Let's explore some of Orlando's most enchanting Christmas performances and entertainment. As the holiday season draws near, the air in Orlando becomes infused with a magical charm that calls couples to explore the city's romantic side. Amidst the glittering lights, festive decorations, and the unmistakable scent of seasonal treats, Orlando is full of memorable holiday date nights. While there are plenty of FREE holiday concerts, there are a number of holiday concerts in Orlando that are worth the price of admission.
Whether you're a local looking to rediscover the romance in your own city or a visitor eager to experience the magic of Orlando during the holidays, this guide will help you plan a festive date night enjoying the sounds of the season.
Want more festivities? Check out these related posts:
- Festive Christmas Cocktails at Orlando's Holiday Pop-Up Bars
- Orlando's Best Holiday & Christmas Lights
- Restaurants for Christmas Dining
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!
December 6 – 22
Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center
Bring the whole family to see The Nutcracker, brought to you by Orlando Health, a beloved tale full of larger-than-life whimsy and adventure. Performed by the only fully residential professional ballet company in Central Florida, this production comes to life with action-packed aerials, blazing battles and breathtaking ballet. Get tickets here!
Tickets start at $39. Sensory friendly and audio described performances available.
Orlando's Holiday Shows & Performances:
Whether you’re a fan of traditional ballets, festive concerts, intimate theater productions, or the serenade of a live performer, there’s something for everyone in Central Florida’s repertoire of holiday productions.
Here we'll explore Orlando's enchanting Christmas performances that will fill your heart with holiday cheer.
Cirque: Spirit of Christmas
This Christmas at Gaylord Palms, witness breathtaking acrobats, aerialists, and beloved holiday music. It’s a dazzling family-friendly show that blends dare-deviling athleticism with a musical mix of seasonal favorites.
When: November 15th, 2024 – January 4th, 2025
Performances at 1:30pm – 6:30pm Sunday – Friday with an additional 8:15pm performance on Saturdays only.
Where: Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
6000 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Tickets starts at $6.99 for matinees and $13.99 for evening showings.
Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art
Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland at the Orlando Museum of Art’s Festival of Trees. Admire beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses, all while enjoying live music and holiday-themed entertainment.
When: November 16th to November 24, 2024
Where: Orlando Museum of Art
2416 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803
Tickets are $20
UCF’s Knights Season of Joy
Immerse yourself in the enchantment of the festive season with UCF’s Knights Season of Joy. This special event features the UCF choirs, UCF Symphony Orchestra and music faculty, and vocal jazz quartet “RESOLVE”. This event is great for people of all ages, so come for a jovial experience that the whole family will enjoy!
When: Monday, November 25th, 2024 at 7:00pm
Where: The Dr. Phillips Center of the Performing Arts
455 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
Tickets from $10
A Celtic Christmas
Watch world Irish dance champions from the West End’s Lord of the Dance and Riverdance join award-winning musicians to deliver a heartwarming performance that will leave your feet tapping, eyes shining and your soul wanting more! Featuring a powerful mix of traditional tunes, heartfelt ballads and all your favorite carols, A Celtic Christmas combines incredible red-hot rhythms with jaw-dropping talent in an unforgettable night of storytelling, Irish charm and spectacular entertainment.
When: November 26th, 2024 at 7:30pm
Where: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
445 South Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 3280
Tickets start at $39
“A Christmas Carol” at Orlando Shakes
Charles Dickens' timeless classic, “A Christmas Carol” comes to life at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Follow Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformative journey as he discovers the true meaning of Christmas. This production offers a fresh take of the beloved tale.
When: November 27th to December 22nd, 2024; times vary
Where: Orlando Shakespeare Theater
812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803
Tickets prices vary on dates, times, and seating.
Also, check out SLEIGH: It's Christmas Actually!, December 13th – 22nd, 2024.
Elf in Concert
Everyone’s favorite elf is back—and this time, with a live symphony orchestra! Relive a beloved holiday classic on the big screen as every note of John Debney’s whimsical, original score comes to life. After Buddy is accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised among Santa’s elves, he’s unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in. Donning his full elf uniform and festive spirit, adult Buddy sets off for New York in search of his real father, spreading the true meaning of Christmas cheer to new friends along the way.
When: November 29th, 2024 at 3 & 7pm
Where: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
445 South Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
Tickets start at $35.50
Around the World at Christmas
Step into all your favorite stories as the CFCArts Community Choir presents its annual holiday concert, Around the World at Christmas. This year's concert will feature a stunning collection of music from beloved holiday films performed by the 300-voice Community Choir and members of the Symphony Orchestra. Groups of 8 or more can save 20% with code XMAS20.
When: Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 7:30pm
Where: Northland Church
522 Dog Track Rd., Longwood, FL 32750
Tickets from $10
Four Lost Santas
Opera Orlando presents the world premiere of Four Lost Santas, a comic Christmas opera. This fun, family-friendly piece is a lead-in to Menotti’s seasonal favorite Amahl and the Night Visitors, and it is the perfect antidote for the hustle and bustle of the season. Join a barbershop quartet of Santas who find themselves lost on their way to what should be their big break: SantaCon!
