When you think of magical, frosty winter wonderlands, Orlando may not be the first place that comes to mind.
But if there’s one thing we do best here in Orlando, it’s create magic. The holidays are no exception.
Every year, our City Beautiful hosts some of the best winter wonderland experiences. From visits with Santa to nightly “snowfalls,” Orlando proves year after year that we can deliver holiday magic that rivals the North Pole.
Here are the best winter wonderlands in Orlando for you to visit this year.
ICON Park
(Dates TBD)
ICON Park is home to some of Orlando’s top attractions, including the SEA LIFE Aquarium, Madame Tussauds wax museum, and the jewel of the Orlando skyline, the Orlando Eye observation wheel.
During the holidays, ICON Park transforms into a winter wonderland right in the heart of Orlando’s I-Drive district.
The Santa Workshop Experience is known as one of the best Santa interactions you can find in Orlando. Explore the ornately decorated workshop before meeting Santa himself for a professional keepsake photoshoot. Photo packages come with a free flight for kids on the Orlando Eye and a free ride on the Carousel on the Promenade for even more festive fun.
In the center of ICON Park, a 50-foot Christmas tree lights up the 20-acre entertainment complex. Every night, eight snow machines blanket the lawn in snow flurries for a magical holiday touch.
There will also be live carolers singing holiday favorites every Saturday in December.
Bring a new unwrapped toy as a “Toys for Tots” donation and receive 50% off a ticket for a ride on the Orlando Eye.
Oh, What Fun! Lake Nona
Dec. 6 – 22, 2024
Lake Nona is one of the fastest-growing communities in Orlando. Its family-friendly environment and lively restaurant scene makes it the perfect place for seasonal celebrations, and the holidays are no exception.
Oh What Fun! is Lake Nona’s free magical holiday celebration returning for its seventh year.
Every Friday through Sunday during the event, head to Lake Nona Town Center to experience shopping for bespoke gifts at the holiday market, festive photo ops, and meandering through the Evergreen Tree Trail.
Wednesdays through Sundays from Dec. 7 through 23, you can visit Mr. and Mrs. Claus for a story time and festive sing-along experience before posing for the perfect holiday picture.
There will be plenty of chilly-weather foods, sweet treats, and specialty snacks and beverages to enjoy.
Be sure to stick around for the live entertainment and nightly snowfalls that transform Lake Nona into “Lake Snow-na.”
Eola Winter Wonderland
(Date TBD)
In the heart of downtown Orlando is Lake Eola, known for its iconic green fountain and peaceful swan paddle boats.
Every holiday season, the path around the lake comes to life with an array of Christmas lights, ornate decorations, and festive music. The Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree is known for its impressive light shows synchronized to your favorite holiday songs throughout the evening.
On weekends, the Merry Market is the perfect place to find unique holiday gifts for everyone on your Christmas list.
Stop by their selection of food trucks to sip and nosh on seasonal bites that will brighten your evening with holiday cheer.
Santa himself has been known to make an appearance for photos as Christmas draws closer.
The Eola Winter Wonderland event is free, making it the perfect holiday celebration for families, couples, and friends.
Wekiva Island
Dec. 1 – 24, 2024
Amid the wild Wekiva River is Wekiva Island, an indoor/outdoor recreation complex with over 2,000 square feet of casual entertainment and fun. It’s a great place to grab a drink and a snack, lounge on the dock looking out at the river, or play a game of cornhole or volleyball year-round.
In December, it transforms into an exciting holiday destination.
Wekiva Island’s Winter Wonderland is home to a 24-foot-tall Christmas tree, daily “snow” flurries, and the beautiful Santa’s Workshop.
Visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus for a cheerful holiday meet-and-greet or spend some time with the green Christmas-hater himself, The Grinch.
Wekiva Island’s General Store will be offering specials and discounts throughout the event, as well as free gift-wrapping for any gifts you bring to the island with you.
The event is open to the public and has a $5 admission fee. Select events require an additional ticket, so check their website before you go to make sure you have all the info you need.
Wekiva Island will be collecting new, unwrapped toys from Nov. 28 to Dec. 15 to donate to Kids House of Seminole, Inc.this year.
Leu Gardens Dazzling Nights
Nov. 29, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025
Every holiday season, the Dazzling Nights event transforms the Leu Gardens into a magical world of play and sensory wonder. The magnificent display of lights must be seen to be believed.
Enjoy sweet treats and holiday – and adult – beverages as you stroll through each spectacular area of the venue.
Stroll beneath a pathway of tree boughs hung with hundreds of ornate Moroccan lanterns. Play in a clearing with thousands of colorful laser beams. Marvel as you walk through a bright 70-foot-long light tunnel that captures the magic of the holiday season.
This year, there will also be a spectacular nighttime show featuring over 100 ten-foot-tall beacons of light and a brand new 30-foot-tall tree covered in thousands of sparkling sequins.
This picture-perfect event is a true spectacle that the whole family will love.
Tickets are $25 per adult, $22 for children, and free for little ones 2 and under. Tickets are for a specific time and date and must be purchased ahead of time.
Celebration’s Now Snowing
Nov. 26 – Dec. 31, 2024
The charming town of Celebration looks like something out of a storybook. And it should, considering it was created by the Walt Disney Company in the mid 1990’s as a “perfect American town.”
During the holidays, Celebration becomes an even more magical destination. Main Street comes alive with garlands, Christmas lights, and the same snowfall used on Hollywood movie sets.
The Now Snowing event occurs nightly, with snow falling on the hour from 6 to 9 pm. There will also be horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating, train rides, and other unique holiday touches.
Photos with Santa will be available on certain nights leading up to Christmas Eve. Conveniently purchase your photos on a USB drive or in classic prints.
Be sure to stop into Celebration’s beautiful galleries, boutiques, and restaurants to make your night even more memorable.
Admission to the event is free, but certain activities like ice skating and carriage rides are an additional charge.
Rosen Centre is Your Winter Wonderland Paradise
Whichever winter wonderland you choose to visit this year, make Rosen Centre the place you can comfortably nestle snug in your bed while visions of sugar plums dance in your head.
Our stylish rooms, resort-style amenities, and luxury spa are the perfect features for a winter getaway with all the palm trees and warm-weather perks of Central Florida.
