Fun Events to Celebrate Christmas in Orlando

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One of the best parts of Christmas is being able to spend time with family and friends.  What better way to do that than taking part in celebrations, parades, and shows. Thankfully, parts of our community are still offering socially distanced options for those who want to get out of the house and enjoy some holiday cheer.

Events to Celebrate Christmas in Orlando

Here are 11 fun events to celebrate the holiday season in Orlando. Looking for Christmas Light Displays? Take a look at this post.

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Celebrations Holiday Light Parade and Teddy Bear Toss

Join Celebration as they celebrate the season with a Holiday Light Parade and Teddy Bear Toss.  Vehicles will be festively decorated and lit for the occasion.  Be sure to bring a teddy bear for toys for tots to toss or place in the holiday truck. Click here for the Parade Route.  

Location: multiple villages in Celebration, FL
Date: Thursday, December 10th, 5:30 pm

Christmas at Gaylord Palms

Walk through your favorite Christmas movies in the “I Love Christmas Movies” immersive experience at Gaylord Palms. It includes 13 scenes from holiday favorites such as “The Polar Express,” “A Christmas Story,” “Elf” and more. Kids (and adults too) can also play in the “snow” at the all-new Snow Factory, which features a snow tubing and a snowballl throw. Kids can also have breakfast with the Grinch, go to storytime with Mrs. Claus, do a scavenger hunt around the hotel and more.

Location: Gaylord Palms, 6000 West Osceola ParkwayKissimmeeFlorida 34746
Dates: November 16 to January 3
Hours: 10:00am to 8:00pm
Cost: varies by attraction, see website

Gatorland’s Holiday Ho Ho Ho Down

Gatorland is having a ho ho ho down to celebrate the holidays. The event will feature It will feature holiday displays, interactive characters, a Very Merry Train Ride, Holiday Singers and additional entertainment.  Specialty festive food items will also be available for purchase. This is in addition to the regular Gatorland shows and exhibits.

This special event will be included in the regular price of admission. This is great for Florida residents as tickets are half price right now (want to see other Florida resident discounts, take a look at this post).

Location: Gatorland, 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail Orlando, Florida 32837
Dates: December 5th and 6th, 13th and 14th, 19th and 20th
Cost: $30 adults/$25 Seniors/$20 Kids 3-12

Related Post: Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs

Home for the Holidays

“Home for the Holidays” event at the family friendly FantasyWorld Resort is inviting kids and kids at heart to celebrate the holidays with them.  Starting November 30th and running through January 2nd, Home for the Holidays is open to overnight guests and one-time visitors.  Step into a Winter Wonderland complete with festive decorations, beautiful dazzling light displays, snow, and a 600 square foot ice skating rink!! Bring your own ice skates or 30 minute ice skate rentals are available for $4.95.  You can also  enjoy themed photo opportunities such as “Candyland” and “Polar Bear Heaven”.  

*This will be a socially distanced event according to CDC guidelines.  

Location: 5005 Kyngs Heath Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Hours: Nov. 30,2020 -Jan. 2,2021, 7 days a week 1:00pm-8:00pm
Cost: FREE

Jolly Creek Holiday Festival and Marketplace

Join Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures for their 1st ever Jolly Creek Holiday Festival and Marketplace.  Experience the joy of the holiday season in Holiday Village where you’ll be surrounded by thousands of Christmas lights and festive decorations.  Live entertainment spreads holiday cheer with music from the Mistletones, the Society Orchestra, and The Vocalitas on select nights.

Take advantage of the ambiance with photo opportunities throughout the village and stop in for a socially distanced visit with Santa! 

Enjoy family fun with outdoor crafts and games, specialty holiday snacks and food, smores, shopping and more. 

Don’t forget your well behaved pooch on December 21st for their Paw-liday Celebration.  Your pup can even have his picture taken with Santa!

Location: 2001 E. Southport Rd. Kissimmee, Fl. 34746
Hours: Dates Vary 6:00pm-10:00pm
Cost: vary by date, Adult tickets start at $14.99, Kids 10 and under $12.99 Ages 3 and under Free.

Mt. Dora 60th Annual Christmas Parade

Ring in the holiday season with Mt. Dora for their 60th annual Christmas Parade.  

