Top 10 holiday spots
10. Holiday Light Drive
Around this time of year, many houses put up holiday decorations, but there are a few houses that really stand out. In the Alafaya Woods neighborhood ( 1037 Brielle Ave) there is a house that does a Christmas light show, connected to the radio so it looks as if the lights are dancing in time with the music. There are other examples of houses in different neighborhoods that do this as well, and this one is open for videos and visits from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
For more Holiday displays in the area, check out these addresses from the Orlando Sentinel.
Lake Nona’s 2023 Holiday festival. Everyone is welcome. (
photo by www.lakenona.com )
9. Lake Nona's Holiday Festival
At Lake Nona’s Town Center (6990 Tavistock Lakes Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827), holiday-themed photo-ops and festivities are available for friends and family to enjoy. There is also a toy drive that accepts gifts until Dec. 22, for spreading Christmas cheer to kids in need. Other events feature fun, winter themed games and activities. This event ends on Dec. 23.
Lake Eola’s 2023 Holiday movie night. The next movie is “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” (
photo by www.orlando.gov )
8. Holiday Movies at Lake Eola Park
At Lake Eola Park ( 512 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801 ), families and friends gather to watch fun, holiday movies. This event is free, so all that’s needed is a few blankets or chairs to sit on, and delicious holiday treats. The next movie being shown is “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on Dec. 22, at 7:00 p.m.
7. Campfire Christmas
Outside on the University of Carillon’s field (1395 Campus View Court, Oviedo), many families and friends gather around every year for a “Campfire Christmas.” There’s plenty to do—from free food and firepits to roast marshmallows with, to games and Christmas carol sing-alongs. All that’s needed is a lawn chair or a blanket to sit on. This event is free, and is scheduled for Dec. 22, from 5:30 - 8 p.m. The warm glow of the firepit is perfect for the cool, winter air, and there’s a lot of Holiday spirit to go around if you’re looking to celebrate.
The map for Leu Garden’s “Dazzling Lights.” This event lasts until Jan. 5. (
photo by www.leugardens.org )
6. Dazzling Lights at Leu Gardens
All around Leu Gardens (1920 N Forest Ave, Orlando, FL 32803), bright Christmas lights and decorations are set up for photo opportunities, and a night stroll. Tickets cost around $20, and guests are welcome to bring their friends and family to enjoy the lights. This event lasts until Jan. 5.
“Magic of Lights” at Daytona International Speedway. It is miles of lights. (
photo by magicoflights.com )
5. Magic of Lights
Further, at Daytona International Speedway ( 1801 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 ), there is a drive-through Christmas lights exhibit from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. It is $27 for miles of lights and displays with holiday characters like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa. This event ends on Dec. 31.
Regal Holiday Classics are coming to theaters near you. The next movie is Dec. 16. (
photo by www.regmovies.com )
4. Regal Holiday Classics
For the rest of the month, Regal Cinemas are bringing back popular holiday movies such as “Elf” and “The Polar Express” to movie theaters in the area, including the theater in the Oviedo Mall ( 1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd Oviedo FL 32765 ). The tickets are only $5 per person, which is half the price of a typical movie showing. The upcoming movies are “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” on Dec. 16, “The Polar Express” on Dec. 17, and “The Grinch” on Dec. 23.
The Johanessan Lights get over 250,000 visitors a year. They are open Thursdays through Saturdays. (
photo by Johanessan Lights Facebook )
3. Johanessen Lights
The Johannessen Lights (7849 Georgeann Street, Winter Park) is an extremely impressive Christmas light display that was featured in the Great Christmas Light Fight in 2016. The house gets over 25,000 visitors every year, and everyone is welcome to explore and take photos of the decorations outside, as well as the gigantic backyard. The attraction is open 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays.
For more Holiday lights around the area, check out this list .
Disney Springs’s Christmas Tree Stroll is free for everyone to visit. There are 19 different trees. (
photo by www.disneysprings.com )
2. Disney Springs: Christmas Tree Stroll
Inside the Disney Springs park ( 1486 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 ), everyone has the chance to explore the designated pathway of shiny Christmas trees decorated to fit in with fan favorite Disney franchises. There are many great photo opportunities, especially if you’re a fan of the park’s characters. There are 19 unique trees along the trail. This event is free, and open until Dec. 30.
1. Ice
Over the course of six weeks, master artisans from around the world carve around 6,700 blocks of ice into stunning, holiday-themed displays. These displays are visible at the Gaylord Palms hotel ( 6000 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746 ), and this year’s theme is “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Tickets are more expensive, at around $20-40 a person, however, it is a rare experience, so if you have the opportunity, take it. This event ends on Jan. 3.
Holiday break can be both a blessing and a curse. There’s a lot more time for fun activities—whether it’s binge-watching favorite Christmas movies, or spending time with family members, but the free time can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to do. What if your friends are on a fun vacation elsewhere? What if your family wants to plan something fun? How will you be able to celebrate? Here’s a list of the ten local places to visit for some holiday cheer, so you aren’t stuck at home watching “Elf” for the twenty-fifth time.
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