Here at Gotta Go Orlando we've brought together all the amazing Christmas and Holiday Season Events taking place in Orlando's theme parks this November and December.
Theme Park Holiday Season Events
The Holidays At Magic Kingdom
November 11 - December 31, 2023
Get wrapped up in all things merry and bright, with sensational sights and holiday delights. The Magic Kingdom, truly is extra magical during the holidays, with beautiful decor, festive entertainment, and extra jolly eats and treats.
Highlights this holiday season includes:
NEW! Frozen Holiday Surprise – Gather ‘round Cinderella Castle for a dazzling new experience that will illuminate the castle like never before—featuring Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and the Snowgies!
Seasonal Décor – Discover oh-so-jolly holiday trimmings and touches along Main Street, U.S.A. and throughout the park.
Jingle Cruise – During the holiday season, the beloved Jungle Cruise undergoes a yuletide transformation. It’s a festive-yet-familiar adventure from stem to stern!
Meet Santa - During the Holiday Week and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party you can meet Santa at the Liberty Square Gazebo.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Select Nights, November 9 - December 22, 2023
One of Walt Disney World's favorite holiday tradition, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is returning to Magic Kingdom Park this year.
On 25 select nights, Nov. 9 - Dec. 22, this separately ticketed event will welcome guests to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Magic Kingdom.
Holiday magic is unwrapped with the return of festive favorites like the Christmas extravaganza stage show, “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration,” the sparkling spectacular “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks” and the merry must-see “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.”
Guests can also look forward to enjoying some of their favorite classic and thrill attractions, including TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise, which will use a virtual queue* during the event.
The Holidays At EPCOT
November 24 through December 30, 2023
Embrace holiday traditions from around the world and delight in the telling of the Christmas story.
Highlights include:
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth – Be immersed in the wondrous sights, sounds and flavors of the season from November 24 through December 30, 2023! Savor treasured recipes from around the globe at Holiday Kitchens. And embark on a journey with Holiday Storytellers sharing holiday traditions from around the world.
Candlelight Processional – Hear the stirring story of Christmas presented by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by an orchestra and massed choir.
More Holiday Entertainment – Watch as Holiday Storytellers bring beloved traditions such as Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Lunar New Year and more to life! Witness stories told through music and dance, with performers in traditional costumes—November 24 to December 30, 2023.
The Holidays At Disney’s Hollywood Studios
November 11 - December 31, 2023
Embark on yuletide adventures in a park full of entertainment and thrills.
Decor at Hollywood Studios includes SANTA GERTIE! There are also oversized Christmas ornaments in Echo Lake, as well as a giant Christmas tree, and other decor.
You will also discover vintage inspired decor on Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards, with snow falling along Sunset Boulevard.
Highlights include:
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration – Enjoy an unforgettable holiday finale featuring everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf.
Minnie's Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine – See Minnie Mouse and her pals during an oh-so-merry meal. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Toy Story Land Characters in Holiday Attire – See some Pixar pals decked out for the season.
Disney Jollywood Nights
November 11 - December 20, 2023
Disney Jollywood Nights is a new, separately ticketed event taking place at Disney's Hollywood Studios, from 8:30 pm - 12:30 am on 10 select nights November 11 - December 20, 2023.
Get ready to dress in your holiday glam best or festive flair, dance the night away to merry mashups, indulge in divine treats and bubbling spirits, and snap selfies with iconic characters during this new festive event.
For an extra dose of cheer, the party wraps with the return of the nighttime spectacular, “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!”
Holidays At Disney Springs
November 11 - December 30, 2023
Enjoy a host of holiday-themed activities and savor the comforting flavors of the season while shopping for the perfect gifts for everyone on your list!
Highlights Include:
Meet Santa and enjoy festive holiday tunes with live musical performances and DJs. Plus, encounter Toy Soldier Stilt Walkers and Snowflake Skaters.
Discover Christmas around every corner, as you come across a collection of elaborately decorated Disney Christmas trees throughout the neighborhoods of Disney Springs.
Flurries are in the forecast for Disney Springs Town Center. In the evenings, delight in a magical snowfall, adding an extra touch of wonder to your holiday shopping.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration
Select Dates, November 10 - December 31, 2023
SeaWorld Orlando’s award-winning Christmas Celebration returns with the sights, sounds and flavors of the holiday season.
