The holiday season is in full swing and what better way to spend it with friends and family than at one of the many theme parks and attractions in Tampa and or Orlando. From theme parks to zoos and aquariums, many local attractions have much to offer.

Whether you are looking to walk through your favorite park sipping hot cocoa, or take family photos with Santa, the possibilities are endless when it comes to getting into the spirit.

Check out our guide to holiday events in Orlando and Tampa Bay for 2025:

Theme Parks
✨ Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort (Disney World) (MAP)
Through Dec. 31

Disney World has two separately ticketed holiday events, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (SOLD OUT) and Disney Jollywood Nights on select nights throughout December.

Additionally, Disney World has plenty of holiday offerings through all four of its theme parks for guests of all ages to enjoy. At Magic Kingdom Park, visitors can look forward to the Frozen Holiday Surprise celebration at Cinderella Castle and the holiday-themed Jungle Cruise — known as Jingle Cruise. Park goers can also experience nightly holiday projections at Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Hollywood Tower Hotel, EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays and Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition and festive decor throughout all of the parks.

✨ Christmas Town (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay) (MAP)
Nov. 14 through Jan. 5

At this family-friendly event, which is included with park admission, guests can stroll through Busch Gardens, which will be decked out in festive decor and miles of sparkling lights. There will be themed food and beverages throughout the park including new offerings, along with holiday shopping and shows featuring ice skating, fireworks on select nights as well as a Hanukkah celebration, New Year’s Eve celebration and a Three Kings celebration.

✨ Holidays Celebration (Universal Orlando) (MAP)
Through Jan. 4

The festivities will run daily and include Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, Grinchmas, “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and more. The holiday events are included as part of admission to the theme parks. In addition, all of Universal’s hotels will be adorned with holiday décor and offer seasonal experiences.

✨ Holidays at Legoland (Legoland Florida) (MAP)
Select dates through Dec. 31

This year at Holidays at Legoland, guests can visit a large Lego brick-built Christmas Tree, featuring almost 360,000 Lego and Duplo bricks towering over 30 feet tall — perfect for photo opportunities. There will also be additional new Lego decor this year, as well as new and returning shows and activities. Visitors can meet the festive Lego crew, comprised of Lego Santa Claus and others. Festive treats will also be in store for guests to enjoy, which include a menu of flavors available for a limited time.

Event List:

Festival of Flurries
North Pole Postal Service
Santa’s Toy Build
Holly Hype Dance Party
Holiday Traditions Scavenger Hunt
Sleigh Build Competition

✨ Christmas Celebration (SeaWorld Orlando) (MAP)
Nov. 7 through Jan. 5

SeaWorld Orlando will transform into a winter wonderland as the park’s Christmas Celebration returns this holiday season. New this year is Clyde & Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas. Guets can also enjoy an outdoor ice rink at Bayside Stadium and the “Sea of Trees,” along with a 70-foot centerpiece holiday tree at the heart of the display. The park’s “O Wondrous Night” show returns this year, retelling the story of the Nativity with Christmas carols, life-sized puppets and live animals. New experiences include the Christmas decor at Journey to Atlantis Plaza, featuring sparkling lights and festive displays, including the Snow Globe Ballerina.

Guests can also visit Mrs. Claus’ Magic Kitchen, view the “Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale” display, enjoy the Sesame Street Christmas Parade with favorite characters, the “Elmo’s Christmas Wish” show and Storytime with Big Bird, meet Rudolph and Bumble in Rudolph’s Christmas Town, visit with Santa Claus at the Wild Arctic gift shop and see the “Winter Wonderland on Ice” ice-skating show. More celebrations include a Hanukkah celebration, Kwanzaa festivities, New Year’s Eve party and Three Kings celebration.

Area Festive Attractions
✨ YuleTides (The Florida Aquarium) (MAP)
Nov. 28 through Jan. 4

Enjoy a holiday experience at the aquarium that is family friendly and is included with general admission. Guests can check out a holiday tree made from upcycled beach materials. There will also be interactive experiences, including festive holiday “caroling” and character appearances. Outside, visitors will find sand sculptures and other festive photo opportunities. On select dates, there will be a special meet-and-greet and photos with Santa Claus on weekends from Nov. 28 – Dec. 21 and daily between Dec. 26 – Jan. 1.

✨ Christmas in the Wild (ZooTampa) (MAP)
Select nights in December

The festive attraction at the zoo will run Nov. 28 – 29, Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. The event is free for ZooTampa membership holders and Pay For a Day ticket holders. General admission tickets after 4 p.m. are $29.95.

Christmas in the Wild will feature illuminated animal sculptures, light shows, live entertainment and a visit from Santa Claus. New this year will be “The Realm of the Nutcracker,” a retelling of the classic holiday through a modern dance party featuring Clara, the Nutcracker, the Rat King, and the Sugarplum Fairies. There will also be story time with Mrs. Claus, along with “The Forest of Fantasy” with appearances by the Snow Queen and her dancing snow fairies.

On December 31st there will also be a New Year Celebration from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

✨ ICE! (Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center) (MAP)
Nov. 15 through Jan. 4

The theme at ICE! this year will feature scenes from the popular Christmas movie, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Guests will find extravagant ice sculptures carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice, with over 20,000-square-feet and 10 immersive scenes. Over 40 world-renowned master artisans hand-carved around 6,700 blocks of ice in over six weeks.

✨ Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild (Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens) (MAP)
Select nights from Nov. 14 through Jan. 18

The zoo’s family-friendly event celebrates the Year of the Dragon this season, featuring dozens of new, hand-constructed lantern displays illuminated by thousands of LED lights on a 3/4 mile path, highlighting the art of traditional Asian lantern festivals. There will also be exclusive food and beverages available to purchase. Santa will make visits on Dec. 21, 22, and 23. A New Year’s Eve family-friendly countdown will take place at 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Tickets for the Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild must be purchased online in advance. Limited tickets are available per night.