8 Best Holiday Events in Florida  

Who needs snow angels when you can make SAND angels? Florida for Christmas may not have the snow and ice, but locals have embraced the season spirit to come up with some second-to-none events. From the surfing Santas on Cocoa Beach to sandcastle “trees” and Dickens on the Beach, herald in the holiday season with Floridian flair.  

Picking out the best holiday events in Florida wasn’t easy. Still, the ones featured below cropped up repeatedly as can’t-miss ways to get in the spirit. 

Walt Disney World’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 

Cost: Starting at $149 (included with admission)

Dates: Select nights November 9-December 22

It’s hard to beat the House of Mouse for an over-the-top holiday extravaganza the whole family can enjoy. This special ticketed event at the Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando transforms the theme park into a holiday wonderland as the sun sets under on a day of magical adventure.  

The park dazzles under the twinkling light and décor. The Main Street nighttime parade becomes the festive Once Upon A Christmastime Parade as it winds by the iconic Cinderella castle, now bedecked in red, white, and green. The holiday-themed shows include a spectacular fireworks display. Stroll Main Street USA as snow falls and find vendors selling hot cocoa and cookies. The Disney characters dress in their holiday best for meet-and-greets.  

Universal Orlando’s Holidays at Universal Studios

Cost: Starting at $119 (included with park admission)

Dates: Select nights November 17-December 31

Enjoy holiday-themed events and attractions across the parks at Universal Orlando Resort, including the Macy’s Holiday Parade. Their version features the iconic high-flying floats with characters from Universal movies. For more holiday-themed antics, The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular live show comes to Who-ville in the Islands of Adventure. More festive activities include Christmas at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and live performances by Mannheim Steamroller at Universal Studios. 

Night of Lights in St. Augustine

Admission: Free

Dates: November 18-January 31

America’s oldest city dazzles with Spanish charm and heritage in the daylight, but at night, during the holiday season, this historic city becomes a magical wonderland. National Geographic ranked it among the top ten light displays in the whole United States!

Millions of white lights adorn buildings, trees, and streets for around 20 blocks. The Bridge of Lions and Plaza de la Constitucion are favorite spots. 

Select festival nights have a free trolley starting at 6 p.m. with multiple pick-up and drop-off locations for admirers to wander around the city and see it all. However, some tour companies do offer special packages or tours, such as boat tours to see the lights from the waterfront or horse-drawn carriage rides.

The various St. Augustine attractions pair the Night of Lights with their special events, adding to the festive vibe of the season. While in town, you may be interested in the Christmas Experience at Villa Zorayda or Night of Pints on the St. Augustine brewery trail. Add a visit here to your holiday events in Florida for a less theme-park experience.

ICE! at Gaylord Palms Resort 

Price: Starting at $32.99 per Adult / $22.99 per Child

Dates: November 17-January 3

Is Florida too hot this Christmas? Head to the coldest spot in the state: ICE! This annual event at the Kissimmee resort features incredible ice sculptures, ice slides, and more, all kept from melting in the tropical heat at a chilly 9 degrees Fahrenheit. The 2023 Festival theme is “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” with your favorite Peanuts! characters rendered in two million pounds of ice. 

Parkas are provided for the immersive experience. Admission can be combined with more resort holiday-themed activities, like the Snowball Build & Blast, Elf Training Academy, and Snoopy Christmas Scavenger Hunt. 

Winterfest in Pensacola

Admission: Tickets vary by tour & attraction

Dates: Select weekend dates starting November 17

Winter comes to northwest Florida in Pensacola. The Winterfest main attraction is a one-part trolley tour and a one-part street performance. The trolley tour takes you through the historic district to view beautiful holiday decorations while engaging everyone in an interactive performance along the way. Extra special tickets get you on the Polar Express tour, which re-enacts the holiday classic movie, or a Grinch tour, with Whoville citizens and Grinch pranks. Christmas week has the Scrooge Tour, which re-enacts the famous Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.

Accompanying Winterfest events include the annual Elf Parade, the Winterfest Market & Christmas Jubilee, and costume contests. Santa is available for photos in his sleigh in downtown Pensacola at the Old County Courthouse. You can even visit with The Grinch. Select nights have a parade and ice skating. 

Winterfest is a community-run nonprofit event that promotes local businesses and family-friendly entertainment. 

Christmas Town at Busch Gardens

Admission: Tickets starting at $85

Dates: November 11-January 7

Pair an adventurous day at Tampa Bay’s amusement park with the holiday season. Besides the twinkling lights decorating the park buildings and pathways, Busch Gardens puts on holiday shows at its ice-skating rinks, including one with Sesame Street characters. Visit Santa Claus and his elves at the North Pole workshop or take photos with Rudolph at his winter wonderland. Ride the Holly Jolly Express and see African safari animals along the way. 

Santa’s Enchanted Forest, Miami 

Admission: Adult $44.86/ Child $36.45, Season passes available

Dates: November 9-January 7

Santa’s Enchanted Forest isn’t just one of the largest holiday events in Florida; proclaims it is the world’s largest holiday theme park, and it’s easy to see why. The event spans 40 acres between Medley and Doral in the greater Miami metro. The Enchanted Forest is a whole lot of everything: millions of lights shaped into holiday displays, a Christmas market, holiday live shows and music, and parades. Stay busy all night with over 100 rides, games, and show attractions. Leave letters in Santa’s mailbox or take pictures with the big guy himself. 

The event starts at 5 p.m. and runs until midnight. It has three entrances and expansive parking lots, over 50 food vendors, and much more. Specific attractions and park events may have an additional fee, but rides, light displays, and parking are included with the daily admission.

Christmas Boat Parades

What could be more Floridian than a boat parade? Nearly every coastal or waterfront city in Florida has a Christmas-themed holiday boat parade. Some, of course, are larger and more elaborate than others. See if a Florida city near you has a boat parade on this list, or make plans to visit one of the big ones:

• Jacksonville Light Boat Parade, Jacksonville (includes a fireworks show)
• Holiday on the Harbour, Carrabelle (includes a fireworks show)
• Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, Fort Lauderdale
• Regatta of Lights, St. Augustine 
• Palm Coast Holiday Parade, Palm Coast
• Palm Valley, Ponte Vedra Beach (the “Mardi Gras” of boat parades)
• Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Tampa Riverwalk, Tampa

Holiday events in Florida

Florida knows how to turn up the holiday cheer! There are way more happenings than we could squeeze into this list. Nearly every amusement park has some holiday-themed event and flair happening. Plus, the local cities and towns have their own ways of celebrating, with community parades, markets, music concerts, and light displays. So make your way to the Sunshine State and let the seasonal cheer combine with tropical fun. 

Remember that event details and dates may change from year to year, so it’s a good idea to check with the event organizers for the most up-to-date information. Admission and dates listed here are as posted for 2023.