Holiday celebrations at Universal Studios look a little different this year but you can still celebrate with the Grinch, drink butterbeer in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and see larger-than-life Macy’s balloons!
Universal’s Orlando Resort will be celebrating the holidays November 14th – January 3rd. This year we won’t be seeing our beloved projection show on Hogwarts, Mannheim Steamrollers or the full Macy’s holiday parade, but we will see some altered versions of our favorites and a couple of new experiences for 2020. Here is a rundown of what we can expect at Universal Studios as well Islands of Adventure.
At Universal Studios you can find festive decor throughout Diagon Alley and a holiday-themed show by Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees.
In lieu of the holiday parade from previous years, a new walk-through experience will be available featuring the Macy’s balloons and Christmas floats. New this year, guests will have the opportunity to get up-close with larger-than-life parade balloons and floats like never before during “Universal’s Holiday Experience featuring Macy’s Balloons.”
Universal’s Holiday Character Celebration – During “Universal’s Holiday Character Celebration,” guests can celebrate the holiday season with the Minions and other beloved characters from Illumination’s “Despicable Me” and “Minions” films, and with DreamWorks Animation’s treasured family of Shrek characters and King Julien and the crew from the “Madagascar” franchise.
In Islands of Adventure, guests can see the Grinch and the Whos while strolling through the decorated Seuss Landing. Also, the Grinch is back for photos this year!
Stroll over to Hogsmeade to see fun decor and a festive holiday projection on Hogwarts castle.
>>View the full details for the Universal Holiday Celebration here.
The SeaWorld Christmas Celebration is actually quite expansive! On select nights November 14th – December 31st you can catch a huge array of Christmas activities including:
Additional added experiences include ice skating at Bayside Stadium, dinner with Santa and Sesame Street Christmas Breakfast. Remember that SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is only available on certain dates. You can check the show schedule here: https://seaworld.com/orlando/park-info/theme-park-hours/
Holidays at LEGOLAND are on select days and include holiday-themed LEGO Builds and Models, a 30-foot LEGO Christmas Tree with a dazzling light show, character experiences and interactive activities. There is also all new performances, “The Very Merry Mix Up” and “Northpole Nonsense”.
When: November 27-29, December 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 & 24-31
Where: 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884
More Information: https://www.legoland.com/florida/things-to-do/seasonal-events/holidays-at-legoland/
This new event is definitely one of our favorites for 2020! From November 13th through January 3rd, the Give Kids the World Village is transformed into a winter wonderland. More than three million lights will greet guests with sights and sounds of the holidays. Complimentary ice cream and hot cocoa will greet guests as well as unlimited access to the Village’s wheelchair-accessible rides and attractions.
Give Kids The World Village is located in Kissimmee and is a 89-acre, nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides critically ill children and their families with magical week-long wish vacations at no cost.
When: November 13th – January 3rd
Where: 210 Bass Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34746
More Information and tickets: https://www.gktw.org/lights/tickets.php
The Jolly Creek Holiday Festival & Marketplace is a family-friendly outdoor event located at the site of Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures in Kissimmee. The night-time event features live entertainment and if you are a Disney fan you’ll be happy to hear that the Grand Floridian Orchestra plays every night!
In addition, you will find Santa, a craft station, a Marketplace with local vendors, lights and outdoor games. A portion of the ticket price will proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
When: Select Nights November 20th – January 2nd
Where: Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures – 2001 E Southport Road Kissimmee, FL 34746
More Information and purchase tickets here: https://www.jolly-creek.com/activities
Located at the Celebration Town Center, now Snowing – Celebration’s Winter Wonderland is a family-friendly holiday experience running nightly from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm November 28th through December 31st.
We are still waiting on more details on the activities but at this event you can find: Nightly Snowfall, Horse and Carriage Rides, Celebration Express Train, Santa Photos
When: November 28th – December 31st
Where: Celebration Town Center – 610 Sycamore St, Celebration, FL 34747
More Information: https://celebrationtowncenter.com/project/celebrations-winter-wonderland/
Gaylord Palms typically hosts the popular ICE displays. This year, in lieu of ICE, we will see brand new experiences with plenty of holiday cheer. At Gaylord, you will have more than two million lights and decorations throughout the resort. There is also an abundance of paid ticketed attractions including:
I Love Christmas Movies Pop Up Experience – Walk through over 13 of the most iconic scenes from your favorite Christmas movies featuring The Polar Express, Elf, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, and more!
Snow Flow Mountain – With six real ice slides, you can race to the bottom on the speed slide or brave the unique “ice coaster” plummet.
Snowball Build and Blast – Jump on the assembly line for real snowball-making!
Feast with the Grinch – Enjoy a delicious chef-attended buffet breakfast and meet the star of the holiday season…THE GRINCH himself!
Gingerbread Decorating Corner – Choose from different design options to create either delectable holiday-themed gingerbread cookies or a complete gingerbread house.
When: November 13th – January 3rd
Where: 6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, Florida 34746
More Information: https://christmasatgaylordpalms.marriott.com/
The Lights on Jeater Bend is a street wide Christmas light display located in Celebration. With 11 houses participating, you can see thousands of lights synchronized to music, projection, water and fire. This amazing display is orchestrated by residents of Celebration and has been running for many years and have even been featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight!
This year’s event will run from Thanksgiving, November 26th to December 31st. Note that the lights are best viewed by foot. It is recommended to park on Celebration Avenue and walk to Jeater Bend drive.
When: November 26th – December 31st
Where: Jeater Bend Drive, Celebration, Florida
More Information: https://www.facebook.com/lightsonjeaterbend/?ref=page_internal
Looking for those perfect Santa photos?
The Santa Workshop Experience is a 800sq Workshop inside the Wheel House at ICON Park. In the Workshop you will find a one of a kind Santa experience like no one else. Guests start their visit at our candid fireplace in which the photographers take pictures of the children and even the whole family interacting with different holiday props. After the candid session it is off to see Santa at his chair.
All the children that visit Santa receive a free ride on the wheel and additional riders are offered tickets at 50% off. On Saturdays and Sundays Sausage Shack is offering cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus.
When: November 6th – December 24th
Where: Icon Park – 8375 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
More Information: https://www.iconparkorlando.com/events/santa-workshop-experience-at-icon-park/