Christmas is fast approaching, and so are fun, festive activities! Get in the mood for the holiday season by checking out some of the best places for Christmas lights in Orlando. You’ll find an array of ways to see the light displays on this list, from drive-throughs to theme parks with beautiful lights and live music, decorated artificial Christmas trees, and more.
Top Christmas Lights in Orlando
Orlando is a magical place to experience Christmas! Here, you’ll find information on the best Christmas lights to check out during the Christmas season. Some options are free, while others require an entry fee, allowing you to decide which option works best for your budget.
1) Harry P. Leu Gardens
Also known as the Dazzling Lights event, this Christmas light display runs annually from November 25 to January 1 at one of Orlando’s best gardens. Each year new and exciting lights are added, making it one of the best holiday events. Once you arrive, you’ll walk through different garden areas featuring dancing lights, interactive exhibits, a fun inflatable slide, and a dazzling winter wonderland where you can meet characters.
This option is great for the whole family and includes an area where you’re inside a slow globe with swirling snow. Tickets must be purchased online beforehand. There is an additional parking fee.
Address: 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando, FL 32803
2) Disney Springs
What better way to spread holiday cheer than a trip to Disney Springs? Each year, Disney Springs puts up holiday decor throughout the park. These decorations include a trail with lit-up Christmas trees and twinkling lights.
While exploring the decorated area, you can also participate in a scavenger hunt with fun surprises or meet Santa Claus. There’s even an area with live entertainment in the form of a DJ. Additionally, you’ll find Christmas-themed drinks and food to enjoy while at Disney Springs.
Address: 1486 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 328320
3) Lake Mary
Each year, downtown Lake Mary is decorated for the holidays with fun lights and festive décor. You can experience the lights in a few different ways. Strolling through the downtown area and exploring the stores is a great way to view the lights and get some of your holiday gift shopping done simultaneously. Additionally, you can bring a picnic and watch the lights from nearby.
There are shows with synchronized music and lights each evening beginning at 6 pm. These shows begin every half hour afterward until 11 pm. Additional holiday events happen each December in Lake Mary, including Christmas tree lighting and the Holiday in the Park event, which features face painting and other free activities for children.
Address: 152 N 4th St, Lake Mary, FL 32746
4) I-Drive Holiday Tree
On December 1, this impressive 50-foot Christmas tree is set up and decorated with lights yearly in ICON Park. This event includes a meet-and-greet with Santa, the tree lighting, performances by Orlando Ballet, live music, and other holiday events. If you can’t catch the ceremony, you can still see the I-Drive Holiday tree through January 1.
Address: 8375 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
5) The Fye’s Christmas House
The Fye family puts up a spectacular light show each year at their Casselberry home. Also known as The Fye’s Crazy Christmas House, this show includes dancing lit-up characters, a snow machine on occasion, and a large array of dazzling lights.
It’s free to view the light at the Fye’s house, with the option to walk or drive by. An impressive 50,000 lights are strung each year, which move to coordinated music. There’s also a mailbox for little ones to send their letters to Santa.
Address: 407 Eagle Circle, Casselberry, FL 32707
6) Christmas in Mount Dora
Starting the day after Thanksgiving, Mount Dora, a charming small town north of Orlando, offers visitors a jam-packed calendar of holiday events. Some of these Christmas in Mount Dora events include Light Up Eustis, Santa in Sunset Park, and Light Up Mount Dora.
These festive events are great for the whole family, with offerings for people of all ages. If you’re unsure which events to stop by, December 3 is one of the busier days in Mount Dora. You can view multiple parades and join in the holiday festivities on this day.
Address: 530 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora, FL 32757
7) Cranes Roost Light Up the Holidays
This Orlando area activity occurs in Altamonte Springs each year during the holidays. Cranes Roost Light Up the Holidays includes various activities for families. Here, you can view some of the best holiday lights around, with 200,000 lights displayed while listening to festive live music.
Additional activities include an exciting firework show, train rides, and the option of meeting Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Don’t forget to check out the 60-foot Christmas tree, decorated with ornaments and garland. This event will be happening on December 3 this year, from 5 – 9 pm. There is no fee to enter this event. Food and drinks will also be available while you enjoy the holiday activities.
Address: 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
8) Lake Eola Park Tree Downtown Orlando
The Tree Lighting Ceremony is a favorite event for Lake Eola residents and visitors. Every year, there’s a countdown to lighting the City of Orlando’s Christmas tree. The Lake Eola Park Tree Downtown Orlando event takes place in Washington Plaza in downtown Orlando.
Afterward, you can continue the holiday celebrations at Walt Disney Amphitheater for live performances and holiday music. You’ll also find food trucks and a holiday marketplace open during this event on December 3. The activity lasts from 5 pm to 9 pm and is free for the public.
As a note, this event can get pretty busy, so it’s encouraged to use public transportation instead of arriving by car if possible. However, there are parking garages and lots available nearby.
Address: 195 N. Rosalind Ave., Orlando, FL 32801
9) Night of a Million Lights
Attending the Night of a Million Lights is fun and benefits the community. Proceeds from this event go toward Give Kids the World village, which is a nonprofit resort that offers families with critically ill children a place to enjoy a weeklong holiday at no cost.
At the Night of a Million Lights event, you’ll find an immersive experience with interactive areas, activities, and millions of lights, as the name suggests. This year, the event will be held at the Island H20 Water Park. You can attend any time from 6 pm to 10 pm (11 pm on some nights) between November 11 to January 1.
