13 Holiday Date Night Ideas in Orlando for 2026
For a holiday date night in Orlando in 2026, the main options are a Christmas pop up bar at The Courtesy, Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens, Orlando Ballet's The Nutcracker, and a run of Christmas theater and concerts. A Winter Park boat cruise and an adults only lantern night round out the list.
Theme parks appear only twice, and every other pick is a theater, garden, bar or concert. Dates and times come from each organizer's 2026 page, and any detail not posted is left out.
1.The Courtesy
Miracle on Orange turns a craft cocktail bar into a Christmas pop up.
Miracle on Orange is the Orlando stop of the Miracle holiday pop up bar series, set at The Courtesy. The pop up runs from Nov 10 to Dec 30 with hours listed for each day of the week.
- Know before you go
- Dates and hours are subject to change, so check the bar's social media. The page does not list an age rule.
- Best time
- Nov 10 to Dec 30, 2026. Mon 6 PM to 12 AM, Tue to Thu 4 PM to 12 AM, Fri and Sat 4 PM to 1 AM, Sun 3 PM to 10 PM.
- Local tip
- Reservations are available through the Tock link on the Miracle locations page.
2.Harry P Leu Gardens
Dazzling Nights is a timed entry walk through lit gardens 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, and tickets are sold online.
- Best time
- Select nights Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. Entry times start at 5:30 PM.
- Local tip
- Entry is by set time window, so pick your arrival slot when you book.
3.Steinmetz Hall
Orlando Ballet's The Nutcracker has evening performances with snowfall.
Orlando Ballet's The Nutcracker plays at Steinmetz Hall, Dr. Phillips Center, with evening performances at 7 PM on Dec 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23 and 26. The runtime is 1 hour and 57 minutes with one 20 minute intermission.
- Know before you go
- All guests need a ticket. The family matinees include extra pre show activities.
- Best time
- Dec 4 to 27, 2026. 7 PM evening performances on the dates listed.
- Local tip
- Dec 12, 19 and 20 also have 2 PM matinees if you prefer an afternoon date.
4.Winter Park Playhouse
A Christmas Survival Guide is a light hearted musical comedy in an intimate theater.
A Christmas Survival Guide is billed as a light hearted musical comedy to help audiences unwind. Its characters search for the true meaning of the season, guided by a copy of the guide. It was created by John Glaudini, James Hindman and Ray Roderick.
- Know before you go
- The theater lists these as its general performance times, so confirm the schedule for your date.
- Best time
- Nov 20 to Dec 20, 2026, with previews Nov 19 and 20. Thursdays to Sundays at 2 PM and Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM.
- Local tip
- Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM are the evening slots.
5.Orlando Shakes
A musical A Christmas Carol with three ghosts and heavy theatrical fog.
Orlando Shakes presents A Christmas Carol in the Margeson Theater, where the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three ghosts. It runs 1 hour and 50 minutes including one 15 minute intermission, with 7:30 PM performances.
- Know before you go
- Rated PG for spooky content and ghosts, with heavy theatrical fog and smoke. Children under 5 are not admitted.
- Best time
- Nov 25 to Dec 24, 2026. 2 PM and 7:30 PM performances.
- Local tip
- Pick a 7:30 PM show for an evening out.
6.Garden Theatre on Plant
It's a Wonderful Life as a live radio play at Winter Garden's Garden Theatre.
It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is staged at the Garden Theatre on Plant, 160 W. Plant Street, in downtown Winter Garden. Evening performances start at 7:30 PM.
- Know before you go
- Tickets are sold through DNA Productions. Prices are not listed on the city's schedule.
- Best time
- Dec 9 to 20, 2026. Evenings at 7:30 PM on Dec 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18 and 19; matinees Dec 12, 13, 19 and 20.
- Local tip
- Winter Garden's light show on City Hall runs 6 to 9 PM on Dec 11, 12, 18 and 19, so you can pair it with dinner downtown.
7.Scenic Boat Tour
The Winter Park Old Fashioned Christmas Cruise runs about 80 minutes with hot chocolate and carols.
The Winter Park Old Fashioned Christmas Cruise departs from the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour docks and lasts about 80 minutes. A cup of hot chocolate is served on arrival, carols play, and the tour includes Christmas trivia and readings of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas and The Christmas Story.
- Know before you go
- The docks are at 312 East Morse Boulevard. Children 6 and under must wear a life jacket, and the tour may not suit all guests.
- Best time
- Nov 30 and Dec 7, 9, 11, 14, 16 and 18, 2026. Tours depart at 6:30 PM sharp.
