Can you believe that we’re almost at the end of 2019? The holidays are vastly approaching and holiday events in Orlando are popping up at every corner. It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year, to travel of course.
We took the liberty of narrowing down the BEST holiday events in Orlando for 2019, so if you’re planning your vacation as we speak, keep reading along for your next go-to attraction!
Theme Parks
You didn’t think we’d skip our area theme parks, did you? With
Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld, and more all in Central Florida, there’s an ENDLESS list of events that have the sleigh bells ringing and the jingle bells jamming. From Christmas to Haunnakuh, there’s something for everyone to get into the holiday spirit.
Walt Disney World® Resort
The most iconic of them all, the
Magic Kingdom® Park is hosting its annual
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! On select nights from November 8 to December 22, 2019, experience a holly jolly Christmas dazzled with thousands of Christmas lights, a festive holiday parade, a fireworks display that fills the night sky with cheer, and the list goes on. Collect your cup of hot cocoa and stroll down the picturesque
Main Street U.S.A. and experience a magical Christmas like no other.
Lucky for all of us,
Epcot® seems to have exciting events year-around! If you’re planning on traveling to Orlando within the next month, you can experience the 2019
Epcot® International Festival of the Holidays. At select times nightly from November 29 through December 30, enjoy special kiosks situated around the
World Showcase while admiring the lights that decorate the countries and the twinkling Christmas tree.
Learn of the biblical tale of a savior born in Bethlehem from a celebrity narrator as they are accompanied by a choir and a 50-piece orchestra. The spirit of Christmas comes alive on stage through the
Candlelight Processional at the world showcase at this yearly
Epcot® tradition.
Universal Orlando Resort
Get ready for the merriest time of the year with
Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s! Don’t be saddened if you cannot make it to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC, because Universal Studios Florida is here to share it with you all season long. On select days from November 19 and December 30, gaze at the merry and mayhem as Minions join the infamous Santa Claus and other popular characters as they float down the streets of the park.
If you’re more of a “witchcraft and wizardry” kind of human, celebrate the holidays as
London and Diagon Alley get dressed in festive décor and deliver seasonal treats that embrace the spirit of Christmas.
The Grinch, Harry Potter, whichever appeals to you most, you’re sure to find it here for the holidays! At the
Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, travel through Seuss Landing as it dazzles the walkways with Christmas charm, and maybe even meet the Grinch himself for the most “grumpy” Christmas photo and autograph of the season (we mean this in the best way, we promise).
Keep walking toward the back of the park to find yourself surrounded by
Christmas galore inside of Hogsmeade. As the sun goes down and the stars are high in the sky, keep looking up at the Hogwarts Castle as you’re in for quite the presentation. Revel in the dazzling projection of holiday magic during The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle. It’s definitely one of the merriest shows around.
SeaWorld Orlando
Travel through over 3 MILLION lights, experience six sensational shows, and more at
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. From November 23 through December 31, see the park transformed into a wonderland like no other as holiday cheer lights the way. Meet Santa Claus and other festive characters and join your friends at Sesame Place for a magical, ALL-NEW Sesame Street Holiday Parade. There’s so much to do with so little time, so make every winter wonderland moment count at SeaWorld.
Busch Gardens
Yes, we know we said Orlando events, but we HAD to throw in Tampa for a second! Every night from November 16 through January 6, experience the magical
Busch Gardens Christmas Town, voted USA Today’s “10 Best Theme Park Holiday Event”. This yearly wonderland features a Christmas Town Village with Yuletide carols, delightful shows with twinkling lights, and exciting meet & greets with some of your favorite holiday characters. Closing times may vary, so be sure to check out the website for all event times!
Around Orlando
If you’re looking for something other than a day at the parks, there’s plenty around Orlando to enjoy! Despite maintaining a warmer climate, Orlando is a prime place to be to celebrate the holiday season, both budget-friendly and free.
Now Snowing
There’s always a magical aura inside the town of Celebration, and during the holidays, the magic truly comes to life. From November 30 through December 31 and just minutes from
Walt Disney World® Resort,
Now Snowing features hourly presentations of faux snow, holly jolly train and carriage rides, plenty of entertainment, and special photo-ops with both Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Don’t forget your ice-skating techniques because you’ll need them here on the synthetic rink. $10 for 30 minutes is one of the few things you’ll have to spend any money on at this event, and skates are also included!
On Saturday, December 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., join The Grove for its free Winter Wonderland celebration full of festive train rides, stilt walkers, face painting from Santa’s little helpers, and REAL snow! It’s a perfect way to experience the cheer of the holidays without breaking a budget!
We love free! Free parking AND free admission welcome you to travel through an endless sight of festive Disney-inspired holiday trees. This location is wonderful for family photos and decorating ideas for your own tree at home.
Be absolutely wowed inside of Gaylord Palms as you travel through a maze of glistening ice sculptures themed by the beloved classic holiday movie, The Polar Express. Make sure you have your coat and mittens in handy because this chilly experience is one you’ll want to spend PLENTY of time in. Tickets start at $14.99 per child and $28.99 per adult!
With all of the holiday activities around Orlando, you’re bound to have a holly jolly getaway with the entire family! Make sure you have all the accommodations ready for your vacation
by booking your Magical Vacation Home and get ready for the greatest, merriest, most magical holiday season yet.
Until next time, happy holidays, and have a magical day!
If you’re more of a “witchcraft and wizardry” kind of human, celebrate the holidays as London and Diagon Alley get dressed in festive décor and deliver seasonal treats that embrace the spirit of Christmas.
Keep walking toward the back of the park to find yourself surrounded by Christmas galore inside of Hogsmeade. As the sun goes down and the stars are high in the sky, keep looking up at the Hogwarts Castle as you’re in for quite the presentation. Revel in the dazzling projection of holiday magic during The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle. It’s definitely one of the merriest shows around.
