List
Celebrate the Holidays in Kissimmee
From exploring the enchanting streets of Celebration, enjoying holiday magic at world-famous theme parks, or skating the day away at local events, Kissimmee is the perfect place to make cherished memories this holiday season.
Now Snowing Nightly at Celebration Town Center
Written by the Experience Kissimmee Editorial Team
Make yourself at home in the Vacation Home Capital of the World®, where you can even arrive to a holiday-decorated vacation home after a day of festive events and celebrations bring joy to visitors of all ages.
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Theme Parks
Get ready to experience the magic of the holidays like never before at Central Florida’s world-famous theme parks. Whether you’re meeting beloved characters dressed in their holiday best, enjoying spectacular fireworks displays, or immersing yourself in the festive spirit of the season, these parks are sure to make your holiday getaway unforgettable.
Walt Disney World® Resort
Starting towards the beginning of November, Walt Disney World ® Resort transforms into a holiday wonderland, with each of its four parks offering something unique for the season.
Magic Kingdom® Park: Get ready to step into a winter wonderland at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This separately ticketed evening event (select nights from Nov. 8 to Dec. 22, typically 7 p.m. to midnight, with early entry starting at 4 p.m.) transforms the park into a holiday dream come true. Guests can stroll down snow-covered Main Street, U.S.A., enjoy complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, and meet beloved Disney characters dressed in their festive best. The night sparkles with exclusive entertainment, including Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, the Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show, and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks lighting up the castle.
EPCOT®: From Nov. 27 to Dec. 30, the International Festival of the Holidays brings global festive traditions to life. Guests can meet Holiday Storytellers across World Showcase, collect sweet stamps on the Holiday Cookie Stroll, enjoy the glimmering holiday displays at Living with the Land, and experience the Candlelight Processional, where a celebrity narrator tells the story of Christmas, accompanied by an orchestra and choir.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park: Discovery Island comes alive with the Merry Menagerie, a herd of artisan-sculpted puppets of arctic animals like penguins, reindeer, and polar bears, while Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition brings a holiday-themed illumination to the Tree of Life each evening. Mickey and Minnie greet guests in safari holiday attire at Adventurers Outpost.
Disney's Hollywood Studios®: Step into a Hollywood-glam holiday soirée at Jollywood Nights on select nights from Nov. 7, 2026, through Jan. 5, 2027, with event hours from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and early entry for ticket-holders beginning at 5:30 p.m. During the party, you’ll experience dazzling seasonal décor and rare characters, enjoy live shows like “Disney Holidays in Hollywood” and “What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along,” catch the “Glisten!” skating show in front of the Chinese Theater, watch the “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” nighttime spectacular, and savor specialty food and drinks.
Beyond the theme parks, Disney Springs sparkles with the Christmas Tree Stroll, a collection of elaborately themed trees inspired by Disney, Pixar, and Star Wars favorites, and Santa Claus greets guests through Dec. 24.
Universal Orlando Resort
From Nov. 14, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, Universal Orlando Resort brings the magic of the holidays to life with festivities included in your theme park admission or annual pass.
Christmas at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™: Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, and Ministry of Magic will all be decked out in enchanting holiday décor. Enjoy special holiday performances from the Frog Choir and Celestina Warbeck, putting a festive twist on their usual shows. Don’t miss The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle, a nightly projection show that lights up the castle at Islands of Adventure.
Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s: Marvel at massive balloons and floats featuring characters from Illumination’s “Despicable Me” and DreamWorks Animation’s “Shrek” and “Madagascar,” bringing holiday cheer to Universal Studios Florida each night. The parade ends with Santa Claus leading the lighting of the park’s Christmas tree.
Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular: Celebrate the season with a live retelling of Dr. Seuss’s holiday classic in Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure. Afterward, meet the Grinch himself and stroll the Who-Ville Tree Lot.
Holidays at Universal Epic Universe: Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk celebrate with holiday décor for the first time, while the cosmic winter wonderland of Celestial Park returns.
