Ah, the holiday season in Florida! The sun is shining, the beaches are calling, and it’s time to relax and enjoy your time off with loved ones. With so much to explore and do in this sunny state, you might be overwhelmed with all of the possibilities. Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities or a cozy place to spend quality time together, there are plenty of things to do for the Florida Holiday Season!
Whether you’re planning a holiday vacation or just looking for some ideas for a family vacation, you’ll find that Florida has some amazing things to do.
The Sunshine State offers hundreds of miles of beaches, a wide range of theme parks, and arts and cultural scene that is second to none.
Discover The Florida Holiday Season with These 7 Holiday Experiences:
1. SeaWorld Orlando
During the holiday season, Florida Aquarium SeaWorld Orlando hosts a variety of exciting events and shows.
Some of the best-known include the Shamu Christmas Miracles and Sea of Trees. Guests can also take in holiday-themed shows like the Polar Express Experience, Rudolph’s Movie Experience, and Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas.
For those looking for a thrill, SeaWorld Orlando is home to some of the best roller coasters in the country. Additionally, SeaWorld offers a variety of holiday events including the Greg Warmoth Reindeer Run, Santa’s Workshop, and holiday lights.
There are also many shops where guests can purchase gifts for family and friends.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration is a dazzling celebration!
This special event features live shows, holiday decorations, and award-winning entertainment. The centerpiece of the celebration is a 70-foot Christmas tree.
SeaWorld Orlando’s newest holiday show is the Polar Express Experience. This spectacular show takes guests to the North Pole for a day of holiday music, stunning visuals, and a few tricks by the whale.
Other highlights of SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration include the Sesame Street Breakfast, a meet and greet with Santa, a festive holiday parade, and a spectacular fireworks display.
2. Legoland
Whether you are looking for a fun family Florida holiday season experience or something special for your children, LEGOLAND Florida offers a variety of fun and educational activities.
With more than 50 rides and attractions, the park is the perfect destination for any family looking for a day of fun.
One of the best Legoland Florida Christmas activities is the LEGO character meet and greet. You’ll have the opportunity to meet LEGO Santa, LEGO Toy Soldier, and more. They’ll be dressed in festive holiday attire for you to pose with.
There’s also a festive fireworks show on New Year’s Eve!
LEGOLAND Florida is a family-friendly theme park and water park in Winter Haven, Florida. It’s also a popular destination for a long weekend getaway. It’s also open year-round.
One of the most popular rides at the park is the LEGO(r) MOVIE(tm) Masters of Flight. The gentle flying theater ride is a great way to see LEGOLAND Florida.
Another great holiday activity at the park is the LEGO Santa’s, Helper Scavenger Hunt. It’s a chance for guests to meet and take photos with LEGO Santa, LEGO Santa’s Helper, and LEGO Toy Soldier.
There’s also a festive holiday stage show and a chance to see the twinkling lights around the park.
3. Key West Holiday Fest
During the holidays, Key West turns into a magical island. The Florida Keys calendar is stacked with holiday events. In addition to the holiday festivities, there are many other fun things to do in Key West.
Key West has many festivals that take place throughout the year. The “Bight” Before Christmas, for example, is a six-week celebration beginning on Thanksgiving eve and ending on New Year’s Eve.
The “Bight” is a celebration of the island’s maritime history. The event features a holiday parade, a tree-trimming party, and a boat parade. The Bight is also home to many historical buildings that are decked out in lights during the holidays.
The Custom House Museum in Key West holds a holiday festival with hundreds of unique gift items, food, music, and a flashing light show. It’s a free event that is open to the public.
Another fun event is the Key West Holiday Inn Tour. The tour will take you to four of the island’s most decorated sites. It will also give you a tour of Key West history, local arts and crafts, and the best food and drinks.
The tour is also a self-guided experience. The tour will depart from Mallory Square and take you on a tour of the island.
4. Tallahassee’s Winter Fest Downtown
Taking place in Tallahassee’s downtown area, Winter Festival features a variety of art exhibits, music, and food. It’s an annual event that’s been a favorite for many Tallahassee residents for over 30 years.
