Time to plan early. The Christmas and Holiday Events season in Orlando, is coming up quickly. This means breaking out the eggnog, Christmas movies and festive tunes. It’s also a great time of year to be outside enjoying the area’s holiday lights and decor. Here’s a guide to finding some of the best of Orlando’s holiday and Christmas lights displays. Best of all, it won’t cost you a penny to enjoy most of them!
Updated October 2022, information is updated as 2022 events are announced
ORLANDO HOLIDAY LIGHTS
Christmas Nights in Lights Immersive Light Show
November 11, 2022 – January 1, 2023, 6pm – 11pm
Dezerland Orlando
A dazzling drive-thru light show fully synchronized to popular holiday classics tuned directly to each vehicle’s car stereo on a private radio frequency. The all-new seasonal attraction will take guests through a showcase of holiday displays and more than 1.5 million “dancing” lights. Guests never have to exit their cars; they can simply sit back, relax, and take in the spectacle of the synchronized light show before them.
$45 per vehicle (not per person)
Shine Light Show
November 18, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
This free show dazzles with thousands of dancing lights, synchronized to a high-energy, seasonal soundtrack. Animated light curtains glow with Christmas imagery around a centerpiece tree that magically transforms into a gleaming and glowing holiday spectacle.
FREE; additional Christmas at Gaylord Palms activities and parking prices vary
Related: Disney has some pretty amazing Disney World Christmas and Holiday decorations, too!
Dazzling Nights
November 25, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Leu Gardens
A 3/4 mile journey of awe-inspiring light experiences.
A few snapshots of the all-new, totally redesigned 2022 adventure include:
- A brand-new, redesigned show
- A million lights that bring Leu Gardens to life
- Meet-and-greet characters in the Ice Castle
- A new yeti play area for kids and families
- 40′ diameter snow dome with swirling snow
- 70′ long candy cane vortex light tunnel
- Walk through a forest with giant, neon flowers
- A brand-new laser light show with live singers
- Expanded food and beverage options
- And so much more!
$22 – $25
Dazzling Nights Orlando – Photo Credit Memoir Agency
Lake Nona Lights
November 24 – December 31, 2022
East Park Subdivison of Lake Nona (Look for 9800 Old Patina Way)
Now celebrating its 10th consecutive year, this neighborhood lights display dazzles with lights synchronized to music in an impressive ongoing nightly show. Opening night is Thanksgiving night at 6pm. The show runs nightly from 6-10pm (Sunday through Thursday) and 6-11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
FREE
Holiday Light Displays at Cranes Roost Park
November 24, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs
Enjoy over 200,000 lights on more than 100 holiday displays powered by Duke Energy. The lights are turned on each night at dusk. Be sure to check the City of Altamonte’s calendar as some nights have appearances of Santa Claus, snow fairies, and more.
FREE
Lights at Lake Eola
On or around December 5 – January 6 (exact dates for 2022 TBD)
Lake Eola Park, Orlando
Strolling along hand in hand to see the Christmas light at Lake Eola is a must! The Eola Wonderland 72–foot Christmas tree dazzles every night with a synchronized light and music show. The iconic Lake Eola fountain displays red, green, and gold lights — a beloved Orlando tradition. Definitely tops the list of best Orlando holiday lights!
A Merry Winter Garden Light Show at City Hall
December 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 2022, 6-9pm
Winter Garden City Hall
Enjoy a very merry light show at Winter Garden’s City Hall. Plus, there will be a Winter Wonderland area for children at City Hall on the nights of the light show. The entire downtown Winter Garden area will be festive and decorated.
For more holiday fun, Check out our guide to Orlando’s best FREE holiday events!
Casselberry Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony + Holiday Lights
Tree lighting December 3, 2022
Lights and decorations through December 26, 2022, beginning at dusk
Lake Concord Park, Casselberry
Stroll through Lake Concord Park to enjoy charming vignettes of holiday displays and brilliant lights. This small community park is perfect for a simple evening of enjoying light displays and a lakeside park.
FREE
Winter Wonderland of Lights 2022 (Drive-thru)
Sunday, December 4, 2022, 7pm
Central Winds Park, Winter Springs
Drive through Central Winds Park and view holiday lights for free by the City and local businesses and organizations. Please be advised – There is a vehicle height limit for this event. No vehicles above 11 ft. will be permitted. Expect long lines.
FREE
Johanessen Lights
Nightly in December from 6-9pm *CLOSED Christmas Eve
Winter Park
Park at the corner of Goldenrod & Georgeann and walk over to enjoy this popular neighborhood display.