Universal CityWalk’s Green and Red Coconut Club serves up seasonal cocktails and live entertainment, no theme park ticket required. Throughout the parks, enjoy exclusive seasonal food, drinks, holiday-themed merchandise, and characters in their festive outfits.
SeaWorld® Orlando
SeaWorld® Orlando will host its Christmas Celebration on select dates from Nov. 6, 2026, to Jan. 4, 2027, and the festivities are included with theme park admission for an all-day experience.
Meet Santa at Waterway Grill, where professional photographers will capture special moments, or head to Rudolph’s Christmas Town along the Pipeline Pathway to meet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Bumble. Through Jan. 1, guests can enjoy the Holiday Reflections fireworks show around the lagoon at park close.
Stroll through millions of sparkling lights and the Sea of Trees, shop for holiday gifts at the Christmas Market, and experience the award-winning Winter Wonderland on Ice, a Broadway-style ice skating show set to classic Christmas songs, on select dates. For more family fun, catch the Sesame Street Christmas Parade in Sesame Street Land, or book Dinner with Santa on select nights.
The celebration also honors more traditions of the season, with nightly menorah lightings for Hanukkah from Dec. 4 to 12, kinara lightings for Kwanzaa from Dec. 26, 2026, to Jan. 1, 2027, and a Three Kings Celebration from Jan. 3 to 6, 2027.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort
LEGOLAND Florida will be bursting with holiday cheer during LEGOLAND Christmas Bricktacular, on select dates from Nov. 21, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, with festivities included in park admission and annual passes.
New this year, watch LEGO Santa take to the skies in a festive drone show, cheer on the resort’s first-ever Rap Battle Show, and follow an interactive light trail packed with LEGO brick building. Snap “elfies” with LEGO Holiday Elf Ivy, meet LEGO Santa and climb aboard his sleigh, and pose beside the 30-foot-tall LEGO Christmas tree. Then dance along with LEGO Snowman at Festival of Flurries and with LEGO Reindeer Girl at the Holly Hype Dance Party.
On Dec. 31, Kids’ New Year’s Eve lets families welcome 2027 at a kid-friendly time, with a giant brick drop countdown and fireworks starting at 8 p.m.
Make it a holiday sleepover at one of the resort’s LEGO-themed hotels, complete with a Holiday Pajama Dance Party and an in-room scavenger hunt on arrival day. Between festivities, explore SEA LIFE Florida, the resort’s aquarium, and the holiday displays in MINILAND USA, or visit the separately ticketed Peppa Pig Theme Park next door, designed just for preschoolers. Build lasting holiday memories in LEGOLAND’s seasonal FUNderland!
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Local Events & Entertainment
In addition to the festive offerings at the theme parks, Kissimmee and the surrounding area are filled with local holiday events that bring the season to life in unique and memorable ways. From riverboat adventures to captivating live performances, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Gatorland
Get ready to celebrate the holidays with a distinctly Floridian twist at Gatorland’s Holiday Ho, Ho, Ho-Down on Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, and 20. Enjoy holiday music, festive décor, interactive characters, and seasonal treats for purchase, all included with regular park admission.
Orlando Family Stage
Good grief, it’s a holiday classic at Orlando Family Stage! A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage brings Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the Peanuts gang to life from Nov. 23 to Dec. 27, with Vince Guaraldi’s iconic music performed by a live trio.
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
From Nov. 27 to Dec. 31, the free Frontyard Holiday Festival fills the lawn in front of the arts center with live entertainment, holiday movies, firepits, light displays, a holiday market, and nightly snowfall.
Inside, Celebrate the Holidays at Dr. Phillips Center fills the stages with seasonal favorites. Orlando Ballet’s The Nutcracker returns to Steinmetz Hall from Dec. 4 to 27, and Central Florida Ballet marks the 25th anniversary of A Christmas Nutcracker Tale on Nov. 19 and 20, with a live orchestra for the first time. The lineup also includes Lindsey Stirling’s The Snow Waltz Tour, Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker, A Very Broadway Christmas, Straight No Chaser, Irish Christmas in America, and Vienna Light Orchestra, plus intimate cabaret shows at Judson’s Live.
