Explore
Celebrate Christmas In Orlando
Christmas is one of the most awaited events of the year, with visions of falling snow, snowmen and snow angels appearing out in the yard, and hot cocoa to drink under a warm blanket. And then of course, there’s the anticipation of little ones opening presents on Christmas Day. But for those who want to spend their Christmas without the cold weather, why not spend Christmas in Orlando?
Why Spend Christmas in Orlando?
There are tons of reasons why spending Christmas in Orlando is an amazing way to spend Christmas. Here are just a few:
Warm weather
If you’re tired of spending the holidays bundled up in the cold, then think about heading to the Sunshine State where you can ditch that overcoat and enjoy the beautiful weather, even in December.
Theme parks
If you think you’ve seen Orlando’s theme parks in all their glory during the summer, you’ll be amazed at how they transform into magical wonders during the holidays, with special holiday shows, miles and miles of twinkling lights and fireworks to light up the night.
Christmas activities for free
Many Christmas activities in Orlando are FREE. Take pictures of the kids with Mr. and Mrs. Santa, visit the annual ice show, and wonder at the many festive lights shows, all things that you can experience for free.
How Do the Theme Parks Celebrate the Holidays?
What can you expect from Orlando’s theme parks during the holidays?
Universal Orlando Resort
Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Orlando Resort runs from the 17th of November to the 6th of January this year, with Diagon Alley, Hogwarts Castle, and Hogsmeade providing live performances and the chance to purchase seasonal drinks like butterbeer and other speciality foods. You won’t want to miss the very special Holiday Parade at Universal Orlando featuring Santa Claus and other beloved characters.
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
Experience Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on select nights in the Magic Kingdom starting from November 8 to December 21, 2019. Cinderella’s Castle will be transformed with sparkling white lights, presenting a Frozen show, magical snowfall on Main Street, live entertainment, as well as a Christmas Parade.
Epcot
Epcot offers the exciting International Festival of the Holidays which is part of your regular admission, where several Holiday Kitchens offer a variety of seasonal sweets and treats. There’s a magnificent nightly Candlelight Processional here as well as exciting live musical performances.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios will be decked out and ready for some holiday fun with music, fireworks, and a stunning projection with Sunset Boulevard being transformed into a winter wonderland thanks to the Sunset Seasons Greetings.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Experience Diwali or the popular Festival of Lights from India at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with a special edition of UP! A Great Bird Adventure which runs from November 8 to January 1, 2020.
LEGOLAND
LEGOLAND is going to amaze the kids and kids at heart with its 30-foot Christmas tree created using only DUPLO and LEGO blocks. Enjoy a meet-and-greet with popular LEGO characters,and join in the scavenger hunts created just for the kids.
SeaWorld Orlando
The Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld is included with your regular admission and features the Sea of Trees, seasonal foods, as well as special performances. You can even get to meet Santa and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer too.
Other Holiday Celebrations throughout Orlando
There are many other Christmas celebrations to add to your list of things to do in Orlando during the holidays in Orlando and the nearby area.
Bok Towers
Get your Holiday Home Tour Tickets where you can see how Pinewood Estate is transformed into a showplace just in time for Christmas. It’s inspired by the elegance of the 1940s and you’ll hear the carillon concerts with various holiday programs throughout December.
Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show
The annual Tree Lighting Celebration will be done on the 30th of November, 2019 at Lake Eola Park where you can witness the epic 72-foot high Christmas tree coming to life and explore the booths and stalls with local goods, as well as take in the live performances and music.
Festival of Trees
This year, Orlando Museum of Art’s theme is “Merry and Bright” where there will be designer Christmas trees of all sizes, custom hand designed wreaths as well as beautiful table decor, holiday vignettes, and more.
Nutcracker
See the Nutcracker performed by Orlando Ballet at Dr. Phillips Center from December 13 to 23, 2019. Better book your tickets early!
Christmas Things to Do in Orlando for Free
If you’re looking for things to do for free Christmas things to do in Orlando, you’ll find plenty.
Check out Lights on Jeater Bend which is an all-singing and dancing Christmas light display that runs throughout the season.
The Orlando Boat Parades should definitely be added to your list of things to do in Orlando. With their painstakingly decorated and lit boats, these are unique parades that you won’t want to miss.
Make your way to the Town of Celebration where their “Now Snowing” event is a must-see. Of course, there will be tons of fireworks on display that will light up the sky.
Things to Do in Orlando on Christmas Day
Christmas Day in Orlando is still going to be bustling whether you’ll be heading to the theme parks or stopping by for a visit to Santa’s Chalet at Disney Springs to see Santa Goofy take over as Santa heads back to his home in the North Pole. Head to Busch Gardens in Tampa for some Christmas-filled fun to enjoy with the kids.
