Orlando, Florida is a fantastic vacation destination to enjoy any time of year for travelers who decide to make a fun getaway a top priority. The proof is in the numbers with the city welcoming millions of visitors each year! Whether they come for the theme parks, the wildlife, the fantastic dining and shopping, or the shows, Orlando never fails to impress its guests on the entertainment front. It’s also a place where you’ll find every season comes with a long lineup of Orlando winter events to add to an itinerary when you’re looking to boost the fun of your stay even further. Those who are heading this way in the wintertime will be delighted to find that late October, November, and December trips to Orlando are no exception to the rule.
A winter trip to Orlando is an ideal time to take advantage of fantastic weather when you’re in town to add as many fun seasonal events and festivals to the to-do list as possible. While other destinations on the map are contending with snow and ice, Orlando offers its guests access to daily highs in the mid-70s all winter long. Winter also tends to be less crowded in Orlando before Christmas rolls around, as school is still in session. This means that if you’re here to participate in fun events, you can do so at a bit of a slower pace outside of some of the holiday fan-favorite gatherings and experiences.
Getting to Orlando in the winter to enjoy seasonal event fun is also a breeze. If you happen to be flying into the Orlando International Airport, you’ll only need to travel the 12.2 miles between the airport and the city center following South Semoran Boulevard and Fl-408 West to reach your final destination. This takes about 23 minutes when traffic is light helping you get your winter trip underway in no time. When you can’t wait to enjoy the journey, the following are the top 10 winter events in Orlando that you simply won’t want to miss out on this year.
1. Be a Part of the Orlando Film Festival
Each winter, film enthusiasts from near and far look forward to the arrival of the annual Orlando Film Festival in central Florida. Hosted from the end of October through early November, this film festival spans eight days of creative inspiration for directors, actors, and audiences alike. In total, the festival typically screens more than 300 films, and the agenda of activities also includes innovative workshops and industry panels for attendees to check out. In years past, the Orlando Film Festival has welcomed more than 12,000 people in attendance and proudly showcased the work of hundreds of indie filmmakers. The festival is held each year at the CMX Plaza Cinema Café downtown at 155 S. Orange Avenue. Moviemaker Magazine has regularly named the Orlando Film Festival one of the top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World thanks to its eclectic lineup of new independent cinema hailing from across the globe. There are also nightly parties to attend that are part of the festival experience and professional activities built into the lineup offer visitors access to great networking opportunities along the way. The last day of the Orlando Film Festival features an awards ceremony with prizes valued at more than $1 million.
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2. Check Out the Central Florida International Auto Show
In early November, winter travelers heading to Orlando with a passion for automobiles in place won’t want to miss out on attending the Central Florida International Auto Show. This four-day event draws in large crowds to the Orange County Convention Center where a collection of new cars, impressive trucks, and innovative SUVs will be on display in abundance. The Central Florida International Auto Show is conveniently set up in the West concourse of the venue, and tickets for the event can be purchased online in advance. If you’re looking to enjoy a hands-on approach to the experience, be sure to sign up for a test drive that you won’t soon forget!
3. Participate in the Electric Daisy Carnival
The beginning of November in Orlando also marks the arrival of the highly anticipated Electric Daisy Carnival. This three-day Orlando winter event is hosted at Tinkers Field and features multiple stages showcasing electronic music, art displays, and rides galore for attendees to enjoy. There are three-dimensional sculptures on-site that are designed to be larger than life, and the glow-in-the-dark ambiance sets a whimsical scene for everyone involved. When you purchase tickets to the Electric Daisy Carnival this winter, you’ll be treated to incredible acts by circus performers as well as impressive displays of balance by stilt walkers and dancers alike. Expect to share the space with tens of thousands of others who make their way here to enjoy being a part of this one-of-a-kind experience each winter.
4. Explore the Festival of the Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art
Any time of year travelers find themselves in Orlando, a visit to the Orlando Museum of Art is a chance to explore some truly inspiring works of art. If you’re lucky enough to be here in the winter, you’ll find that the museum transforms into a showcase of holiday trees by the time November rolls around, making a visit even more magical! For years, this festival has enchanted guests looking to explore decorated holiday trees on-site, and this year is shaping up to be just as meaningful and beautiful. The display space within the museum is set up to look like a wooded winter wonderland and those who visit will be able to browse more than 30 trees meticulously decorated by talented designers. Additionally, the space is set up to include a variety of glittering wreaths to admire, and gingerbread houses to check out as well. It’s an experience that’s fit for the entire family this winter and one that will certainly get you in the holiday spirit.
