Summer may be the busiest season in Orlando, Florida, but this year-round theme park capital offers just as much, if not more, entertainment in December, when the holiday season is in full swing. Orlando's major theme parks are decked out in holiday splendor, with each offering non-stop holiday-themed attractions, rides and live entertainment. The City of Orlando gets both residents and visitors into the festive spirit with its own holiday events and more low-key alternatives to the pricey theme park attractions. Even some of the hotels in Orlando offer holiday entertainment and activities in the month of December.
The City of Orlando kicks off the holiday season with its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in the first week of December. This kid-friendly event at Lake Eola Park includes crafts for kids, an outdoor screening of a holiday-themed movie and an appearance from Santa Claus. In mid-December, the city hosts the annual Holiday in the Park Festival and the Orlando Christmas Parade, also at Lake Eola Park. The festival includes holiday vendors, live music and the Jingle Bell Dog Jog, a canine-friendly running event. Both dogs and owners are encouraged to dress in festive holiday attire. The day culminates in the parade, which circles Lake Eola and showcases Orlando's local talent. Head to the University of Central Florida campus for Light Up UCF, a season-long winter wonderland attraction outside the CFE Arena. It includes carnival rides, an ice skating rink, pictures with Santa, outdoor movies and a synchronized holiday light show that includes a simulated snowfall.
The Gaylord Palms Resort turns into a holiday paradise in December with lavish decorations, more than 2 million holiday lights and a gigantic Christmas tree. It also boasts several holiday attractions, including ICE!, its outdoor winter playground made entirely of ice. The ICE! attraction boasts elaborate ice sculptures and a giant ice slide for all ages to enjoy. Visitors are given a parka to keep them warm while exploring the attraction. The Gaylord Palms Resort also has live holiday stage entertainment and winter-themed treatments at its Relache Spa throughout the month. The Deluxe Resort hotels at Universal Orlando have a number of holiday-themed events. The Loews Portofino Bay Hotel has Santa visits and outdoor holiday movies in the pool area. The Hard Rock Hotel offers holiday buffets and a huge New Year's Eve party, and the Royal Pacific Resort organizes cookie decorating for kids and Hanukkah candle lighting events.
The Walt Disney World Resort goes all out in December with holiday-themed events. The Very Merry Christmas Party includes a special Christmas parade down Main Street, U.S.A., Disney characters singing and dancing in Christmas musicals, fireworks, complimentary cookies and hot cocoa. Available on select evenings in December, you must purchase a separate ticket for this event. At Epcot Center, the countries in the World Showcase present holiday decor, food and entertainment related to the native traditions of the countries. On select nights, Epcot's annual Candlelight Processional shares the biblical Christmas Story with the help of a mass choir, full orchestra and a celebrity narrator. The event is free, but fills up very quickly. Purchase a Candlelight Dinner package to avoid waiting in line. At Disney's Hollywood Studios, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights turns the Streets of America into a Christmas light extravaganza, with millions of twinkling lights set to holiday music.
Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure park turns into Whoville for the entire holiday season, featuring characters from the "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" film. Activities include a "Wholiday" musical, a Grinchmas parade and Grinch meet-and-greets. Legoland Florida features its Christmas Bricktacular on weekends in December, displaying gigantic holiday displays made entirely of Legos, including a giant Christmas tree. Family-friendly activities include a Santa scavenger hunt and meet-and-greets with LEGO Santa and other LEGO characters. SeaWorld has several holiday shows, including a comedic sea lion show and a Shamu family killer whale show set to holiday music. It also includes Shamu's Happy Harbor, a winter-themed play area with rides and games and the Polar Express train, giving children the chance to experience the classic tale come to life.
