Celebrating Holiday Season in Orlando

If sunshine, and mildly warm temperatures (namely 70 degrees Fahrenheit) are appealing to you, then spending Christmas in Orlando, Florida is the ideal winter furlough.

This blog post is a complete guide to all the select vacation activities that are worth considering in the heart of Orlando, Central Florida, this year. A wide spectrum of available pastime allows one to choose from things to do on a shoestring budget to a lavish outing.

1. Santa’s Tree Farm

This is probably of the coolest things you could do in Orlando. Tree shopping has never been more fun. They also offer other activities for families which are fun, but Santa’s Tree Farm is famed for letting you choose your own tree.

And if you should choose to do so, you can cut down you own tree to take home. While precut trees are available for less, where is the fun in that? Entry fees are 2 DOLLARS per person with additional charges for other activities.

2. Lake Nona

A neoteric addition of the already padded holiday spots in Orlando is the Oh, What Fun in Lake Nona. The concept is simple, you show up on a Friday, watch holiday movies, take pictures with their onsite Santa, and a have great night out, all for free.

However, it is worth noting there are food, drinks, live entertainment, ice skating, and a professional photographer availed by purchasing the services, hence it is a good idea to bring a bit of cash with oneself. On top of that, they have mailboxes where you can drop a line to the North Pole. All in all, a great way to spend a night.

3. City Of Orlando Tree Lighting Celebration & Light Show

For those who are a little weary about the contents of their wallet but still have the spirit of a tourist, the tree lighting celebration and light show is the perfect reprieve. A massive tree is engulfed with a vast array of lights and décor, surrounded by live musical performances, and great food from local food trucks.

Merchants set up shop, offering all kinds of trinkets and merchandize. This is the perfect way to learn about the local culture and heritage from this bustling city.

If one does get overwhelmed by the crowd, lights, noise, and celebration, a short walk round will land on around Lake Eola. The landscape along the river is littered with other Christmas decorations, and the walk along the river is simply majestic to behold. 

4. Downtown Orlando Christmas Parade Presented By The Rotary Club Of Orlando

The annual Christmas Parade organized by the rotary club is free for all and loads of fun!The program route starts off at Robinson Street and makes its way through the heart of the city and comes back to the starting point. It is a great display of unity and all-round fun activity for everyone involved. One gets to socialize with the locals, learn about their culture, and experiences while also getting to see the city.

5. Snow In The Park In Winter Park

If you are traveling with family consisting of young children, or even if you are an adult looking to rediscover your fun side, this is the perfect destination for you. While the entry is free, the activities, which include ice slides, live carolers, toy train rides, snow flurries, and a toy maker’s workshop do postulate a charge. To top all of it off, they have their own Santa, which is a popular attraction for children. Nothing is more Christmassy than hours spent playing in the snow.

6. Light Up Windermere On Main Street

For those who enjoy the allure of dining outdoors, this is the perfect event to attend. The Light Up Windermere event offers a vast assortment of food trucks, which provides the finest of the local dishes, is the epitome of outdoors dining. Thousands of white lights, and choirs from local groups provide the ideal ambience for a fine night of food with your loved ones. 

7. Springs

If you enjoy fireworks, this is the perfect setting for you. The City of Altamonte Springs, at the annual Light up the Holidays events at Cranes Roost Park, is one of the few events in Orlando that offer fireworks. Though the firecrackers are the main attraction, it is not the only one, hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights adorn the location, along with a humongous 60 feet Christmas tree. Other entertainments include live music, games for children, Mr. and Mrs. Claus. This is the opportunity for a family bonding outing.

8. Christmas In Christmas, Florida

The aptly named Christmas, is a town just outside Orlando, easily accessible by the numerous luxurious transportation services in Orlando, fl. The name has gained this town notoriety and they embrace that. Tons of people travel to Christmas, during the holiday seasons, to get their letter stamped by Christmas. Perhaps, though, their main attraction is Swampy, the alligator. In this small town, resides the world’s largest alligator. This is more likely than not, you have seen pictures of this alligator on the internet, however, do not miss the chance to see this magnificent beast in person.

9. Oviedo Chamber Holiday Parade & Snow Mountain

The Snow Mountain event, as its name suggest, is all the to do with a daunting amount of snow. One could go sledding, try to navigate through snow mazes, take a trip on the holiday train, or bounce themselves silly on the bouncy houses. This is a just a selection of activities they offer. This event truly features the joy of Christmas and snow. If you book your entry in advance, then it is 20 DOLLARS whereas an on-spot entry at the gate is set one back 25 DOLLARS.

Great news for parade lovers visiting Orlando because it has more than one to offer. The Oviedo Chamber Holiday Parade is an amazing event. Being part of the actual parade is free however there is a tariff to enter the main event, The Snow Mountain.

10. Festival Of Trees At Orlando Museum Of Art

The Festival of Trees celebrates all that is plants. Organized by the Orlando Museum of Art, it is an essentially a night where trees are decorated with Christmas trinkets, and lights, adorning them in all their majesty. There is music, family-oriented entertainment, designer trees, hand wreaths, a gingerbread village to name a few. Prices are set at 15 DOLLARS for adults and 7 DOLLARS for children, with discounts for the elderly and military personnel.

11. Light Up Ucf

University of Central Florida is the largest campus in Orlando, as such, it has the largest outdoor skating rink. During Light Up UCF, it offers a free of charge lights show with two hundred thousand different lights, which illuminate it. On the house Holiday Film Festival on Fridays and Saturdays are great for families spending time together.

Other activities include a Ferris wheel, the Light Up Express, an ice slide, winter whirl among many more. Prices for the activities fluctuate between 2 DOLLARS to 12 DOLLARS, although, it is worth noting there is a discount of UCF students, military personnel, and groups.

12. Nutcracker Ballet By The Russian Ballet Of Orlando

The annual performance of The Nutcracker at the Walt Disney Amphitheater by the Russian Academy of Ballet is a must visit for those who enjoy performances. The event is free, and as such, one must arrive with ample time left to even get a chance to get one of the limited seats. The wait, though, shall be worth it as you become mesmerized by the performing troupe, which makes the night worth with.