After the last bite of your turkey sandwich has been devoured and your final Christmas decoration has been lovingly placed in its spot of honor this year, the snow that is falling, the icy streets, and the cold that doesn’t stop until May doesn’t bother as you much as normal. You know that in just a few short days or even weeks, you are getting on that plane and heading to sunny Orlando. Celebrate in a new way in 2021 as you experience the beauty of a Florida Christmas. This year is about starting new traditions while holding many of the old tightly to your heart, and this guide to your Christmas in Orlando will allow you to seamlessly blend them both together!

Tree Lighting Ceremony, December 3 at Lake Eola Park, Washington Plaza

As the sky darkens and carolers sing, the anticipation begins to build. Of course, the dark spruce standing tall in the center of the plaza amazes, but when the switch is flipped and the colorful lights begin to gleam, you can’t hold back the stunned gasp of delight. The tree lighting ceremony is a tradition we all love, and during your Orlando visit, it is not one you have to skip if you are here in the early days of December! Featuring a holiday performance at the Walt Disney Amphitheater, food trucks offering festive foods, and a holiday market for getting a jump start on your Christmas shopping, this beautiful ceremony is all about the feels.

We Love a Parade

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is over, but there are more ways to draw out that feeling of anticipation all the way up to big day itself, and not all of the parades will be about Disney! The 69th Annual Winter Park Christmas Parade, held in nearby Winter Park, is scheduled to be held on December 4 from 9 to 10:30 AM and is guaranteed to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. Known as Ye Olde Hometown Parade and featuring Christmas themed floats, marching bands, and of course, Santa himself, this parade will be enjoyed even more under sunny skies and in warm temperatures! The Once Upon a Christmas Parade is back at Disney, held after their Disney Very Merriest After Hours event early in the month and at various times during the week of December 22; it promises to be the parade your youngsters will remember forever! Offering the magic of Disney, all their favorite characters join in the party and of course, at the end, Santa makes his own appearance, giving parade viewers the thrill of a lifetime!

Christmas Festival, December 12, 1919 Delaney Avenue

The joy of Christmas never shines brighter than through the eyes of a child, and this special event will be just the proof you need. Featuring a winter wonderland (minus the cold and snow!) with cookies, hot chocolate, and a live nativity scene with real animals, the Christmas Festival is one event our children look forward to every year. Starting at 5 PM and lasting until 7 PM, the petting zoo and pony rides offer a unique way to celebrate everyone’s favorite holiday and the opportunity to meet Santa will finish off the event in the most perfect way possible!

Kissimmee Holiday Festival, December 18, Kissimmee Civic Center

There are lots of ways to celebrate Christmas in the Orlando area, and even though we really can’t choose our favorite, we will tell you that the Kissimmee Holiday Festival ranks right up there with the best of the events going on during this magical season! Finish up your Christmas shopping as you explore the aisles filled with craft vendors, and as you sing along to the holiday music playing merrily in the background, you will realize that your tank of Christmas spirit has been filled quite nicely! On the main stage of the Civic Center there will be two performances of A Christmas Who’sical—it’s rumored that the Grinch will be on his best behavior—and as with most Christmas events in the Orlando, there will be another opportunity for your littles to have a heart to heart with Santa.

Feeling Festive with Tropical Villas Orlando

As if all these wonderful events weren’t enough, spending your down time in the comfort of our Tropical Villas Orlando holiday hideaways promises to make this Christmas extra special! Sit by the pool on a warm December evening, sipping eggnog as the sun sets over the horizon, watch Christmas movies on state-of-the-art televisions, and when December 25th finally arrives, gather in the living room to open presents under the watchful eyes of Dad’s camera phone. Reserve your favorite rental property with us today!