10 Affordable Christmas Events in Orlando and Other Ways to Celebrate the Holidays with Family
This time of year is so special, and yet we can feel stretched thin and our budget feels overloaded. Great news… Besides the many free holiday events in town, there are quite a number of affordable Christmastime events in Orlando.
And don’t forget to view the best Christmas lights in Orlando while you’re enjoying the season.
In Case You’re Interested:
>> Super Fun Family Restaurants
>> Cheap Family Fun
>> Orlando Hotels with Waterparks
Featured
Winter Wonderland
Fridays & Saturdays, November 22 – January 4
Westgate River Ranch
Celebrate the Holiday Season with the Annual Winter Wonderland Experience at Westgate River Ranch!
Enjoy a festive Hayride with classic Christmas Carols and explore their Enchanted Forest adventure. Get lost in a delightful holiday maze, discover sweet surprises at the candy land playground, and jingle all the way through the Florida outdoors. Wrap up your journey at the festive tree farm, where unforgettable memories and delectable treats await, promising to delight your taste buds!
Join them for a magical holiday celebration!
Affordable Christmas Events in Orlando and Seasonal Fun
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Holiday flavors available now
Winter Park Village location
510 N Orlando Ave #102, Winter Park, FL 32789
Winter Park Village itself is lovely to visit during the holiday season thanks to the sparkling Christmas decorations and dazzling storefronts. And whether you do some holiday shopping or not Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams must be visited this time of year thanks to the FIVE holiday flavors available right now.
Best of all these flavors are inspired by holiday cookie swaps!
- NEW Iced Molasses Gingerbread – Spiced molasses cream with gingerbread cookies and white icing swirl.
- NEW Lemon Crinkle – Bright, buttery lemon cream with a ribbon of sweet cream.
- NEW Seven-Layer Bar – Bittersweet chocolate pockets and brown sugar crumble in coconut-scented toasted caramel cream.
- White Chocolate Peppermint (returning favorite) – Swirls of pink and white peppermint with white chocolate freckles.
- Pistachio Macaron (returning favorite) – Roasted pistachio cream with a honey nougat-like texture.
Cost: About $6 – $7 per person
Asian Lantern Festival
November 15, 2024 – January 19, 2025 (select nights)
Central Florida Zoo
3755 W Seminole Blvd, Sanford, FL 32771
As the holiday season cranks along you might long for an event that brings a relaxing atmosphere and a break from the same music and decorations you see everywhere. The Asian Lantern Festival is an annual tradition at Central Florida Zoo, and it’s simply beautiful.
Traditional Asian music wafts over the winter air as stunning, colorful lanterns illuminate the night. My son looks forward to this event each year.
Important tip: Take your time! There is no need to rush from one display to another. Try to pace yourself, make the experience last about an hour and a half to really soak it all in. Purchase a s’mores kit about halfway through and enjoy the firepit for a while.
Cost: $24 per person, 4 Pack for $70.00: Includes four (4) tickets to Asian Lantern Festival at selected date and time
Colorful Christmas
Saturday, November 23 – January 5, 2025
The Crayola Experience
Deck the halls and enjoy holiday fun the Crayola way! Pose with a life-sized snowglobe, watch a light show starring Scarlet and her singing reindeer friends, complete a seasonal scavenger hunt, craft handmade gifts from the heart, enjoy live entertainment, holiday treats and more. There’s even a singing light show!
Activities included with general admission.
Plus, new this year, A Magical Circus Adventure is coming to Crayola Experience Orlando for a special visit on December 14 & 15. Inspired by the popular POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance book series, television special, and live show by Broadway Director and award-winning author Neil Goldberg.
Cost: $26.99 when purchased online
Related post: New Year’s Eve Events for Kids
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage At Orlando Family Stage
Select Nights, November 25 – December 29
Adapted from Charles M. Schulz’s timeless Peanuts story and featuring the music of Vince Guaraldi, A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage is a gift the whole family can enjoy!
Cost: $22 – $52 per person
Santa’s Farm
Starts Saturday, November 23
35317 Huff Road, Eustis, FL 32736
Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm in Eustis, Florida, offers a range of family-friendly activities that make it a fun holiday outing. Kids can enjoy the large slides, tractor-train rides, tricycles, and a small zip-line overlooking the tree forest.
There’s also a petting zoo with goats and donkeys, plus pony rides, a wooden maze, and a jump pad to burn off extra energy. For extra fun, children can pick a rubber duck for racing at the water pumps.
After exploring, parents can relax with a Merry Berry Float from the Thirsty Elf Bar while the kids enjoy popsicles or soft drinks.
