Orlando in December

By Sarah Harris

When picturing Orlando, the first thing that comes to mind may be its summery weather and famous outdoor attractions. Still, the city comes alive during the wintertime, with fun events, seasonal entertainment and holiday cheer. There's always something going on during this time of the year, you just need to know where to look! Check out the dazzling light displays at Harry P. Leu Gardens, or cozy up in a museum café. Or, if you’re travelling with family, head over to Legoland for fantastic seasonal shows, or marvel at Disney’s annual holiday parade. Whether you’re a first-time visitor, or a seasoned veteran to the area, you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes. For a taste of Orlando during the festive season, check out our list of the best things to do during the month of December! Whatever you choose to do, we’re sure it’ll be great.

Hit the Classics

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Every theme park worth its name knows how to do Christmas right – and Magic Kingdom is no exception to this rule. Drawing in millions of visitors each year, this place has long been one of the major attractions of the city – and it’s easy to see why. The park presents over 40 rides and attractions to be enjoyed, including It’s a Small World, Space Mountain, and of course, its iconic Cinderella Castle. But as if this place wasn’t magical enough, you can catch seasonal firework displays, parades, and magical ‘’snowfalls’’, turning the park into a captivating winter wonderland. A total classic for any time of the year, this quintessential Orlando mainstay is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.

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Another one of our favorite theme park experiences for the month of December is available at Epcot. Staying true to the park’s main theme, the International Festival of the Holidays goes all out to provide a global celebration of the holiday season. Enjoy various iterations of Christmas through music, cuisine and special events. Each night all throughout the month, a celebrity will tell the story of Christmas accompanied by an orchestra and choir. Learn more about the time-honored traditions of different countries and soak up the holiday spirit. We especially love this take because it provides something a little different, with no less of the fun.

See the Sites

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For those chilly December evenings, why not head out to the theater? If you’re looking for art and culture in the City Beautiful, you might be pleasantly surprised by what the area has to offer. For years, the Orlando Theatre has served as a regular entertainment house for some of the most talented performers you’ll ever see. Whether you’re looking to catch a Broadway show, see one of your favorite musicians, or laugh harder than ever with some live standup, this place has it all. In the past, the center has played host to the likes of Elton John, Paul McCartney and John Mulaney. Serving up engaging performances all throughout the week, this place would provide the perfect evening out in the city.

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Though December weather is generally pretty temperate, some days can get a little chilly. If you’re looking for a great colder weather activity, look no further than the Orlando Museum of Art. Founded way back in 1924, this place has long played a fundamental role in the city’s artistic community. In its impressive collection, you’ll find everything from Contemporary and American art to that of the Ancient Americas. We recommend checking the website before going for any upcoming exhibitions. With so much to see and learn, it'd be easy to just get lost here exploring this unique repository.

Get Festive

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December is a fantastic time to visit some of Orlando’s famed theme parks, since the weather will be more bearable and the lines shorter. Great for those travelling with family, we’d consider Legoland way up there with Magic Kingdom as one of the top theme parks in the city. With over 50 rides, shows and attractions to choose from, the possibilities are pretty much endless here. Highlights include The Great Lego Race, The Dragon, and Miniland USA. Come Christmastime, the park transforms into an exciting dreamland, offering experiences worth treasuring forever. Catch seasonal shows, activities, sparkling lights, and more! With a wide variety of things to do stretching all throughout the month, there’s plenty of fun to be had here.

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Just because the city has cooled down doesn’t mean you have to stay huddled up inside! With its unique tropical climate, Florida is home to many wonderful green spaces just waiting to be discovered. An unmissable stop for all nature lovers, Harry P. Leu Gardens is well-recognized for its diverse collection of exotic plants. Covering over 40 acres, this charming historic park promises meticulously landscaped grounds and lakes, and great walking trails to enjoy. This stunning urban oasis is especially magical in the wintertime, when you can catch the Dazzling Nights display all throughout the month of December. Beautiful, calm and serene, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend some time away from the city.

For a truly spectacular winter wonderland experience, check out Night of a Million Lights. Running all throughout the month, this event invites guests to enjoy a beautifully decorated fairytale neighborhood. Eat seasonal snacks as you stroll. Take a tram ride through the village. Enjoy a traditional Christmas market. Buying a ticket to this event provides support for ill children, so be sure to check it out. All-round feel good and super sparkly, this one should rank right at the top of the itinerary!

While you might not get blankets of snow and wintry temperatures, no city knows how to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year better than Orlando. From exciting parades to over-the-top light displays, there’s much to do and see here for every type of traveller. Explore the city’s fantastic cultural institutions. Take a holiday tour of Epcot. Or, hang out and enjoy the sights at the Night of a Million Lights. Trust us when we say, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to festive activities and events to choose from. To find out how to save money on your trip, check out our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass. For more details, make sure to connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.

