It stands to reason that a place that deals in the best creative experiences on the planet will also be good when it comes to the special times of the year, things like Easter, Halloween and Christmas. Especially Christmas.
And, when it comes to all those festive events and gatherings, there is an absolute welter of places and happenings that all aim to entice and entertain throughout the Yuletide period (which, as we explained in last week’s blog, runs for two full months starting in early November!).
It’s pretty much a given that our visitors will make a bee-line for the theme parks to soak up some of those seasonal attractions, but the essential message here is that there is definitely more to see and enjoy beyond the parks. Much more. And we think people will really be missing out if they don’t sample at least a few of them.
With that very firmly in mind, we thought we would highlight 10 of our favourite Christmas experiences outside Disney and Co, many of which now rival the parks for style and charm:
10. Celebration
The Disney-inspired town just off Highway 192 in Kissimmee sets a LOT of store by its annual celebrations (of course), and this is all free to watch each evening under the title of “Now Snowing” (Nov 26-Dec 31). As well as regular “snowfalls,” there is an ice-skating rink, carollers, live music, carriage rides and train rides, all in a vivid festive atmosphere, and it’s also worth taking the time for a drive around the residential areas as many of the houses go in for hugely elaborate decorations that have to be seen to be believed! See more at https://celebration.fl.us/events/now-snowing-2/.
9. Wekiva Island
This little rustic, nature-orientated favourite of ours in Wekiva Springs (just north-west of downtown Orlando) also turns on the style for Christmas with its own “snowing” outbreaks, Santa’s Workshop, Mrs Claus’ Bakery and an array of wonderfully varied live entertainment on different dates, from stilt-walkers to decorating with the Elves. See more at https://wekivaisland.com/winter-wonderland-2024/.
8. Winter Park
Visitors are welcome at the various events throughout late November and December in Orlando’s charming north city suburb, where the festive vibe is in full swing at places like the Morse Museum of American Art and their free Holiday Friday Nights (4-8pm), Winter on the Avenue, with its the grand Tree Lighting ceremony (Dec 6 from 5pm), and Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade (Dec 7 at 9am). See more at https://cityofwinterpark.org/holiday-events/.
7. Central Florida Zoo
One event that has quickly established itself as a family must-see in recent years is the Asian Lantern Festival at the super-cute Central Florida Zoo in Sanford (north Orlando). With dozens of hand-constructed lanterns illuminated by thousands of LED lights set over a three-quarter-mile pathway, it is an astounding spectacle and runs from Nov 15 to January 19 (select nights, 6-10pm). Buying tickets in advance is highly advisable. See more at www.centralfloridazoo.org/lanterns/.
6. Mount Dora
This charming town is worth visiting at most times of the year but takes on special lustre at Christmas where the whole downtown area is beautifully lit up at night and it features a variety of events each weekend from Dec 3-19. The prime event, though, is Dec 4 for the Lighted Boat Parade, a unique opportunity to see dozens of boats decked out in Christmas finery sailing across Lake Dora. See more at https://mountdorachristmas.com/.
5. ICON Park
The heart of International Drive is the place to be for the full festive experience, with everything beautifully decorated for the season and a huge tree to set things off. Most of the attractions add an extra element to their regular offerings, while this is also the place for the superb Santa’s Workshop Experience, which provides an authentic setting for meet-and-greets with the Head Elf. See more at https://iconparkorlando.com/events/the-santa-workshop-experience/.
4. Winter Garden
While our favourite corner of Central Florida has plenty of twinkling lights year-round, the town really turns up the brightness each December with a huge display of seasonal wonder, including a projection lightshow on City Hall each evening (Dec weekends, 6-9pm). New for 2024 is the Main Street Holiday Stroll of trees and decorations, plus a Night Market (Dec 7). The must-see moments, though, are the annual Light Up Winter Garden event (Dec 6, 6pm) and the fabulously fun Christmas Parade (Dec 7, 10am) and unique Golf Cart Parade (Dec 7, 6pm). See more at www.cwgdn.com/318/Special-Events.
3. Lake Eola Park
Downtown Orlando is definitely the place to be for a fantasy of festive lights, centred on Lake Eola Park where the set-piece attractions are the Christmas Tree Show five times each evening (Dec 6-Jan 6), the children’s Holiday Train (Fri-Sun Dec 6-22, 5.30-9pm) and the chance to Meet Santa at the Eola House (Fri-Sun Dec 7-22, 5.30-9pm), accompanied by the Merry Market and snowfall four times each weekend evening. The 15-minute one-off Holiday Drone Show will then take to the air above the lake on Dec 21 at 6.30 and 8pm. See more at www.downtownorlando.com/Fun/Things-to-Do/Downtown-for-the-Holidays.
2. Leu Gardens
For a truly eye-popping Christmas light show, it’s hard to beat the Dazzling Lights festooned around Leu Gardens in downtown Orlando (Nov 29-Jan 5). This extensive festive spectacular is made up of hundreds of thousands of lights and hundreds of candles spread through the trees and arranged in set-piece exhibits. Look out for the 70ft light tunnel and holiday greetings from around the world, with the bonus of live entertainment, snowfalls, sweet treats and delicious beverages. See more at www.dazzlingorlando.com.
1. Gaylord Palms Resort
There can be little doubt about THE big annual highlight when it comes to the Yule festivities, and that honour goes to the vast Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, where they cram in a sleigh-full of Christmas fun and frolics, from snowball throwing and ice tubing to Mrs Claus’ Holiday Traditions and the wonderful Cirque: Spirit of Christmas stage show. There is enough to keep you busy and active here for at least a day, and it is all topped off by the stunning ICE! extravaganza, a true wonderland of hand-carved ice exhibits (from two million pounds of ice!) that include ice slides and unforgettable photo ops. This year’s version is themed to the film Elf and is packed full of memorable scenes from the movie, which just makes everything more, well, Christmassy (Nov 15-Jan 4). Buying tickets in advance is again highly advisable. See more at https://christmasatgaylordpalms.marriott.com.
Have you been to Orlando for Christmas? Give us your thoughts about the experience on the friendly AttractionTickets.com Community Facebook page, on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.