Winter Festival is a family-friendly community event. You can watch the lighting ceremony, participate in the Jingle Bell Run, and see special holiday displays. There are also live entertainment, food vendors, and family-friendly movies.
Candy Cane Lane, which is a part of the annual festival, will open at 3 pm on December 4. It will be closed at 10 pm. It features a real candy cane factory. There will also be phone calls from Santa.
Downtown Tallahassee features four stages of entertainment, including local bands, performers, and dancers. The annual Lighting Ceremony is the highlight of the event.
The Winter Festival is free to the public. The Downtown Winter Festival has been a Tallahassee favorite since 1987. The event draws thousands of people to the area every year.
The Holiday Market is also part of the event and features four stages of live entertainment. It features local performers and local food vendors. There are also sparkling holiday displays.
5. Christmas markets in Florida
During the month of December Florida, is home to many Christmas Market Events. The Christmas market is one of the most popular, as it offers shopping and a community feeling.
Here are some of the best Christmas markets in Florida.
- The Gaylord Palms in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, puts on a spectacular Christmas show. The event features live music, a real snow tubing hill, and a half-hour Cirque du Soleil-style show. The park also includes an ice carving exhibit. For a package of $60, you can see all of these attractions.
- The Brevard Zoo is a popular place to visit during the holiday season. It offers Jolly Days the weekend before Christmas. It features music, games, and a Santa meet and greets. There are also plenty of decorations around the zoo.
- The Holiday Stroll Through Cascades Park is a yearly tradition in Tallahassee. This event includes over 20 performances. There are also fountains dancing to festive tunes.
- Winter Park Christmas Market is the top choice for Christmas markets in Florida. This event features a variety of retailers, food vendors, and fun activities. There are hundreds of themed displays. This is a great place to spend a day.
6. Celebration
Whether you’re visiting for Christmas, or just stopping by to see some of the lights, Florida has plenty to offer when it comes to festive events.
You can enjoy a traditional Christmas show, take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, or get into the holiday spirit at one of the many local zoos.
A few of the more popular events during the holiday season in Florida include the SeaWorld Reindeer Run, which involves wearing a red nose and running through the theme park. There’s also the Jingle Bell 5K, which is a fun way to get your family into the spirit.
The International Festival of the Holidays at EPCOT features cultural holiday traditions from around the world and a variety of delicious foods from each nation. It’s also home to the Candlelight Processional, which is a Disney Parks tradition.
There are also several other holiday festivals and celebrations in Florida, including those in the Keys. These events are a lot of fun, and offer something for everyone.
The Brevard Zoo hosts Jolly Days the weekend before Christmas, which features games, music, and lots of decorations. It’s also home to one of the largest holiday sand trees in the world.
7. Pensacola Winterfest
Whether you’re visiting Florida for the first time or are a long-time resident, there are plenty of things to do for the holidays. These events are sure to make your holiday season memorable.
One of the most popular events in Florida is Pensacola Winterfest. Located in the Panhandle, this winter celebration includes Santa Claus, holiday characters, and street performers. It also includes a parade, trolley tours, and “reindeer games.”
Pensacola Winterfest is a fun event for the whole family. If you plan to drive to the event, you can use the Pensacola Parking website to find out how to pay for parking.
Pensacola’s Winterfest is held in downtown Pensacola. You can take a trolley tour to see the historic district. You can also enjoy live music and holiday characters. You can also get pictures with Santa and the Grinch.
Pensacola’s downtown streets will be lined with more than half a million white lights during the holiday season. If you’re feeling especially festive, you can attend one of the winter festivals, which include pop-up concerts, Winter Wonderland on Ice, and Reindeer Games.
The holidays are a special time of year, and Florida is the perfect place to enjoy them! From sandy beaches to amusement parks, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful state.
Whether you’re looking for a winter getaway or just want to take in some festive sights and activities, the above are only a few ideas on how to make the most of your holiday season in Florida!
Happy Holidays!