We have so much local holiday fun, but if you want to try something new, there are a lot of fun holiday events that are just a short driving distance from our area. If you want to make a day (or weekend) out of it, check out the following events - all within a few hours' drive!
November 4 - December 24: Santa's Wonderland 2023 ~ Enjoy the magic of Christmas at Bass Pro Shop with visits with Santa (including a FREE picture), free holiday fun, special deals and discounts. Advance reservations to see Santa is recommended and can be made online.
November 9 - December 22 (select days): Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party ~ Get ready for a magical holiday gathering with your loved ones––and some familiar Disney Characters. When Mickey celebrates the season, Magic Kingdom Park lights up with excitement for Guests of all ages. Joyful music fills the air. Disney Characters don their most festive attire and enchanting entertainment lies around almost every turn!
November 10 - January 2 (select days): Sea World Orlando's Christmas Celebration ~ See the park transformed into a winter wonderland sparkling with millions of beautiful lights. With plenty of holiday cheer, this event is sure to create unforgettable memories at a wondrous Christmas celebration you’ll only find at SeaWorld.
November 11 - January 7: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Christmas Town ~ Celebrate the year with holiday cheer & gather with family and friends to create merry memories. Experience the joy of the season up close with animal encounters, thrilling rides, holiday inspired culinary delights and festive shows like Christmas on Ice. Keep the holiday spirit shining bright from day to night with millions of twinkling lights and dazzling fireworks, plus heartwarming moments with Santa and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!
November 17 - December 31: Holidays at Universal Orlando ~ Anyone can “Ho-ho-ho” and “Fa-la-la” for the holidays. But if you want to scream, laugh and shout your jingle bells off, you’ve got to awesome up your holiday at Universal Orlando Resort, where we do the holidays big time. It’s the biggest, loudest, awesomest holiday celebration of the season.
November 17 - January 3: Christmas at Gaylord Palms ~ There is no better way to celebrate the holidays than gathering your family for Christmas at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee. ICE! returns this holiday season. Step into a wonderland carved by expert artisans out of two million pounds of colorful ice. This year features "A Charlie Brown Christmas" in larger-than-life sculptures and even plunge down slides made entirely of ice in this Gaylord Hotels original experience.
November 17 - February 25 (select days): Snowcat Ridge ~ Snowcat Ridge is the first Florida Snow Park of its kind featuring snow tubing, snow play, and an Alpine Village. Snowcat Ridge includes a 60-foot-tall, 400-foot-long snow tubing hill, along with a magic carpet lift which will whisk riders and their snow tubes to the top of the hill. Guests will be provided with single, tandem and 6-person family tubes to slide down the snow-covered slope. NEW THIS YEAR: Santa's Christmas Lane ~ Meet Santa, Storytime with Mrs. Claus and Peppermint Play Zone.
November 18 - January 7: Crayola Experience Orlando Colorful Christmas ~ Our Colorful Christmas Crew is back! Make handmade gifts from the heart, complete a seasonal scavenger hunt and more! It's a holiday hullabaloo with SNOW much to do!
November 24 - December 24: Christmas Lane ~ Santa, live entertainment, light displays and maze, rides, food, a kid zone and more.
November 24 - December 30 (select days): Christmas in the Wild ~ It’s the most wonderful time of the year at ZooTampa with the return of Christmas in the Wild, featuring one of Tampa Bay’s largest light displays, delectable holiday treats, amazing wildlife and new festive adventures. This year is BIGGER, better, and brighter than ever, with festive entertainment that the whole family will enjoy.
November 24 - December 31: Enchant St Petersburg ~ Escape to the world’s largest illuminated winter wonderland. A world of Christmas wonder awaits!
November 24 - December 31: Holidays at LEGOLand ~ Celebrate the holidays the LEGOLAND way! This jolly time of year features a combination of seasonal shows and treats, special LEGO characters, twinkling lights, fireworks on select nights and more during Holidays at LEGOLAND and Kids’ New Year’s Party! This event is included in the price of admission.
November 26 - December 24 (select days): River of Lights Holiday Cruises ~ Hop on Tampa’s Pirate Water Taxi tour of holiday lights and decorations along the river including Holiday Island. This unique holiday cruise will quickly become your new favorite holiday tradition. As you cruise, you will get up-close views of Downtown Tampa’s holiday decorations and lights. This family-friendly event will include a holiday river tour with prime viewing of the floating holiday displays, Dickens Carolers performing sing-a-longs, holiday cookies and hot chocolate, and a snow flurry finale! Every child will have an opportunity to write a letter to Santa and drop it off in Tampa’s only floating mail buoy to the North Pole.
December 1-30: Wonderland of Lights ~ Make this holiday magical with a visit to The Wonderland of Lights & America’s Christmas Village! Santa’s helpers, with patriotic spirit, have been working hard decking the halls for you and your family. There are so many enchanting experiences to choose from for a jolly good time. Visit with Santa, enjoy a variety of family activities, great food and so much more!
December 2-23 (select days): Winter Wonderland Clearwater ~ Winter Wonderland is a complete Christmas village with an entertainment stage, photos with Santa, cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus, a hot chocolate shop and Holiday Express Train! Entrance to Winter Wonderland is free but we ask visitors to bring a non-perishable food item and/or an unwrapped toy. Open 6PM to 9PM.
December 8, 9, 15, 16 | 5:30PM to 8:30PM: Padgett Ranch Small Town Christmas ~ The farm will be decorated for the holidays. Get free professional pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus enjoy a special Christmas story hayride, a Polar Express barrel train ride and s'mores and hot cocoa. Of course, the giant bounce pillow, corn box, play areas and obstacle course will all be open as well. Face painting and concessions are also available. $10 admission.
December 9: Christmas in the Country ~ Bring the family for a great day experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of an old fashion country Christmas. Learn how the holiday traditions of the 19th century differ from those of the 21st through hands-on historical interpretations, carols, traditional decorations and more!
December 26-31: Snow Days at The Florida Aquarium ~ The extended forecast is for more snow! Grab your gloves and join us for traditional winter activities and hands-on snow experiences. Snow Days is free for members and included with general admission.
For more holiday fun, click on a picture below!
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