13 Free Christmas Things to Do in Orlando for 2026
Orlando has plenty of free Christmas events in 2026, from the Frontyard Holiday Festival downtown, which opens Nov 27, to the tree lightings on Dec 4 and the community festivals on Dec 5. Each pick below is marked free by the organizer.
If an organizer does not state that an event is free, it is left off this list, even when it may be. Some events have paid extras such as rides or tickets for specific add ons, and those are noted.
1.Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
A free downtown holiday festival with snowfall, firepits, a Tree of Light and movie nights.
The Frontyard Holiday Festival at Dr. Phillips Center features live concerts and performances, nightly snowfall, firepits, holiday movie screenings and a holiday market. Santa's Story Nook has daily sing alongs and weekend photos with Santa from 3 to 5 PM.
- Know before you go
- The organizer lists admission as free. Indoor holiday shows are ticketed, and dates, times and programming are subject to change.
- Best time
- Nov 27 to Dec 31, 2026. Closed Dec 14, 15, 24 and 25.
- Local tip
- Holiday Movie Nights are on Sunday evenings and need no tickets.
2.Promenade at Sunset Walk
Snow, a 40 foot animated tree and Santa with free admission and parking in Kissimmee.
Holiday Nights Celebration lights a 40 foot animated Christmas tree nightly at 6:30 PM, with nightly snow and Santa Claus and 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 happens at 6:30 PM each night.
3.Lake Eola Park
The City of Orlando tree lighting adds a Merry Market, food trucks and snowfall.
The City of Orlando Tree Lighting Celebration has music at the Lake Eola Amphitheater from 5:30 PM and a main stage show at 7 PM before the tree lighting. The Merry Market features more than 30 local vendors and photos with Santa.
- Know before you go
- The city lists the cost as free. Food trucks sell food on site.
- Best time
- Friday, Dec 4, 2026, 5:30 to 9:30 PM.
- Local tip
- The tree lights at Lake Eola Park's Washington Plaza after the 7 PM main stage show.
4.Central Park
Winter on the Avenue has snow slides, carolers, s'mores and Santa on Park Avenue.
Winter on the Avenue is Winter Park's annual tree lighting with strolling carolers, a Chanukah menorah lighting ceremony, s'mores and snow slides. Santa and Mrs. Claus appear, with visits and photos available 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 run until 8 PM.
5.Central Park Main Stage
The Orlando Philharmonic plays holiday favorites on the lawn at Holiday Pops.
Holiday Pops in Winter Park is a concert of holiday favorites at the Central Park Main Stage, Park Avenue and Garfield Avenue. The organizer invites you to bring your blanket and a picnic.
- Know before you go
- The organizer calls this a free concert.
- Best time
- Sunday, Dec 6, 2026, 6 PM.
- Local tip
- Bring a blanket and picnic, as the organizer suggests.
6.Downtown Winter Garden
Light Up Winter Garden opens the downtown holiday season with a 6:15 PM lighting.
Light Up Winter Garden, the 39th annual edition, lights up historic downtown with the lighting at City Hall, 300 W. Plant Street, at 6:15 PM. Downtown streets are closed for the evening.
- Know before you go
- The city's schedule lists the event as free.
- Best time
- Friday, Dec 4, 2026, 6 to 9 PM.
- Local tip
- The next morning, Dec 5, the city's free Christmas Parade starts at 10 AM.
7.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, on a 25 minute loop.
- Know before you go
- The city lists the show as free to attend.
- Best time
- Dec 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26 and 27, 2026, 6 to 9 PM.
- Local tip
- It runs as a loop, so you can arrive any time in the evening window.
8.Downtown Pavilion
Winter Garden's free Holiday Night Market and golf cart Christmas parade share a Saturday.
The Holiday Night Market and Entertainment runs at the Downtown Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Avenue, with the Christmas Golf Cart Parade rolling along West Plant Street at 6 PM.
- Know before you go
- The market lists free admission and the parade is free to watch. Some text on the city site shows Dec 6, but the daily schedule and market page list Dec 5.
