Welcome to Orlando – where the holiday season transforms the city into a magical wonderland for all ages. This year, experience millions of twinkling lights, holidays in space, and a special meet-and-greet with Gator Claus! After the excitement, unwind at your favorite Orlando, Florida resort before diving into more festive fun. Orlando's 2023 holiday season promises unique experiences and lasting memories for everyone. Are you ready to make 2023 your most memorable year yet? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Official Gatorland Instagram (@gatorland_orlando) 1 | Gatorland's 4th Annual Holiday Ho Ho Ho-Down | Spend some time at the “Alligator Capital of the World” and enjoy weekend holiday festivities at Gatorland's Holiday Ho Ho Ho-Down. The event features holiday displays, interactive characters, and the most Floridian holiday photo op of the season. Meet Gator Claus on his very unique sleigh with his merry elves, or snap a picture with the Krampus Croc. Gatorland features awesome animal experiences, exhibits and shows across the 110-acre park. (Weekends now through Dec. 18) Where: 14501 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32837 | Who: (407) 855-5496 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nonahood News (@nonahoodnews) 2 | Oh, What Fun! Holiday Festival | Holiday magic awaits the whole family at Central Florida's favorite holiday festival, Oh, What Fun! Lake Nona. Watch as Lake Nona Town Center transforms into a winter wonderland, known as Peppermint Square, with a calendar full of celebrations and events. Stroll through Lake Nona's very own Holiday Market for some Christmas shopping, or explore the Evergreen Christmas Tree Trail. Arts, crafts, snowfall and more are all on the list during Oh, What Fun! (Now through Dec. 24) Where: 6877 Tavistock Lakes Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827 | Who: (407) 536-9666 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS Check Out These Related Articles 8 Great Places for Chicken Tenders Near Orlando 50 Exciting Things to Do While Visiting Orlando: Your Ultimate Guide The 13 Best Places to Jet Ski Near Orlando View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fantastic Attractions (@fantasticattractions) 3 | EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays | Experience holidays around the world during EPCOT's International Festival of the Holidays. The magic begins with the annual Candlelight Processional featuring the Voices of Liberty, a live orchestra, and celebrity narrators retelling the traditional Christmas story. Then surround yourself with seasonal sights, sounds and flavors as you enjoy themed Holiday Kitchens with scrumptious and merry libations, plus a Holiday Cookie Stroll. It's merry Christmas fun for all ages! (Now through Dec. 30) Where: 200 Epcot Center Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 | Who: (407) 939-5277 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gaylord Palms Resort (@gaylordpalms) 4 | ICE! At Gaylord Palms | ICE! Is back at Gaylord Palms. Don your signature blue parka and step into a wonderland carved by master artisans from Harbin, China, who chipped away at two million pounds of colorful ice over the course of several weeks to create these wondrous scenes. You'll see the story of 'A Charlie Brown Christmas!' in larger-than-life sculptures – and even plunge down slides made entirely of ice in this Gaylord Hotels original experience. (Now through Jan. 1) Where: 6000 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 32746 | Who: 407-586-0000 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by Samantha Rivera (@blvckxposure) 5 | Dazzling Nights 2023 | Experience Dazzling Nights at Harry P. Leu Gardens, where over a million lights and a snow dome bring the gardens to life. Walk through a forest with giant neon flowers and stroll the candy cane path. Meet and greet characters in an icy world. And there's a giant inflatable play area with a chimney slide for “kids” of all ages. All this, plus a laser light show with live singers, will immerse you in the wonder of the holidays. (Now through Jan. 1) Where: 1920 N Forest Ave, Orlando, FL 32803 | Who: 407-246-2620 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by Courtney in Wanderlust (@courtney_in_wanderlust) 6 | Holiday Nights | Holiday Nights is a light-scape of sparkle and mesmerizing dancing lights, where guests of all ages can create priceless holiday memories – all for a wonderful cause. Held at Island H2O Water Park, this year's event will feature interactive family activities including a children's zone, live entertainment, visits with Santa and unique photo op displays. The event benefits Give Kids the World Village, an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort that provides critically ill children and their families from around the world with magical week-long wish vacations at no cost. (Now through Jan. 1) Where: 3230 Inspiration Dr, Kissimmee, FL 34747 | Who: 407-910-1401 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by Experience Kissimmee, Florida (@experiencekissimmee) 7 | Christmas Nights in Lights | Get ready for an immersive