Can you believe it? The Christmas and Holiday Events season in Orlando, is already here! It's time for friendly gatherings, Christmas movies, and festive tunes. Best of all, we get to enjoy the area's holiday lights and decor. Here's a guide to finding some of the best of Orlando's holiday and Christmas lights displays.
Santa's little helps along with you? Check out the Best Christmas lights and decorations in Orlando for Kids.
Featured
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – Holiday Harbor Nights
Friday, November 29, from 6:30pm – 9pm
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando’s signature food and wine event will kick off the holiday season with enhanced experiences and more! Come experience an unforgettable and festive evening filled with Italian charm as you stroll beneath the twinkling lights of the stunning Harbor Piazza.
Featuring an array of wines, delectable Italian-inspired cuisine, live music performed by The Buzzcatz, opera singers and the grand illumination of Portofino’s glittering Christmas tree, Holiday Harbor Nights is the perfect date night or fun night out with friends to celebrate the season.
Ages | Adults (age 21+) only. Tickets start at $85.
Buy tickets here!
ORLANDO HOLIDAY AND CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Dazzling Nights
Dazzling Nights Presented by AdventHealth
Select nights November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803
Back for its fifth year and bigger and more interactive than ever – Orlando’s 50-acre Harry P. Leu Gardens transforms once again into a stunning winter wonderland featuring a million dazzling lights, shining forests, magical displays, music and beautiful sculptures during “Dazzling Nights” – a family-friendly adventure that gives guests the opportunity to embark on an unforgettable, interactive holiday experience.
This year’s favorite annual tradition features the return of popular immersive environments, plus, a brand-new, large-scale light show. Elements include
- hundreds of hanging Moroccan lanterns
- interactive pads that light up when guests jump on them
- a forest with thousands of laser beams
- a brand-new light show with 100
- 10’ light tubes synced to music
- a 30’ tree in splendid, shimmering gold
- upgraded food and drinks, and, of course, snow.
HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAYS + FOUNTAIN SHOW AT CRANES ROOST PARK
November 29, 2024 – Janunary 3, 2025
Light Up the Holidays Event on Saturday, December 7, 2024
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs
Enjoy over 200,000 lights on more than 100 holiday displays powered by Duke Energy. The lights are turned on each night at dusk. Be sure to check the City of Altamonte's calendar as some nights have appearances of Santa Claus, snow fairies, and more.
FREE
Citrus Tower Holiday Light Show
November 29 – December 31, 2024
Citrus Tower, Clermont
The Citrus Tower's enchanting light show, a cherished tradition started by the Homan family, is back and brighter than ever! While the light show itself is a gift to the community, for those looking to add a bit more sparkle to their evening, the tower offers rides to the top along with delicious treats like hot cocoa and sugar cookies for purchase.
DINOS IN LIGHTS FESTIVE HOLIDAY SHOW
Starts Saturday, November 9, 2024
Orlando Science Center
This small display is not as major as the others on our list, but still, it's worth mentioning. The Dinos In Lights Festive Holiday Show takes place in one exhibit and does not encompass the entire Science Center.
Stan the T-Rex and his fossil friends in DinoDigs are part of a festive display of music and light. Each family-friendly show will run for four minutes.
This dazzling light show is included in general admission.
Shows begin every 30 minutes between 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily.
Included in regular admission to the Science Center, $27.99 for adults, $25.99 for seniors and students, and $20.99 for youth (ages 2 – 11).
Casselberry Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony + Holiday Lights
Lights and decorations November 17 through December 31st
Lake Concord Park, Casselberry
Stroll through Lake Concord Park to enjoy charming vignettes of holiday displays and brilliant lights. This small community park is perfect for a simple evening of enjoying light displays and a lakeside park.
Tree lighting Saturday, December 7, 2024
FREE
Wekiva Island's Winter Wonderland
December 1 – 25, 2024
Wekiva Island
Nightly snow flurries plus extra entertainment and activities are offered on select days and evenings, including outdoor movies and visits from Santa Claus. While Wekiva Island does not have a ton of Orlando holiday lights, it is still so much fun. And it is a true Florida experience. Last year a 20 feet tall Christmas tree was added to the Christmas Tree Forest.
