Feel the holiday magic on Christmas Day at Walt Disney World Resort. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World

Open on Christmas in Orlando: Theme Parks

1. Walt Disney World - Lake Buena Vista

There's so much happening in and around Walt Disney World approaching Christmas Day, it's hard to list it all! International Festival of the Holidays at EPCOT is a fun time to ring in the holidays. Make sure to visit Disney Springs as well for more holiday fun!

During the holiday season, the whimsical Seuss Landing gets decked out in Who-liday charm to celebrate Grinchmas. Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort

2. Universal Orlando Resort - Orlando

Holidays at Universal Orlando are full of wonderful adventures for the whole family. Watch the Universal Holiday Parade featuring Macy's and see huge floats, enjoy Grinchmas at Seuss Landing, and feel the magic of Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with festive decor and holiday performances.

Celebrate Christmas Day at Legoland Florida with seasonal shows and holiday Lego characters. Photo by Charlotte Blanton

3. Holidays at Legoland Florida - Winter Haven

Connect the bricks for fun on Christmas in Orlando at Legoland Florida! Holiday features include a giant Lego Christmas tree, cool seasonal shows, holiday lights, holiday characters, and more.

4. SeaWorld Christmas Celebration - Orlando

Enjoy more than 3 million Christmas lights decorating SeaWorld Orlando, as well as holiday fireworks, the Sesame Street Christmas Parade, and appearances by Santa and Rudolph!

5. Fun Spot America's HUGE Christmas - Orlando and Kissimmee

With locations in both Orlando and Kissimmee, Fun Spot America's HUGE Christmas is open on Christmas Day. Holiday events include merry and bright lights, festive decor, and Christmas treats like gingerbread sundae and Christmas candy apples.

6. Busch Gardens Christmas Town - Tampa

Busch Gardens puts on its annual Christmas Town event, featuring the Holly Jolly Express train ride, Rudolph's Winter Wonderland, holiday shows with fireworks and ice skating, Santa, and much more.

Wander through the sparkling snow at Wekiva Island for a Christmas Day outing. Photo courtesy of Wekiva Island

Open on Christmas in Orlando: Great Outdoors

7. Blue Springs State Park - Orange City

Open 365 days a year, Blue Springs State Park allows visitors to walk along the boardwalk and watch manatees (colder months are prime months) in the clear water. Blue Springs also has a small playground area.

8. Winter Wonderland at Wekiva Island - Longwood

Wekiva Island is open on Christmas Day 10am-4pm, which is a great place to let the kids run out all their energy after opening gifts.

9. Walking and Hiking Trails

Enjoy the nice weather and spend some time outdoors on Christmas.

10. Now Snowing - Celebration

Celebration's Now Snowing event is a wonderful way to spend Christmas night, with ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides, and nightly "snowfall." 

11. Holidays at Leu Gardens - Orlando

Venture through Leu Gardens and enjoy the holiday blooms, a gnome scavenger hunt, and festive decorations.

12. Beaches - Various locations

Trade snow for sand and head to one of the beautiful Florida beaches near Orlando. Show off that fresh Christmas tan with some fun under the sun!

13. Neighborhood Light Displays - Orlando

Let mom relax on Christmas and take the kiddos out of the house to drive around neighborhoods that night and witness engineering feats of the most holiday-obsessed homeowners.

14. Boat Rides

Fresh air and cool water is always available on Christmas Day and beyond. Borrow or rent a boat and enjoy Mother Nature during the holidays!

15. Holiday Nights at Island H2O - Kissimmee

Stroll through a winter wonderland of lights at Island H2O Water Park, open Christmas evening from 6-10pm.

16. Showcase of Citrus - Clermont

Showcase of Citrus is open 365 days per year, including holidays. This 2,500 acre farm offers monster truck tours, u-pick citrus, gem mining, farm animals, and a country store.

17. ICON Park - Orlando

This I-Drive entertainment district is home to The Wheel, Sea Life Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds wax museum, and many more restaurants and attractions.

18. Gatorland - Orlando

Enjoy fun at the "Alligator Capital of the World" this Christmas. Feed alligators, take a train ride, visit the petting zoo, and if it's warm, let the kids run through the splash pad. Gatorland is open daily, including holidays. 

19. Old Town - Kissimmee

Old Town is open every day from 11am-11pm. This entertainment area in south Orlando features stores, dining, rides, and attractions.

20. Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive - Apopka

This free, wildlife sanctuary features an 11-mile driving loop with an abundance of alligators, birds, and other wildlife. It is open on federal holidays, including Christmas.

Christmastime at Gaylord Palms is magical for all ages. Photo courtesy of Gaylord Palms

Open on Christmas in Orlando: Indoors

21. Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience - Orlando

Add a little color to your Christmas Day by heading to Crayola Experience Orlando, open on December 25 from 12-6pm. Holiday programming includes animatronic Christmas characters, a singing light show, a giant snow globe, and more.

22. Christmas at Gaylord Palms - Kissimmee

It's tough to list all the awesome activities, both indoors and outdoors, at Gaylord Palms for Christmas Day. Just to scratch the surface of Christmas events, there is the popular ICE! Experience, a Cirque: Spirit of Christmas show, ice tubing, and more at Gaylord Palms.

23. Dinner Shows - Multiple locations

Many of Orlando's dinner-and-a-show venues offer holiday takes on their beloved programming, many open on Christmas. Capone's Dinner and a Show: Holiday Show, Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show, Pirate's Dinner Adventure, and more are waiting to entertain your family Christmas Day.

24. Restaurants - Multiple locations

Don't go hungry on Christmas Day! We've taken the hassle out of finding a good restaurant open on Christmas with our round-up with these tasty options.

25. WonderWorks - Orlando

Visit the iconic upside-down building on I-Drive known as WonderWorks, an entirely indoor attraction complete with three floors of over 100 hands-on exhibits and displays.

26. Movie Theaters - Multiple locations

Christmas is a big movie going day, and new films are often released on Christmas day because of this. Cozy up at the theater with some popcorn and a good flick!

27. Ripley's Believe It or Not - Orlando

Visit the famous "odditorium" this Christmas to see hundreds of rare and unusual artifacts and interactive exhibits for the whole family to enjoy.