Orlando’s Dazzling Holiday Celebrations

Orlando is aglow with an incredible number of holiday happenings groups won’t want to miss. If you’re planning on being in the area or simply want to plan for next year, keep reading to learn how Orlando truly brings the holiday season to life.

"Orlando continues to rank among the top holiday travel destinations because we offer endless ways to make a holiday getaway unforgettable," said Casandra Matej, President and CEO of Visit Orlando. "Gifts come in many forms, but sharing a one-of-a-kind Orlando experience is something that stays with you. From snapping the perfect holiday selfie at our newest theme park to strolling through a glittering Asian Lantern Festival at the zoo, every corner of our destination offers meaningful ways to celebrate the season."

Check out just a sampling of what visiting groups and guests can expect:

• Winter at Grande Lakes (select dates through January 3) returns with a new ice-skating experience; hands-on activities such as Gingerbread School; Santa’s Teddy Bear Tea, offering a lavish selection of tea, culinary delights, crafts, storytelling and a special visit from Santa Claus; a Winter Wonderland Market featuring a Christmas village; and more.
• Holidays in Space at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (select dates, December 21-30) is a festive celebration included with admission featuring holiday decorations and an all-new Holidays in Space Drone Show Spectacular. The breathtaking 600-drone performance will tell the story of Starflake, a celestial character formed from a meteor shower who journeys through NASA’s greatest programs, from Apollo and Shuttle to Artemis, culminating in the creation of a glowing cosmic tree.
• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth (Walt Disney World Resort; through December 30) is a global celebration with a candlelight processional featuring celebrity narrators like Jennifer Garner and Henry Winkler, and Holiday Kitchens throughout the World Showcase.
• Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Orlando Resort; through January 4), featuring seasonal holiday shows and festive decor in Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley and in the all-new Ministry of Magic at Universal Epic Universe. Also not to be missed are seasonal lighting and decorations within Celestial Park at Universal Epic Universe.
• Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild returns at Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens (select nights through January 18) with larger-than-life landscapes and mythical creatures lit by more than 10,000 LED lights. Situated on a three quarter-mile loop around the zoo, the event combines color, light and sound to deliver an authentic experience celebrating traditional Asian lantern festivals.

More information on Orlando’s holiday events can be found here and on VisitOrlando.com, the destination’s official visitor source.

Courtesy of Groups Today.

Photo courtesy of Visit Orlando.