While living here, or visiting Orlando always brings the Holly Jolly to the Holiday season! A list below is fun family friendly events to go see while in town! Celebrate this holiday season with parades and lights, including several options at low or no cost, or included with theme park admission. Because the holidays are a joyous time — and no destination is more joyous than Orlando!
Holiday Celebrations at Orlando Theme Parks
Walt Disney World® Resort
Marvel at Cinderella Castle sparkling in white lights, magical snowfall on Main Street, a Frozen show, and the Holiday Wishes dessert packages. You’ll also enjoy live entertainment, fireworks and a holiday parade.
Epcot®: From Nov. 18 to Dec. 30, the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, which is included with regular admission, features numerous Holiday Kitchens serving seasonal sweets. You can also look forward to the nightly Candlelight Processional, the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth fireworks show, and live musical performances..
Disney’s Hollywood Studios®: This park is including a flurry of fun with regular admission from Nov. 8 through Jan. 6, 2019. First, the stars of ABC’s Prep & Landing lead the merrymaking in Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, which features fireworks, music and incredible projections.
Also, Sunset Boulevard will become a winter wonderland courtesy of Sunset Seasons Greetings. And for an additional cost, you can join the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Dessert Party, with exclusive sweets and an unbeatable view of the fireworks.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom®: Celebrate Diwali, India’s famous Festival of Lights, courtesy of a special edition of UP! A Great Bird Adventure, running from Nov. 8 to Jan. 1, 2019.
Universal Orlando®Resort
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™: From Nov. 17 through Jan. 6, 2019, this magical party gives a holiday makeover to Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida™ and Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure™, which together comprise The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I
Universal Studios Florida: Join Santa Claus, the Minions and other beloved characters for Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s, which is included with regular admission from Nov. 17 through Jan. 6, 2019.
Universal’s Islands of Adventure: The “mean one” himself takes over Seuss Landing for The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, running from Nov. 17 through Jan. 6, 2019, complete with a live, musical stage show and the chance to meet The Grinch.
SeaWorld® Orlando
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is included with regular admission to SeaWorld Orlando from Nov. 17 through Dec. 31. It includes the joyous Sea of Trees, special performances, and seasonal food, drinks and merchandise at the lakeside Christmas Market.
Holiday Celebrations Throughout Orlando
Christmas Tree Trail at Disney Springs
Through January 6, 2019
Disney Springs Marketplace near Once Upon a Toy store
Discover 27 holiday trees each inspired by a Disney character or theme. A short, but festively packed walking trail amid the hustle and bustle of Disney Springs at Christmas time.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Gingerbread House Display
November 15, 2018 – January 1, 2019
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort lobby
Additional resorts with gingerbread displays in their lobbies: Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel.
Snow Falling Nightly in Celebration
November 24, 2018 – December 31, 2018
Nightly “snowfall” at 6, 7, 8 and 9pm.
Celebration Town Center
Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show
December 1, 2018 – January 5, 2018
Nightly at 5:45, 6:45, 7:45, 8:45, and 9:45pm
Lake Eola Park
ICE! Featuring A Christmas Story:
November 16, 2018 —Jauary. 6, 2019,
The Gaylord Palm Resort & Convention Center’s annual holiday celebration will feature more than 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures based on A Christmas Story, as well as two-story ice slides.