*Note: a $5 admission fee applies
Oh, What Fun! Holiday Festival
Select nights December 6 – 22, 2024
Lake Nona Town Center
This year's winter wonderland features photos with Santa, holiday movies, a Christmas tree lot, live entertainment, special holiday events and more. Nightly snowfall too!
The seasonal magic continues throughout Town Center extending to the Lake Nona Wave Hotel where guests can enjoy seasonal food and drink options at the Fa La La La Bar, accompanied by holiday décor throughout the grounds.
FREE Admission
City of Orlando Tree Lighting Celebration
Saturday, December 6, 2024, 5-9pm
Lake Eola Park’s Washington Plaza
Ring in the holiday season with Mayor Buddy Dyer at the City of Orlando’s Tree Lighting Celebration. The event will include holiday performances at the Walt Disney Amphitheater, food trucks and a holiday market, and an opportunity to meet Santa until 9pm at the Eola House.
FREE
Lights at Lake Eola
December 6, 2024 – January 6, 2025
Lake Eola Park, Orlando
Strolling along hand in hand to see the Christmas light at Lake Eola is a must! The Eola Wonderland 72–foot Christmas tree dazzles every night with a synchronized light and music show. The iconic Lake Eola fountain displays red, green, and gold lights — a beloved Orlando tradition. Definitely tops the list of best Orlando holiday lights!
NEW THIS YEAR: Experience the magic of the “2811 Clemwood Street Lights,” now at Lake Eola Park(near the Eola House)for Downtown for the Holidays. Originally a beloved neighborhood display, this touching tribute honors lives lost to COVID-19, thanks to the generous donation from former homeowners. Don’t miss this seasonal highlight!
GIVE KIDS THE WORLD HOLIDAY VIP TOURS
December 5-7, 12-13, and 19-22, 2024
Tours available at 7pm, 7:30pm, & 8pm
Savor the magic of 1.6 million glimmering lights covering the iconic GKTW venues, have fun taking holiday photos with special backdrops, and enjoy the exclusive behind-the-scenes stories that go along with each unique area. And how about adding in GKTW villas decorated by the incredible Village partners?
This year's event features:
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes storytelling tours.
- Festive dessert party.
- Access to select venues on the iconic Avenue of Angels, illuminated with over 1 million lights.
- Decorated vignettes from Village partners.
- Fun props and holiday photo backdrops.
Tickets are $85 per person. All proceeds will benefit Give Kids The World. Please note, this tour entails 90 minutes of walking and storytelling, and may not be suitable for young children.
A MERRY WINTER GARDEN LIGHT SHOW AT CITY HALL
December 7, 8, 14, 15 21, & 22, 2024, 6-9pm
Winter Garden City Hall
Enjoy a very merry light show at Winter Garden’s City Hall. Plus, there will be a Winter Wonderland area for children at City Hall on the nights of the light show. The entire downtown Winter Garden area will be festive and decorated.
2024 Sanford Holiday Tour of Homes
Saturday, December 7, 2024, Time: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Check-in: Sanford Museum
Featured homes within the Mayfair neighborhood and the Historic District open their interiors to showcase
Sanford’s historic charm. The Holiday Tour of Homes is the Sanford Historic Trust’s primary fundraiser.
Tickets: $30/adult, $15/child (6-12)
Sanford Parade of Lights
Saturday, December 14, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
A favorite annual tradition in historic downtown Sanford returns! This parade is special since it is held at night and most parade floats are illuminated. Grab an early dinner at one of the many wonderful restaurants or head to one of the breweries for a cup of Christmas cheer after the parade.
New Smyrna Beach Holiday Boat Parade
Saturday, December 14, 5pm
Outriggers Tiki Bar and Grille
200 Boat Yard St, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Save the date! More info coming soon.
Winter Wonderland of Lights (Drive-thru)
December 15 – 20, from 7:30 – 9:30pm
Central Winds Park, Winter Springs
Drive through Central Winds Park and view holiday lights for free by the City and local businesses and organizations. Please be advised – There is a vehicle height limit for this event. No vehicles above 12 ft. will be permitted. Expect long lines.