Are Orlando Restaurants Open Christmas Day?
The good news is that many Orlando restaurants open Christmas Day in Orlando which means that if you want to celebrate Christmas dinner in Orlando, you will have numerous choices to consider. Check out David’s Club at Hilton Orlando, where they will be hosting a Taste of the Seasons holiday dinner with specialty eggnog cocktails, explore Highball & Harvest at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando where their Christmas Day Celebration features farm-to-fork dishes, or try out a stand alone restaurant like Hemingway’s or LakeHouse, who will also be offering scrumptious holiday menus. Make sure that you make a reservation as early as possible.
Where Should You Stay during Your Christmas Holiday?
If you’ll be spending your Christmas in Orlando, you might want to make your stay extra special for everyone and book a stay in one of the luxury rental homes available here instead of booking traditional hotel rooms. These fully furnished homes are situated in luxury gated communities where you’ll have more privacy, with ample bedrooms to accommodate everyone in your family, and with a fully equipped kitchen to prepare your favorite holiday treats. You might even be lucky enough to get their Christmas themed bedrooms to make your holiday vacation extra special. And the 5- star resort style amenities are all included and guarantee a very special kind of Christmas.
Favorite Spots to Stay in Orlando During Christmas
If you’re wondering where to stay in Orlando over the holidays, here are a few that you should consider:
Windsor Hills
Windsor Hills can be found in Kissimmee and is just a few minutes away from Walt Disney World and other tourist attractions. The homes here have 3 to 6 bedrooms with up to 12 guests easily accommodated. All houses have a private pool which you and your family can enjoy at any time during your stay. Resort amenities such as their spiral water slide and hot tub, double Olympic sized pool, and castle-themed playground are just a few of the great amenities that your family will love.
If golf is on your mind, the Champions Golf Courses in Reunion Resort are a great place to be. And the non-golfers in your family will be just as excited about the opportunity to stay in one of Reunion’s luxury homes, complete with amazingly themed bedrooms for the kids to enjoy. Fully furnished and fully equipped to handle your needs during the holiday, this gated community is sure to make your stay here luxuruous and memorable.
Solterra’s new Lazy River attraction is one of the highlights here, with the Grand Clubhouse offering a fitness center, jacuzzi spa, children’s playground, gathering room, cabanas, as well as cyber café just to name a few. Of course, these are not the only reasons why you should book a stay in Solterra Resort. The luxury rental homes here are sure to make you feel both pampered and right at home. With their open plan design, fully equipped kitchen, and comfortable bedrooms for both the young and the old, your dream vacation this holiday can happen here.
Who said that you can’t go surfing during Christmas vacation? The FlowRider Surf Simulator in Solara is one of their biggest draws as well as the splash pad for the younger guests. The sundries shop has everything you need from sunblock to water gear, with an ice cream parlor nearby to help cool you down. In terms of accommodations, Solara will spoil you with their amazing luxury rentals perfect for single families or groups. Staying here means having your own private home to make new memories for Christmas, and leaving the snow and low temperatures at home.
Start Planning
The Christmas celebration in Orlando is a unique experience for the family, so what better way to make it awesome than to start planning and booking as early as now? You’ll be surprised to find that many visitors head to Orlando to bask in its sunshine during Christmas. Don’t get left behind and miss out on the best accommodations in these luxury resort communities, or on the many things to do in Orlando for Christmas, including free activities that Orlando has to offer during the holidays.
Christmas In Orlando Resources:
[1] Topvillas; Christmas in Orlando, Georgina Brisk, 2019.
[2] Thevisitorlando; Holly Jolly Christmas andHoliday Events in Orlando, 2019.
[3] Cityoforlando;2018.
[4] Orlando Museum Art; Festival Of Trees,2019.
[5] Orlando Insider Vacations; Christmas in Orlando & Kissimmee 2019: Don't Miss a Single Sparkle,2019.
[6] Magical Vacation Homes; Windsor Hills Resort, 2019
[7] Solterra Resort; Solterra Resort Orlando Amenities,2019.
[8] Solara Resort Florida.com; Solara Amenities,2019.
More Stories
Explore
Universal Studios vs Universal Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort is clearly considered one of the top two theme parks in the world.
Explore
Top Planning for Universal Studios Florida Weather
When planning your trip to Universal Studios, Florida, you'll have lots of decisions to make. Where will you stay in Orlando, will you chose one of the Universal Resorts, how many days will you spend in Universal, and the other amazing Orlando theme parks like Walt Disney World and SeaWorld.