Included with theme park admission, the event transforms SeaWorld Orlando into a winter wonderland with more than 3 million sparkling lights.
The main feature of the magical festival is the Sea of Trees – a guest favorite. The wintery, watery wonderland is back immersing guests in a sea of twinkling holiday trees that sparkle to music as they light up the water. Dazzling images come to life on more than 100 trees, including a giant glistening centerpiece that towers 70 feet above the water.
During the celebration, guests will also be able to indulge in delicious ALL-NEW holiday treats, experience fabulous holiday shows and entertainment, and enjoy outdoor ice skating at Bayside Stadium!
ALL-NEW Magical Holiday Shows & Entertainment
There are even more ways for families to get into the holiday spirit this year at SeaWorld Orlando. Step into the enchanting world of "Mrs. Claus’ Magic Kitchen," an ALL-NEW delightful live show that promises to add a dash of laughter and a sprinkle of sweetness to your festive celebrations.
In this jolly good time, Mrs. Claus, the beloved matriarch of the North Pole, takes center stage as she trades in her cozy Christmas sweater for a chef's apron, inviting guests on a whimsical culinary journey. Get ready for an entertaining blend of holiday magic and culinary chaos as Mrs. Claus attempts to master the art of social media while whipping up her famous Christmas cookie recipes.
New this year, in the heart of Wild Arctic Plaza is the Christmas Market! Guests will discover a winter wonderland brimming with delectable culinary delights, unique merchandise, and the festive melodies of live music. It’s the perfect place to shop, savor, and celebrate the holiday spirit.
Returning this year is the fan favorite “Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale,” to end each night of the Christmas Celebration. This firework spectacular features dazzling lights choreographed to joyous holiday musical favorites. Guests can also immerse themselves in the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Rudolph’s Christmas Town. Stroll past life-size story book vignettes featuring the classic tale and meet beloved characters including Rudolph, Bumble and Santa for photo opportunities. Guests can also dine with Santa throughout the Christmas Celebration for an additional cost.
The magical holiday fun continues in Sesame Street Land with the return of the popular Sesame Street Christmas Parade, where guests can see all their favorite Sesame Street characters getting into the holiday spirit.
For an additional cost, families who come to the park on Saturday mornings can have breakfast with their friends from Sesame Street. Elmo's Christmas Wish is also back this year on event mornings at Seaport Theater. Visitors can join Cookie Monster, Grover, Zoe and Rosita as they work together to help Elmo find his Christmas wish!
SeaWorld Orlando is now home to the only outdoor ice rink in Central Florida where guests can lace up and hit the ice. During the day, park guests will have the opportunity to ice skate at Bayside Stadium.
Once night falls, they can sit back and relax as the pros show off what they got with “Winter Wonderland on Ice”. Christmas comes to life on a stage of ice, jewels, and lights as skaters dazzle and delight in this show-stopping, ice skating extravaganza. A sea of sparkling trees and towering fountains dancing in the background come together to create an experience the entire family will not want to miss
Holidays At Universal Orlando Resort
November 17 - December 31
Anyone can “Ho-ho-ho” and “Fa-la-la” for the holidays. But if you want to scream, laugh and shout your jingle bells off, you’ve got to awesome up your season with Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort.
Join the celebration of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as Hogwarts castle lights up for the holidays and festive decor brightens up the streets of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.
Enjoy a hot Butterbeer while both the Frog Choir and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees put a holiday spin on their performances.
Larger-than-life balloons float through the streets of Universal Studios Florida in Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, along with appearances by the Minions from Illumination’s Despicable Me and some of your favorite characters from DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek and Madagascar films.
Get together with the resident Whos in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, where you can enjoy the music and fun of The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular starring the Grinch.
Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, Part of Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort
There are even more festivities in store around every corner of Universal Orlando Resort.
You’ll find tasty holiday food and drinks, character encounters and more. And to top it all off, you’ll want to stay at one of Universal’s spectacular hotels, where you’ll find even more themed food, decorations and festivities.
From breathtaking hotels to Universal CityWalk to thrill-packed theme parks, it’s the biggest, loudest, awesomest celebration of the season.
And it’s only at Universal Orlando Resort, with all festivities included with park admission.
