Winter Celebrations In Orlando
December 1, 2024
Imagine stepping into an Orlando winter where the only chill is from your ice-cold drink. The sun’s shining, theme parks are buzzing with holiday magic, and every day is packed with the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. At your cottage or villa, the vibe is tropical, not tundra. You’re lounging by the pool with your favorite people, planning which theme park to hit next, or just soaking up the sun with a margarita in hand. And as the holidays roll in, the city’s festivities take over – think holiday parades under the stars, festive treats, and live shows that sparkle as much as the lights around you.
Orlando’s winter is here – sun-kissed, full of thrills, and unforgettable moments spent with loved ones.
Holidays at Margaritaville Resort Orlando
Breakfast with Santa
Jolly old Saint Nick will be waiting to share a holiday feast with you at Margaritaville Resort Orlando on Saturday, December 14th. Our Breakfast With Santa smorgasbord begins at 8:00 a.m., and you can start the morning off eating pancakes and cookies with the big man in red. The kids can bring their wish list for a better chance of waking up to their dream gifts on Christmas morning. Get $60.00 tickets for adults and $55.00 for kids today to start the holiday adventures with a hearty meal with Santa!
Holiday Celebration
The island vibes continue just a walk away from your cottage or villa during Margaritaville Resort Orlando’s Holiday Celebration at the Grand Hotel Lobby on Thursday, December 19th. Santa is stopping by with his crew of elves and towering toy soldiers for a group selfie you can’t resist showing off on social media. The live DJ performances create a holly jolly atmosphere as you groove to your favorite holiday tunes. Raffle prize giveaways offer the chance to bring home an extra gift for the holidays, and the ugly sweater contest is the perfect opportunity to dazzle in your best (or worst) Christmas outfit. Be one of the first 500 guests to register for the party so that you can grab a free non-alcoholic eggnog and toast to the new year to come.
Promenade at Sunset Walk Holiday Events
Holinights Celebration
The island-inspired atmosphere of Orlando is too much for Santa to miss out on, as he will be sticking around the Promenade at Sunset Walk (opens in a new tab) on select nights from November 21st to December 25th for the annual Holinights Celebration (opens in a new tab). Saint Nick and his crew of elves are stopping by for quick visits, so bring your wish list in-between dance offs to live music. The Pearl Express (opens in a new tab) Train Tour takes you along for a ride on select nights that brings the feeling of The Polar Express to life. Fill your holiday photo album with pics of towering toy soldiers during the evening and the beautiful 45-foot animated Holinights Christmas tree as it lights up the sky at night.
Santa’s Toy Drive Car & Truck Show
Embrace the spirit of giving this holiday season with an afternoon at the Promenade (opens in a new tab) for Santa’s Toy Drive Car & Truck Show (opens in a new tab) on Sunday, December 8th. With a two-toy donation, the children of Central Florida in need will experience a merry and memorable Christmas this year. If you don’t have any toys, cash donations can also help you channel your inner Santa. With views of gorgeous holiday-themed cars and trucks, live music from DJ Jennifer, and special appearances by Santa, giving during the holiday season is a blast!
Rocking New Year
The Promenade (opens in a new tab) keeps the holiday escapades going after Christmas with the annual Rocking New Year (opens in a new tab) event on December 31st to help you “Party Like It’s 1999”. Get an advanced ticket at only $19.99 and welcome the new year with dance-offs to live music from Scotty B & Project DJ Slam and special guest Sir Jac: The Tribute to Prince. The adrenaline keeps flowing with the confetti storm, laser light show, and LED street performances that fill the night with beautiful colors. Cap off the night with a midnight fireworks spectacular to start 2025 off with a bang.
Walt Disney World® Resort Events
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party transforms Walt Disney World® Resort’s Magic Kingdom into a tropical holiday wonderland on select nights from November 8th to December 20th. Disney characters parade past, waving to the sounds of island-inspired Christmas tunes. This special separately ticketed event lets you hop on your favorite rides after the park closes to the public, the adrenaline mixing with the magic of the season, then end the night with event-unique fireworks bursting overhead, casting a glow over palm-fringed streets.
Jollywood Nights
The adventures continue at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select dates from November 9th to December 21st for Jollywood Nights. This separately ticketed event features the skating show “Glisten!” where your favorite Disney characters show off their skills on the ice rink to festive music. You can show off those Christmas dance moves you’ve been working on during the live DJ performances. End Jollywood Nights with a bang during the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! fireworks show that colors the sky in holiday cheer. This is Christmas, Disney-style – sun-kissed, merry, and unforgettable.
Universal Orlando Resort Events
The fastest turns and highest drops of Universal Orlando Resort’s rides are the perfect appetizer to the festive events that sprinkle your thrills with the Christmas spirit. Watch the streets light up with Christmas-themed floats in the Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s. Your kids will wave to their favorite characters from Illumination and DreamWorks Animation and shout out their wish lists to Santa as he tours the parade route. Jump into Whoville for a journey with your favorite green mischief for The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular. This live show retells the Dr. Seuss classic in a world of charming holiday decor with the opportunity to get a photo with the Grinch himself. Channel your inner wizard for the festivities during The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The larger-than-life nightly projection show on Hogwarts Castle allows you to celebrate the holiday spirit with characters and stories from the legendary Harry Potter franchise.
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
As the sun sets at SeaWorld® Orlando, the park transforms into a winter wonderland on select dates from November 8th, 2024 to January 2nd, 2025 for SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. Dive into holiday festivities, from dazzling light displays to a special Dinner with Santa. On select nights, you’ll find yourself seated next to Saint Nick, sharing your wish list before heading off to experience the park’s holiday-themed rides. Winter under the sea? It’s a holiday dream come true.
ICE! at Gaylord Palms Resort
Orlando brings the arctic excitement to you with ICE! at Gaylord Palms Resort. Zip up in a cozy blue parka and join Buddy the Elf on a tour of ice sculptures carved from over two million pounds of ice showing the wonders of the North Pole. The nine-degree air makes you feel like you are exploring the snowy paradise that Santa calls home, and the towering ice slides offer thrills the gang can enjoy as you embrace the spirit of winter.
Dazzling Nights
Harry P. Leu Gardens
Holiday extravaganzas await just minutes from Downtown Orlando on select nights from November 29th, 2024, to January 5th, 2025, during the city’s annual Dazzling Nights. Beautiful lights cover the 50-acre Harry P. Leu Gardens to create a dazzling world right out of your favorite holiday movies. Wander through a forest lit up by thousands of laser beams as you take in the view of Moroccan lanterns, interactive light-up pads, and a 30-foot shimmering gold tree. The holiday music creates an easing atmosphere to make your journey through these dazzling lights a tour you won’t soon forget.
Orlando’s winter is anything but ordinary. From cookie parties to fireworks, theme park thrills to ugly sweater contests, every day is an adventure waiting to be had. Whether you’re starting new traditions or indulging in classic holiday favorites, this is the season to relax, have fun, and make memories with loved ones.
Plan your holiday escape with Margaritaville Cottages and Villas – where you can kick back with a margarita after a day of tropical winter fun.
