News Summary
Orlando is gearing up for the holiday season with a variety of family-friendly events offering stunning displays and celebrations. Major attractions like Gaylord Palms Resort and SeaWorld will provide unforgettable experiences. Visitors can enjoy artistic displays at the Festival of Trees and explore light displays at Dazzling Nights. Additional community events, including the Asian Lantern Festival and tree lighting ceremonies, promise to enhance the festive atmosphere. Families are encouraged to plan ahead as tickets for these sought-after events are likely to sell out quickly.
Orlando is set to welcome the holiday season with an exciting lineup of events for the 2025 Christmas season, featuring a range of family-friendly activities, dazzling displays, and festive celebrations. Ticket sales for these popular events will begin early as they are expected to sell out quickly, prompting families to book their holiday plans in advance.
Major Holiday Attractions
This year, Gaylord Palms Resort will enchant visitors with the beloved classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™, showcasing 2 million pounds of ice sculptures from November 14, 2025, to January 7, 2026. SeaWorld Orlando‘s Christmas Celebration will also bring joy to families from November 7, 2025, to January 5, 2026 with classic holiday shows, ice skating, and fireworks, all included with park admission.
The Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art, scheduled for November 15-23, 2025, will display over 50 designer-decorated trees and gingerbread houses, complemented by live entertainment. Meanwhile, Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens invites families to experience a 3/4-mile journey through stunning light displays from November 28, 2025, to January 4, 2026. Admission for Dazzling Nights begins at $31 for adults on weekdays and $39 on weekends.
Family and Community Events
The Asian Lantern Festival will feature artistic displays at the Central Florida Zoo on select dates from November to January. For those who appreciate Christmas lights, Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs will shine with over 200,000 lights from November 28, 2025, through January 2, 2026. Additionally, visitors can enjoy hourly snowfall at Celebration Town Center from November 29, 2025, to December 31, 2025.
Grande Lakes Orlando will introduce a new outdoor ice rink available from November 27, 2025, through January 3, 2026, adding a seasonal twist to holiday celebrations. The Lake Eola Park’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place on December 5, 2025, with animated lights dancing through January 5, 2026. Highlighting the rich holiday experience, Disney parks will host their celebrations from November 11, 2025, to early January 2026, while Universal Orlando will offer themed decorations and shows from November 21, 2025, to December 31, 2025.
Specialty Events and Experiences
The Legoland Florida Resort will delight guests with a giant LEGO Christmas tree and themed activities included with park admission. Throughout December, local areas like Winter Park and Maitland will host community events featuring tree lightings, holiday parades, and free concerts. Special events like the Holinights Celebration at the Promenade at Sunset Walk will include live entertainment and holiday-themed markets.
Many of these holiday events will also encompass outdoor movies, Santa meet-and-greets, and local civic celebrations. To navigate through the festive season, a comprehensive guide to over 65 unique holiday events and experiences, including free and kid-friendly activities, will be available for families looking to explore and enjoy everything Orlando has to offer this Christmas.
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Additional Resources
- Mommy Poppins: Orlando Must-Do Christmas Events
- Visit Orlando: Christmas Holiday Events
- Orlando Date Night Guide: Christmas Holiday Events
- Orlando Sentinel: Christmas in July Events
- My News 13: Holidays in Central Florida
- Wikipedia: Christmas
- Google Search: Orlando Christmas events 2025
- Google Scholar: Holiday events Orlando
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Christmas
- Google News: Orlando holidays
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
