orlando vacation rental Archives - Orlando Vacation Homes By Orlando Vacation Homes

There’s something undeniably magical about spending the holiday season in Orlando — especially when you stay in one of Orlando Vacation Homes’ spacious, comfortable rentals. From dazzling theme-park spectacles to community celebrations, live performances, and free-entry events, this guide covers 100+ festive things to do — all while staying in your perfect vacation home.

🎄 Why Choose Orlando Vacation Homes for Your Holiday Stay

Location: Many of our homes are just minutes away from Walt Disney World®, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld®, and other major parks.
Comfort & Space: Our rentals range from cozy 2-bedroom homes to large 12- or 15-bedroom villas — ideal for families, reunions, or multi-family stays.
Value When You Book Direct: By booking through Orlando Vacation Homes, you skip third-party platform fees — saving money for experiences.
Trusted Host: With over 26 years in business, Orlando Vacation Homes has built a reputation for quality, hospitality, and reliable service.

✨ Orlando Holiday Events — What to Do When Staying with Us

Here’s your definitive guide to Orlando’s holiday season, with categories broken out by attractions, free & low-cost community events, performing arts, and theme park holiday celebrations.

1. Holiday Events at Orlando Attractions

These are paid holiday experiences at Orlando’s top attractions — perfect when you’re in town and staying in one of our vacation homes.

Dinos in Lights – Orlando Science Center
Nov. 8, 2025 – Jan. 6, 2026
A prehistoric holiday light show brings dinosaur fossils to life with music and glowing displays. Included with general admission.
Christmas Wonderland – Dezerland Park
Select Dates, Nov. 7 – Dec. 24, 2025
The largest indoor attraction in Florida transforms into a winter wonderland, with Santa meet-and-greets, ice skating, train rides, elf toy workshops, and more.
Santa Photos – The Mall at Millenia
Nov. 7 – Dec. 24, 2025
Kick off the season with Santa’s Magical Arrival, complete with DJ, stage show, and tree lighting. Through Christmas Eve, you can take professional Santa pictures or a selfie for a small fee.
Santa Workshop Experience – ICON Park®
Select Dates, Nov. 7 – Dec. 24, 2025
Kids under 13 get a free carousel ride (when purchasing a photo package). Plus, get exclusive discounts to ICON Park attractions like Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium.
Santa Photo Experience – The Florida Mall®
Nov. 14 – Dec. 24, 2025
Look out for special events including pet photos with Santa (Nov. 23), sensory-friendly Caring Santa® (Dec. 7), holiday crafts, and “Cookies With Mrs. Claus.”
Festival of Trees – Orlando Museum of Art
Nov. 14 – Nov. 23, 2025
Over 50 designer-decorated trees, wreaths, gingerbread creations, and a holiday boutique. Ticketed add-on experiences include children’s holiday parties, breakfast with Santa, and adult cocktail events.
Asian Lantern Festival – Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Nov. 14, 2025 – Jan. 18, 2026
Hundreds of handcrafted lanterns illuminate after-hours, creating an interactive, magical walk through themed zones, with food and activities.
Deck the Seas – SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium
Nov. 21, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
Underwater holiday fun with Scuba Claus (on Thursdays), a scavenger hunt, and even stockings for the sea creatures.
Colorful Christmas – Crayola Experience
Nov. 22, 2025 – Jan. 5, 2026
A joyful, hands-on holiday experience: scavenger hunts, character appearances, a singing light show, crafts, and letters to Santa.
Dazzling Nights – Harry P. Leu Gardens
Nov. 28, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
This artistic holiday light festival includes holiday villages, interactive zones (like an 8-bit Christmas area), and a 50-foot star over the Rose Garden.
Holidays at Leu Gardens (Daytime)
Wander 50 acres of illuminated garden vignettes, seasonal blooms, and festive decor. The historic Leu House Museum also offers holiday tours.
Gatorland’s Holiday Ho Ho Ho-Down
Dec. 6 – 21, 2025
A uniquely Floridian Christmas: live music, Gator Claus, Krampus Croc, holiday treats — and real alligators.
Holidays in Space – Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Dec. 21 – 30, 2025
A 50-foot tree, festive drone show with original symphonic score, scavenger hunt, and holiday décor. Don’t miss “Kennedy Under the Stars” (Dec. 19–20) — an after-hours celebration.