Motorists are encouraged to use the Tuskawilla Road entrance in the Winter Springs Town Center.
FREE
BONUS IDEA: Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 21, 2024, when Central Winds Park transforms into a captivating walk-through wonderland from 5 to 8:30pm. This exclusive one-night event includes an opportunity to meet Santa, indulge in delicious food from food trucks, and enjoy a movie under the stars in the park. Attendees should bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the movie. Don't miss this unforgettable holiday experience!
Lake Conway Boat Parade
December 20 – 22, 2024
Lake Conway
Enjoy THREE NIGHTS of lights on Lake Conway this year!
- Friday, December 20, 8pm – South side of the Nela Bridge and will run clockwise
- Saturday, December 21, 7:30pm – Sand Bar (SE Corner of Middle Lake) and will run clockwise around the center lake
- Sunday, December 22, 7pm – ‘the Point' on (North) Little Lake Conway and will run clockwise.
SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration
select dates, November 16 – January 5
Included in admission, tickets start at $55 during special promotions, normally $140.
SeaWorld Orlando has so much entertainment during its Christmas Celebration – even a sea of Christmas trees dances to music once the sun goes down. And while each of Orlando's theme parks have their own festive events like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and the Holidays at Universal Orlando, here at SeaWorld, charming Christmas lights are practically everywhere you look!
2024 Holidays in Space
December 20 – 30, 2024
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER VISITOR COMPLEX
Starflake's Holiday Voyage returns this year for Holidays in Space! From December 20 – 30, 2024, watch a nightly projected show on the massive exterior of Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex®. Embark on a breathtaking journey with Starflake as she travels through the stars, Earth, and beyond. You will recognize familiar places along the way, like the Vehicle Assembly Building, International Space Station, James Webb Space Telescope and more.
Don’t forget! Festive holiday décor takes over the visitor complex throughout the entire month of December. The favorite 50-foot tree with more than 61,000 pixels of light returns this year, the expanded Rocket Tree Trail, six-foot-tall astronaut nutcrackers, the NASA meatball-turned-holiday ornament and so much more.
Holiday Drone Show
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 6:30 and 8pm
Lake Eola Park
Back by popular demand, residents and visitors can enjoy a 12-minute, high-tech holiday drone light show to celebrate the season. This one-night only show is not to be missed and will feature a dazzling display of synchronized drones flying in formation to create beautiful holiday-themed designs in the night sky. Show can be viewed from anywhere in Lake Eola Park.
Here We Go A Caroling Light Show
November 15, 2024 – January 4, 2025, 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9:15 p.m.
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
Experience the magic of caroling door to door without moving a muscle in this spectacular holiday light show. Thousands of glowing lights and a custom score create a unique journey through past holiday celebrations. From swinging '20s jazz and the doo-wop of the ‘50s to the funky disco beats and rock and roll riffs of the ‘60s and ‘70s, your favorite Christmas carols come to life. Enjoy a high-energy sing-along finale and making memories that glow beyond the holidays!
FREE; additional Christmas at Gaylord Palms activities and parking prices vary
For more holiday fun, Check out our guide to Orlando's best FREE holiday events!
Neighborhood Lights
Santa's House by the Bigda's
Starting November 30, nightly 7pm
4314 Shadow Wood Trail, Winter Haven, FL
An amazing dancing Christmas lights display!
Bivona Christmas Light Show
Starts December 1, 2024
1601 N Wind Ct, Winter Springs, FL
Tune in to 91.3FM and enjoy this neighborhood holiday lights display synchronized to music.
FREE
Honor by Lights
December 6, 2024 – January 6, 2025
NEW LOCATION: Eola House on Lake Eola
512 Eola Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32801
Monday – Sunday
6PM – 10PM
Winter Wonderland Baldwin Park
Saturday, December 7, 4pm – 8pm
Baldwin Park Neighborhood
Baldwin Park has a community-wide Christmas light contest that includes homes, apartments, and local businesses.
