The holiday season is here, which means there are plenty of festive events across Tampa Bay and Orlando for people of all ages to enjoy. From theme parks to zoos and aquariums, many local attractions have much to offer.
Whether you are looking to walk through your favorite park sipping hot cocoa, or take family photos with Santa, the possibilities are endless when it comes to getting into the spirit.
Check out our guide to holiday events in Orlando and Tampa Bay for 2024:
Theme Parks
✨ Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort (Disney World) (MAP)
Nov. 8 through Dec. 31
Disney World’s separately ticked holiday events, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights, are returning this year. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which is held at Magic Kingdom Park, will take place on select evenings from Nov. 8 to Dec. 20. Disney Jollywood Nights will be at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, on select nights from Nov. 9 to Dec. 21.
Additionally, Disney World has plenty of holiday offerings through all four of its theme parks for guests of all ages to enjoy. At Magic Kingdom Park, visitors can look forward to the Frozen Holiday Surprise celebration at Cinderella Castle and the holiday-themed Jungle Cruise — known as Jingle Cruise. Park goers can also experience nightly holiday projections at Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Hollywood Tower Hotel, EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays and Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition and festive decor throughout all of the parks. Disney Springs will also be decked out in holiday decorations, with many restaurants offering a variety of themed food and beverages, as well as photos with Santa Claus.
✨ Christmas Town (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay) (MAP)
Nov. 15 through Jan. 5
At this family-friendly event, which is included with park admission, guests can stroll through Busch Gardens, which will be decked out in festive decor and miles of sparkling lights. There will be themed food and beverages throughout the park including new offerings, along with holiday shopping and shows featuring ice skating, fireworks on select nights as well as Sesame Street characters with special Christmas entertainment.
Park goers can also see Santa in his workshop, which is great for Christmas photo opportunities, and participate in a photo opportunity to meet with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends at Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland. The Holly Jolly Express will also make an appearance, with festive music and views of Busch Gardens’ 65-acre veldt, home to giraffes, rhinos, zebras and more. Visitors can also look out for the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan, which will stop by the park on Dec. 7 from 2p.m. to 7 p.m.
✨ Holidays Celebration (Universal Orlando) (MAP)
Nov. 22 through Dec. 31
The festivities will run daily and include Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, Grinchmas, “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and more. The holiday events are included as part of admission to the theme parks. In addition, all of Universal’s hotels will be adorned with holiday décor and offer seasonal experiences.
At Universal Orlando’s Hotels, there will be special menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, and holiday celebrations will feature Christmas tree lightings, Hanukkah menorah lighting ceremonies, strolling carolers and more. Universal CityWalk will offer specialty entertainment and menus at select locations.
✨ Holidays at Legoland (Legoland Florida) (MAP)
Select dates from Nov. 29 through Dec. 31
The family-friendly event at Legoland Florida Resort, with admission included with day tickets, hotel packages and Annual Passes, will be held Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-31. In addition, there will be a Kids’ New Year's Eve event Dec. 26-31.
This year at Holidays at Legoland, guests can visit a new large Lego brick-built Christmas Tree, featuring almost 365,000 Lego and Duplo bricks towering over 30 feet tall — perfect for photo opportunities. There will also be additional new Lego decor this year, as well as new and returning shows and activities. Visitors can meet the festive Lego crew, comprised of Lego Santa Claus, new Lego Holiday Elves, Lego Gingerbread Man, Lego Reindeer Girl and more. Festive treats will also be in store for guests to enjoy, which include a menu of flavors available for a limited time. At the Kids’ New Year's Eve event, there will be rides, activities and an early dazzling fireworks display.
✨ Christmas Celebration (SeaWorld Orlando) (MAP)
Nov. 16 through Jan. 5
SeaWorld Orlando will transform into a winter wonderland as the park’s Christmas Celebration returns this holiday season. This year features an outdoor ice rink at Bayside Stadium and a “Sea of Trees,” along with a 70-foot centerpiece holiday tree at the heart of the display. The park’s “O Wondrous Night” show returns this year, retelling the story of the Nativity with Christmas carols, life-sized puppets and live animals. New experiences include the Christmas decor at Journey to Atlantis Plaza, featuring sparkling lights and festive displays, including the Snow Globe Ballerina.
