14 Christmas Things to Do with Kids in Orlando for 2026
Families in Orlando can find Santa, snow and holiday shows from mid November through the end of the year in 2026. ICE! at Gaylord Palms starts Nov 13, Celebration's nightly snow begins Nov 28, and Santa visits run at Sunset Walk, the Dr. Phillips Center Frontyard and several community festivals.
Only SeaWorld among the picks below is a major theme park. Dates and details come from the organizers' own 2026 pages, and anything they have not posted is left out.
1.Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
ICE! hand carves The Polar Express from ice, with Snow Flow Mountain and Santa photos.
ICE! features The Polar Express with 11 scenes hand carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice, five ice slides including a kid sized one, and sculptures of Rudolph characters. The resort also lists Snow Flow Mountain, a family holiday Cirque show, a Gingerbread Decorating Corner and photos with Santa.
- Know before you go
- Attractions are ticketed, and bundles are sold through the resort ticket site. The page lists no hours or closed days, so confirm before you go.
- Best time
- Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027.
- Local tip
- ICE! is self guided with no time limits, so families can go at their own pace.
2.Celebration Town Center
Nightly snow falls over the lakeside town center from Nov 28.
Now Snowing Nightly brings snow to Celebration Town Center from Nov 28 through Jan 1, 2027, starting at 5:30 PM. The Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov 28 and 29 kicks off the season.
- Know before you go
- Pricing was not listed on the events page, and Santa is not listed there either.
- Best time
- Snow nightly Nov 28, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027. Tree lighting Nov 28 and 29, 5 to 9:30 PM.
- Local tip
- The events page lists the town center address as 701 Front Street.
3.Promenade at Sunset Walk
Snow, Santa and a 40 foot animated tree with free admission and parking.
Holiday Nights Celebration has a 40 foot animated Christmas tree lit nightly at 6:30 PM, nightly snow, and Santa Claus with his mischievous elves.
- Know before you go
- Sunset Walk lists free admission and parking. Train and trampoline rides cost extra.
- 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
- Arrive by 6:30 PM to see the tree light up.
4.Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Santa's Story Nook, a Little Elves' Workshop and nightly snow at a free downtown festival.
The Frontyard Holiday Festival includes Santa's Story Nook with daily sing alongs and weekend photos with Santa from 3 to 5 PM, plus the Little Elves' Workshop for kids. Snow falls across the frontyard, and there are fireside s'mores at the firepits.
- Know before you go
- The festival is free, though indoor holiday shows are ticketed. Hours vary, so check the festival page.
- Best time
- Nov 27 to Dec 31, 2026. Closed Dec 14, 15, 24 and 25.
- Local tip
- Sunday evenings feature Holiday Movie Nights under the stars.
5.Orlando Family Stage
A Charlie Brown Christmas on stage for all ages, with a relaxed performance on Dec 13.
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage is recommended for all ages and runs 90 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission. The theater also offers Step Into The Story family workshops on Nov 28 and Dec 12 at 3:15 PM.
- Know before you go
- Showtimes are on the ticket page. ASL interpreted and audio descriptive shows are also scheduled.
- Best time
- Nov 23 to Dec 27, 2026. Relaxed performance Sunday, Dec 13 at 2 PM.
- Local tip
- The theater is in Loch Haven Park at 1001 E. Princeton Street.
6.Orlando Shakes
A musical Christmas Carol for the whole family, with a rating note for little ones.
Orlando Shakes presents A Christmas Carol as a musical spectacle for the whole family, running 1 hour and 50 minutes including one 15 minute intermission. Performances are at 2 PM and 7:30 PM in the Margeson Theater.
- Know before you go
- Rated PG for spooky content and ghosts. Children under 5 are not admitted, and the production uses heavy theatrical fog and smoke.
- Best time
- Nov 25 to Dec 24, 2026.
- Local tip
- The 2 PM performances suit families with younger children.
7.Steinmetz Hall
Orlando Ballet's Nutcracker has family matinees with crafts, face painting and a dance class.
Orlando Ballet's The Nutcracker runs at Steinmetz Hall. Family matinees on Dec 12, 13, 19, 20, 22, 23, 26 and 27 at 2 PM, and Dec 24 at 1 PM, include relaxed re entry and pre show activities such as crown decorating, snowflake making, story time, an interactive dance class, face painting and photo spots.
- Know before you go
- All guests need a ticket, and children must be at least two years old. The runtime is 1 hour and 57 minutes with one 20 minute intermission.
- Best time
- Dec 4 to 27, 2026. Family matinees listed above.
- Local tip
- The ballet advises arriving early to join the pre show activities.
8.Gatorland
Gator Claus poses in a swamp sleigh at the Holiday Ho, Ho, Ho-Down.
