20 Best Christmas Events and Holiday Season Activities for Kids in Orlando
From dazzling lights to icy adventures, here are the very best Christmas and holiday experiences for families in Orlando this season.
This quick list gives you the must-do highlights, plus links throughout to dive deeper into full guides, insider tips, and detailed event rundowns.
✨FEATURED CHRISTMAS EVENTS FOR FAMILIES
We’re giving the following events an extra shout-out since their support helps us provide this Guide to you for FREE!
ice!™ featuring The Polar Express™
- Date: November 13, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- Location: Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee
A Beloved Christmas Classic Gets a Whole New Look! This holiday season, families can experience The Polar Express in a whole new way at Gaylord Palms Resort. From Nov. 13 through Jan. 3, 2027, ice! featuring The Polar Express™ brings the beloved story to life with more than 2 million pounds of colorful ice, larger-than-life scenes, familiar characters, and two-story ice slides.
Inside, it’s a chilly 9 degrees Fahrenheit, but parkas are provided. Beyond the immersive ice! attraction, families can enjoy ice tubing, holiday lights, Santa visits, gingerbread decorating, and live entertainment during Gaylord Palms’ So Much Christmas celebration. Tickets, packages, and special offers are available at ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com.
Save up to 25%* with code FAMILY
*Valid Online Only. Maximum 8 tickets per order. Taxes and fees may apply. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Discount not valid on previously purchased tickets. Blackout dates may apply.
Pomp, Snow, and CIRQUEumstance (Gaylord Palms)
- Date: November 13, 2026 – January 3, 2027 (select showtimes)
- Location: Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
Back by popular demand, our award-winning, immersive cirque holiday show returns, based on the acclaimed POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance storybook and TV special. Join three best friends as they share their remarkable talents and Christmas joy with the world. Experience new gravity-defying circus acts, more magic illusions, original music, and showstopping costumes in this 35-minute Broadway-style holiday spectacle. Live performance meets animation to create this one-of-a-kind, high-flying adventure.
Save up to 25%* with code FAMILY
*Valid Online Only. Maximum 8 tickets per order. Taxes and fees may apply. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Discount not valid on previously purchased tickets. Blackout dates may apply.
Even More Great Things to Do for Christmas in Orlando!
Check back as more 2026 Details become available
SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration
- Dates: Select dates November 6, 2026 – January 4, 2027
Head to SeaWorld Orlando to make new holiday memories with festive shopping, delicious food, and dazzling live shows inspired by the natural world. Stroll the lakeside Christmas Market and pick out unique, artisan-crafted gifts. The Christmas Celebration is included with park admission.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
- Dates: Select nights, November 8 – December 22, 2026
- Location: Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will bring back old favorites like cocoa and cookies at designated locations throughout the park, snow on Main Street, a themed parade and fireworks show, and more. The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays starts on November 27-December 30, 2026, with the sights, sounds, and tastes of the season from cultures around the world.
Asian Lantern Festival (Central Florida Zoo)
- Date: Select nights, November 13, 2026 – January 17, 2027
- Location: Central Florida Zoo, Sanford
- Cost: TBA
Serene, colorful lantern displays and music make for a relaxing, visually stunning evening with kids.
Holidays at Universal Orlando
- Dates: November 14, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Head to Universal Orlando Resort for the biggest, loudest, awesomest holiday celebration of the season! Celebrate with seasonal shows and decorations at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Sip on hot Butterbeer in Diagon Alley in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade in Universal Islands of Adventure as they come to life with magical lights and festive events. The Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s features larger-than-life balloons, with appearances by the Minions and characters from Shrek and Madagascar. Head over to Whoville for The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular starring The Grinch himself.
Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens
- Date: November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- Location: Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando
- Cost: Typically ~$40 adults, ~$29 children
A 3/4-mile trail of immersive light art, photo moments, music, and festive concessions — a local favorite for family photos.
Holidays at LEGOLAND in Winter Haven
- Dates: Select dates November 21, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- Location: 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven
Get ready to celebrate an awesome holiday season at LEGOLAND Resort! This bricktacular event features unforgettable seasonal shows, LEGO holiday character experiences, sweet treats, and special activities. Light displays will twinkle throughout the park, and a giant LEGO Christmas tree is sure to mesmerize guests with its 360-degree light show. From November 21 through January 3, you can also join in their Kids’ New Year’s Eve festivities. Holidays at LEGOLAND is included with admission.
Wekiva Island Winter Wonderland
- Date: November 29 – December 25, 2026
- Location: Wekiva Island, Longwood
- Cost: $5 admission most days; extras vary
Riverside lights, nightly “snow,” outdoor movies, and Santa appearances — holidays with Florida vibes.
SEE MORE: Where to Find Orlando’s Best Christmas Lights
Winter Summerland Mini Golf
- Date: Open daily, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Location: Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista
- Cost: $19 adult / $12 child
Two whimsical, Santa-themed 18-hole courses — an easy, budget-friendly way to add Disney holiday cheer.
More Holiday Season Fun
2026 Christmas and Holiday Events to be Announced
ILLUMINATE – A Lantern Festival at Aquatica Orlando
- Date: 2026 TBA
- Location: Aquatica Orlando
- Cost: TBA
Five glowing realms with giant lanterns, interactive zones, Kiwi Santa encounters, and seasonal bites. A brand-new after-dark stroll-through experience.
Dino in Lights at Orlando Science Center
- Date: 2026 TBA
- Location: Orlando Science Center
- Cost: TBA
A bite-sized but delightful music-and-light moment with Stan the T. rex — add it to your OSC day.
Free Disney Monorail Christmas Decorations Tour (Disney Hotels)
- Date: Hotels typically decorated by the week of November 20; best window November 20, 2025 – January 1, 2026
- Location: Polynesian Village, Contemporary (via Resort Monorail)
- Cost: Free (transportation/parking tips inside)
Do a DIY resort-hopping tour to see lobbies, gingerbread displays, and themed trees. Parking and access guidance are included in the how-to. Disney’s Grand Floridian gingerbread house is not on display this year; a good alternative is touring Disney’s Boardwalk resorts for gingerbread displays at multiple hotels.
Amber Brooke Farms Winter Fest (Eustis)
- Date: 2026 TBA
- Location: Amber Brooke Farms, Eustis
- Cost: TBA
Celebrate the season at Amber Brooke Farms with U-pick strawberries, sunflowers, and zinnias, plus visits with Santa, live music, and festive activities for all ages. Enjoy snowy fun, sweet treats, farm tours, and plenty of holiday photo ops to make magical memories.
Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll
- Date: 2026 TBA
- Location: Disney Springs
- Cost: Free
Pick up a map and discover dozens of themed trees across Disney Springs; a great add-on to dining or shopping.