Christmas Town At Busch Gardens Tampa
November 13, 2023 to January 4, 2024
It’s that time of the year for thrills and holiday cheer at Busch Gardens Christmas Town, the biggest and brightest holiday celebration in the Tampa Bay area. From Nov. 11 through Jan. 7, the park transforms into a bright winter wonderland of seasonal entertainment, unique and up-close encounters with animals, culinary masterpieces as well as attractions such as Serengeti Flyer and the award-winning hybrid coaster, Iron Gwazi.
Iconic and beloved entertainment options will take over the entire park and will be available through the 58 consecutive days of the event, all included with regular park admission.
All new this year, guests can celebrate the season with new light displays that will take over the Jungala area, extending all the way though Pantopia featuring a light-up walkthrough dragon. Located in the Bird Gardens area of the park, guests are sure to step into wonder through a marvelous light tunnel, presented by Coca-Cola and composed of thousands of glimmering LED lights seamlessly synchronized to a symphony of holiday tunes. Also, a brand-new 40-foot pixelated tree will deck the halls at Cheetah Plaza.
Celebrating the holidays for more than a decade, Christmas Town returns with some of the fan-favorites that guests hold near and dear such as Santa’s North Pole Experience, presented by Coca-Cola, a unique experience where jolly elves interact with guests as they guide them to see Santa in his workshop.
Also returning is Storytime with Mrs. Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Friends at Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland, where guests get to meet and greet the most famous reindeer of all.
Other returning entertainment options are:
“Christmas on Ice” – Back by popular demand, this energetic and mesmerizing seasonal show returns to the Moroccan Palace. See amazing thrills on ice and moments of wonder as talented skaters perform to traditional and popular Christmas songs. Multiple showtimes throughout the day.
“Elmo’s Christmas Wish” – Families are sure to have a jolly good time as they help Elmo realize his Christmas wish! Sing-along, during this festive show featuring appearances by Elmo, Cookie Monster, Rosita, Grover, and Zoe. This show takes place in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area of the park.
“Three Kings Journey” – The famed journey of the three wise men to Bethlehem is celebrated in this inspiring musical tale. Only during select nights at the Dragon Fire Grill from Nov. 11 through Jan. 7.
“Holiday in the Sky, a Nighttime Spectacular,” presented by Bad Boy Mowers – The evening sky comes to life with a colorful display of festive fireworks choreographed to a soundtrack of classic holiday tunes. This fireworks display will take place on the Festival Field on select event nights.
Holly Jolly Express – The jolliest and brightest train will transport guests into the celebration as it loops around the park. While on their journey, guests are encouraged to sing-along to favorite songs of the season. All aboard for Christmas Cheer!
Character Appearances – Guests will not want to miss the chance to capture memorable photos with special seasonal characters located throughout the park including princesses, lovable snowmen, and many more!
Holidays At LEGOLAND Florida Resort
Select Days, November 24 - December 31, 2023
Reindeer, prep for landing! One of the best holiday celebrations in Florida, Holidays at LEGOLAND presented by Hallmark Channel is flying into LEGOLAND Florida Resort select dates Nov. 24 - Dec. 31, carrying a sleigh-load of festive fun.
Spirited Shows
Jump into the holly jolly mood with tree-rific shows and activities across the Resort. Get swept away into a winter FUN-derland during the high energy, frost-filled Festival of Flurries! Sing and dance to favorite tinsel tunes while you await a snowy surprise. Stir up more holiday magic and join LEGO® Gingerbread to solve a delicious dilemma during The Very Merry Mix-up! In true holiday fashion, the voices of carolers can be heard throughout the park, and they are pine-ing for you to sing along too!
NEW! Yuletide LEGO Characters
The holiday season is a time for friends and family, and LEGO Santa did not want to leave his behind! Meet-and-greet NEW yuletide friends LEGO Nutcracker, Snowman, and Reindeer Girl, and give them a warm welcome with lots of elf-ies! Spot them in your favorite shows and sprinkled throughout the Theme Park.
Festive Activities & Treats
LEGO Santa loves to read letters while having his milk and cookies, so be sure to stop by the Holiday Village Postal Service to send in yours! He would hate to lose a letter, so he has his best elves helping guests make sure each one is sent directly to the North Pole. Rock around the GIANT 30-foot Christmas Tree made entirely of LEGO bricks! Jingle along to merry melodies and snow off your moves underneath the twinkling lights at the LEGO® City Holiday Light Spectacular. Season’s greetings are even better with Season’s Eatings! Feed your holiday cravings with a spread of delicious seasonal treats for the whole family.
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