13 Christmas Light Displays in Orlando for 2026
Orlando's Christmas lights start in early November 2026 and run into January. Gardens, a zoo, downtown light shows and resort displays are all on the list, along with a few theme park favorites.
Most of the picks below are outside the theme parks, and several are free. Dates and hours come from each organizer's own 2026 page, and where an organizer has not posted a detail, we left it out.
1.Harry P Leu Gardens
Dazzling Nights turns the botanical gardens into an evening light walk with falling snow.
Dazzling Nights fills Harry P. Leu Gardens with twinkling lights and festive holiday displays. Each evening includes gently falling snow, holiday music, and seasonal treats, food and drinks.
- Know before you go
- A separate ticket is required for admission to Dazzling Nights. Daytime garden hours are different from the evening event.
- Best time
- Select nights Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. Evening entry times start at 5:30 PM.
- Local tip
- Tickets are sold online for set entry windows, so pick your night and arrival time before you go.
2.Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
More than 3 million Christmas lights plus ICE! with hand carved Polar Express scenes in Kissimmee.
The resort says there are more than 3 million Christmas lights around every bend. ICE! features The Polar Express with scenes hand carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice, and the season also brings Snow Flow Mountain and a holiday Cirque show.
- Know before you go
- Attractions are ticketed, and activity passes and bundles are sold through the resort ticket site.
- Best time
- Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027.
- Local tip
- Daily hours and closed days are not listed on the main page, so check the resort ticket site or call the resort before you drive over.
3.Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild lights up a lantern path in Sanford after dark.
The Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild lines a three quarter mile path with more than 30 illuminated displays, including North American wildlife scenes, space themed displays and traditional Chinese creatures. Food, drink, live music and artisan crafts are also offered.
- Know before you go
- Tickets must be bought online in advance for a set entry time, walk up tickets are not sold, and dates can sell out. The animals are in their night habitats and are not visible after dark.
- Best time
- Select nights Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 17, 2027, 6 to 10 PM.
- Local tip
- Enter at 6, 7 or 8 PM and stay until the 10 PM close. Last admission is 9:15 PM and re entry is not allowed.
4.Cranes Roost Park
Free lakeside lights with a 60 foot tree, live music and fireworks in Altamonte Springs.
Light Up the Holidays brings thousands of sparkling lights, a 60 foot tree with ornaments and garland, live music and dance performances, an ice skating rink and a choreographed fireworks show to Cranes Roost Park. Santa and Mrs. Claus visit, and there are kids' activities.
- Know before you go
- The City of Altamonte Springs states admission is free. Food and beverages are available for purchase.
- Best time
- Saturday, Dec 5, 2026, 5 to 9 PM.
- Local tip
- Coolers and glass are not permitted, so plan on buying snacks on site.
5.Winter Garden City Hall
A free 25 minute animated light show plays on the City Hall facade.
A Merry Winter Garden Light Show is an animated show on the front facade of Winter Garden City Hall, set to holiday music. It is a 25 minute loop, and the first night falls on the same day as Light Up Winter Garden, Dec 4.
- Know before you go
- Free to attend at 300 W. Plant Street, according to the city.
- Best time
- Dec 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26 and 27, 2026, 6 to 9 PM.
- Local tip
- The show runs as a loop, so you can arrive any time in the evening window and walk Plant Street before or after.
6.Promenade at Sunset Walk
Holiday Nights bring a 40 foot animated tree, nightly snow and Santa to Kissimmee.
Holiday Nights Celebration features the nightly lighting of a 40 foot animated Christmas tree at 6:30 PM, nightly snowfall, and Santa Claus with his mischievous elves.
- Know before you go
- Sunset Walk lists free admission and parking. Train rides and the trampoline ride are paid extras.
- Best time
- Select nights Nov 19 to 22, Nov 27 to 29, Dec 3 to 6, Dec 10 to 13 and Dec 17 to 25, 2026, 6 to 10 PM.
- Local tip
- The tree lighting is at 6:30 PM, so arrive by then to see it switch on.
7.Disney Springs
A Christmas Tree Stroll past Disney, Pixar and Star Wars inspired trees, with nightly snowfall.
The Christmas Tree Stroll winds past extravagantly decorated trees, including Disney, Pixar and Star Wars inspired designs and a returning Toy Story inspired tree. Snow falls nightly in Town Center, and local bands play on select nights at the AdventHealth Waterside Stage.
- Know before you go
- Specific snowfall times and music nights were not announced on the Disney Parks Blog, so check Disney Springs for the current schedule.
- Best time
- November 11, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Santa visits November 11 through December 24.
- Local tip
- Seating at the Waterside Stage is first come, first served.
8.Downtown Winter Park
Holidays on Park puts a Cathedral of Lights and a Holiday Carousel on Park Avenue.
