Holly Jolly Christmas & Holiday Season Events in Orlando

See how Orlando’s world-famous theme parks are celebrating the holiday season in 2022, with most events included with park admission.

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Holidays at Walt Disney World® Resort

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Select Nights, Nov. 8 – Dec. 22, 2022)

At Walt Disney World® Resort, get ready for a magical holiday gathering with your loved ones — and some familiar Disney Characters — during the specially ticketed Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. When Mickey celebrates the season, Magic Kingdom® Park lights up with excitement for guests of all ages. Joyful music fills the air. Disney Characters don their most festive attire, and enchanting entertainment lies around almost every turn.

Throughout the evening, you can:

• Delight in the amazingly festive Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show;
• Gather to watch Disney Characters give a yuletide nod to the season during Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade;
• Get the perfect picture with Disney pals dressed in their Christmas best;
• Discover holiday overlays for iconic attractions such as Space Mountain® and Jungle Cruise®;
• Make your night extra sweet when you explore Magic Kingdom park searching for cookies and cocoa;
• Take in the elaborate decorations that bring the spirit of the season to life;
• And so much more.

Best of all, you picked the absolute perfect time to join the festivities — during The World’s Most Magical Celebration — the 50th Anniversary at Walt Disney World Resort.  When you celebrate the holidays with Walt Disney World, nothing could be more magical. The Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary celebration ends March 31, 2023, so don’t miss your chance to be a part of it. 

EPCOT® International Festival of the Holidays (Beginning Nov. 25, 2022)

Surround yourself with seasonal sights, sounds and flavors during the EPCOT® International Festival of the Holidays, a beloved extravaganza boasting themed Holiday Kitchens and a scrumptious Holiday Cookie Stroll.

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You can also hear the stirring story of Christmas presented by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by an orchestra and massed choir. It’s part of the famous Candlelight Processional, held nightly from Nov. 25 to Dec. 30.

Even the Guardians of the Galaxy are getting in on the fun by trading their classic-hits playlist for a mash-up of seasonal jams at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Then, behold heartwarming performances around World Showcase, including Canadian Holiday Voyageurs, Las Posadas with Mariachi Cobre, the Chinese Lion Dance, and holiday storytellers.

This joyous celebration is included with admission to EPCOT®, with food and beverages being available for purchase.

Holidays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios®

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, experience the magic of nature with a holiday twist. Be sure to swing by Discovery River to wave hello to some of your favorite Disney Characters aboard decked-out flotillas. Included with park admission, highlights Include:

• Merry Menagerie: Delight in winter wonders as Discovery Island® springs to life with artisan-sculpted puppets of arctic animals — like penguins, reindeer, foxes and polar bears.
• Santa Claus Festive Flotilla: See Santa Claus as he sails down the Discovery River to a jolly, world-beat holiday soundtrack.
• Discovery Island Drummers Festive Flotilla: Feel the beat as a colorful group of percussionists cruise along the Discovery River.

Plus, be sure to check out holiday-themed decor and Tree of Life® Awakenings — Holiday Edition, where the beloved tree shimmers and sparkles each evening, accompanied by a heartwarming musical score.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, embark on yuletide adventures and create memories you’ll cherish all season long, including with park admission. Highlights include:

• Sunset Seasons Greetings: Gaze in wonder as the Hollywood Tower Hotel is transformed nightly by holiday projections, alternating with the Beacon of Magic.
• Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine: Don’t miss Minnie’s merry mealtime at this popular restaurant. Reservations are strongly recommended.
• Santa Claus Motorcade: Catch the Santa Claus Merry Motorcade, where old St. Nick will travel up Hollywood Blvd. in his candy-apple red convertible, packed with a sack of presents.
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration: Look forward to an unforgettable holiday finale featuring everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf.
• Dazzling Holiday Decor: Discover seasonal style at every turn — including special holiday touches in Toy Story Land.

SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration (Select Dates, Nov. 11, 2022 – Jan. 3, 2023)

SeaWorld® Orlando’s award-winning Christmas Celebration returns with the sights, sounds and flavors of the holiday season. Included with theme park admission, the event transforms SeaWorld Orlando into a winter wonderland with more than 3 million sparkling lights. Enjoy all the family-friendly holiday entertainment, from the iconic Sea of Trees that dance to music as they light up the central lagoon, to delicious holiday treats. Experience fan-favorite holiday shows and seasonal entertainment throughout the park. And be sure to stay late to finish your evening with an impressive holiday firework show.

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Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort (Nov. 12, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023)

Anyone can “Ho-ho-ho” and “Fa-la-la” for the holidays. But if you want to scream, laugh and shout your jingle bells off, you’ve got to awesome up your season with Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort.

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Join the celebration of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ as Hogwarts™ castle lights up for the holidays and festive decor brightens up the streets of Hogsmeade™ and Diagon Alley™. Enjoy a hot Butterbeer™ while both the Frog Choir and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees put a holiday spin on their performances.