5. Make the Most of the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic While You’re in Town
Your trip to Orlando this winter should certainly be savory and there’s no better place to access palate-pleasing moments than the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic. This annual event is something locals and visitors alike look forward to enjoying each year thanks to the wide variety of fantastic fare, beverages, and entertainment that are incorporated into the experience. Those who participate are treated to a street party-inspired festival where they can enjoy tastings at varying food stations, chef demonstrations, and designated places to try beer, wine, and cocktails from around the globe. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic is a winter event in Orlando that you’re going to want to be sure you bring your appetite for.
6. Enjoy Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Disney World has a way with seasonal events that’s hard to top in Orlando, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is certainly one of those that’s designed to inspire. This beloved winter event is hosted at the Magic Kingdom on select nights throughout November and December. It’s an experience that sits outside of the traditional entrance pass, and because tickets sell out fast, you’ll want to be sure to book yours well in advance of your trip. Once you do have your ticket in hand, you’ll be treated to an after-hours park special that includes the Christmas extravaganza show “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration” as well as a fireworks display titled “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.” Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is designed for guests of all ages and includes themed food, character meet-and-greets, and terrific holiday decorations to enjoy along the way. The iconic “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” is a must-see and might end up being the highlight of your event experience.
7. Don’t Miss the International Festival of the Holidays at EPCOT
Yet another Disney event that comes to Orlando in the wintertime that’s always worth a traveler’s while to experience is the Festival of the Holidays hosted at EPCOT. This holiday-themed event runs on select days throughout November and December and is designed as an immersive experience for guests looking to make the most of the sounds, sights, and fantastic flavors of the season. A highlight of the event lineup is always the candlelight processional but opportunities to taste test holiday dishes from around the globe make the event as savory as it is entertaining. You’ll also encounter holiday storytellers throughout the park this time of year who are ready to deliver insight into the stories that define the holidays in countries near and far.
8. Spend Some Time at SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration
From early November through January, wintertime visitors to Orlando who are spending time at SeaWorld Orlando will want to be sure to check out the park’s own Christmas Celebration. This award-winning event sees the theme park transformed into a winter wonderland complete with dancing trees, an illuminated lagoon, and a variety of mouthwatering holiday treats to try when you drop by. There are specialized holiday shows that take to the stage during the festival run and plenty of seasonal entertainment to enjoy throughout the park as you get up close to amazing marine creatures during your visit.
9. Plan on Holiday Fun at Universal Orlando
If your winter travel plans to Orlando have you spending ample time at Universal, then you’ll find the holiday events here aren’t just one, but a collection of themed experiences to explore! Holidays at Universal runs from November through December and typically comes with streets filled with holiday balloons, live music to enjoy, themed fare to try, a Grinch-focused spectacular to check out an impressive lights display at Hogwarts over at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter too. Winter is the perfect time of year to swing by Diagon Alley and “warm up” with a delicious butter beer while you’re here.
10. Expect a Brilliant Display at Eola Winter Wonderland
December in Orlando means locals and visitors alike can look forward to the return of the annual Eola Winter Wonderland event. This holiday-themed experience is truly one-of-a-kind and invites participants over to Lake Eola Park downtown where they can enjoy admiring the 64-foot Christmas tree decked out in lights as well as holiday performances at the Disney Amphitheater. There’s a holiday market to browse at International Plaza and plenty of food trucks to enjoy featuring holiday fare of all kinds. Be sure to bring the entire family out for this fun and exciting winter event that’s sure to stick in your mind long after you’ve left your winter getaway to Orlando behind.
Book Your Getaway to Exciting Orlando This Winter in Style
When you’re excited to see your winter travel plans to Orlando come to life, the team at Casiola Orlando can help you get settled into a luxurious and conveniently located vacation rental that keeps you close to the fun and living in style every step of the way. Our winter rental collection of properties is vast and versatile, making it simple for seasonal travelers to pick and choose from property options that not only meet their travel needs but exceed their expectations as well. Whether you’re looking for a cozy abode or a sprawling multi-level retreat for the entire family this winter, we have what you’re searching for and much more. In addition to spacious layouts, full kitchens on-site, restful spaces for recharging, and stylish furnishings, guests who book their winter stay through us can enjoy property options with features like private pools, patios, impressive entertainment centers, game rooms, themed bedrooms and more in place to elevate the fun of a getaway even further.
As our team handles the details of your accommodations, you’re free to simply focus exclusively on the fun ahead. Take time today to browse our wide variety of property options available for your winter trip, and when you find the home-away-from-home you absolutely love, reserving your place begins with the simple touch of a button. We look forward to helping you create a one-of-a-kind winter experience in Orlando and can’t wait to welcome you to sunny Central Florida soon.
