Christmas is fast approaching, and it’s a great reminder to go out and spend time with family and friends.
According to the state of Florida, the following are considered the top holiday attractions to visit around this time of year.
Walt Disney World Resort
With its Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and holiday decorations, Walt Disney World Resort is a prime location to visit this Christmas season.
The theme park also features “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade,” with several classic Disney characters and Santa Claus himself.
Walt Disney World also shared a list of its seasonal food and drink locations on its blog.
Universal Orlando Resort
Through Dec. 31, Universal Orlando Resort will feature holiday events and stylings at its Orlando theme parks.
One of the highlights of this holiday season is “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” at Hogsmeade in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The event will showcase Christmas moments with a stunning project show at night.
Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s is returning to the streets of Universal Studios Florida, including popular characters from films like Despicable Me, Shrek and Madagascar.
Grinchmas also returns with a live retelling of the Dr. Seuss classic as Seuss Landing is decorated with oversized candy canes, Christmas trees and more.
ICE! at Gaylord Palms
This year, Gaylord Palms Resort allows guests to walk through the animated cartoon “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with characters being sculpted out of 2 million pounds of ice.
“Cirque: Spirit of Christmas” features acrobatics in a musical stage show, while Mrs. Clause entertains guests with a sing-along storytelling experience.
Other attractions this holiday season include a Christmas tree-led light show, Dickens Carolers and an ice-tubing ride atop Snow Flow Mountain.
Town of Christmas
The appropriately named town of Christmas can be found just outside of Orlando, with visitors flocking here each year to send out their cards and letters postmarked from “Christmas.”
The town also features a historical park and museum that shows what the original settlement was like during its foundations in the 1800s.
Gingerbread House Extravaganza
This eponymous holiday celebration in Jacksonville runs until Dec. 27 for its 21st annual extravaganza.
Guests can vote on a gingerbread house competition in several categories based on age and theme (traditional, fantasy, historic and religious).
The “Gingerbread Extravaganza Experience” also features a holiday gift shop, a tour of the Merrill House Museum and a traditional gingerbread exhibit at Old St. Andrew’s Church.
Busch Gardens
The Busch Gardens theme park in Tampa has brought back its popular “Christmas Town” for the 2023 holiday season.
This event runs until Jan. 7 and features “up close” animal encounters, holiday-inspired treats and festive shows like “Christmas on Ice.”
In addition, the park is decorated with twinkling lights and offers fireworks displays, along with appearances by Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Nights of Lights
This holiday event in St. Augustine is free to the public, covering a large area of the city to let visitors take in the sights.
During the festival, downtown St. Augustine is decorated with millions of small white lights that are meant to “create a magical atmosphere in the Nation’s Oldest City.”
The lights are draped over the city’s architecture and can be spotted on rooftops, over the Bridge of Lions, along historic spaces and other buildings in the city’s historic district.
According to the website, the two best places to view the lights and take selfies are:
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The Plaza de la Constitution
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The Bridge of Lions
Santa’s Enchanted Forest
Claiming to be the largest Christmas theme park in the world, Santa’s Enchanted Forest in Miami is chockfull of Christmastime activities.
The park features dozens of rides for children and adults alike, along with acrobats, magicians, motocross and carnival games.
For those wanting to take it easy, the theme park also offers holiday cuisine and plenty of light displays to look at.
Florida’s Shopping Malls
For those trying to buy gifts for loved ones this holiday season, the state recommends the following shopping outlets.
Check out the Florida Foodie podcast. You can find every episode in the media player below:
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