Larger-than-life balloons float through the streets of Universal Studios Florida in Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, along with appearances by the Minions from Illumination’s Despicable Me and some of your favorite characters from DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek and Madagascar films. Get together with the resident Whos in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, where you can enjoy the music and fun of The Grinchmas™ Who-liday Spectacular starring the Grinch™.

There are even more festivities in store around every corner of Universal Orlando Resort. You’ll find tasty holiday food and drinks, character encounters and more. And to top it all off, you’ll want to stay at one of Universal’s spectacular hotels, where you’ll find even more themed food, decorations and festivities.

From breathtaking hotels to Universal CityWalk to thrill-packed theme parks, it’s the biggest, loudest, awesomest celebration of the season. And it’s only at Universal Orlando Resort, with all festivities included with park admission.

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © &™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s22)

Prices, times, dates, entertainment, event and/or experience details are subject to changes and/or cancellation without notice. Dr. Seuss properties TM & © 2022 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade & Related Characters © 2022 Macy’s Inc. © 2022 DreamWorks Animation LLC. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2022 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

Holidays at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort (Select Dates, Nov. 25 – Dec. 31, 2022)

At LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, this jolly time of year features a giant LEGO® Christmas tree, unforgettable seasonal shows, holiday characters, special treats, LEGO activities, twinkling lights and more during Holidays at LEGOLAND! An extra special gift for you: This festive event is included in general admission!

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Our theme parks aren’t the only places where you can deck the halls when you visit Orlando this holiday season. See some of the other holly, jolly events taking place this year, including options for all ages, and check back for more as they get added.

Special Holiday Season Events

Dazzling Nights 2022 (Select Nights, Nov. 25, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023)

Produced by Creative City Project, Dazzling Nights is back for its third year — and this time, it will be bigger and even more interactive. The all-ages holiday event transforms the 50-acre Harry P. Leu Gardens into a stunning winter wonderland featuring a million dazzling lights, shining forests, magical displays, music and beautiful sculptures. New additions for 2022 include character meet-and-greets, a giant inflatable yeti playground, a snowstorm in a 40-foot snowglobe, a curated VIP experience, and more lights than ever. Leu Gardens is part of Orlando’s Audubon Park Garden District near downtown.

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Downtown for the Holidays 2022 (Dec. 2 – 23, 2022)

Experience the sights and sounds of the season when visiting Downtown for the Holidays. Throughout the entire month of December, downtown Orlando is offering free holiday events and decor including the beautifully illuminated Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree, faux snowfall, a holiday market, a free holiday movie, visits with Santa, and much more.

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Santa Photos at The Mall at Millenia (Nov. 12 – Dec. 24, 2022)

The magic of Santa Photos at The Mall at Millenia is back, inviting you to make your Santa dreams come true at The Mall at Millenia. Paid photo packages are available but are not required. Reservations are required. Paid photo packages are available, and a $10 donation is requested from guests who opt to take their own photos. The Mall at Millenia is minutes from International Drive.

Santa Workshop Experience at ICON Park® (Through Dec. 24, 2022)

At ICON Park® on International Drive, the Santa Workshop Experience is Christmas photo session like no other. This ticketed attraction includes free covered parking (plus free valet parking after 4 p.m.), unlimited cellphone and video use with your advance reservation, a free ride on The Wheel in a private holiday capsule, discounted admission to The Wheel for additional riders, and more.

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Night of a Million Lights at Island H2O Live! (Nov. 11, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023)

At Night of a Million Lights, immerse yourself in a dazzling winter wonderland illuminated with millions of lights and filled with festive family activities and live entertainment for a one-of-a-kind, fully interactive holiday experience. Originally hosted by and still benefiting Give Kids the World Village, the event is moving to Island H2O Live! at Margaritaville Resort Orlando for the first time in 2022.

70th Annual Winter Park Christmas Parade (Dec. 3, 2022)

Admission is free to the Winter Park Christmas Parade, which has been bringing Santa and Mrs. Claus to its upscale namesake city for more than 60 years. Not only is this Central Florida’s oldest continuous holiday parade, but it also provides a great opportunity to check out everything else Winter Park has to offer.

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Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience (Nov. 19, 2022 – Jan. 3, 2023)

Experience the holidays Crayola-style at Colorful Christmas, hosted by Crayola Experience at The Florida Mall®. Included with admission, it’s your chance to help Santa save the holiday season while enjoying snow-tastic adventures. You can also meet animatronic characters, step inside a life-sized snowglobe, watch a light show, craft unique gifts and more.

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Gatorland’s Holiday Ho-Ho-Ho Down (Saturdays & Sundays Through Dec. 18, 2022)

Gatorland’s Holiday Ho Ho Ho-Down features holiday displays, interactive characters, and the most Floridian holiday photo opportunity of the season with Gatorland’s own Gator Claus on his very unique sleigh, his merry elves, and the Krampus Croc along with other holiday characters. All the family-friendly holiday fun is included with admission to Gatorland.