Sarah Harris
Go City Travel Expert

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Things to do in International Drive Orlando

Vibrant and bustling with life, Orlando is known as one of America’s top tourist destinations. If it's your first visit to the city, you’re likely to be staying in International Drive. Luckily for you, this exciting entertainment district at the heart of the city’s tourism area will leave you spoiled for choice. The area presents a myriad of exciting family-friendly experiences including Fun Spot America and Icon Park to keep you busy. With hundreds of bars and restaurants across the board, an evening out at I-Drive is a blast. And as a major plus, you’ll be just a stone's throw away from all of the best theme parks. We’ve spent a lot of time in the area and are sharing our favorite things to do here. Let’s dive in! Hit the Classics Of course, a vacation to Orlando is all about the theme parks. Living up to its namesake, Fun Spot America provides a great day out for adults and children alike. Whether you’re a thrillseeker or prefer something a little bit tamer, this place has it all. Setting itself apart from other iconic parks in the city, Fun Spot America works to offer a fantastic slice of Old Florida. Walking around the park, you’ll be able to enjoy old school carnival rides including a Ferris wheel, a carousel and bumper cars. The park is entirely admission-free, and you can choose to pay for only the rides you choose to go on, making it great value for money. Creating fun and making memories since 1979, this place is a quintessential Orlando classic well worth the visit. Now, some say you can’t have it all, but I-Drive’s walkable entertainment district Icon Park will make you feel just the opposite. Offering everything from exciting family-friendly activities and great shopping opportunities to top-notch eateries and vibrant nightlife options, this all-around energetic attraction has a little something for everybody. When making a stop here, it’s absolutely essential to ride the Orlando Eye, and the Orlando Starflyer, the world’s tallest swing ride. Afterwards, head for dinner at one of the park's fantastic restaurants (you’ll have plenty to choose from since there are over 40 of them!), or browse the stores for souvenirs for your loved ones. Or, after dark, check out the bars and live music shows in the area. With its buzzing atmosphere that remains unmatched, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend a sunny day in Orlando. Find Interesting Activities Make it a day to remember and visit all of your favorite celebrities at Madame Tussauds. Named after the prolific wax worker Marie Tussaud, this leading Orlando attraction has famous figures from the worlds of film, music, sport and history, all under one roof. A total Instagrammer’s paradise, the institute offers over 60 immersive exhibitions to be explored. Unbelievably accurate and detailed, these crazy life-size replicas are a total sight to behold. Even up close, the waxworks are sure to play a number on you – you'll never quite be sure that they’re not the real deal. Get up close with the likes of Taylor Swift, Ryan Reynolds, or Angelina Jolie. Surreal, quirky, and a whole lot of fun, consider this a great place for a family day trip. Don’t forget to bring a camera so you can capture the magic! As Orlando’s main tourist strip, I-Drive is bursting with interesting things to do that you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. Offering a poignant look at the famous shipwreck, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition truly brings history to life for a broad audience. Taking guests on a fascinating trip through time, the museum showcases over 300 artefacts that have been recovered from the very bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Tours are led by actors dressed in period costumes of the time to depict actual passengers. With numerous galleries and interactive exhibits to explore, the institute offers a closer look into what happened on April 15th 1912. Have a Blast If you’re looking for something a little different, look no further than Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Founded by famous cartoonist Robert Ripley, this one-of-a-kind museum showcases oddities, curiosities and artefacts from around the globe. Built into an off-level structure that appears to be falling into a sinkhole, this kooky odditorium houses over 16 galleries and hundreds of displays which are sure to amaze. Walking through the museum, you’ll get to see peculiarities including a genuine shrunken head, a two-headed calf, and one of the world’s only vampire killing kits. From the strange and the beautiful to the weird and the wonderful, this place has it covered. A little bit kitschy and a whole lot of fun, we love this stop because it embraces a whole other world of crazy we never knew was possible. Sometimes, the Orlando heat can get a little much for some people (Okay, fine - most people). But don’t fear! We’ve found the answer – and yup, you guessed it, it’s right in the center of International Drive. For those looking to cool off, CoCo Key Water Resort is the perfect place to make a splash. Whether you want a high-powered adrenaline rush, or something a little more low-key, you’re sure to find something to suit you. With fourteen rides to try, the fun never stops coming here. For those who prefer to play it cool, there’s a relaxing pool and bar area away from all of the buzz. In addition, CoCo Key has a large arcade with over 50 games to try out. For fun-filled family adventure, we couldn’t think of a better spot. A total epicenter of fun and excitement, International Drive is an attractive tourist destination for all types of visitors. Drawing in millions of people each year, the city’s major tourist corridor knows how to help you have a good time. The best things to do in I-Drive run the gamut – from free spectacles to fantastic thrill rides, you’ll never be bored here. To find out how to save money on your trip, check out our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass. For more details, make sure to connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris
Orlando
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Things to Do in Orlando When it Rains

