What Families Can Expect at ILLUMINATE, the New Lantern Festival at Aquatica Orlando

Aquatica Orlando is about to glow in a whole new way. The water park that families know for its colorful slides and tropical fun will transform at night into ILLUMINATE – A Lantern Festival at Aquatica Orlando. During this holiday season a brand-new holiday experience debuts November 8, 2025, and running select nights through January 31, 2026.

Best of all? Tickets are reasonably priced, starting at $29.99!

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Instead of water rides and splashes, families can expect walk-through magic as the entire park comes alive with glowing animal lanterns, interactive light displays, and whimsical music. It’s a chance to slow down, stroll together, and see Aquatica like never before—shimmering with color, sound, and story.

ILLUMINATE Lantern Festival at Aquatica Orlando

What Families Can Expect

From 6–10 p.m., the water attractions will take a break while Aquatica becomes a radiant wonderland with five themed realms of light. Parents and kids can wander glowing walkways, meet a “Kiwi Santa,” and even hop aboard a mini lantern safari train. Each area has its own mood and story, making the whole experience feel like an imaginative nighttime adventure.

• AquaLuma – A shimmering tribute to five glowing animal guardians who guide guests through arches of light and laughter.
• Candy Cascade Falls – A candy-colored forest where lollipops glow and gummy bears guard the sweets.
• Enchanted Lagoon – Home to a luminous mermaid and her sea unicorn companion.
• Myst Wood Waters – Step on an interactive mat to make the Great Tree of Light pulse and sparkle.
• Rivers of Discovery – A lantern safari celebrating wildlife from dolphins to giraffes.

Families will also find hands-on fun at the Lantern Craft Zone, where kids can make a wish and float a mini lantern, plus cozy campfire spots with s’mores, festive snacks, and cheerful elves.

“ILLUMINATE is unlike anything we’ve ever done at Aquatica,” said Bradley Gilmour, Park President of Aquatica Orlando.

“From glowing mermaids and candy-colored forests to a lantern safari brought to life on our Serengeti Express train, this festival will light up the night in a way that is both completely new and uniquely Aquatica. We can’t wait for families to create glowing holiday memories in a setting that feels worlds away, yet right here in Orlando.”

Tasty Holiday Treats

Food is part of the fun here. Special menu items like Brisket Mac & Cheese, Apple Cider Churros, and even S’mores Pizza make this a foodie adventure, too. Parents can toast the night with a Cotton Candy Margarita or sip a non-alcoholic Christmas Tree Punch while kids enjoy treats along the path.

How It Compares to the Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo

Orlando is full of dazzling lights this time of year and we’re so excited to have this new addition to the season!

If your family has loved the Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo, think of ILLUMINATE as its tropical cousin. While the Zoo’s festival celebrates traditional Chinese artistry and animal designs, Aquatica’s version layers in interactive elements, themed storytelling, and sensory surprises. You’ll find more opportunities to touch, play, and explore—perfect for kids who love movement and color.

Where the Zoo’s event feels serene and cultural, Aquatica’s brings a high-energy, holiday twist—complete with glowing mermaids, candy worlds, and beachy Santa moments that fit Orlando’s sunshine-in-December vibe.

Why Parents Will Love It

ILLUMINATE seems to offer that rare mix of calm and excitement that’s hard to find during the holidays. It’s stroller-friendly, low-stress, and packed with photo-worthy moments that don’t require lines or ride wait times. Plus, it gives families another reason to get outside together during the cooler evenings of November through January.

Tickets start at $29.99, with discounts for Pass Members and optional Lantern Lanyards that make tasting your way through the park easier and more affordable.

ILLUMINATE – A Lantern Festival at Aquatica Orlando opens November 8, 2025, and runs select nights through January 31, 2026 from 6–10 p.m.

For families looking to add a little extra glow to the season, this is one Orlando holiday event that shines brighter than ever.