town Center into Peppermint Square, a winter wonderland with nightly snowfalls, live entertainment, festive photo ops and more. 
  • Historic Downtown Winter Garden is home to several holiday happenings this season, including the immersive Main Street Holiday Stroll (Dec. 5 – Jan. 4), featuring a collection of Christmas trees, holiday street decorations, overhead market lights, festive photo vignette stations; the Holiday Night Market (Dec. 6), offering festive treats, décor, holiday-themed live entertainment and festive activities; the Winter Garden Christmas Parade (Dec. 6), a long-standing Winter Garden holiday tradition as festive floats, local bands, dance troupes and more march through downtown; plus other festivities. 
  • Winter Park’s 73rd annual Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade (Dec. 6), the oldest continuous holiday parade in Central Florida, will feature 80+ participating organizations, including marching bands and an appearance by Santa.  
  • Celebrate the Holidays Aboard Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition Orlando (Nov. 10 – Jan. 5) with photo ops in front of the festively decorated Grand Staircase. Plus, special appearances by Santa Claus select days between Dec. 6-14. 
  • Holidays in Space at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (select dates, Dec. 21-30) is a festive celebration included with admission featuring holiday decorations and an all-new Holidays in Space Drone Show Spectacular. The breathtaking 600-drone performance will tell the story of Starflake, a celestial character formed from a meteor shower who journeys through NASA’s greatest programs, from Apollo and Shuttle to Artemis, culminating in the creation of a glowing cosmic tree. 

Hotel Holiday Happenings 

  • ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms Resort (Nov. 14 – Jan. 7) features oversized sculptures carved from two million pounds of ice, along with new POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, an immersive cirque-style holiday show based on the storybook and TV special.  
  • Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort celebrates the holidays with an array of elevated experiences including new festive decor throughout the property, fun poolside activities at the resort’s heated five-acre water park and at Kids for All Seasons complimentary child care program, and festive dining experiences on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve at Michelin starred Capa Steakhouse and Michelin recommended Ravello, as well as Winter Wonderland Afternoon tea at Ravello (weekends, Nov. 21 – Dec. 21).
  • Winter at Grande Lakes (select dates Nov. 27 – Jan. 3) returns with a new ice skating experience; hands-on activities such as Gingerbread School; Santa’s Teddy Bear Tea, offering a lavish selection of tea, culinary delights, crafts, storytelling and a special visit from Santa Claus plus a Winter Wonderland Market featuring a Christmas village.
  • Evermore Orlando Resort’s holiday experiences (happening throughout December) include themed holiday crafts and experiences like gingerbread house decorating, meet-and-greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and seasonal menus at Twin View Restaurant.
  • The ette hotel, in partnership with Orlando Ballet, hosts The Nutcracker Holiday Tea (select dates in December), which features a whimsically themed presentation of traditional tea sandwiches, scones and intricately designed pastries in a ballet-inspired, commemorative box. On Dec. 6, there will be a special seating of the tea with a personalized photo opportunity with artists from Orlando Ballet, The Nutcracker Prince and Sugar Plum.