2. Free & Low-Cost Holiday Celebrations

These community-based events are budget-friendly and often free — ideal for families staying in your Orlando Vacation Home.

Holinights Celebration – Promenade at Sunset Walk
Nov. 21 – Dec. 25, 2025
Located minutes from many of our homes, this event offers tree lightings, Santa appearances, live entertainment, and holiday-themed street markets. Free admission.
Jingle Eve – Ivanhoe Village Main Street
Nov. 22, 2025
Shop local, enjoy live music, kids’ crafts, bounce houses, a Bubble Bus — and end the night with fireworks. Free to attend; you can also pay to join the “12 Wines of Christmas” Walk.
Now Snowing – Town of Celebration
Nov. 29 – Dec. 25, 2025
Hourly “snow” (foamy snow falls), carolers, carriage rides, Santa photos, synthetic ice skating — and more snow-magic just 20 minutes from many rentals.
Winter Wonderland – Wekiva Island
Nov. 30 – Dec. 25, 2025
Nights of snow flurries, a 30-foot Christmas tree, ornament decorating with elves, cocoa with Mrs. Claus, movie nights, and seasonal markets. Some activities cost extra; general admission is $5.
Holiday on the Drive – College Park
Dec. 4, 2025
Enjoy artisan marketplaces, carolers, Santa visits, and festive decor down College Park’s charming main drive.
Frontyard Holiday Festival – Dr. Phillips Center
Dec. 4, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
This free nightly festival features live music, snowfall, tree lightings, a holiday market, and outdoor movies (Sundays). Inside the Dr. Phillips Center, there are ticketed concerts and performances.
Winter Park Holiday Festivities
Dec. 4 – 26, 2025
Includes a free musical celebration in the park, the Winter on the Avenue tree lighting, s’mores, a menorah lighting, free museum nights, and the beloved 73rd Annual Christmas Parade.
Downtown for the Holidays – Lake Eola Park
Dec. 5, 2025 – Jan. 6, 2026
Tree lighting, live shows, snowfall, Santa visits, holiday markets, free concerts, sensory nights, and screening of holiday movies.
Oh, What Fun! Holiday Festival – Lake Nona
Dec. 5 – 21, 2025
A winter street festival with nightly snowfall, a 24-foot Christmas tree, themed treats, a holiday 5K, and a Christmas Parade — plus ticketed story times, sing-alongs, and Santa’s Cottage.
’Tis the Season – Winter Garden
Dec. 5 – 30, 2025
Walk or ride through downtown Winter Garden to enjoy light shows, carriage rides, live music, holiday markets, parades, and outdoor holiday movies.

3. Holiday Shows, Concerts & Performing Arts

Orlando’s performing arts scene goes all out for the holidays. Here are some can’t-miss shows and concerts, especially convenient when you stay in our centrally located vacation homes.

Some of the highlights for 2025–2026:

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas – Dr. Phillips Center (Nov. 15)
Handel’s Messiah – Dr. Phillips Center (Nov. 16)
Lindsey Stirling: The Snow Waltz Tour – Dr. Phillips Center (Nov. 26)
Leslie Odom, Jr.: The Christmas Tour – Dr. Phillips Center (Dec. 1)
For King + Country: A Drummer Boy Christmas – Dr. Phillips Center (Dec. 2–3)
The Nutcracker – Orlando Ballet at Dr. Phillips Center (Dec. 5–24)
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage – Orlando Family Stage (Nov. 24 – Dec. 23)
Christmas in the Park – Winter Park (Dec. 4) (Free)
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve – Kia Center (Dec. 13)
Michael W. Smith: Every Christmas – The Plaza Live (Dec. 16)
Pentatonix: A Christmas in the City Tour – Kia Center (Dec. 16)
Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings – The Abbey (Dec. 18–21)
A Drag Queen Christmas Hosted by Nina West – Hard Rock Live (Dec. 21)
And many more — including local community theater, holiday ballets, and family performances.