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
On Thursday, Dec. 3, the museum and the City of Winter Park light up century-old Tiffany windows in Winter Park’s Central Park for the 48th annual Christmas in the Park. Bring a blanket for this free concert by the Bach Festival Society Choir, Youth Choir, and Brass Ensemble, which begins at 6:15 p.m. Inside the museum, Holiday Friday Nights offer free admission from 4 to 8 p.m. and live music from 5 to 8 p.m. on four Fridays, Nov. 27 to Dec. 18. On Thursday, Dec. 24, the Christmas Eve Celebration welcomes guests with free admission from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and live music from 1 to 4 p.m.
Orlando Museum of Art
Step into a winter wonderland at the Orlando Museum of Art's 40th annual Festival of Trees, Nov. 14 to 22, where designer-decorated trees, holiday vignettes, and workshops fill the museum. Families can meet Santa and enjoy story time with Mrs. Claus at the Reindeer Romp on Nov. 20.
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Wander a three-quarter-mile trail of glowing, handcrafted lanterns at Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild on select nights from Nov. 13 to Jan. 17. This year’s all-new displays include space, polar, and North American animal themes, plus sensory-friendly and adults-only nights.
Old Florida Riverboat Company
Climb aboard the Lillie, a 75-foot sternwheel paddleboat that sails from St. Cloud Lakefront Park, for a festive evening on East Lake Tohopekaliga. Choose the Lillie After Dark Christmas Lights Tour or Lillie After Dark – Light Up the Lake for a holiday cruise that sparkles after sunset.
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Hotels & Resorts
Kids delight in a frosty adventure through a candy-striped ice tunnel during ICE! at Gaylord Palms Resort.
Celebrate the holidays in style with a visit to some of the area's most festive hotels and resorts. From immersive ice attractions and charming holiday villages to special dining experiences and joyful celebrations, these resorts offer a variety of ways to enjoy the season. Plus, as the Vacation Home Capital of the World®, Kissimmee makes it easy to find a place to stay that feels just like home for the holidays, with many vacation home resorts offering holiday decor to ensure your home is ready for your arrival.
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
All aboard! Christmas at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center returns from Nov. 13 to Jan. 3, starring ice! featuring The Polar Express™. Walk through about a dozen scenes from the film, carved from roughly 2 million pounds of ice and kept at a frosty 9 degrees, then zoom down five two-story ice slides. Beyond ice!, enjoy the cirque-style show “POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance,” a new Christmas carousel, ice tubing, visits with Santa, gingerbread decorating, and more than 3 million twinkling lights.
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Surrounding Areas & Entertainment Districts
Beyond attractions, Kissimmee’s surrounding areas and entertainment districts offer a wealth of festive activities and local celebrations. Whether you’re shopping for gifts, savoring local crafts, or celebrating the season with live entertainment, these nearby locales provide the perfect complement to your holiday adventures.
Celebration Town Center
Snow in Central Florida? It happens every night at Now Snowing, Celebration’s beloved holiday tradition. Watch flakes drift over Market Street at 6, 7, 8, and 9 p.m., then glide across the synthetic ice rink, hop aboard a horse-drawn carriage or the holiday train, and sing along with Dickens-style carolers. Admission and parking are free.
Universal CityWalk
No theme park ticket is needed to join the fun at the Green and Red Coconut Club, a limited-time holiday makeover of the Red Coconut Club with seasonal décor, cocktails, and live entertainment, running during Universal Orlando’s holiday season, Nov. 14 to Jan. 3.
Disney Springs®
Wander the Christmas Tree Stroll, a collection of elaborately decorated trees inspired by Disney, Pixar, and Star Wars favorites, then meet Santa Claus through Dec. 24. Toast the season at Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar, a festive overlay of the Indiana Jones–inspired lounge.
Experience Kissimmee Editorial Team
We are destination experts and storytellers creating local travel content to help visitors plan their trips with ease. We regularly review and update content in collaboration with community partners, ensuring our recommendations are reflective of current visitor experiences.