The most wonderful time of the year is right around the corner and the festivities are already well and truly underway in Orlando, Florida!
Whether you’re a local or simply visiting for the festive season, Christmas in Orlando is an incredibly magical experience with endless offerings for you and your family to enjoy. Though it may still feel like summer outside, here are a few ways to immerse yourself in Orlando’s winter magic this holiday season!
1. Give Kids The World’s Night of a Million Lights (Nov 12 – January 1)
A light show like no other! With this year’s Night of a Million Lights event set to move to an all-new location, guests will get the chance to see Island H20 Water Park bedazzled with, you guessed it, millions of lights! This stunning Christmastime display is the perfect way to get in the festive spirit and since the event is a fundraiser organized by Give Kids The World, proceeds go directly to this incredible charity that provides vacations for critically ill children and their loved ones.
2. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (November 8 – December 22)
One of Orlando’s most popular Christmas celebrations, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and is a separately ticketed event for guests looking to celebrate the holiday season with Mickey and his friends. The event features a whole host of exclusively merry entertainment offerings, including the much loved Once Upon a Christmastime parade, plus the opportunity to meet your favorite characters in their finest festive get-ups. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is also unique in the fact that the cost of your admission includes cookies and hot drinks for you to enjoy all night long!
3. Experience Some Disney Magic Outside the Parks (Various)
Aside from their Very Merry event, the festive feels can well and truly be felt all across Walt Disney World property, with a number of wintery experiences on offer that won’t cost you an extra penny. Guests can head to the Grand Floridian Resort to gander at their gigantic Gingerbread House, which has become a popular yule-tide tradition for many while visiting Walt Disney World. Then hop over to Disney Springs and take a wander through their Christmas Tree Trail to see a number of intricately themed trees on display!
4. ICE! At Gaylord Palms Resort (November 18 – January 1)
ICE! is a winter wonderland of stunning ice sculptures that bring your favorite Christmas-inspired stories to life right before your eyes. This year’s event will retell the classic Dr Seuss story, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, as Who-Ville will be reimagined using more than two million pounds of colorful ice. This frosty fun-for-all-the-family event also features ice chutes for the kiddos to slip-and-slide along, with parkas provided on the door to keep you and your party warm as you explore all that this exciting event has to offer.
5. Universal Studios Holiday Offerings (November 12 – January 1)
Universal Studios’ holiday celebrations take place during regular park hours and are the perfect way to spread some festive cheer without paying more on top of your park ticket. The spectacular Holiday Parade features a fantastic showcase of massive balloons that are inspired by fan-favorite Dreamworks and Illuminations characters. While across the way over in Islands of Adventure, The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular starring The Grinch is a firm fan-favorite where guests can learn the story of The Grinch as it’s brought to life on stage. Just like at Walt Disney World, the magic can be felt in various ways all across Universal property, so you’ll be sure to have a jolly holiday indeed.
What’s your favorite way to spend Christmastime in Orlando? Which of these events would you most like to try? Let us know by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.