From wacky museums to shopping and dining, there's plenty to keep you entertained.
Katie Sagal
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Christmas in Orlando

You might think of Orlando as the place to be during the warmer months, but trust us when we say that you won’t want to miss out on Christmastime in the city. We’re talking exciting seasonal experiences, spectacular light displays, and awesome winter villages. Whether you’re new to the area or a seasoned visitor, you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes. If you’re travelling with family, be sure to check out the special events held at some of the city’s most famous theme parks. For something a little more traditional, head over to the annual Winter Park Christmas Parade. Or, if you want something a little more low-key, the lights at Harry P. Leu Gardens are well worth the visit. And, if you're still struggling to come up with ideas for what to do during the most magical time of the year – don't worry! We’ve compiled a list of our favorite things to see and do during the holiday season. Hit the Classics A trip to Orlando just wouldn’t be complete without making a stop at Magic Kingdom – and what better time to visit than the holidays? A total American classic, the park is often dubbed the happiest place on earth – and it’s easy to see why. Favorite mainstays include It’s a Small World, Space Mountain, and of course, the iconic Cinderella Castle. Magic Kingdom not only impresses throughout the year with an abundance of famous rides and attractions to be enjoyed – it also happens to offer special events around Christmastime. When visiting during the month of December, be sure to check out the seasonal parades, firework displays, and magical ‘’snowfalls’’, transforming the park into an enchanting winter wonderland. Thoroughly whimsical and joyful to boot, this one should rank at the very top of everyone’s itinerary! With the cooler weather and smaller crowds during the holiday season, it’s a great time to check out some of Orlando's world-class adventure parks. Standing out as a unique celebration of human achievement, Epcot is a go-to for many first-time visitors to the city. Spanning over 300 acres and encompassing over four different ‘’neighborhoods’’, each with their own theme, there’s a lot to see and do here for every type of traveller. During the festive season, the park brings the wow factor with its International Festival of Holidays – a fantastic celebration showcasing various traditions from cultures across the globe. We love this idea because it’s interesting and presents a little something for everybody. Don’t miss it! Find Fun Activities Located along the tropical Southeastern coastline, Orlando is home to many wonderful green spaces just waiting to be explored. Established way back in the 1800s, Harry P. Leu Gardens is a beautiful site to visit any time of the year. In the early days of the park’s development, the Leus travelled all over the world, bringing back a wide variety of exotic greenery to fill their gardens. Today, the plot is open to the public all year round, with special events being held for certain holidays. For the ultimate Christmastime experience, be sure to check out the Dazzling Nights display, running all throughout the month of December. With beautiful lighting installations, music, and food, this stop is sure to put a smile on your face. Always well worth the visit, Legoland is forever brimming with fantastic things to delight the whole family. Named after the popular toy brick company, this place ranks way up there with Magic Kingdom as one of our all-time favorites. Living up to its slogan ‘’Built for Kids’’, the park offers around 30 child-friendly rides and attractions for ages 2-12 – but that’s no reason that we shouldn’t get involved! Christmas is an especially great time to visit, since you’ll get to enjoy all of the regular attractions, but with a little added holiday cheer. During the month of December, the park goes all out, with special light shows, pantomimes, and of course, a Lego tree and Santa Claus. Well, what else would we expect? Soak Up the Atmosphere If you’re looking for spectacular light displays, look no further than the Night of a Million Lights. Billed as the ‘’Number One Thing to Do In December In Orlando’’, this fantastical winter wonderland is bursting with holiday spirit. Despite its name, the event runs for 52 nights, and with over 3 million lights donated by local theme parks, it’s quite a show. Still, the outdoor exhibitions aren’t the only thing to see here. Enjoy festive snacks as you walk. Take a train ride through the village. Browse the stalls at the Christmas market. Situated at the Give Kids The World Village, this traditional boardwalk is much more than just a great seasonal stop; buying a ticket will go towards helping families in need. Incredibly charming and atmospheric, there’s no place that captures the spirit of Christmas quite like this one in the city. For those looking for a traditional way to celebrate the holidays on vacation, head over to the annual Winter Park Christmas Parade. Standing as the oldest continuous holiday celebration in Central Florida, this flamboyant event is a total must-see if you’re the type to get uber-excited around December 25th (we know we are!) A longstanding favorite for locals and visitors alike, the parade offers a quintessential seasonal entertainment experience quite like no other. With over 80 participating organizations, you’ll be able to enjoy marching bands, animated displays, and of course, Santa Claus! Incredibly wholesome and full of life, we don’t recommend skipping out on this one. Just be sure to arrive early so you can catch a great view! There are a lot of ways to get into the holiday spirit in Orlando. From dazzling light displays to exciting events, you’ll find that there are countless ways to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year in the city. Trust us when we say, you most certainly run out of things to do here during the festive season. To find out how to save money on your trip, check out our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass. For more details, make sure to connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris

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