Christmas Lights & Holiday Events near me in Orlando, FL

Looking for Christmas lights in Orlando? Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens is a walk-through light trail, the Lake Eola tree puts on a free light-and-music show every evening after the City of Orlando's tree lighting, and SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration adds millions of lights and nightly fireworks.

14 picks · Updated October 2026

1
Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens

Event in Audubon Park, Orlando, $$
A 3/4-mile walk-through light trail in Harry P. Leu Gardens with themed light worlds, the Poinsettia Promenade tunnel, falling snow and a 50-foot snowman. Tickets are timed, prices vary by night and kids 3 and under get in free.
- Christmas
- Holiday lights
- Ticketed
- Outdoor
Website for Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens (opens in a new tab)Directions to Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens (opens maps)
2
City of Orlando Tree Lighting Celebration

Event in Downtown, Orlando
The city lights a 64-foot tree at Lake Eola in early December with a stage show, holiday market and Santa. After that, the tree and fountain run a synchronized light show hourly from 5:45 to 9:45pm through Jan 6.
- Christmas
- Holiday lights
- Outdoor
- Family
Website for City of Orlando Tree Lighting Celebration (opens in a new tab)Directions to City of Orlando Tree Lighting Celebration (opens maps)
3
Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld Orlando

Event in International Drive, Orlando, $$$
Millions of lights, a Sea of Trees, snow flurries, an ice-skating show and nightly fireworks over the lagoon, all included with regular park admission on select dates.
- Christmas
- Holiday lights
- Theme park
- Ticketed
Website for Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld Orlando (opens in a new tab)Directions to Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld Orlando (opens maps)
4
Dinos In Lights

Event in Loch Haven Park, Orlando, $$
A short light-and-music show starring the Orlando Science Center's T. rex skeleton, running every 30 minutes from 11am to 3:30pm. It is included with general admission, so it is the daytime lights pick for young kids.
- Christmas
- Holiday lights
- Ticketed
- Kids
Website for Dinos In Lights (opens in a new tab)Directions to Dinos In Lights (opens maps)
5
Christmas in the Park (Winter Park)

Event in Park Avenue, Winter Park
For one evening in early December, the Morse Museum lights Tiffany stained-glass windows in Winter Park's Central Park while the Bach Festival Choir and Brass Ensemble perform.
- Christmas
- Outdoor
- Family
- Local favorite
Website for Christmas in the Park (Winter Park) (opens in a new tab)Directions to Christmas in the Park (Winter Park) (opens maps)
6
Holidays at Universal Orlando

Event in Universal, Orlando, $$$
Universal's holiday season brings a giant-balloon parade presented with Macy's, Christmas decor in Diagon Alley and Celestina Warbeck holiday shows. Regular park admission is needed.
- Christmas
- Theme park
- Ticketed
- Parade
Website for Holidays at Universal Orlando (opens in a new tab)Directions to Holidays at Universal Orlando (opens maps)
7
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Event in Lake Buena Vista, $$$$
A separately ticketed night at Magic Kingdom with a Christmas parade, holiday fireworks and falling snow on Main Street. Cookies and seasonal drinks are handed out at no extra charge.
- Christmas
- Theme park
- Ticketed
- Kids
Website for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (opens in a new tab)Directions to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (opens maps)
8
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

Event in Lake Buena Vista, $$$
EPCOT's World Showcase adds holiday food kiosks, storytellers from each country and nightly Candlelight Processional performances with a guest narrator, included with park admission.
- Christmas
- Festival
- Theme park
- Ticketed
Website for EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (opens in a new tab)Directions to EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (opens maps)
9
Disney Jollywood Nights

Event in Lake Buena Vista, $$$$
A separately ticketed evening at Hollywood Studios with a Hollywood-glamour theme, 20-plus character experiences and the Glisten! skating show. No day ticket is needed.
- Christmas
- Theme park
- Ticketed
- Nightlife
Website for Disney Jollywood Nights (opens in a new tab)Directions to Disney Jollywood Nights (opens maps)
10
Winter on the Avenue

Event in Park Avenue, Winter Park
Winter Park's free holiday kickoff lights the tree and menorah on Park Avenue, then adds snow slides, s'mores and an outdoor movie in Central Park. Santa arrives by fire truck.
- Christmas
- Free
- Outdoor
- Family
Website for Winter on the Avenue (opens in a new tab)Directions to Winter on the Avenue (opens maps)
11
Festival of Trees

Event in Loch Haven Park, Orlando, $$
More than 50 designer-decorated Christmas trees and gingerbread creations fill the Orlando Museum of Art in mid-November, with a holiday boutique, Santa photos and Breakfast with Santa.
- Christmas
- Festival
- Ticketed
- Family
Call Festival of Trees Website for Festival of Trees (opens in a new tab)Directions to Festival of Trees (opens maps)
12
Winter Park Christmas Parade

