Family-Friendly Holiday Events in Florida We Love
- odienadventures
- 10 hours ago
- 5 min read
The holidays in Florida may not come with snow, but they absolutely come with magic. From twinkling lights and festive aquariums to outdoor winter wonderlands, community celebrations, and cozy seasonal treats, there are so many ways to celebrate the season here, especially if you’re looking for family-friendly, inclusive, and meaningful experiences.
Just like with Halloween, I’m always on the hunt for holiday events that focus on joy and wonder (not stress or overwhelm). Whether you’re looking for sensory-aware events, eco-conscious experiences, or places that feel like instant traditions, here are some of our favorite holiday highlights across Florida, plus a few we love and a few we can’t wait to experience again.
🐠YuleTides at The Florida Aquarium
📍 Tampa, FL
YuleTides at The Florida Aquarium is such a special way to celebrate the season, and we attended during one of their sensory-friendly nights, which made the experience even more meaningful for our family.
One of my favorite parts is seeing the unique themed Christmas trees throughout the aquarium, each one thoughtfully decorated and tied to conservation or ocean themes. The tanks themselves are also beautifully decorated, so keep your eyes open, because you may spot festive details woven right into the exhibits!
Beyond the holiday magic, what makes this event extra special is knowing that every visit helps support the Florida Aquarium’s conservation, research, and animal care efforts. Celebrating the holidays while supporting such an important mission makes this one a must for us every year.
❄️ Wekiva Island Winter Wonderland
📍 Longwood, FL
https://wekivaisland.com/winter-wonderland-2025/Hosted | All opinions are my own
Wekiva Island Winter Wonderland is one of those events that perfectly blends the outdoor Florida charm with holiday cheer.
Santa’s Workshop is always adorable, and meeting the big guy himself never gets old, especially seeing the kids’ excitement. One thing I really love about Wekiva Island is that they offer different themed events throughout the holiday season, so there’s always something new to experience. This year, something new was being able to rent a holiday-themed cabana, which adds to the holiday magic!
Wekiva Island is also deeply committed to being eco-friendly and sustainability-focused, which makes supporting their events feel even better. It’s festive fun with a purpose, and we always look forward to visiting each season.
🎄 SEA LIFE Orlando – Deck the Seas
📍 Orlando, FL
https://www.visitsealife.com/orlando/whats-inside/events-experiences/deck-the-seas/Hosted | All opinions are my own
Deck the Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando is an absolute must for us every holiday season.
The aquarium is fully decked out with festive décor woven throughout the exhibits, making it such a fun way to enjoy marine life during the holidays. One highlight many families love is Scuba Santa, who appears on select days to swim through the aquarium and wave to guests underwater. We weren’t there on one of those days this year, but it’s always such a unique and memorable experience.
This event has become a yearly tradition for our family and never disappoints.
🎁 Holidays at LEGOLAND Florida
📍 Winter Haven, FL
https://www.legoland.com/florida/things-to-do/seasonal-events/holidays-at-legoland/Hosted | All opinions are my own
This was our first year experiencing Holidays at LEGOLAND Florida, and we absolutely loved all the LEGO Christmas decor.
From the massive LEGO Christmas tree to festive décor and seeing LEGO Santa, the park fully embraces the season. And I have to give a special shoutout to Claus’s Cookie Apple Fries. I still think about them often. Truly unforgettable.
If you have LEGO-loving kids, this event is full of colorful, joyful holiday magic.
🧸Christmas Lane
📍 Plant City, FL
Christmas Lane is one of our most cherished holiday traditions, and I absolutely adore the nostalgia and magic it brings every year. This year, the setup is different, which I loved seeing!
This immersive holiday experience is filled with twinkling lights, themed décor, festive music, and interactive elements that make it feel like stepping into a classic Christmas storybook. The kids especially love the little rides throughout, the light maze, and meeting Mr. and Mrs. Claus is always a highlight.
Christmas Lane is cozy, joyful, and the kind of holiday experience that creates core memories year after year.
Pro-tip - there is a surcharge if you purchase anything with a card. I recommend bringing cash.
🦒 ZooTampa – Christmas in the Wild
📍 Tampa, FL
Sadly, we’re missing Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa this year, but we absolutely loved it the past two years.
The way ZooTampa decorates and themes each area of the zoo is truly beautiful. The lights, music, and holiday touches feel thoughtful and immersive. Plus, every visit helps support ZooTampa’s conservation and animal care initiatives, which makes attending this event feel even more meaningful.
🎅 The Santa Workshop Experience at ICON Park
📍 Orlando, FL
We weren’t able to visit The Santa Workshop Experience at ICON Park this year, but we loved it last year and highly recommend it to families.
This interactive experience invites kids into Santa’s workshop, where they can meet Santa and truly feel part of the holiday magic. It’s festive without being overwhelming and perfect for families looking for a memorable and immersive Santa visit.
🐬 Clearwater Marine Aquarium – Breakfast with Santa
📍 Clearwater, FL
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is hosting a Breakfast with Santa on December 20, and while we won’t be attending this year, it’s definitely worth mentioning.
CMA is an incredible organization focused on marine animal rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation, and all funds from events like this directly support their mission. Celebrating the holidays while supporting ocean conservation is always a win in my book.
🚀 Kennedy Space Center – Kennedy Under the Stars: Holiday Edition
📍 Merritt Island, FL
If you’re looking for a holiday experience that’s festive and completely unique, Kennedy Under the Stars: Holiday Edition at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a great one to add to your list. This special evening event transforms the Visitor Complex with holiday music, themed lighting, character appearances, and dance parties, all set against the incredible backdrop of rockets and space history.
It’s a fun way to experience Kennedy Space Center after hours while still keeping things family-friendly and engaging. If you have kids who love space (or future astronauts in the house), this is such a memorable holiday outing that blends education with holiday magic in a way only Kennedy Space Center can.
✨ City of Winter Garden – Holiday Events
📍 Winter Garden, FL
The City of Winter Garden offers a variety of holiday events throughout the season, including a festive light show at City Hall and other community celebrations.
We haven’t attended yet, but it’s on our list, and I love highlighting city-hosted events that bring the community together in such a special way.
☕🍩 Holiday Treat Stops We Love
Because the holidays aren’t complete without festive flavors, right?
DG Doughnuts – Seasonal donuts and cozy holiday drinks that always hit the spot
Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream – Holiday flavors and their iconic ice cream flights (perfect for sharing)
Abbott’s Frozen Custard – Rotating seasonal flavors and nostalgic comfort, especially meaningful to me with my Buffalo roots
These are perfect add-ons to any holiday outing.
🎄 Final Thoughts on Family-Friendly Holiday Events in Florida
Florida truly shines during the holidays, offering so many family-friendly holiday events that focus on joy, togetherness, and giving back. From aquariums and theme parks to winter wonderlands, light displays, and festive treats, there are endless ways to make meaningful memories.
I especially love knowing that many of these events support conservation, sustainability, and education, making the season feel even more special.
✨ What’s your favorite holiday tradition in Florida? Tell me below or tag me @odienadventures so I can follow along with your festive fun!
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