You won’t find snowmen or below-zero temperatures in the Sunshine State, but there are still plenty of holiday activities to get you in the festive mood among the 70-degree winter weather and sunny beach days. From ice-skating to enchanted forests to dazzling light displays, Florida has an abundance of family-friendly winter wonderland-like venues that will put even the biggest Grinch in the holiday spirit. Here is a snapshot of the top Christmas Events in Florida that are sure to bring out the biggest holiday cheer.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Walt Disney World
One of Disney’s biggest annual events, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a spectacular holiday event held in the Magic Kingdom with remarkable fireworks, castle dream lights, parades, and an endless amount of Christmas shows. Live entertainment comes in the form of stage shows, character dance parties, and meet and greets, in addition to complimentary cookies and hot cocoa to keep everyone in the festive mood.
Dates: Select days from November 8 to December 20, 2024
Official Website
Night of Lights, St. Augustine
One of America’s most charming cities, St. Augustine also boasts a 26-year-old annual award-winning holiday lights display tradition. Once awarded one of the top 10 Best Holiday Lighting Displays In The World by National Geographic, Night of Lights features an impressive display of dazzling lights strung along the bayfront towards the Christmas tree placed in the center of the historic town plaza. Watch the annual Christmas parade weave down the 450-year-old brick streets, take a picture with Santa, or shop among the illuminated magical streets. Visitors can take horse and carriage tours of the city or hop on one of the iconic local Christmas tours.
Dates: Every night from November 23, 2024 – January 26, 2025
Official Website
Busch Gardens Christmas Town, Tampa
Transforming the entire park into a magical winter wonderland, Busch Gardens Christmas Town in Tampa is an impressive display of celebration with an array of live entertainment options, holiday shopping, and plenty of festive treats. With over two million twinkling lights creating a dazzling ambiance, visitors have previously found an over-the-top Santa House complete with elves, Mrs. Claus, photo opportunities, and, of course, party treats like peppermint hot chocolate, warm cookies, and pumpkin funnel cakes to satisfy your sweet tooth. Perfect for creating family traditions, the park is known for having cheery surprises, such as being able to meet the big man himself.
Dates: Select days from November 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Official Website
ICE! at Gaylord Palms, Orlando
Arguably, the most festive hotel in Orlando, Gaylord Palms, holds an annual ICE! event that takes holiday cheer to another level. Visitors can experience Christmas Around the World displayed through impressive displays of interactive ice sculptures carved from 2 million pounds of ice. While Floridians might fear the freezing 9-degree temperatures, Gaylord has visitors covered with complimentary coats and gloves provided. Previous events also included a thrilling light show, live performances, ice slides, gingerbread crafting, and a personal meet and greet with Dreamworks characters.
Dates: November 15, 2024 – January 4, 2025
Official Website
Pensacola Winterfest, Pensacola
A magical event that lights up Pensacola during the holiday season, the Pensacola Winterfest promises visitors a wonderful journey. With plenty of hot chocolate and cheer, the festival lights up the streets from Downtown Pensacola to the Historic Seville and Palafox Business District. The little ones can meet Santa and join the special Polar Express Mini-Tour or Puppet Magic Mini-Tour, while the hour-long Performance Tour promises even more, with live performances from some of the most beloved characters. There’s even a Scrooge and Grinch Mini-tour available.
Dates: Select days – November 6, 15, 22–24, 29–30; December 1, 6–8, 13, 15, 20–24, 2024
Official website
Now Snowing, Celebration
The closest thing many Floridians will get to a white Christmas, the annual Now Snowing event in Celebration, is a beloved attraction providing white flurries from the Florida sky. The event includes Charles Dickens Carolers, live performances, horse-drawn carriage rides, an ice rink, a Celebration Express train, and photo ops with Santa. There are plenty of opportunities to create long-lasting family memories in this picturesque and charming small town. The real highlight, however, is the nightly snowfall that will leave you and your family awe-struck at the holiday wonder.
Dates: November 26 – December 31, 2024
Official Website
Beach Home for the Holidays, Panama City Beach
Head to Panama City Beach for the annual Beach Home for the Holidays event, which invites families to join as Aaron Bessant Park sets the stage for the most magical time of year with live entertainment, carol-themed concerts, nightly fireworks, and much more. It’s a fun-filled event with s’mores, appearances by Santa, and live performances, and one of the biggest highlights is the lighting of the dazzling 36-foot-tall Christmas tree.
Dates: November 29-30, 2024
Official Website
LEGOLAND Florida Christmas Bricktacular, Winter Haven
A unique Christmas attraction and Central Florida’s newest theme park, LEGOLAND holds an annual Florida Christmas Bricktacular that is sure to impress both kids and kids at heart. Visitors will find a 30-foot Christmas tree and a life-sized Santa made out of LEGO, in addition to an array of festive decorations and holiday-themed scavenger hunts. After building next to LEGO Master Model Builders and meeting LEGO Santa and Toy Soldiers, visitors can soak in the vibrant fireworks displays set to classic Christmas tunes.
Dates: November 29-30 and December 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-31, 2024
Official Website
Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, Fort Lauderdale
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade is dubbed the “Best Show on H2O” and is the city’s kickoff to the holiday season in South Florida. This one-of-a-kind parade of beautifully decorated boats of all sizes is a ca n’t-miss event. It features over a million viewers along the 12-mile parade route. Want the best view? The parade stages along the New River and travels east to the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale and north to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. The best way to see the parade is viewing from Winterfest’s Parade Viewing Area, which is located in east Fort Lauderdale at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park. Best of all, there’s a fun festival atmosphere with live entertainment before and after the Parade.
Date: December 14, 2024
Official Website
Dickens on Centre, Fernandina Beach
Inspired by the beloved “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, downtown Fernandina is transformed into a classic English village every December. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time with the costumed characters and themed entertainment, while Santa will make an appearance to say hello to the kids. As a bonus, the three-day Victorian-inspired holiday festival is free to the public!
Dates: December 12-15, 2024
Official Website
Surfing Santas, Cocoa Beach
A beloved local event that happens every Christmas Eve morning, hundreds of surfing Santas visit Cocoa Beach to celebrate and make money for local charities. You’ll find plenty of Christmas characters with a beachy twist, each trying their best to impress by catching that perfect wave. It’s a scene you’ll only find in the Sunshine State, where hundreds of Santas take to the ocean with their surfboards.
Dates: December 24, 2024
Official Website
