Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Orlando (2026)
Checked · Covers Nov 25 – Nov 29 · All times are local Eastern Time
We list 7 family events around Orlando for Nov 25 – Nov 29. Each listing links to the organizer's own page.
Thanksgiving week events
Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld Orlando
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (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
Holidays at Universal Orlando (Grinchmas and the Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s)
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Daily Nov 14–Jan 3)
- Cost
- Included with regular theme park admission
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Grinchmas returns to Islands of Adventure, and Universal Studios Florida hosts the nightly Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, ending with a tree lighting by Santa.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas at Gaylord Palms (ice! featuring The Polar Express)
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (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
Holidays at Leu Gardens (daytime)
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Daily Nov 20–Jan 3) · 9am–4pm
- Cost
- Included with garden admission (adults $15, children 4–17 $10, under 4 free)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Daytime holiday season in the gardens with holiday blooms and a Yeti Hunt for kids.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (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
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 & Fri, Nov 27 & Sun, Nov 29 (25 select nights Nov 8–Dec 22) · 7pm–midnight
- Cost
- Separate ticket: $189–$229 plus tax depending on night; $10 off for ages 3–9
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A separate-ticket evening party at Magic Kingdom on select November and December nights with holiday parades, fireworks and character visits.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Seniors First Turkey Trot & Tot Trot at Lake Eola
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 5K 8am; Tot Trot 9:15am
- Cost
- 5K $45 through Nov 21, $50 race week (17 and under $10 off); kids’ Tot Trot runs are free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving-morning 5K around downtown Orlando at 8am, followed by the Tot Trot at 9:15am — free kids’ runs of 100 to 400 yards, with a ribbon for every finisher.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
What can families do around Orlando over Thanksgiving weekend?
We list 7 family events for Nov 25 – Nov 29, including Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld Orlando (Orlando, Nov 25 – Nov 29) and Holidays at Universal Orlando (Grinchmas and the Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, Orlando, Nov 25 – Nov 29). See all 7 above.
Which Orlando-area cities have Thanksgiving weekend events?
We list Thanksgiving weekend events in 3 cities, including Orlando (5), Kissimmee (1) and Lake Buena Vista (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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