Visitors heading to Orlando this holiday season can explore a glittering winter wonderland of holiday happenings for 59 days straight – at 20 festive events – all with average daily temperatures hovering around a comfortable 23°C.
- Theme Park Holiday Events
Walt Disney World Resort (Select nights, Nov. 8 – Dec. 21)
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party presents a winter fairytale, as Queen Elsa puts a spell on Cinderella’s Castle, covering it in glittering ice. Lively stage shows feature Disney characters in their holiday finery and a festive holiday parade sends toy soldiers and snow flurries dancing on Main Street U.S.A.
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, beginning Nov. 18, features storytellers, a daily character tree-lighting ceremony and a stunning display of snow-white lights. The Candlelight Processional, a favourite of all ages, joins holiday traditions at the 11 World Showcase nations.
Flurry of Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a holly, jolly celebration brimming with magical merriment. Beginning Nov. 8, guests can delight in festive shows, holiday décor, Toy Story Land cheer and more.
Universal Orlando Resort (Select nights, Nov. 17 – Jan. 6)
At Universal Studios Florida, the Macy’s Holiday Parade fills the streets every evening with the larger-than-life balloons from Macy’s famous annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Elaborate floats, dancers and live entertainment delight guests.
At Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Grinchmas descends on Seuss Landing with a live retelling of Dr. Seuss’s beloved holiday tale during the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, featuring the Whos from Who-ville.
Also at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, see Hogwarts transform into a magical holiday extravaganza with Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Wizards and Muggles alike can watch in awe as Hogwarts Castle is illuminated with dazzling projections, and savour seasonal treats and drinks while listening to the famed Frog Choir.
SeaWorld Orlando (Select nights, Nov. 17 – Dec. 31)
Guests of all ages can delight over good food, live shows and joyful entertainment inspired by the natural world at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. More than three million sparkling lights will shine bright during the festive Christmas event. New for 2018 is Dine with Santa at Shamu Stadium.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Select weekends Dec. 1-25
At Christmas Bricktacular, families can block time to marvel at the more than 30-foot-tall LEGO Christmas tree – made with 270,000 LEGO and DUPLO bricks – and pose for a holiday picture with a life-size LEGO Santa, reindeer and sleigh.
- Holiday Events In and Around Orlando
The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts features a host of holiday shows and concerts this season, from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” to “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.”
The Central Florida Ballet’s fire-enhanced, Cirque du Soleil-inspired take on The Nutcracker is known to many as the “pyrotechnic Nutcracker, “ taking place Dec. 15-16.