When: December 6 – 8, 2024 at 7:30pm & 2pm
Where: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
445 South Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
Ticket prices vary by date
Christmas Candlelight
The 2024 Christmas Candlelight Concerts will showcase more than 150 student musicians including the Stetson University Concert Choir (SATB) conducted by Dr. Timothy Peter, Hatter Choir (TTBB) and the Stetson Chorale (SSAA) conducted by Dr. Pingyi Song as well as instrumentalists from the Chamber Orchestra and Symphonic Band. Dr. Boyd Jones will be the featured organist. The musical repertoire for 2024 continues a tradition of inclusivity and a welcoming spirit with the warmth of beautiful Lee Chapel and the grand and magnificent First United Methodist Church in Orlando. As each annual concert concludes, “Silent Night” will be sung by multiple choirs as they light candles and close the performance.
When: December 7, 2024 at 7:30pm
Where: First United Methodist Church of Orlando
142 E Jackson St, Orlando, FL 32801
Tickets start are $40
A Very Sinatra Christmas Special
Come to Enzo's on the Lake & experience the joy of the Holiday Season while listening to one of Orlando's best jazz vocalists singing a catalog of Holiday tunes “Old Blue Eyes” loved to sing. This is an evening not to be missed!
When: December 8th and 15th at 5pm and 8pm
Where: Enzo's on the Lake
1130 South US Highway 17 92, Longwood, 32750
Tickets start at $25
Trans-Siberian Orchestra – The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Enjoy a holiday spectacle like no other. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra returns to Orlando for their renowned theatrical live performances that combine music, storytelling, and lights displays that truly create a captivating experience. A truly bucket-list worthy Orlando Christmas performance.
When: December 14th, 2024, Showtimes at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
Where: KIA Center
400 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32801
Ticket prices start at $59.99.
The Grinch
Take a trip to Whoville in this whimsical holiday production filled with music, choreography and laughter. A miserable and cheerless Grinch has been watching the Whos enjoy Christmas with disdain from a distance for decades. Now, he’s plotting his greatest heist imaginable: stealing the Whos’ beloved Christmas! Until, that is, the smallest of the Whos, tiny Cindy Lou, extends a hand. Through the power of compassion and community, witness a change in the size and capacity of the old green guy’s heart in this treasured classic.
When: December 16th and 19th at 7:30pm
Where: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
445 South Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
Tickets start at $35
Phantasmagoria’s A Most Haunted Victorian Christmas
Listen to whimsical and haunted tales of the holidays by this critically acclaimed Victorian performance troupe. These storytellers, dancers, and performers bring a chilling twist to the stage during their telling of Ghosts Stories on Christmas Eve. Grab a mug of cider and gather around the Hearth and get spooked this holiday season.
Varying show dates and locations in Central Florida. December 19th to December 22nd, 2024.
Visit the link for more information and to see dates, times, and locations.
A Classic Christmas
Embrace the magic of the holiday season at the Classic Christmas Concert, set within the serene ambiance of Knowles Memorial Chapel. Join us for an intimate evening filled with timeless traditions, including cherished hymns and beloved carols. Embrace the joy of the season and join us for a truly enchanting celebration of Christmas spirit.
When: December 14th – 15th, 2024 at 2pm and pm
Where: Bach Festival Society of Winter Park
1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
Tickets start at $30
Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Orlando. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Christmas Carols on Strings at The Abbey under the gentle glow of candlelight.
When: December 17th and 22nd, 2024 at 6:30pm
Where: The Abbey
100 S Eola Dr, Unit 100, Orlando, FL 32801
Tickets start at $37
A Christmas with Soul
“A Christmas with Soul” promises to be an unforgettable holiday experience that will get you right in the spirit, showcasing a blend of soulful renditions of Motown-inspired Christmas classics. Curated by Former Miss Florida and Miss America, Ericka Dunlap, the show features stunning costumes, impressive choreography, and performances by talented local entertainers accompanied by a live band. It's an ideal production for families, friends, and colleagues to enjoy a night filled with Motown merriment and R&B power vocals.
When: Monday, December 23rd, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Where: Ritz Theater Sanford
201 S. Magnolia Avenue, Sanford, FL
Tickets start at $30.50
Holiday Performances at Walt Disney World
Disney Jollywood Nights
Delight in yuletide entertainment, including live bands, stage shows, sing-alongs, and to wrap up the evening, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! – a nighttime spectacular featuring fireworks, lasers, lights, projections and merry music. All inspired by the glitz and glamour of vintage Hollywood.
Experience Disney's first Jollywood Nights evening event with our Disney Jollywood Nights Expert Tips.
When: Select nights from November 9th to December 21st, 2024
Where: Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios
351 South Studio Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Ticket prices based on reservation date.
Epcot’s Candlelight Processional (with Dining Package option)
A seasonal experience that features a celebrity narration of the story of Christmas, a 50 piece orchestra and massed choir. This is the main highlight of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
By choosing a dining package option you ensure your seat at this highly-sought after Christmas event. Choose from 8 unique eateries at EPCOT offering Candlelight Processional Dining Packages.
When: November 29th to December 30th, 2024
Showtimes: 5:15pm, 7:00pm, and 8:30pm
Where: America Gardens Theater at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT
Tickets include entry to Walt Disney World’s EPCOT but do not ensure you a spot at the Candlelight Processional, which is a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is based on availability due to limited capacity. To ensure a seat you must purchase a Dining Package.