Join the themed floats, scouts, Police Department, and Fire trucks as they stroll the streets of downtown Mt. Dora.

Location: Donnelly street to Downtown Mt. Dora
Hours: Saturday December 5th, 2020 10:00 am – 12:00pm
Cost: FREE

Mt. Dora Boat Parade

Join Mt. Dora for their 30th annual Lighted Boat Parade.  Local boat owners decorate their boats for a competition of originality and the best light display.  Running from the lighthouse in Mt. Dora up the shoreline to Tavares. 

Location: The parade begins at the lighthouse on Graham Point across from Gilbert Park on Tremain Street and Liberty Avenue.
Hours: Saturday December 5, 2020 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Cost: FREE

Now Snowing in Celebration

Visit Celebration’s Winter Wonderland on Market street and watch it snow in Florida! Experience the joy of the season with horse drawn carriage rides, ice skating, light shows, train rides and more.  To enable social distancing, the snow will fall at surprise rotating times between 5pm and 9pm each evening. Ice Skating starts November 30th.

Location: Market Street for snow, Front Street for carriage rides
Hours: Dusk, Nightly beginning November 28th, it will even snow Christmas night!

Costs:
Parking and entry are free.
Ice Skating: 4:00pm-10:00pm nightly, $10.00 for ½ hour minimum including skate rental, ask about a multi-day pass if attending more than once.
Horse drawn rides: Wagon ride $5, small carriage $45 up to 4 passengers ($10 each additional.), Christmas sleigh: $55 up to 4 passengers ($10 each additional), Cinderella Carriage: $65 up to 4 passengers ($10 each additional)
Special Holiday Home Tour: 30/40 minutes to see the houses decorated throughout Celebration. $25 per person

Orlando Winterfest and Holiday Market

Join Orlando Winterfest and Holiday Market for a festive holiday celebration.  Live entertainment, shopping, and yummy food set the stage for a fun shopping experience with local vendors.  The kiddos will also have fun, while riding on the Winterfest Express Train and getting visits from Santa himself.

Location: Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse 9800 International Drive Orlando, 32819
Dates: Thursday December 3, 2020 – Sunday December 6, 2020
Hours: Thur. Dec. 3, 4:00pm-9:00pm, Fri. Dec. 4, 12:00pm-9:00pm, Sat. Dec. 5,10:00am-8:00pm, Sun. Dec. 6, 10:00am-5:00pm
Cost: Tickets start at $6 kids 6-12, $13 adults

Wekiva Island’s Winter Wonderland

Wekiva’s fifth annual Winter Wonderland Celebration will take place December 1, 2020 – January 1, 2021.  Experience holiday cheer with their snow flurries, thousands of lights, festive decorations, and family friendly events.  Bringing in the 1st snow of the year, Santa will visit the Island on December 4, at 7:00pm.  Wekiva Island has made a few changes this year to ensure the safety of their beloved guests.  Take a walk through a Christmas tree forest full of decorated trees, take advantage of a photo opportunity in front of a gingerbread house, or take a “sleigh” ride down the river.  Santa and Mrs. Claus will make appearances for socially distanced visits and photo opportunities on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.  Instead of sitting on Santa’s lap, drop a letter in his mailbox or email him!  Some of Wekiva Island’s favorite events are still taking place this year like, Breakfast with Santa, Holiday movies every Sunday, and the Cocoa, cookies, and stories with Mrs. Claus and so much more.  

Location: 1014 Miami Springs Dr, Longwood, FL 32779
Hours: Daily 8:00 am-9:00pm, Christmas Eve: 8:00am – 4:00pm Christmas Day: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Cost: $2 per person entry

Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade

The Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade is the oldest parade in Central Florida. Join Winter Park and help them celebrate their 68th annual Christmas Parade!  Enjoy floats and fun from vendors all over the area.  100 participants including local marching bands, scout groups, the police department, fire department, and more will attend.  Don’t forget an appearance from Santa himself!  

Social distancing measures will be in place and face masks must be worn for this event.  

Location: The parade begins on Cole Avenue and will proceed south down Park Avenue, before coming to an end at Lyman Avenue. (Winter Park)
Date & Time: December 5, 2020 9:00am-10:30 am

 

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