FREE
Here are a few more neighborhoods worth driving/strolling through…
- Winter Garden
- Celebration
- Baldwin Park
- Winter Park – especially Park Avenue
- Downtown Sanford
- Disney Springs
- Mount Dora
Image credit: City of Winter Garden
Worth the drive – Nights of Lights in St. Augustine
November 19, 2022, to January 31, 2023
More than 3 million lights adorning every corner of the historic district for two months around St. Augustine.
The trains and trolleys offer special seasonal tours that take you through the best areas, and there are also a variety of specialty tours — everything from walking to electric cart tours, and even tours to see the lights from the water and from the air.
FREE – with tours being an additional cost
SEE SNOW
We’re miles from real snow but a few creative locals have crafted a suitable substitute.
Snow Falling Nightly in Celebration
November 26, 2022 – December 31, 2022
Nightly snowfall hourly from 6- 9pm
Celebration Town Center
Celebration Town Center offers “Now Snowing-Celebration’s Winter Wonderland”, a family-friendly holiday experience with some of the best “snow” you can find in Central Florida. Festive music, decorations, and adorable shops make this a great holiday tradition.
FREE
Celebration becomes a winter wonderland with nightly snow falls. (©Whitney Bilodeau)
Oh, What Fun! Holiday Festival
Select nights November 26, 2021 – January 2, 2022 (2022 Dates TBD)
Lake Nona Town Center
This year’s winter wonderland features photos with Santa, holiday movies, a Christmas tree lot, live entertainment, special holiday events and more. See real snow and race down a snow slide at the North Pole Party December 18 – 19, 2021.
FREE Admission
Wekiva Island’s Winter Wonderland
December 3 – 25, 2021 (2022 Dates TBD)
Wekiva Island
Nightly snow flurries plus extra entertainment and activities are offered on select days and evenings, including outdoor movies and visits from Santa Claus. New for 2021 is a 20 feet tall Christmas tree that has been added to the Christmas Tree Forest.
*Note: a $2 admission fee applies
Snowcat Ridge Alpine Adventure Park
Reopening November 2022
Dade City
Snowcat Ridge is an alpine snow park featuring a 60-foot-tall and 400-foot-long real snow-covered tubing hill with a magic carpet lift, an Alpine Village, and more.
$26.95 and up
Related: The Most Dazzling Christmas Lights in Tampa Bay and Where to Find the Best Holiday Lights in Tampa Bay. And once the Christmas celebrations are ending, it’s time to think about New Year’s Eve in Orlando!
The following Orlando holiday lights displays are TBD for 2022:
The Lights on Jeater Bend
November 25 – December 31, 2021, 6-9:30pm (2022 dates TBD)
Jeater Bend Drive, Celebration (park on Celebration Avenue and walk over)
Now in its 13th year, Jeater Bend features 11 homes synchronized to lights, music, projection, water & fire.
FREE
The Lights on Jeater Bend | Photo by Stephanie Patterson
I-Drive District Holiday Tree Lighting
Tree lighting: December 1, 2021, 6pm (2022 Dates TBD)
Holiday tree on display through January 1, 2022 (2022 Dates TBD)
ICON Park on International Drive
Kick of the Holiday Season with the I-Drive District at ICON Park! Check out how I-Drive Dazzles with a glittering lighting ceremony of the 50-ft Holiday Tree. Special performances by the I-Ride Trolley Chords, Dr. Phillips High School Dance In Motion Company & Orlando Ballet. Make a reservation at The Santa Workshop Experience to meet and take holiday photos with Santa and the Jolly old elf! Children participating in The Santa Workshop Experience will receive a FREE ticket to ride the Wheel at ICON Park. The Holiday Tree will be present for viewing at ICON Park through New Year’s Day.
FREE
City of Orlando Tree Lighting Celebration
December 3, 2021, 5-9pm (2022 DatesTBD)
Ring in the holiday season with Mayor Buddy Dyer at the City of Orlando’s Tree Lighting Celebration. The event will include holiday performances at the Walt Disney Amphitheater, food trucks and a holiday market, and an opportunity to meet Santa until 9pm at the Eola House.
FREE
Bivona Christmas Light Show
Nightly from 6:30 – 10:45pm; check Facebook for updates (2022 DatesTBD)
1601 N Wind Ct, Winter Springs, FL
Tune in to 91.3FM and enjoy this neighborhood holiday lights display synchronized to music.
FREE
Night of a Million Lights
Discontinued
Give Kids the World Village
This special event came about when the Give Kids the World Village could not operate at full capacity due to COVID-19 precautions. The Village is now back to full capacity, which means the Night of a Million Lights event will not be returning. If a similar holiday event is offered, we will update our guide.
Christmas in Color
2022 not confirmed / TBD
Island H20 Water Park – Kissimmee
Drive through millions of lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music you’ll hear right through your radio. Drive by giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways and more.
$35
Featured image: Dazzling Nights Orlando Photo 1 Credit Memoir Agency