Lights on Topsail Hill Street
Usually starts December 1
2606 Topsail Hill Street, Orlando, FL
This coordinated light show makes for a dazzling date night and it runs until 11 PM. Don’t forget to tune your car radio to 89.7 FM to get the full experience.
The Williams Holiday House
2024 TBA
On Oakland Avenue, this house goes all out when decorating for Christmas. Though this is a residential home, visitors are welcome and encouraged to come take a walk through the yard and take in the lights and decorations. Located at 15304 E. Oakland Ave, Winter Garden.
Christmas Decorations Near Lee Rd
2024 starting date to be announced
1901 Mosher Drive in Orlando
A classic Orlando tradition, this home featured homemade wooden decorations.
Cross Christmas
2024 TBA
4241 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando
An oak tree wrapped in more than 80,000 Christmas lights, festive displays choreographed to music, and snow flurries are just a few things visitors will love about the Cross Christmas display. Snow flurries occur every half-hour between 6:30-10pm.
Fye's Crazy Christmas House
2024 TBA
407 Eagle Circle, Casselberry
This beautiful display contains more than 60,000 lights, a music light show, life-sized nativity scene, a North Pole Village, and a large sleigh for photo ops.
Kissimmee Light Display
2024 TBA
922 Dartmouth Ct, Kissimmee
This multi-home light display features 100,000 lights synchronized to Disney and Christmas songs. The show alternates between two playlists every other night.
Lake Nona Lights
2024 TBA
East Park Subdivison of Lake Nona (Look for 9800 Old Patina Way – single home)
Now celebrating its 12th consecutive year, this home lights display dazzles with lights synchronized to music in an impressive ongoing nightly show. Opening night is Thanksgiving night at 6pm. The show runs nightly from 6-10pm (Sunday through Thursday) and 6-11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
FREE
Johanessen Lights
Not taking place in 2024
The Joanessen Lights group will be producing lights and displays at local events this season.
Other Festive Locations to Add to Your List
- 6877 Tamarind Cir, Orlando
- 14290 Southern Red Maple Dr, Orlando
- 1442 Carrington Ct, Winter Springs
HOT TIPS – 9 Illuminating Tips for Seeing Holiday and Christmas Lights in Orlando
Here are a few more neighborhoods worth driving/strolling through…
- Winter Garden
- Celebration
- Baldwin Park
- Winter Park – especially Park Avenue
- Downtown Sanford
- Disney Springs
- Mount Dora
Worth the drive – Nights of Lights in St. Augustine
November 23, 2024 – January 26, 2025
More than 3 million lights adorning every corner of the historic district for two months around St. Augustine.
The trains and trolleys offer special seasonal tours that take you through the best areas, and there are also a variety of specialty tours — everything from walking to electric cart tours, and even tours to see the lights from the water and from the air.
FREE – with tours being an additional cost
Millbrook Manor – 7535 Millbrook Ave, Viera, FL
Millbrook Manor in Viera, FL describes itself as “Sort Merry, Sorta Scary.” They put on quite the display for both Halloween and Christmas. Nightly from 6 – 10pm. Bonus: It is pet friendly!
Looking for Christmas Lights in Tampa Bay?
SEE SNOW
We're miles from real snow but a few creative locals have crafted a suitable substitute.
Snow Falling Nightly in Celebration
November 30, 2024 – December 31, 2024
Nightly snowfall hourly from 6- 9pm
Celebration Town Center
Celebration Town Center offers “Now Snowing-Celebration’s Winter Wonderland”, a family-friendly holiday experience with some of the best “snow” you can find in Central Florida. Festive music, decorations, and adorable shops make this a great holiday tradition.
FREE
Related: The Most Dazzling Christmas Lights in Tampa Bay and Where to Find the Best Holiday Lights in Tampa Bay. And once the Christmas celebrations are ending, it's time to think about New Year's Eve in Orlando! And New Year's Eve in Tampa Bay!
Featured image: Dazzling Nights Orlando Photo 1 Credit Memoir Agency