- Best time
- Saturday, Dec 5, 2026. Market 4 to 8 PM, golf cart parade at 6 PM.
- Local tip
- The parade is viewed along West Plant Street.
9.Cranes Roost Park
Free lakeside lights, a 60 foot tree, an ice rink and fireworks in Altamonte Springs.
Light Up the Holidays brings thousands of sparkling lights, a 60 foot tree, live music and dance performances, an ice skating rink and a choreographed fireworks show. 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.
10.Avalon Park Orlando
Avalon Aglow has a parade, Santa and a 9 PM fireworks show over Avalon Lake.
Avalon Aglow includes a parade around Downtown Avalon, an appearance by Santa Claus and a fireworks show at Avalon Lake that ends the night.
- Know before you go
- The organizer says the event is free for everyone to enjoy.
- Best time
- Saturday, Dec 5, 2026, 3 to 9 PM, with fireworks at 9 PM.
- Local tip
- A parade route map is linked on the Avalon Park event page.
11.Sunset Park
Mount Dora's 34th Christmas Walk has Santa, jugglers, carolers and a petting zoo.
The 34th Annual Mount Dora Christmas Walk fills Sunset Park and downtown with Santa, jugglers, carolers and a petting zoo. The listing also describes a celebration of lights, shopping and holiday fun.
- Know before you go
- The event listing says FREE.
- Best time
- Friday, Dec 4, 2026, 6 to 9 PM.
- Local tip
- Shops stay open late, so plan time to browse downtown.
12.Ivanhoe Village
Jingle Eve offers a free street party, a kids' holiday village and fireworks over Lake Ivanhoe.
Jingle Eve brings local artisan vendors, food trucks, a children's holiday village at Gaston Edwards Park with crafts, a photo booth and Santa, and fireworks over Lake Ivanhoe at 9 PM.
- Know before you go
- General admission is free. The 12 Wines of Christmas Wine Walk is a separate ticketed event.
- Best time
- Saturday, Nov 21, 2026, 4:30 to 9 PM.
- Local tip
- Fireworks start at 9 PM.
13.Krush Brau Park
A German Christkindlmarkt in Kissimmee with free timed entry.
The Christkindlmarkt is a traditional European Christmas market with handmade crafts, ornaments, gingerbread, roasted nuts and gluhwein, plus carol singers, brass bands, a Christmas pyramid and a nativity scene.
- Know before you go
- The organizer says admission is free with timed entry. The page lists two different venue addresses, so confirm the location first.
- Best time
- Saturday and Sunday, Nov 21 and 22, 2026. The event page lists noon to 10 PM.
- Local tip
- Reserve your timed entry through Eventbrite before you go.
Find more Florida holiday plans on Wayfind: https://www.gowayfind.com/christmas-in-florida. Recheck the organizer's page before you go in case details change.
Frequently asked questions
What Christmas things to do in Orlando are free in 2026?
Organizers list free admission for the Frontyard Holiday Festival at Dr. Phillips Center, Holiday Nights at Sunset Walk, the City of Orlando tree lighting, Winter on the Avenue, Light Up the Holidays in Altamonte Springs, Avalon Aglow and more on this list.
Is the Orlando tree lighting free?
Yes. The City of Orlando lists the Dec 4, 2026 Tree Lighting Celebration at Lake Eola Park as free, from 5:30 to 9:30 PM.
Where can I see snow in Orlando for free?
The Frontyard Holiday Festival at Dr. Phillips Center and Holiday Nights at Sunset Walk both list nightly snow with free admission, and the Lake Eola tree lighting lists snowfall.
Are there free Christmas fireworks near Orlando?
Altamonte Springs' Light Up the Holidays has a choreographed fireworks show on Dec 5, Avalon Aglow ends with fireworks at 9 PM the same night, and Jingle Eve has fireworks over Lake Ivanhoe on Nov 21.
Do the free events have paid extras?
Some do. Sunset Walk charges for train and trampoline rides, Dr. Phillips Center sells tickets to indoor shows, and Jingle Eve has a ticketed Wine Walk.
