Leu Gardens' Dazzling Nights runs Nov. 20 to Jan. 3, SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration from Nov. 6 and Gatorland's Ho-Down three December weekends.

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Dates come from each organizer’s own page, linked below. The city’s tree lighting and the holiday parades have their own page: Christmas parade and tree lighting. Putting on a light display or a Santa visit? Tell us.

Orlando’s holiday season runs from early November into January. The longest-running light shows are Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens (Nov. 20 to Jan. 3) and SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration (from Nov. 6). The city’s own season starts with Jingle Eve on Saturday, Nov. 21, and the tree lighting at Lake Eola on Friday, Dec. 4.

At a glance

  • Light displays: Leu Gardens Dazzling Nights, Nov. 20 to Jan. 3 (separate ticket); SeaWorld, Nov. 6 to Jan. 4 (with park admission)
  • Free city events: Jingle Eve, Nov. 21; tree lighting and Merry Market, Dec. 4; Santa’s Workshop, Dec. 11
  • Daytime with kids: Holidays at Leu Gardens from Nov. 20; Gatorland Ho-Down Dec. 5-20 weekends
  • Hanukkah: SeaWorld menorah lightings Dec. 4-12

Light displays

Dazzling Nights at Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., runs evenings from Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, to Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027. The gardens are lit with holiday displays, with falling “snow,” holiday music, seasonal food and drinks, and beer and wine for adults, Leu Gardens says. It needs a separate ticket from daytime admission, and tickets are on sale now. The gardens publish a Dazzling Nights FAQ on the event page.

Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld Orlando runs on select dates from Nov. 6, 2026, to Jan. 4, 2027, with light displays, Christmas shows, ice skating, Santa and fireworks. It is included with park admission, SeaWorld says. The park also lists a Hanukkah Celebration Dec. 4-12 with nightly menorah lightings, nightly kinara lightings for Kwanzaa Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 and a Three Kings celebration Jan. 3-6.

Universal Orlando also decorates its parks for the holidays, with its Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s at Universal Studios Florida and Grinchmas in Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure, Universal’s guide says. Universal had not posted its 2026 dates on that guide when we checked.

City events

When Event Where
Saturday, Nov. 21, 4:30 to 9 p.m. Jingle Eve, free Gaston Edwards Park and Ivanhoe Village
Friday, Dec. 4, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tree Lighting Celebration, free Lake Eola Park, Washington Plaza
Friday, Dec. 11, from 6 p.m. Santa’s Workshop, free Engelwood Neighborhood Center, 6123 La Costa Drive
Thursday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A Senior Holiday: A Season of Smiles Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center, 1723 Bruton Blvd.

Jingle Eve fills Orange Avenue, Virginia Drive and Gaston Edwards Park with music, local artisans, food trucks and a children’s holiday village, and ends with fireworks over Lake Ivanhoe, the city says. It is free except for a ticketed “12 Wines of Christmas” walk.

At the Tree Lighting Celebration, Mayor Buddy Dyer leads the countdown to light the city’s Christmas tree at Washington Plaza. There are holiday performances at the Lake Eola amphitheater, food trucks, “snowfall,” visits with Santa and the Merry Market with more than 30 local vendors. The city suggests SunRail, ride share, bike share or the free LYMMO downtown circulator instead of driving. Parking and street closures are on our parade and tree lighting page.

Santa’s Workshop takes over the whole Engelwood Neighborhood Center and is free, the city’s listing says.

Daytime with kids

  • Holidays at Leu Gardens, Nov. 20 to Jan. 3. In the day, thousands of poinsettias and holiday displays fill the 50-acre gardens, with a Yeti Hunt for eight hidden yetis. Holiday Craft Day is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, with snowman ornaments, slime and mini wreaths, included with admission, the gardens say. Admission is free on the first Monday of the month (Dec. 7), with Orange County Library System story time that morning, under the gardens’ Free Day program.
  • Gatorland’s Holiday Ho, Ho, Ho-Down, Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20. Photos with “Gator Claus,” holiday music, characters and crafts vendors, included with regular admission, Gatorland says. Gatorland is at 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail.

Christmas Day

City Hall is closed Thursday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 25, and there is no residential garbage pickup on Christmas Day, the city’s observed holidays page says. Check your address on the city’s pickup schedule for that week. Orange County Public Schools’ winter break runs Dec. 21 to Jan. 1, on the district’s 2026-27 calendar.

Related: Christmas parade and tree lighting, Black Friday and holiday shopping, New Year’s Eve and Thanksgiving.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens in 2026?

Nov. 20, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, in the evenings at Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave. It needs a separate ticket from daytime garden admission.

When is the Lake Eola tree lighting in 2026?

Friday, Dec. 4, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., with the Merry Market, holiday performances and visits with Santa, the city says. Our parade and tree lighting page has the details.

Where can kids see Santa in Orlando?

Santa visits the city’s tree lighting at Lake Eola on Dec. 4 and Santa’s Workshop at the Engelwood Neighborhood Center on Dec. 11. Gatorland and SeaWorld also have Santa during their holiday events.

Is there a Hanukkah menorah lighting in Orlando?

SeaWorld Orlando lists nightly menorah lightings Dec. 4-12 as part of its Christmas Celebration. No public menorah lighting in the city had been announced when we checked on Oct. 9.