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Oh, What Fun!® Holiday Festival (Dec. 7 – 24, 2022)

Held in Lake Nona close to Orlando International Airport, Oh, What Fun! is a magical, open-air winter wonderland with nightly snowfalls, live entertainment, classic Christmas tales with Santa and Mrs. Claus, fun photo ops, and memorable encounters designed to amaze and enchant. It will also kick off Hanukkah with a menorah blessing and lighting, music and fun for all.

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Now Snowing (Through Dec. 31, 2022)

Hosted by Celebration Town Center close to Walt Disney World, Now Snowing presents winter fun with horse drawn carriage rides, train rides for the kids, ice skating, carolers and of course, photos with Santa.

Jingle Eve (Nov. 19, 2022)

Kick off the holiday season with no shortage of yuletide festivities at Jingle Eve, taking place in Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village Main Street district near downtown. From beer gardens to live music, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, a children’s holiday village, and special event promotions by Ivanhoe Village retailers, restaurants and bars, the evening culminates with fireworks displayed high above the shores of Lake Ivanhoe. Jingle Eve is free and open to the public, with the exception of a premium “12 Wines of Christmas” walk.

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Christmas Nights in Lights (Nov. 11, 2022 – Jan. 3, 2023)

Hosted by Dezerland Park in the International Drive Entertainment District, Christmas Nights in Lights is a dazzling drive-thru light show fully synchronized to popular holiday classics tuned directly to your vehicle’s car stereo on a private radio frequency. Tour a showcase of holiday displays and more than 1.5 million “dancing” lights without exiting your car: simply sit back, relax and take in the spectacle of the synchronized light show.

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Holidays in Space at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (Dec. 17 – 24 & 26 – 31, 2022)

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Holidays in Space at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex features a Holiday Village full of galactic celebrations, live street performances, games, and plenty of holiday decor, all included with admission. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is on Florida’s east coast, about an hour from Orlando.

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Magic of Lights at Daytona International Speedway (Nov. 18, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023)

This holiday season, Daytona International Speedway will transform into a winter wonderland during the Magic of Lights. Featuring more than 1 million lights, the holiday drive-thru tradition takes place in Daytona Beach on Florida’s east coast.

Holiday Season Concerts & Stage Productions

True North: A Magical New Holiday Musical (Nov. 19 – 22, 2022)

True North: A Magical New Holiday Musical is an insightful story about being authentic, accepting change and holding an unwavering hope in the magic of Christmas. The world premiere production is taking place at the Orlando Family Stage in Loch Haven Park just north of downtown, with book and lyrics by Holly Reed and music by Holly Reed and Kelvin Reed.

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A Christmas Carol (Select Dates, Nov. 30 – Dec. 24, 2022)

Back by popular demand, A Christmas Carol’s story of the ghosts of Christmas, Tiny Tim and Scrooge’s redemption graces the Margeson Theater again at Orlando Shakespeare Theater, aka Orlando Shakes, in Loch Haven Park north of downtown. Between gorgeous carols plus fresh hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies at intermission, it’s fun for the whole family.

Lindsey Stirling: Snow Waltz Tour (Nov. 30, 2022)

Just in time for the holidays, award-winning electronic violinist, dancer and artist Lindsey Stirling brings her Snow Waltz Tour to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando.

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Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve (Dec. 17, 2022)

Rock into the holiday season with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Amway Center in downtown Orlando, where they’ll present The Ghosts of Christmas Eve.

A Voctave Christmas (Dec. 20, 2022)

Taking place at the brand-new, acoustically remarkable Steinmetz Hall at downtown Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center, A Voctave Christmas is the holiday tour of the vocal ensemble, Voctave. Hailing from Central Florida, the group comprises 11 members who have appeared all over the world and appeared on countless recordings. They’ll be performing with Winter Park’s Bach Festival Orchestra as conducted by John V. Sinclair.

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All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 (Dec. 23 – 24, 2022)

Opera Orlando shares a message of camaraderie, hope and peace this holiday season as it remounts its acclaimed 2019 production of All is Calm: the Christmas Truce of 1914. You can witness it exclusively at Steinmetz Hall at downtown’s Dr. Phillips Center.

Jim Brickman: A Very Merry Christmas (Dec. 27, 2022)

Catch Jim Brickman’s A Very Merry Christmas at the Dr. Phillips Center in downtown Orlando. Brickman’s distinctive piano style and captivating live performances have revolutionized the popularity of instrumental music, making him a driving force behind modern American music.

A Drag Queen Christmas (Dec. 28, 2022)

For the eighth consecutive year, Murray & Peter present A Drag Queen Christmas at The Plaza Live, part of Orlando’s Milk District east of downtown, with top drag queens bringing holiday cheer to the stage.