Spending the holidays at home can be a fun way to embrace the traditions you’ve come to know and love. However, if you set your travel sights on Orlando, Florida over the holidays, you’ll have the incredible opportunity to fill your itinerary with exciting new traditions as you explore and enjoy the city when it’s at its festive best. Whether you’re here for a short while or looking forward to an extended holiday stay, adding magic to your visit is easier than ever when you make time to check out the following holiday events in Orlando.
Enjoy Holiday Parades with the Entire Family
It’s fair to say that Orlando is a city that knows how to celebrate well in any season of the year and the holidays are no exception to the rule. A great way to ring in the festivities in style is to attend a holiday parade or two while you’re in town. These parades typically host everything from impressive floats and musical performances to dance routines, marching bands, and opportunities to meet up with Santa Claus himself. Some of the most well-attended annual parades include the Sesame Street Parade that’s hosted at SeaWorld Orlando, the annual Winter Park Christmas Parade, the Sanford Parade of Lights, and the Longwood Christmas Parade. They’re all family-friendly and designed to inspire spectators of all ages in this inviting and exciting season.
Admire Some of the Most Impressive Christmas Trees in Town
When you can’t imagine a holiday away anywhere on the map without some quality time set aside to admire the most impressively decked-out Christmas trees, Orlando has options that are sure to thrill! There’s a towering and illuminated tree over at Lake Eola that lights up each evening in December in tandem with music making the experience that much more magical for visitors. International Drive also has an impressive seasonal Christmas tree to check out while you’re here and Disney Springs hosts an entire Christmas Tree Stroll even during the holidays which gives you access to a plethora of incredible and sparkling trees to admire.
Pick up Last Minute Gifts at a Local Holiday Market
For many travelers heading to Orlando at Christmas, nothing makes it feel more like the magical holidays than time at one of the city’s many local holiday markets. Whether you’re just browsing for fun, looking for delicious snacks to enjoy along the way or you have some serious last-minute shopping to do, these markets are a great place to embrace the best of it all. One of the larger markets this time of year is located right downtown on the east side of Lake Eola Park. It runs for the entire month of December from 4:30 pm until 9:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Sundays.
Add a Festive Performance or Tow to Your Itinerary
Taking time to enjoy a great holiday show is a fun way to spend time with family and friends in Orlando this time of year. Over at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, performances like A Celtic Christmas, Elf in Concert, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s Home for the Holidays, Derek Hough’s Dance For the Holidays experience, and The Nutcracker performed by the Orlando Ballet will all take to the stage this year between November and December. Just be sure to book your tickets quickly as these festive shows tend to sell out quickly!
Capture the Holiday Magic at Walt Disney World
When travelers think of Orland, Walt Disney World often comes to mind first with good reason. This world-class theme park is a magical experience any time of year, but over the holidays, they pull out all the stops to dazzle guests with lights, décor, festive meet-and-greets, special events, and more! When you want to elevate the holiday family-friendly fun, some of the top activities and experiences on the calendar at Walt Disney World include the annual Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and sing-a-long holiday celebrations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Don’t overlook the multitude of holiday-themed merchandise available to purchase here this time of year or the mouthwatering treats that are done up in festive style.
More to Explore at Local Theme Parks
Expanding your holiday fun at other local theme parks in Orlando is a breeze once you realize just how above and beyond the approach to the holidays is across the board! Over at Universal Orlando, you can enjoy spending time at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter where Diagon Alley is decked out in its holiday best and you can pair your butter beer with a performance by the magically singing frogs. Hogwarts also shines in its holiday attire, adding even more magic to its already other-worldly aesthetic. The annual Grinch-mas event is hosted at Island of Adventure and the Universal Holiday Tribute Store is a must-visit when you want to stock up on limited-time merchandise and gifts.
Book Your One-of-a-Kind Holiday Trip to Orlando, Florida Today
Turn your travel plans for enjoying the holidays in Orlando into a reality today when you book your accommodations through Casiola Orlando. Take time to browse our wide variety of local property options online and when you find the festive home-away-from-home you love, reserving your place begins with the touch of a button. We can’t wait to see you here soon!
