Christmas in Florida 2026: Best Lights, Events & Things to Do

Christmas in Florida doesn’t come with snow (well, mostly). It comes with millions of twinkling lights, lighted boat parades, theme parks dressed up for the holidays, and the chance to spend Christmas afternoon in flip-flops. As a Florida local, I can tell you the holidays here are a different kind of magic, and there’s a lot more to it than Disney.

👉 Coming down for Thanksgiving first? See our guide to Thanksgiving in Florida.

Here are the best Christmas lights, events and things to do in Florida for the 2026 holiday season, with confirmed dates wherever they’ve been announced.

Best Christmas Lights in Florida

1. Nights of Lights (St. Augustine)

The big one. About three million white lights cover the nation’s oldest city from November 21, 2026 through January 18, 2027, and it’s free to walk around and see them. I took the pink golf cart tour when I went, and it was a great way to see all the festivities. Everything you need is in my full guide to Christmas in St. Augustine.

2. Now Snowing in Celebration (Near Orlando)

Yes, it snows in Florida, at least on Market Street in Celebration. The town’s famous Now Snowing event brings nightly “snowfall” to Celebration Town Center starting November 28, 2026, from 5:30pm to 9:30pm, and it’s free. It’s a huge hit with kids, just minutes from Disney.

3. ICE! at Gaylord Palms (Kissimmee)

Christmas at Gaylord Palms runs November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027, and the headliner is ICE!, a walk-through attraction carved from ice, featuring The Polar Express this year. Tickets are timed-entry and sold in advance, so book ahead for December weekends.

👉 Spending the holidays in Orlando? Our Christmas in Orlando guide has every 2026 date for Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, ICE! and Now Snowing.

4. Johnsonville Night Lights in the Garden (Naples)

Naples Botanical Garden turns into a glowing wonderland from November 27, 2026 through January 3, 2027 (closed December 24, 25 and 31). Tickets are $27 for adults and $12 for kids 4–17. It’s one of the most beautiful light displays on the Gulf Coast. Make a weekend of it with my Naples vacation guide.

5. Light Up Mount Dora

Mount Dora might be the most Christmas-card town in Florida. Light Up Mount Dora kicks off the season on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 5pm with a drone show, Santa, food vendors and fireworks, and it’s free. Come back on December 5 for the Christmas lighted boat parade on Lake Dora.

6. Holiday Lights in the Gardens (Largo)

In Tampa Bay, Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo hosts Holiday Lights in the Gardens every holiday season, one of the area’s most popular light displays. Check the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation site for 2026 dates and hours.

👉 For every Tampa Bay holiday event, from Busch Gardens Christmas Town to the Riverwalk boat parade, see our full guide to Christmas in Tampa Bay.

Christmas in Orlando

Orlando goes all-out for the holidays, and the theme parks are a big reason people pick Florida for Christmas.

• Walt Disney World: holiday decorations, parades and seasonal events across the parks all December. See our Disney area vacation guide.
• SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration: runs through January 4, 2027. See hotels near SeaWorld Orlando.
• Universal Orlando: the holiday parade and seasonal decorations run through December. See hotels near Universal Orlando.
• Now Snowing in Celebration and ICE! at Gaylord Palms: both are just minutes from the parks (see above).

Florida Christmas Boat Parades

Lighted boat parades are a Florida holiday tradition, and they’re free to watch from shore.

• Winterfest Boat Parade (Fort Lauderdale): December 12, 2026, on the New River and Intracoastal.
• Tampa Lighted Boat Parade (Downtown Tampa): December 19, 2026, along the Hillsborough River and Riverwalk.
• Mount Dora Christmas Lighted Boat Parade: December 5, 2026, on Lake Dora. Grantham Point and Elizabeth Evans Park are popular viewing spots.

Warm-Weather Christmas Ideas

One of the best parts of Christmas in Florida is getting outside. December is peak manatee season, when hundreds gather in the warm springs of Crystal River, and the cooler, drier weather makes it a great time for the Everglades and the beach. Coming for a longer stay? Our Florida snowbird rentals guide has monthly options, and the large group rentals guide is perfect for a family Christmas.

More Holiday Planning

For a day-by-day look at December, see the best Florida events in December 2026 (including Art Basel and New Year’s Eve), plus our Florida calendar of events and the best Florida events in January 2027.

Christmas in Florida FAQ

Where are the best Christmas lights in Florida?

Top picks include Nights of Lights in St. Augustine (about three million lights), Night Lights in the Garden at Naples Botanical Garden, ICE! at Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Now Snowing in Celebration, Light Up Mount Dora, and Holiday Lights in the Gardens at Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo.

Does it snow in Florida at Christmas?

Real snow is extremely rare, but Celebration, near Orlando, has nightly “snowfall” on Market Street during its Now Snowing event, starting November 28, 2026.

When is Nights of Lights in St. Augustine 2026?

Nights of Lights runs November 21, 2026 through January 18, 2027, with lights on every evening from 5:30pm until past 2am.

What is there to do in Florida at Christmas?

See holiday light displays, watch lighted boat parades in Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Mount Dora, visit the theme parks for their holiday events, swim with manatees in Crystal River, or simply enjoy a warm-weather Christmas at the beach.

Is Florida a good place to spend Christmas?

Yes. Florida offers mild weather, festive light displays, theme park holiday celebrations and unique traditions like lighted boat parades. Book hotels early, especially in Orlando and St. Augustine.