Orlando’s claim to fame is its extraordinary collection of family-friendly theme parks standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the balmy weather of the Sunshine State.
But the warmth of the holiday season in Orlando outshines even the Florida sun.
From Walt Disney World’s50thanniversarycelebration,tore-imaginedChristmas andNew Year’sEve experiences at the theme parks and beyond, it’s a great way to get into the Christmas or Hanukkah spirit - or get a change of pace from the stresses of spending the holidays at home - again!
Whether your celebratory taste runs to festive performances, dazzling light shows, or theme park themed celebrations, Orlando is the place to capture the spirit of holiday cheer this year.
Your expert travel advisor can help you find the best value, last-minute holiday trips now, gift a future trip, or make plans to get away to Orlando later this winter.Happy Holidays!
FESTIVE THEME PARK CELEBRATIONS
Walt Disney World Resort- Select nights starting November 12, 2021
• DisneyVery Merriest After Hours atMagic KingdomPark runsfor24selectnights
from 9p.m. to1a.m. Thenewseparatelyticketed, after-hoursholidayeventwillbring
festive food and beverage offerings, dance parties, nighttime spectaculars and “Mickey’s
Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.”
• TheEpcotInternationalFestivaloftheHolidaystakesguestsonaglobalholiday
celebration with costumed performances, seasonalfood throughout11 World Showcase
nations,alongwith sights,soundsandflavors of theseason celebratedby cultures near
and far.
• AtDisney’s Hollywood Studios,guestscandinewithMinnieandfriendsatMinnie's
Holiday DineatHollywood & Vine,catch a glimpseof oldSt.Nick ashecruisesinhis
candy-appleredconvertibledownHollywoodBoulevardandexperienceacaptivating
projection show on the Hollywood Tower Hotel.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdombringsaholidaytwisttothemagic ofnaturewithfestive
flotillas featuring Chip n’ Dale,DonaldDuck, holidaypercussionistsandSantasailing
downtheDiscoveryRiver.Asnighttimefalls,aholidayedition oftheTreeofLife
Awakening will begin accompanied by a heartwarming musical score.
Universal Orlando Resort - November 13 – January 2, 2022
• Grinchmas atUniversal's IslandsofAdventurebringsholidaycharmtoSeuss
Landing with The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, a live retellingof theclassic tale
starring the Grinch.
• Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter featuresfestivedecorinboth
Hogsmeadeat IslandsofAdventure andDiagonAlley atUniversal Studios Florida.
Guests can cap off their evening in The WizardingWorld of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade to
enjoy “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle”–aspectaculartransformationof
Hogwarts castle with a stunning projection.
• Universal’sHolidayExperiencefeaturingMacy’sBalloonsoffersguestsawalk-
throughexperienceoflarger-than-lifeMacy’s balloonsandcolorful Christmasfloats,
including characters from Shrek, Madagascar and Despicable Me, along with Santa.
SeaWorld Orlando -November 12 – January 2, 2022
• DuringSeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration,over3millionsparklinglightswillshine
throughoutthe park. Festivitiesinclude live performances, seasonalfood and meet-and-
greetswith Santa Claus andRudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer.
New for 2021:the littlest guestscan sing and dance with their favorite Sesame Street characters during Elmo’s
Christmas Wish Show and Holiday Reflections: Fireworks and Fountains Finale features soaring fountains, dazzlinglights and fireworks.
LEGOLAND Florida - Weekends November 26 – December 31, 2021
• HolidaysatLEGOLAND will featureagiantLEGOChristmastree,seasonalshows,
holiday characters, special treats, LEGO activities, twinkling lightsand more.
FUN BEYOND THE THEME PARKS
• ICON Park ishome to The Santa Workshop Experience throughDecember 24.Every
child who participates receives a free ticket to ride The Wheel (adultguests receive 50%
off). ICON Park hosts its first tree-lighting ceremony on December 1 with a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree visible from International Drive.
• The Night of a Million Lights at Give Kids the World Village holiday spectacular, taking
place November 12- January 2, 2022,immerses guestsin asparklingwonderlandof millionsof lights, includingasparkling treetrail,larger-than-lifeholidaydisplaysand aguidedstorytelling tour of 100 magnificently lit villas from the comfort of a tram.
• The Dazzling Nights outdoor holiday event at Harry P. Leu Gardens, runningNovember 19– January9, 2022,featuresathree-quarter-mileinteractiveholidayexperiencewithepiclighting installations, themed photo moments, live entertainment and more.
• Crayola Experience’s Colorful Christmas, taking place November 20 - January 3, 2022 includes diving into a life-sized snow globe, complete with falling snow, and crafting unique gifts.
• Throughout the entire month of December, downtown Orlando is offering nine free holiday
events as part of Downtown for the Holidays. Visitors can watch The Nutcracker by the
RussianBalletofOrlando;strollaroundEolaWonderlandtoseethedazzlingholiday décor andlights- includingthe Eola WonderlandChristmas Tree; or grab a blanket and enjoy a holiday movie on the Lake Eola lawn.
• TheDr. PhillipsCenter forthe PerformingArts hostsholiday-themedperformances
during itsoutdoor, socially distancedFrontYard Festival.Holiday performances include
BigBadVoodooDaddy'sWild&Swingin'HolidayPartyandtheBigBandHolidays
tradition by Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
SPARKLING EVENTS TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR
Live large at New Year’s celebrations in Orlando! From five-course dinners to
exciting theme park celebrations,ringing in 2022 in Orlando will sure be worth the countdown.
• TheNew Year’s Eve Dinner at JWMarriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa’s
Sear + Sea features a gourmet meal androoftop terrace boastingnightly views of both
theme park fireworks, which typically provide an extra-large NYE display.
• Downtown Orlando’s WallSt.Plazaarea,featuresmultiplethemedbarslinkedbyan
open-air courtyard, for an annualNew Year’s Eve Block Party with lightshows,dance
parties and a big countdown to 2022.
• On New Year’s Eve during SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, spectacular music and
a bold fireworks display will send a wave of welcome to the New Year ahead.
• On International Drive, numerous venues hostingcelebrations with unique entertainment and live music.
HOLIDAY TRAVEL OFFERS
Ask your expert travel advisor aboutthebestOrlandotraveldealsforupcomingholidayseason.
#StartYourHolidayTrip!
Most Recent
- Go Beyond the Port with United Vacations
- 20 Best Winter Vacation Ideas
- The Best Black Friday and Cyber Monday Vacation Deals are in One Place
- VIDEO: Captain of Scenic Eclipse Shares What it’s Like to Navigate in Antarctica
- VIDEO: Size Matters: Tour of One of Europe’s Largest River Ships, Riverside Mozart
Most Popular
- This Cruise Line Kicked Guests off a Cruise. Here's Why it's Good News for You and Cruise Travel
- Travel Companies Offering Free Vacations to Frontline Workers - and How You Can Get Involved
- New Rules for Tourists in these European Destinations
- 3 Travel Planning Tips in a Post-COVID World
- Where To Stay For All-Inclusive Access To 7 Of The Caribbean’s Prettiest Beaches