There are also holiday movie nights:

Frozen, Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Gremlins, A Christmas Story, and more showing outdoors at places like Lake Eola Park and in Winter Garden.

4. Holiday Fun at Orlando Theme Parks

Staying in one of our Orlando Vacation Homes means you’re perfectly positioned to enjoy the most magical theme park holiday offerings.

Here’s what’s happening across the major parks:

Magic Kingdom® – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Select Dates, Nov. 7 – Dec. 21, 2025
Includes an after-hours ticketed event with exclusive character meet-and-greets, a special parade (Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade), cookies & cocoa, and the nighttime fireworks show, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Disney Jollywood Nights
Select Dates, Nov. 8 – Dec. 22, 2025
Features star-studded entertainment, over 20 character experiences, a holiday stage show with Kermit & Miss Piggy, and a spectacular projection and fireworks show, Jingle Bell, Jingle Jam!.
EPCOT – International Festival of the Holidays
Nov. 28 – Dec. 30, 2025
Explore global holiday traditions, indulge in seasonal food (Holiday Kitchens), enjoy storytellers from different countries, and experience the Candlelight Processional with choir, orchestra, and a celebrity narrator.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Nov. 14 – Dec. 31, 2025
Celebrate nature with a holiday twist: whimsical puppet creatures in the Merry Menagerie, seasonal flotillas, and the Tree of Life Awakenings – Holiday Edition projection show.
Disney Springs
Nov. 14 – Dec. 31, 2025
FREE to enter! Enjoy the Christmas Tree Stroll, nightly snowfall, seasonal entertainment, photo ops with Santa, and festive dining and shopping.
SeaWorld Orlando – Christmas Celebration™
Nov. 7 – Jan. 5, 2025
A winter wonderland with holiday shows, fireworks, snow-flurries, ice skating, and special character performances like Rudolph and Sesame Street friends.
Aquatica Orlando – ILLUMINATE: A Lantern Festival
Nov. 8, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026
Aquatica turns into a glowing nighttime festival with lantern art, immersive worlds, glowing creatures, crafts, and seasonal treats.
Universal Orlando Resort – Holidays
Nov. 21 – Dec. 31, 2025
Universal’s holiday takeover includes Grinchmas™ at Islands of Adventure, festive decor across The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts™ Castle, the Universal Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, and holiday-themed food, drinks, and shopping.
LEGOLAND® Florida – Holidays at LEGOLAND
Dec. 6 – 31, 2025
Enjoy a giant LEGO® Christmas tree, elf shows, festive LEGO characters, twinkling lights, and themed treats — all included with general admission.

🧭 Holiday Planning Tips for Guests of Orlando Vacation Homes

Book Early: Holiday events, especially ticketed ones like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or Universal’s Holiday Parade, can sell out quickly.
Mix Paid & Free Events: Use free community events like Downtown for the Holidays or Wekiva Island’s Winter Wonderland to balance your budget.
Stay Close: Many of our vacation homes are strategically located — close enough to return for rest, enjoy your private pool or common space, then head back out for nighttime shows.
Plan Around Park Hours: Use the day for theme parks when they’re less crowded; plan your evenings for local light displays, concerts, or markets.
Use Our Local Knowledge: Ask your vacation homes host or concierge (if available) for insider tips: best viewing spots, holiday photo op locations, or off-the-beaten-path festive finds.

🎁 Final Thoughts: Make Your Orlando Holiday Truly Magical

Staying with Orlando Vacation Homes gives you:

The flexibility and space of a fully equipped home
Access to top-tier holiday events
A comfortable base for day and evening outings
The ability to blend theme-park magic with local, community-oriented holiday cheer

This holiday season, turn your Orlando trip into a memory-making escape: warm Florida nights, twinkling lights, snow-like moments, and all the joy of the holidays — plus the home-away-from-home comfort you deserve.