Guests can also visit Mrs. Claus’ Magic Kitchen, view the “Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale” display, enjoy the Sesame Street Christmas Parade with favorite characters, the “Elmo’s Christmas Wish” show and Storytime with Big Bird, meet Rudolph and Bumble in Rudolph’s Christmas Town, visit with Santa Claus at the Wild Arctic gift shop and see the “Winter Wonderland on Ice” ice-skating show. More celebrations include a Hanukkah celebration, Kwanzaa festivities, New Year’s Eve party and Three Kings celebration.
Area Festive Attractions
✨ YuleTides (The Florida Aquarium) (MAP)
Nov. 29 through Jan. 5
This new holiday experience at the aquarium is family friendly and included with general admission. Guests can check out a holiday tree made from upcycled beach materials and a tree trail in the Aquatic Lounge featuring decorated trees nestled in boats, making up a traditional coastal holiday boat parade. There will also be interactive experiences, including festive holiday “caroling” and character appearances from Rocky and Tango, wearing fun holiday accessories. Outside, visitors will find sand sculptures and other festive photo opportunities. On select dates, there will be a special meet-and-greet and photos with Santa Claus, from Nov. 29 – Dec. 1, Dec. 7-8, Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 21-24.
✨ Holiday Kickoff Weekend and Jolly Days (Brevard Zoo) (MAP)
Holiday Kickoff Weekend: Nov. 30 through Dec. 1
Jolly Days: Dec. 21 through Dec. 23
The zoo’s Holiday Kickoff Weekend will feature festive holiday decorations, music and themed food and beverages—including hot cocoa. There will also be a Zoo pop-up shop, with complimentary sustainable gift wrapping for guests’ purchases. Visitors can also expect live performances, craft-making stations for teens, festive photo opportunities and more.
At Jolly Days, guests can participate in activities, enjoy music and watch the animals “unwrap” holiday treats. Mr. & Mrs. Claus will also be available to take photos. View Mr. & Mrs. Claus' photo schedule.
✨ Christmas in the Wild (ZooTampa) (MAP)
Select nights in November and December
The festive attraction at the zoo will run Nov. 30-Dec. 1, Dec. 6-7, Dec. 12-15, and Dec. 17-23 from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. The event is free for ZooTampa membership holders and Pay For a Day ticket holders. General admission tickets after 4 p.m. are $29.95.
Christmas in the Wild will feature illuminated animal sculptures, light shows, live entertainment and a visit from Santa Claus. New this year will be “The Realm of the Nutcracker,” a retelling of the classic holiday through a modern dance party featuring Clara, the Nutcracker, the Rat King, and the Sugarplum Fairies. There will also be story time with Mrs. Claus, along with “The Forest of Fantasy” with appearances by the Snow Queen and her dancing snow fairies.
✨ ICE! (Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center) (MAP)
Nov. 15 through Jan. 4
The theme at ICE! this year will feature scenes from the popular Christmas movie, “Elf.” Guests will find extravagant ice sculptures carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice, with over 20,000-square-feet and 10 immersive scenes. Over 40 world-renowned master artisans hand-carved around 6,700 blocks of ice in over six weeks.
The unique attraction features photo opportunities, two-story-tall ice slides and more. Guests will be able to follow Buddy the Elf’s journey from the North Pole to New York City. Along the way, they’ll encounter favorite characters from the film, including Papa Elf, Mr. Narwhal, Jovie, Walter Hobbs, and of course, Santa Claus. Guests will also get to see live ice carving demonstrations by a master artisan in the Carver’s Showcase.
✨ Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild (Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens) (MAP)
Select nights from Nov. 15 through Jan. 19
The zoo’s family-friendly event celebrates the Year of the Dragon this season, featuring dozens of new, hand-constructed lantern displays illuminated by thousands of LED lights on a 3/4 mile path, highlighting the art of traditional Asian lantern festivals. There will also be exclusive food and beverages available to purchase. Santa will make visits on Dec. 13 and Dec. 20. A New Year’s Eve family-friendly countdown will take place at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Tickets for the Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild must be purchased online in advance. Limited tickets are available per night. Tickets must be purchased for specific entry times: 6 p.m., 7 p.m., or 8 p.m.