Holiday lights near Orlando for families (2026)
Checked · Covers Oct 28 – Jan 15 · All times are local Eastern Time
We list 4 holiday light events around Orlando for Oct 28 – Jan 15: 3 displays running for weeks and 1 one-night event. 1 list free admission. Displays that run for weeks come first, then one-night parades and tree lightings around Orlando. Popular nights can sell out, so check the official page before you go.
Light displays open for weeks
Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld Orlando
- When
- Fri, Nov 6 – Mon, Jan 4 (Select dates Nov 6–Jan 4) · Select dates; check the park calendar
- Cost
- Included with park admission
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A winter wonderland for all ages with dazzling light displays, Christmas shows, holiday treats and festive fireworks on select dates.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas at Gaylord Palms (ice! featuring The Polar Express)
- When
- Fri, Nov 13 – Sun, Jan 3 (Daily Nov 13 – Jan 3)
- Cost
- ice!, snow tubing, the holiday show and Santa photos are ticketed separately (see site)
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor + outdoor
More than 3 million Christmas lights through the resort, plus ice! featuring The Polar Express carved from over 2 million pounds of ice, Snow Flow Mountain ice tubing, gingerbread decorating, Mrs. Claus storytime and photos with Santa.
✓ Checked Oct 28, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 – Sun, Jan 3 (Nightly Nov 20–Jan 3) · 5:30–11pm
- Cost
- Separate ticket: adults $35–$56, children $33–$53 depending on date
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
An evening walk-through light show in the gardens.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
One-night light parades and tree lightings
City of Orlando Tree Lighting Celebration at Lake Eola
- When
- Fri, Dec 4 · 5:30–9:30pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The city’s holiday kickoff at Lake Eola Park with holiday performances, food trucks, the Merry Market, snowfall and visits with Santa.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
When do holiday lights open around Orlando in 2026?
3 light displays on our list run for weeks: Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld Orlando (Orlando, Nov 6 – Jan 4), Christmas at Gaylord Palms (ice! featuring The Polar Express, Kissimmee, Nov 13 – Jan 3) and Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens (Orlando, Nov 20 – Jan 3).
Which holiday light events near Orlando are free?
1 light event lists free admission on the official page: City of Orlando Tree Lighting Celebration at Lake Eola (Orlando, Fri, Dec 4).
How much do ticketed light displays near Orlando cost?
Prices from the official pages: Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld Orlando (Included with park admission). See all 3 above. Prices can change by night.
Can kids see Santa at a light display near Orlando?
Yes. 1 light event on our list has Santa: City of Orlando Tree Lighting Celebration at Lake Eola (Orlando, Dec 4). Some charge extra for Santa photos.
Which Orlando-area cities have holiday lights events?
We list holiday lights events in 2 cities, including Orlando (3) and Kissimmee (1).
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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