Cost: $9.95 online; $12.95 at the gate; 2 and under Free
DAZZLING NIGHTS
November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Leu Gardens
A 3/4 mile journey of awe-inspiring light experiences. A million lights bring Leu Gardens to life.
- Towering glittering Christmas tree of lights
- Luminary trail
- Laser light forest
- Live entertainments
- Food and beverage options
- And so much more!
Cost: $25 adults / $22 child
Holiday Kickoff Weekend
Saturday, November 30 – December 1, 2024, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Brevard Zoo
Joyful music, delicious seasonal food and beverages—including cozy hot cocoa, and the debut of this year’s holiday decorations at the Brevard Zoo. Complimentary sustainable gift wrapping for your purchases.
Cost: Included in regular admission: Adult – ages 12-64, $32.95, Child – ages 3-11, $21.95
The Historic Holiday Experience
Tuesday, December 3 – 18, 2024
Orange County Regional History Center
A unique interactive and intimate holiday experience with seasonal activities, caroling, storytelling, and a private visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. During this one-hour experience, guests will enjoy decorating ornaments, making festive-themed crafts, writing letters to Santa, and playing reindeer games, all while enjoying delicious milk and cookies.
Bring your cameras and phones to snap the priceless moments when your children share their heartfelt wishes with Santa. Their festively decorated setting offers the perfect backdrop for heartwarming photos and cherished memories.
There are three sessions per date:
- 1st Session: 4 – 5:30 pm
- 2nd Session: 6 – 7:30 pm
- 3rd Session: 8 – 9:30 pm
Cost: $30 per person
Amber Brooke Farms, Eustis & Williston
Amber Brooke Farms 2nd Annual Winter Fest
Friday – Sunday, December 6-8 & 13-15
Bring the family to a winter wonderland filled with fresh strawberries! At Winter Fest, enjoy picking your own juicy berries, fun family activities, delicious food, and live music. It’s a perfect way to create special holiday memories together!
Cost: Usually around $15 per person online
Christmas Festival at The Vineyards at Black Willow
Saturday, December 7, 2024, 2-6pm
2350 Black Willow Trail, Mims, FL
Enjoy a fun filled Christmas festival at Black Willow! Food trucks, vendors, foam snow, bounce house, photo ops, craft stations and more! Free wine slushies or sangria for adults.
$10 per person, kids are free
Winter Summerland Miniature Golf
At Walt Disney World, 1548 W Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Open 10am – 10pm daily
The holiday season at Walt Disney World is pure magic, and thankfully there’s a place on property that is easy to get into the spirit year-round. I have been golfing at Winter Summerland for decades. I am so excited to pass along this holiday tradition to my son.
Winter Summerland has two distinct 18-hole adventures themed around Santa and his elves’ off-season fun. The “Winter” course offers snowy scenes with holiday decorations, while the “Summer” course brings a tropical twist with sandcastles and surfboards.
Both courses are filled with whimsical details, interactive surprises, and festive music, making it a delightful experience for families and guests of all ages. This spot is perfect for those looking to add a touch of holiday magic, Disney-style.
Cost: $19 per Adult, $12 per Child (Ages 3–9)
Central Florida Community Arts Performances
Locations varies based on performance
We are so fortunate to have such talented entertainers in Orlando. And the Central Florida Community Arts brings together talented performers for affordable productions, great for families.
Here are some upcoming holiday performances at CFCArts:
- “Annie Jr.” – November 8, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
- “From 8-Bit to Epic” – November 14, 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
- “Around the World at Christmas” – December 5, 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
- “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” – December 13, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
- “A Big Band Christmas” – December 14, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: Varies by performance, average $25 per person
Put on your calendar for next year…
Annual Festival of Trees
Saturday, November 16 – 24, 2024
Orlando Museum of Art
Over 30 designer-inspired decorated trees, stylish holiday wreaths, exceptional gingerbread houses, and more await inside the Festival of Trees.
I have been going to the annual Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art since I was a young child. I am grateful for many memories across the decades of attending with my mom. It always marked the start of the holiday season in Orlando.
Now I love bringing my son to see all the dazzling displays and decorated trees. It’s also a great place to see Santa Claus in Orlando.
Plus there are holiday pop-up shops, daily entertainment, and lunch available in the on-site holiday café.
Cost: Adult $20, Children (ages 3-12): $12
As the holiday season kicks into full swing, there’s no shortage of festive fun and unique family experiences waiting for you. Gather your loved ones, make cherished memories, and celebrate the season together at these unforgettable holiday spots!