Event in Park Avenue, Winter Park
A morning parade on Park Avenue on the first Saturday of December, billed as Central Florida's oldest continuous holiday parade, with 80-plus groups and Santa at the end.
- Christmas
- Parade
- Outdoor
- Family
Website for Winter Park Christmas Parade (opens in a new tab)Directions to Winter Park Christmas Parade (opens maps)
13
Gatorland's Holiday Ho, Ho, Ho-Down

Event in Orlando, $$
A quirky Florida-style holiday party on December weekends with photos with Gator Claus, a Krampus Croc and holiday songs, included with regular Gatorland admission.
- Christmas
- Ticketed
- Kids
- Family
Website for Gatorland's Holiday Ho, Ho, Ho-Down (opens in a new tab)Directions to Gatorland's Holiday Ho, Ho, Ho-Down (opens maps)
14
A Christmas Carol at Orlando Shakes

Event in Loch Haven Park, Orlando, $$
Orlando Shakes stages Dickens' A Christmas Carol from Thanksgiving week through Christmas Eve, a classic holiday theatre outing for families.
- Christmas
- Ticketed
- Family
- Date idea
Website for A Christmas Carol at Orlando Shakes (opens in a new tab)Directions to A Christmas Carol at Orlando Shakes (opens maps)

Where to see Christmas lights in Orlando

For a dedicated light display, Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens is the main walk-through trail, open nightly from late November into early January. The Lake Eola tree downtown is free to see, with hourly light-and-music shows each evening after the city's tree lighting in early December. SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration covers the park in millions of lights and ends nights with fireworks, and it is included with regular admission. Dinos In Lights at the Orlando Science Center runs during the day, which helps with toddlers who go to bed early. Winter Park's Christmas in the Park lights up Tiffany windows for a single evening.

Theme park holiday events

Each resort celebrates differently. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios need their own tickets, while EPCOT's Festival of the Holidays, SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration and Holidays at Universal are part of regular park admission. Mickey's party is the classic pick for young kids, with a parade, fireworks and free cookies. EPCOT suits adults who want holiday food and the Candlelight Processional. Universal's Macy's balloon parade and Christmas in Diagon Alley appeal to Harry Potter fans. These events run on select dates, so check each park's calendar.

Free holiday traditions and planning tips

Several of the best holiday outings cost nothing. Winter on the Avenue, the Winter Park Christmas Parade and Christmas in the Park are free, and so is the nightly Lake Eola tree show. Arrive early for the parade and the tree lighting to find a spot, and bring chairs or a blanket. Pets are not allowed in Central Park during Winter on the Avenue. For ticketed events like Dazzling Nights, Festival of Trees and A Christmas Carol, book ahead for weekends. Dates change every year, so check each official page for this year's schedule before you go.

About this list

Every place here is a locally run business in Orange County with its own website, which we checked for hours, menus and contact details. We leave national chains off our best-of lists and favor places with a clear specialty.

This page covers 14 Christmas lights and holiday events in Orlando. You'll find them in Loch Haven Park, Park Avenue, Audubon Park and Downtown, spread across Orlando, Winter Park and Lake Buena Vista.

Where menus list prices, most of these sit in the $$ range, with a handful at $$$.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see Christmas lights in Orlando?

Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens is a walk-through holiday light trail, and the Lake Eola tree downtown runs a nightly light-and-music show after the City of Orlando's tree lighting. SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration adds millions of lights, and Dinos In Lights at the Orlando Science Center is a daytime light show for kids.

Are there free Christmas lights in Orlando?

Yes. The Lake Eola Christmas tree downtown runs a free synchronized light show hourly from 5:45 to 9:45pm through Jan 6 after the city's tree lighting. Winter Park's Winter on the Avenue and Christmas in the Park, where lit Tiffany windows are displayed in Central Park, are also free.

When is the Orlando tree lighting at Lake Eola?

The City of Orlando Tree Lighting Celebration is held in early December. After the ceremony, the tree runs a nightly light-and-music show into early January. Check the city's official page for this year's date.

Is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party worth it?

It is the Disney holiday event most focused on young families, with a Christmas parade, holiday fireworks, snowfall on Main Street and free cookies and drinks. It needs a separate ticket and runs on select nights in November and December, so check Disney's calendar.

Is there a Christmas parade in Winter Park?

Yes. The Winter Park Christmas Parade travels down Park Avenue on the first Saturday of December from 9 to 10:30am. It is billed as Central Florida's oldest continuous holiday parade and ends with Santa.