Address: Island H20 Water Park, 3230 Inspiration Dr., Kissimmee, FL 34747
10) A Merry Winter Garden Light Show
Part of the Christmas festivities in Winter Garden includes the highly anticipated decorating of City Hall for Christmas. A Merry Winter Garden Light Show is a December event on select evenings. You can attend this free event on December 17, 18, 19, and 23 in the evening between 6 pm and 9 pm.
At this free light show, City Hall transitions into a festive place with fun holiday lights and an animated scene on the exterior of the building. This scene depicts a festive musical holiday greeting that will help put anyone in the holiday spirit!
Address: 300 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, FL 34787
11) Central Florida Zoo
If you want to view lights but are hoping for an activity that provides a different experience, check out the Asian Lantern Festival. This event is held at the Central Florida Zoo from November 18 to January 15 to celebrate the culture and art of Asia.
Instead of Christmas lights, you’ll find beautiful lit-up lanterns spread throughout a ¾ mile-walking trail at the zoo. These lanterns feature a Chinese style and are in the shape of various animals, plants, and other traditional elements found in Chinese culture. Expect to take about 1.5 hours to see all the lanterns on the route. This event requires purchasing a timed-entry ticket, even if you’re a zoo pass holder.
Address: 3755 W. Seminole Blvd. Sanford, FL 32771
12) Christmas in Color
If you prefer holiday activities you can see from your car; you’ll want to check out the Christmas in Color animated light show. This light show is a drive-through event where you can listen to holiday music while watching synchronized lights.
This light show is spread over a mile-long path and includes lit-up tunnels, candy canes, and even singing snowmen. Christmas in Color is held at the Island H20 Water Park in Kissimmee and requires an entry ticket. You can purchase a ticket for any date between November 19 and January 2.
Address: Island H20 Water Park, 3230 Inspiration Dr., Kissimmee, FL 34747
13) Dezerland Park Orlando
Nights in Lights is another option for a drive-through holiday light experience. This immersive experience is open from November 11 to January 1 and includes over one mile of Christmas lights. You can enjoy the one million lights in every color, from red to gold lights, strung up along the route as you drive.
This is the first year this event will be held at Dezerland Park in Orlando. While there aren’t any food vendor stations or drinks available at the Nights in Lights, you can bring snacks and drinks to enjoy while in the car, like hot chocolate!
Address: 5250 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
14) Winter Wonderland of Lights
This one-day event in Winter Springs includes a stunning light display in the downtown area. On December 4, you can drive through Winter Springs to enjoy the lights displayed by local businesses and the city. This event is free, making it a great option for those who are on a tight budget.
You’ll find the Winter Wonderland of Lights occurring at Central Winds Park from 7 pm to 9 pm.
Address: Central Winds Park, 1000 Central Winds Dr, Winter Springs, FL 32708
Theme Parks
If you want to enjoy the magic of Orlando’s theme parks during this festive season, you can head to the below parks for a festive experience. When visiting Orlando’s theme parks during the holiday season, you’ll feel like you’re in Christmas movies due to the extensive decorations, lights, and character meet-and-greets.
15) Walt Disney World Resort – Magic Kingdom
From November 8 through December 22, you can head to the Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom to celebrate the holiday season at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. There’s a lot to do during this event, including checking out the holiday lights while enjoying the Christmas tunes playing in the park.
Besides looking at the lights, you can also view the fireworks show on select evenings in November and December. There’s also a dance party, Christmas parade, a Christmas party, and a festive stage show outside of Cinderella’s castle.
Address: 1180 Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
16) Universal Studios
Universal Studios has an extensive selection of holiday activities, with Christmas-themed areas spread throughout the park. Movie lovers can enjoy an interactive experience at some of the top Universal Studios attractions, like Harry Potter World.
Other attractions include the Grinchmas ™ Who-liday Spectacular found on Islands of Adventure. Here, you can take in the holiday lights in Who-ville, take photos at the many photo ops in the area, and watch a live retelling of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” There’s also a Christmas parade that occurs every night.
Address: 7000 Universal Blvd. Orlando, FL 32819
17) SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
Christmas is not taken lightly at Seaworld, as no matter where you look during the holiday season, you’ll find pretty light displays. There are lit-up Christmas trees, strings of lights, and other exciting holiday-themed areas.
The lights are available to view from November 11 to January 3.
The lights are only a small part of Seaworld’s Christmas Celebration. Like most amusement parks in the area, you can meet and greet characters like Rudolph during a visit. You can explore multiple areas for different Christmas activities.
Rudolph’s Christmas Town features an immersive experience that helps you dive into the classic tale. Near the Waterfront, you can enjoy snow flurries as you see marching toy soldiers, ballerinas, and other characters. You’ll also find Santa and his helpers at the Waterfront.
Additional activities include ice skating, watching the Winter Wonderland on Ice show, viewing Elmo’s Christmas Wish show, catching the Christmas parade, viewing the lit-up Sea of Trees, and enjoying breakfast with Sesame Street characters.
Address: 7007 Sea World Dr, Orlando, FL 32821
Bottom Line
There is no shortage of places to view Christmas lights in Orlando! With the above options, you’ll find an activity or two that fit your budget and will help keep your family in the holiday spirit as you countdown the days to Christmas eve and Christmas day.
Start your holidays off right by exploring this list of the best light displays in central Florida! They won’t disappoint!
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