- Local tip
- Check in by 6:15 PM and arrive at least 15 minutes before your tour. Free parking is available nearby.
8.Knowles Memorial Chapel
The Bach Festival Society performs A Classic Christmas in a Rollins College chapel.
The Bach Festival Society presents A Classic Christmas at Knowles Memorial Chapel on the Rollins College campus, with the Bach Choir, Orchestra and Youth Choir and guest soloists.
- Know before you go
- Ticket details were not posted on the page at last check.
- Best time
- Saturday, Dec 12 and Sunday, Dec 13, 2026, at 1 PM and 3:30 PM.
- Local tip
- These are afternoon performances, which suit a daytime date.
9.Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
The Asian Lantern Festival has an Adults Only Night on Dec 10.
The Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild is a three quarter mile lantern path with more than 30 illuminated displays and live music. The zoo lists Adults Only Nights on Dec 10 and Jan 5.
- Know before you go
- Tickets are online only with a set entry time. The animals are in their night habitats and are not visible after dark.
- Best time
- Adults Only Nights Dec 10, 2026 and Jan 5, 2027. The festival runs select nights Nov 13 to Jan 17, 6 to 10 PM.
- Local tip
- Enter at 6, 7 or 8 PM and stay until the 10 PM close.
10.Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
A Very Broadway Christmas puts Broadway singers on the big stage for one night.
A Very Broadway Christmas is a one night concert at the Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center, 445 South Magnolia Avenue, where Broadway singers perform holiday songs.
- Know before you go
- Ticket and age details were not posted on the page.
- Best time
- Wednesday, Dec 23, 2026, 7:30 PM.
- Local tip
- The Frontyard Holiday Festival outside is open that day from 5 to 10 PM, so you can walk the snow lawn before the show.
11.First United Methodist Church of Orlando
The Orlando Philharmonic performs Handel's Messiah with the Hallelujah Chorus.
The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra performs Handel's Messiah under Music Director Eric Jacobsen, with soloists and the University of Central Florida University Choir. The program highlights the Hallelujah Chorus.
- Know before you go
- Ticket details were not posted on the page.
- Best time
- Wednesday, Dec 16, 2026 at First United Methodist Church of Orlando, 7 PM. Thursday, Dec 17 at Community Presbyterian Church in Kissimmee, 7 PM.
- Local tip
- The church is at 142 E Jackson Street in downtown Orlando.
12.Epcot
The Candlelight Processional pairs a choir and orchestra with the Christmas story.
The Candlelight Processional at the America Gardens Theatre tells the Christmas story with a celebrity narrator, a choir of more than 150 voices and a 50 piece orchestra. It is part of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
- Know before you go
- Included with park admission. Optional dining packages are priced separately.
- Best time
- Nov 27 to Dec 30, 2026, nightly with multiple showtimes.
- Local tip
- Showtimes were listed as 4:45, 6:30 and 8 PM on Disney's holidays page, but confirm on the day.
13.Disney's Hollywood Studios
Jollywood Nights is an old Hollywood themed Christmas party with a skating show and a lounge.
Disney Jollywood Nights is a separately ticketed Christmas party at Disney's Hollywood Studios with entertainment, limited time experiences and character encounters. Disney describes it as a glamorous old Hollywood party.
- Know before you go
- A separate ticket is required, and ticket price varies by date.
- Best time
- Select nights Nov 7, 14, 16, 21, 23 and 28; Dec 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21 and 23; Jan 3 and 5. Entry from 5:30 PM, festivities 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM.
- Local tip
- Entry begins at 5:30 PM, so you can ease in before the festivities start at 7:30 PM.
Plan your holiday nights out on Wayfind: https://www.gowayfind.com/christmas-in-florida. Check each page for current schedules before you book.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Christmas pop up bar in Orlando in 2026?
Yes. Miracle on Orange is at The Courtesy from Nov 10 to Dec 30, 2026, with reservations through a Tock link on the Miracle locations page.
How do I get tickets for Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens?
A separate ticket is required and tickets are sold online. Dazzling Nights runs on select nights from Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027.
When does The Nutcracker run in Orlando?
Orlando Ballet's The Nutcracker runs Dec 4 to 27, 2026 at Steinmetz Hall, with 7 PM performances on most Fridays and Saturdays and several matinees.
What holiday date nights are adults only?
The Central Florida Zoo lists Adults Only Nights at its Asian Lantern Festival on Dec 10 and Jan 5.
Where can we see a holiday show in Winter Park or Winter Garden?
Winter Park Playhouse is staging A Christmas Survival Guide through Dec 20, and the Garden Theatre on Plant in Winter Garden has It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play from Dec 9 to 20.