Ready to Book? Visit Orlando Vacation Homes to browse our holiday-season availability and reserve your perfect vacation rental.

Travelers dreaming of an amazing getaway with plenty of sun, access to fun and a little magic included in the mix as well easily find what they’re looking for in Orlando, Florida. This inviting and exciting vacation destination is one where travelers with interests of all types can find something to enjoy and reasons to return year after year. Orlando is a place where families and solo travelers, couples, small groups, and large groups alike find access to amazing attractions and activities that are engaging, fun, and one-of-a-kind. There’s no shortage of options when it comes to entertainment, flavor, views, or wildlife-making Orlando a dynamic destination to enjoy where you can always personalize the getaway to fit your travel style.

While Orlando is packed with reasons for adventurers to make the most of the fun, these same motivations make the city a perfectly prime place for vacation rental homeowners to embrace profitable potential at every turn! The city welcomes upward of 78 million visitors a year and is considered not only a theme park world capital but a top family destination on the map too. Investing in a vacation rental in Orlando is a fantastic route to not only being an integral part of a dynamic industry but enjoying the many financial benefits that come with ownership as well as the opportunity to help travelers make incredible lifelong memories. Read on below to learn about our Orlando property management services and tips on owning a vacation rental!

A City Filled with Places to Own a Vacation Home and Grow Your Business

While individual vacation home rental options abound throughout the greater Orlando area, the vast appeal for many travelers booking stays lies in the city’s luxurious resorts. Places like Champions Gate, Windsor Hills, Reunion Resort, Solterra, and Solara Resorts provide vacation rental homeowners with the opportunity to market not only an amazing stay to visitors but access to resort extras that make more of the experience from start to finish. Homes, condos, and villas within these resorts offer homeowners a chance to feature a property option that hosts anywhere from 1 bedroom up to 15 rooms across sprawling levels if they choose. The options are not only exciting for homeowners looking to start or grow their vacation rental business in Orlando but make it simple to customize a stay to a target audience’s price point too.

Stepping into the vacation rental industry in Orlando comes with statistics and figures in place that put new and experienced homeowners’ minds at ease with good reason. On average, the city of Orlando sees $70 billion in revenue specific to the tourism industry. In the same breath, travelers are spending around $82 billion in travel spending when they set their sights on Orlando each year. These numbers are on the rise, painting a positive picture of spectacular potential for those who are looking to turn their vacation rental dreams in Orlando into a profitable and sustainable business opportunity.

In total, Orlando is home to 36,000 vacation rentals, making it the vacation home capital of the world with numbers on the rise! Those looking to take part in this growing and thriving industry will find options to customize their own part of the market available at every turn. Investing in a vacation home in Orlando offers personal and financial rewards to homeowners, and it’s not necessary to be an expert before you get started when you pick an experienced Orlando property management team to work alongside.

Learn More About our Property Management Services Here!

The Many Benefits of Your Owning a Vacation Rental in Sunny Orlando

Whether you’re looking to get into the vacation rental industry for the very first time, or you’re excited to boost your existing prospects, Orlando is a prime place to set your sights on rental ownership for a variety of reasons. Vacation rental homeowners in Orlando can generate a significant amount of income year-round thanks to the area’s great weather and all-seasons appeal to tourists from across the map. It’s a steady place to make the most of a constant revenue stream with the potential to grow along the way. Vacation rental homeowners in Orlando can also earn significant tax deductions on their property when claiming it as a second home. In this scenario, property taxes, depreciation of furnishings, and mortgage interest can all be considered write-offs. Over time, a vacation rental in Orlando will prove to be a powerful way to build equity and wealth while a dual-purpose property means homeowners can also take advantage of the accommodations when they’d like to and enjoy time away with family and friends somewhere spectacular!

Reach Out to Orlando Vacation Homes Today

When you’re looking to own a vacation rental in Orlando and could use a team of property experts to assist with managing the process, we’re here to help. Reach out today to learn more about our many property management services and how we can help you reach your full potential in the industry.