Park Avenue's Holidays on Park invites you to wander beneath the Cathedral of Lights and ride the Holiday Carousel.
- Know before you go
- Admission details and carousel hours are not posted on the page, so confirm before you go.
- Best time
- Begins Nov 27, 2026. An end date and hours are not stated.
- Local tip
- The district says schedules and updates are posted on its Instagram and Facebook pages.
9.Celebration Town Center
Tree lighting weekend kicks off nightly snow in the lakeside town of Celebration.
Celebration's Tree Lighting Ceremony fills the town center with sparkling lights on Nov 28 and 29. Now Snowing Nightly follows from Nov 28 through Jan 1, 2027, so the lights and snow continue all season.
- Know before you go
- Pricing for the ceremony was not listed on the events page.
- Best time
- Tree Lighting Nov 28 and 29, 2026, 5 to 9:30 PM. Now Snowing Nightly Nov 28, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027, starting at 5:30 PM.
- Local tip
- The events page lists the town center address as 701 Front Street.
10.Lake Dora
Decorated boats glide along the Mount Dora shoreline for the 36th lighted boat parade.
The 36th Annual Mount Dora Lighted Boat Christmas Parade has the theme Florida Christmas. Judging happens in Lake Beauclair at 5:30 PM, the parade enters Lake Dora around 6:00 PM, and boats reach the Mount Dora shoreline from about 6:30 PM.
- Know before you go
- The parade is free to watch, according to the organizer.
- Best time
- Saturday, Dec 5, 2026. The parade runs about an hour once it reaches the shoreline.
- Local tip
- Watch from Grantham Point or Elizabeth Evans Park, because the parade is only visible from the Mount Dora side.
11.Magic Kingdom Park
Holiday decor on Main Street and a Frozen Holiday Surprise at Cinderella Castle.
Holiday trimmings line Main Street, U.S.A. and the park, with photo spots at Cinderella Castle and Space Mountain. In Frozen Holiday Surprise, Olaf and his snow siblings decorate the castle and Elsa turns it into a glowing ice palace.
- Know before you go
- Regular park admission applies. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a separate ticketed event on select nights.
- Best time
- Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 6, 2027, during park hours.
- Local tip
- Show times were not announced on the Disney Parks Blog, so check Disney's schedule for the day you visit.
12.Epcot
Festival of the Holidays adds storytellers, Holiday Kitchens and a gingerbread Spaceship Earth.
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays returns Nov 27 to Dec 30, 2026 with holiday storytellers at the pavilions, Holiday Kitchens food booths and a gingerbread Spaceship Earth. The Candlelight Processional also begins Nov 27 at the America Gardens Theatre.
- Know before you go
- Included with theme park admission. Optional dining packages for Candlelight are priced separately.
- Best time
- Nov 27 to Dec 30, 2026, during park hours.
- Local tip
- Candlelight Processional runs nightly with multiple showtimes, and Disney had not published the times on the festival blog post.
13.SeaWorld Orlando
Christmas Celebration brings a Sea of Trees, a skating show and nightly Holiday Reflections fireworks.
SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration includes Sea of Trees, Winter Wonderland on Ice and Holiday Reflections, a fireworks show viewable around the lagoon at park close. The park also lists Santa meet and greets and Rudolph and Bumble at Rudolph's Christmas town.
- Know before you go
- Included with park admission. Dinner with Santa is offered on select nights.
- Best time
- Select dates Nov 6, 2026 to Jan 4, 2027, per the park hours calendar.
- Local tip
- Check the park hours page for your date, because the event runs on select dates and the skating show is on select dates too.
Plan your holiday nights on Wayfind, where you can browse Christmas events across Florida: https://www.gowayfind.com/christmas-in-florida. Always check the organizer's page before you go, since schedules can change.
Frequently asked questions
When do the Orlando Christmas lights start in 2026?
Disney's holiday season begins Nov 13, Gaylord Palms and the Central Florida Zoo lantern festival open Nov 13, SeaWorld starts Nov 6 on select dates, and Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens opens Nov 20.
Which Orlando Christmas light displays are free?
Light Up the Holidays at Cranes Roost Park on Dec 5 is free according to the city, A Merry Winter Garden Light Show is listed as free to attend, the Mount Dora lighted boat parade is free to watch, and Holiday Nights at Sunset Walk lists free admission and parking.
Do I need tickets for Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens?
Yes. A separate ticket is required, and entry is by set time windows that start at 5:30 PM.
Where can I see snow with the lights?
Celebration Town Center has Now Snowing Nightly from Nov 28 to Jan 1, 2027. Sunset Walk lists nightly snow on its Holiday Nights, and Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens includes gently falling snow.
Can I see Orlando Christmas lights without going to a theme park?
Yes. Most picks here are gardens, parks, downtowns and a zoo. Three of the thirteen are theme parks.