The Holiday Ho, Ho, Ho-Down features photos with Gator Claus in a sleigh built for the swamp and a meet with the Krampus Croc. The park also lists holiday music, decorations, interactive characters, arts and crafts vendors and cryptid carols from the Florida Skunk Ape.
- Know before you go
- The event is included with regular park admission.
- Best time
- Dec 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20, 2026. Dates are subject to change.
- Local tip
- Dates are limited to six days, so pick your day early.
9.SeaWorld Orlando
Santa and Rudolph meet and greets, the Sesame Street Christmas Parade and a skating show.
SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration lists Santa meet and greets at the Waterway Grill and Rudolph and Bumble at Rudolph's Christmas town on the Pipeline Pathway. The Sesame Street Christmas Parade takes place in Sesame Street Land, and Winter Wonderland on Ice runs on select dates.
- 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.
- Local tip
- Parade times are on the park hours page.
10.Lake Nona Town Center
Oh, What Fun! brings Santa's Cottage and holiday weekends at Boxi Park.
Oh, What Fun! Holiday Festival turns Lake Nona Town Center into a winter wonderland on Dec 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20. The festival lists visits to Santa's Cottage and holiday themed weekends at Boxi Park.
- Know before you go
- The page does not say whether the festival or Santa visits are free, and no daily hours are listed.
- Best time
- Dec 4 to 20, 2026, on the listed dates.
- Local tip
- Santa's Cottage visits require a booking through the festival's reservation site.
11.Wekiva Island
Winter Wonderland adds a Christmas Tree Forest, snow flurries and Santa's Workshop on the river.
Wekiva Island's Winter Wonderland has a Christmas Tree Forest with an iconic 30 foot tree, nightly snow flurries and Santa's Workshop. Santa's Workshop is listed on Nov 29, Dec 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20, with a Holiday Market on Nov 29 from 1 to 5 PM.
- Know before you go
- An admission fee applies, and select events require an additional ticket. Wekiva Island is in Longwood, north of Orlando.
- Best time
- Nov 29 to Dec 21, 2026, plus open Dec 24 and 25.
- Local tip
- Santa's Workshop hours vary by date, with afternoon and evening sessions listed.
12.Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
The lantern festival has Sensory Nights and Santa visits Dec 20 to 23.
The Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild is a three quarter mile lantern path with more than 30 illuminated displays. The zoo lists Sensory Nights on Dec 1 and Jan 12, and Santa Visits the Festival on Dec 20 to 23.
- Know before you go
- Tickets are bought online in advance for a set entry time. The zoo 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
- Guests may enter at 6, 7 or 8 PM and stay until closing.
13.Cranes Roost Park
Santa and Mrs. Claus, an ice rink and kids' activities at Light Up the Holidays.
Light Up the Holidays features visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, an ice skating rink, kids' activities, live music and dance performances, a 60 foot tree and a choreographed fireworks show.
- 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.
14.Central Park
Winter on the Avenue has snow slides, s'mores and Santa and Mrs. Claus on Park Avenue.
Winter on the Avenue is Winter Park's tree lighting with strolling carolers, s'mores, snow slides and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus until 8 PM.
- Know before you go
- The City of Winter Park states the event is free and open to the public.
- Best time
- Friday, Dec 4, 2026, 5 to 9 PM.
- Local tip
- Santa visits and photos end at 8 PM.
Plan your family's holiday outings on Wayfind: https://www.gowayfind.com/christmas-in-florida. Recheck each organizer's page before you go in case schedules change.
Frequently asked questions
Where can kids see Santa in Orlando in 2026?
Santa appears at Sunset Walk's Holiday Nights, Dr. Phillips Center's Frontyard Holiday Festival on weekends from 3 to 5 PM, the Cranes Roost Park tree lighting on Dec 5, Gatorland as Gator Claus, SeaWorld, Gaylord Palms and Lake Nona's Santa's Cottage by booking.
Where can we see snow in Orlando for Christmas?
Celebration has snow nightly from Nov 28, Sunset Walk and the Frontyard Holiday Festival list nightly snow, and Gaylord Palms has Snow Flow Mountain and ICE!.
What is ICE! at Gaylord Palms?
ICE! is a self guided attraction featuring The Polar Express with 11 scenes hand carved from ice and two story ice slides, at Christmas at Gaylord Palms from Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027.
Are there Christmas shows for kids in Orlando?
Orlando Family Stage is presenting A Charlie Brown Christmas from Nov 23 to Dec 27, Orlando Shakes has A Christmas Carol for ages 5 and up, and Orlando Ballet's Nutcracker has family matinees with pre show crafts.
Is there a sensory friendly holiday option?
The Central Florida Zoo lists Sensory Nights on Dec 1 and Jan 12, and Orlando Family Stage has a Relaxed Performance on Dec 13 at 2 PM.
