Update: This post has been updated for 2025.
Believe it or not, there are plenty of things to do in Central Florida for the holidays. From the Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo to the festivities in the downtown areas, there is something for everyone. So if you’re looking for holiday activities and more, then you’ve come to the right place.
30+ Holiday Activities and More
Central Florida turns into a winter wonderland during the holidays, meaning there are plenty of holiday activities throughout the area. Here you’ll find a list of things to do, downtowns to visit, coffee shops with holiday drinks, and more.
Hallmark Holiday Downtowns
One thing I absolutely love about living in Central Florida is all the small downtown areas. While I’m usually not a fan of downtown in many cities, the ones listed here are ones that I adore. These are small downtowns and most of them have very European vibes to them. During the holidays, these downtowns also transform into a Christmas Wonderland reminding me of those cute towns we often see in Hallmark movies.
Coffee Shops with Holiday Drinks
We have some amazing coffee shops in Central Florida, many of which decorate for the holidays and also have delicious holiday drinks. While we have many you can visit, these are the ones that stick out the most. Many of these coffee shops have Instagram accounts where they share their holiday drinks as soon as they’re available.
Fun Holiday Events
Over the years, I have gone to many of these activities. Some of these are favorites among the locals and have become quite popular with tourists.
Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens
Leu Gardens transformed into a Winter Wonderland with a million dazzling lights, magical displays, and beautiful sculptures. The transformation is thanks to the Creative City Project. Aside from being a winter wonderland, Dazzling Nights also has alcoholic drinks, hot chocolate, cookies, and other treats.
This event runs from November 28th – January 4th, 2026. Timed Entry takes place from 5:30 PM – 9:15PM.
Address: 1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803
Admission Cost
Adult Tickets: Starts at $31.50
Children (3-13) Tickets: Starts at $29.50
Children (2 and under): Free
Christmas Wonderland at Dezerland Park
If you haven’t been to Dezerland Park, this is Florida’s largest indoor attraction with an auto museum, axe throwing, bowling, and more. For the holiday season, Dezerland transformed a section of the park into a Christmas Wonderland. Here you can visit Santa’s workshop, get a train ride around the attraction, ice skate, and more.
This event is going until December 24, 2025
Address: 5250 International Drive, Orlando, FL
Admission Cost
Adult Package for Christmas Wonderland: $27.64
Skating is a separate cost
Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo
This is one of the most popular holiday events in Central Florida, and it’s located right in Sanford, Florida. With dozens of large, constructed lantern displays, guests can stroll around the 3/4 loop enjoying the dazzling lantern displays.
Address: 3755 Seminole Blvd., Sanford, FL.
Running select nights November 14th, 2025 through January 18th, 2026. Starts at 6 PM – 10 PM.
Admission Cost
Adult: $26.99
Child (2 and under): Free
Holiday Happenings at Icon Park
It’s so much fun going to Icon Park during the holidays. From carolers to beautiful decorations, Icon Park does a great job of transforming this into a festive place for families to enjoy. While they do have a stunning Santa’s Workshop for anyone wanting to get photos with Santa, they also have different attractions that are decked out for the holidays.
Things to do at Icon Park:
Address: 8375 International Drive, Orlando, FL
Admission Cost
The admission varies depending on the activity you do. You can also just visit the park for free without having to go into any of the attractions. Enjoy the snow on the lawn and watch the carolers.
Snowcat Ridge
From Snow tubing to ice skating, Snowcat Ridge is Florida’s first-ever Alpine snow park. Aside from all the fun activities at Snowcat Ridge, there is also an Alpine Village, which has a variety of outlets offering food, drinks, beer, wine, and shopping at the gift shop.
Address: 27839 Saint Joe Rd, Dade City, FL 33525
Admission Cost
Tickets vary on the package and date you go
Christmas at Boxi Park Lake Nona
Using repurposed shipping containers, Boxi Park became a unique spot to hang out for the locals. With games, music, food, and drinks, Boxi Park has also transformed for the holidays. With Christmas trees and festive decorations, there are wonderful photo ops. Plus if you cross the street to the rest of the Lake Nona shops and restaurants, there is a small Holiday Market and a lot of festive fun!
Address: 6877 Tavistock Lakes Blvd, Orlando, FL
Museums + Centers
Believe it or not, our museums and centers have some of the best holiday events. It’s also great for the whole family!
Orlando Science Center
This year, the Orlando Science Center has Dinos in lights! Starting Nov 2025, see a festive light show set to holiday music.
Event starts: November 8 – January 6, 2026
Admission Cost
Included with admission
Orlando Museum of Art
Every year in November, the Orlando Museum of Art hosts the Festival of Trees. This amazing event is very short, lasting for a few days but it’s absolutely a stunning event to go to. You get to see so many different Christmas trees, plus you’ll also see gingerbread houses as well as a cute Christmas shop and more!
Festive Hotels
Central Florida also has some amazing hotels that do a great job with holiday decorations. While I am sure there are plenty more to add to this list, here are a few that stand out with their festive decorations.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando
While Disney hotels are all quite magical during the holidays, one that sticks out is the Four Seasons Resort Orlando. With the tall beautiful nutcrackers, Gingerbread house, and gorgeous Christmas tree, the Four Seasons Resort had magic at every corner.
Caribe Royale Orlando
One of my favorites, the Caribe Royale Orlando decks out the hotel with beautiful chocolate train sculptures, festive decorations, and more. They also have cookie decorating, holiday gnome hunt, and festive cocktails.
Rosen Shingle Creek
If you’re looking for impressive decorations, the Rosen Shingle Creek had a great Mr. & Mrs. Gingerbread Home in their lobby. Not only that but they’ve decorated with beautiful Christmas trees and lots of festive decorations.
Ette Hotel
The Ette Hotel has decorated for the holidays, but what makes this hotel stand out is its holiday afternoon tea. They also have a cute hot cocoa bar and many photo ops around the hotel.
Holidays at the Theme Parks
When it comes to theme parks, there is no lack of holiday decorations and events. From SeaWorld to Universal Orlando, these are some to visit during the holidays.
If you’re looking for more information on the Disney hotels and Disney Springs during the holidays, you’ll find it in my 10 Things to Do in Orlando post.
While I’ve been to both Universal and SeaWorld for the holidays, I have yet to write a post about them. However, I found Universal to be better than SeaWorld for the holidays.
Free Festive Parks
We have many great parks in Central Florida, but not all of them are decorated for the holidays. However, we do have a few that create a wonderful winter wonderland.
There are plenty of things to do for the holidays in Central Florida. For more, check out my social media for more Christmas fun!
