The holiday season is here, and that means Central Florida is ready to light up the nights with festive displays that capture the magic of the holidays! From local traditions to new displays, there are so many things to do in Orlando to make your season merry and bright. Get ready to be dazzled and discover the magic of the holidays.
Here are 6 holiday and Christmas light shows near Orlando you don’t want to miss!
Dazzling Nights is an immersive holiday event for the entire family. Leu Gardens transforms into a holiday wonderland with giant oaks decorated with hundreds of thousands of lights, a forest of trees that illuminate with holiday greetings from around the world, a forest of stained-glass windows, and so much more! This magical light show is open from Nov. 29 to Jan. 5. For more information, click here.
From Dec. 1 to 25, Wekiva Island will host its annual Winter Wonderland event, an extravaganza of fun holiday things to do near Orlando. It kicks off when Santa and Mrs. Claus visit the Island to light the grand 30-foot-tall Christmas tree. Not only is Wekiva Island dazzling with lights, but there are so many fun family activities at this Orlando Christmas event to bring holiday cheer to all ages. For more information, click here.
The annual holiday tradition of lighting up Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs is another one of the many outdoor activities Orlando has to offer during the holiday season. On Dec. 7, the park will be filled with holiday cheer including live music, entertainment, fireworks and train rides. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also visit as the park comes alive with festive displays featuring 200,000 lights and a 60-foot Christmas tree decorated with thousands of ornaments and garland. For more information, click here.
Kick off the holiday season at Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando on Dec. 6 for the city’s annual tree lighting celebration! The Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree comes alive with synchronized light and music every night until Jan. 6. For more information, click here.
Get into the holiday spirit at Light Up Sanford, the City’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 6. Watch as the Magnolia Square Christmas Tree and Downtown Sanford come aglow with festive lights. Plus, enjoy holiday entertainment, a visit from Santa, and more! Then on Dec. 14, the Holiday Parade of Lights will roll through Downtown Sanford with festive floats, marching bands, dance groups and more!
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is home to one of Orlando’s most popular holiday events! Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild, presented by Publix, runs at the Sanford Zoo select nights from Nov. 15 through Jan. 19. Celebrate the year of the dragon and experience all-new, hand-constructed lantern displays. Plus, enjoy a new festive holiday section featuring dazzling holiday-themed lanterns! This unique holiday lights show in Orlando is the perfect way for the whole family to get into the holiday spirit. We can’t wait to see you at this year’s Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild, at the best Zoo in Florida. For more information and purchase to tickets, click here.
There are so many ways to light up your holiday season in Central Florida. No matter which of the holiday and Christmas light shows near Orlando you choose, there are countless ways to create unforgettable memories with family and friends that will last a lifetime! We certainly hope to see you at the Zoo, and we wish you happy holidays.