drive-thru light show unlike any other presented during the holidays in Central Florida. Located at Dezerland Park on International Drive, the show is fully synchronized to popular holiday classics tuned directly to each vehicle's private car radio. The mile-long-plus drive takes guests through a showcase of holiday displays and more than 1.5 million “dancing” lights. (Now through Jan. 1) Where: 5250 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819 | Who: 800-405-9750 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by Universal Orlando Resort (@universalorlando) 8 | Universal Orlando Resort | Awesome up your holiday! There's lots in store for “kids” of all ages at Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventures this season. Seuss Landing is transformed for Grinchmas with seasonal decor, themed foods and “The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular.” Join the celebration with seasonal shows and decorations in both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. And don't miss Universal's Holiday Parade featuring appearances by Illumination's Minions and characters from DreamWorks Animation's Shrek and Madagascar films. (Now through Jan. 1) Where: 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819 | Who: 407-363-8000 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by SeaWorld Orlando (@seaworldorlando) 9 | SeaWorld Christmas Celebration | Gather the family and join your festive friends at SeaWorld this Christmas. See the park transformed into a winter wonderland sparkling with millions of beautiful lights. Live shows and entertainment run the gamut from “Sesame Street The Nutcracker” starring Elmo and Tango, to Rudolph's Christmas Town and Winter Wonderland on Ice. Enjoy the Sesame Street Christmas Parade featuring decorated floats and show-stopping performances. And don't miss the Sea of Trees located in SeaWorld's lagoon, where a glistening forest sparkles to music and lights up the water. (Select dates now through Jan. 3) Where: 7007 SeaWorld Dr, Orlando, FL 32821 | Who: 407-545-5550 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kennedy Space Center VC (@kennedyspacecenter) 10 | Kennedy Space Center “Holidays in Space” | Join this year's “Holidays in Space” featuring a brand-new projection mapping show – Starflake's Holiday Voyage – on the outside of Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, plus festive holiday décor, performances and more. The unique projection mapping show will take you on a breathtaking six-minute-long journey through the stars, earth and beyond. New holiday decor includes a 50-foot tree illuminating the Rocket Garden and Gateway, with over 61,000 pixels of light, six-foot-tall nutcrackers and more. (December 15-30) Where: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953 | Who: 855-433-4210 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by LEGOLAND Florida Resort (@legolandflorida) 11 | Holidays at LEGOLAND | Deck the halls at LEGOLAND Florida Resort for the jolliest event of the year. Visit the Holiday Village Postal Service where the kids can send their letters to LEGO Santa. Rock around the giant LEGO tree to holiday tunes, and take “elfies” with favorite holiday LEGO characters including LEGO Santa, LEGO Gingerbread, Holiday Unikitty and more. Dazzling holiday shows and traditional treats keep the fun going all season long. (Select dates Nov. 24 through Dec. 31) Where: One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884 | Who: 888-690-5346 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by ★ALEX PISTORIO / AL & LO BLOG★ (@alex_pistorio) 12 | Summer Bay Orlando By Exploria Resorts | Orlando vacations can be exhausting with so many great attractions, but you don't have to spend all of your time out and about. Instead, take a break and devote a couple of days to chilling at Summer Bay. This 400-acre playground offers an amazing array of activities. Stroll the resort's white sand beach and take a dip in one of the seven refreshing pools. Splash in the interactive kid's water playground, Parrot's Landing. When you're ready for more, join the fun on the pool decks where you'll find entertainment, pool games, and lots of water. Plus, there's a boatload of adventure waiting at Buccaneer Bay. Where: 126-200 Summer Bay Blvd, Clermont, FL 34714 | Who: 352-242-1100 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS Use this Trusty Map During Your Orlando Holiday Adventure! Deck the halls with fun and merriment when you get away to Orlando this Holiday Season! And make your vacation extra special with these festive holiday events. Book Your Exploria Resorts Stay Today For more information about Summer Bay Orlando by Exploria Resorts, or any of our luxurious vacation resorts, visit our website at exporiaresorts.com. And check out our limited time offers for ideas about how you can save on your next vacation with Exploria Resorts! * Exploria Resorts is in no way affiliated with the attractions featured in this article. Items or places listed are current as of the publishing date of this article. Please call or visit the respective website for the most up-to-date offerings and details.
