If you’re looking to feel the magic of the holiday season, International Drive is the place to be! From world-class attractions and experiences to chef-prepared holiday meals, dazzling lights shining bright, and fun for the entire family, I-Drive has it all during the holiday season. If you’ll be visiting this season, be sure to check out these popular events and plan to make new traditions that will have the family talking all year long when you celebrate the Holidays on I-Drive.
Attractions and Experiences
SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration is back and better than ever! Get ready to immerse yourself in a sea of lights, holiday entertainment and so much more.
Gather the family and hit SeaWorld Orlando to enjoy their popular holiday shows, like Rudolph’s Movie Experience, Sea of Trees, and Winter Wonderland on Ice. Then head off to enjoy an array of family-fun experiences, like Rudolph’s Christmas Town and the Christmas Market, where you’ll find festive entertainment, playful elves, a charming model train village, and of course delicious holiday treats and drinks.
Plus, there are many new experiences to look forward to this year, including:
It’s a Wonderful Night: A New Story to Tell
Ice Skating at Bayside Stadium
A Hanukkah Celebration
Kwanzaa Festivities
Photos with Santa Claus
Happy Holidays from Sesame Street Land
If you want to witness one of your favorite Orlando attractions completely transformed into a winter wonderland, this is a can’t miss! Bring the whole family and create unforgettable holiday memories together with the kind of magical Christmas celebration you can only find at SeaWorld. Get all the details here.
Universal Orlando
Get into the holiday spirit with holiday shows, experiences, and decor in both lands of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Plus, enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences in Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. If you’ve ever been to a Universal Orlando annual event, you know that they take celebrations to the next level!
For the Harry Potter fans, experience the magic of Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, with everything from festive decor, brilliant lighting to send your spirit soaring in both Diagon Alley in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, with enough hot Butterbeer to go around!
Then be sure to plan ahead and catch their Holiday Experience featuring Macy’s Balloons, a brand new walk-through experience at Universal Studios where you’ll get closer than ever to larger-than-life Macy’s balloons and colorful Christmas floats, with photo ops for days! Plus, Santa Claus himself will be there to pose for photos.
But what’s Christmas without your favorite characters? Universal’s Holiday Character Celebration brings merry and mayhem together for the holidays, with Minions and some of your other favorite characters from Shrek and Madagascar spreading cheer throughout the day around the park.
Meanwhile, over at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, celebrate the Grinchmas season as the mean, green one and the resident Whos appear in Seuss Landing because it just isn’t the Who-lidays without an appearance from The Grinch.
Nobody wraps up the holidays into a mind-blowing, mischief-making, action-packed adventure like Universal Orlando Resort. Get all the details today!
ICON Park
Finally, be sure to head to ICON Park Orlando, Orlando’s largest entertainment complex, to enjoy The Santa Workshop Experience and snap some ICONic pictures with the big man in red when you celebrate the Holidays on I-Drive!
Here are some of the highlights:
Free covered parking
Free valet parking after 4pm
Free Wheel ride in a private holiday capsule 50% off admission to The Wheel for additional riders
Unlimited cell phone and video use with your advance reservation *
50% off train ride with purchase of a photo package
Holiday beverages and treat offerings
Restaurants and shops
While at ICON Park, check out Museum of Illusions Orlando for enviable holiday snaps and a mind-bending time!
They’ve reimagined some of their most popular rooms to bring you and your family festive fun, and a variety of holiday photo opportunities! Beyond holiday themed exhibits that will blow your mind, they are also running a photo contest! If you snap a family holiday picture at the Museum of Illusions, you’ll be entered to win $500! So bring the family, put on your best ugly Christmas sweaters, and get ready to have a blast while snapping an epic holiday family photo to look back on for years to come. Get the details today!
Christmas with the Countess
If you’re looking for a stylish night out this holiday season, this is it! That’s right, Countess Luan will be performing live at Hard Rock Live Orlando on December 27th and it is sure to be a night to remember. Ring in the holiday season with Countess Luan’s very own special brand of cheer. Get the details today!
A Holiday Meal to Remember
But what is the holiday season without a delicious meal shared with the people you love most? Luckily, taking the stress out of preparing and cleaning up a delicious holiday meal is easy on International Drive. Here are just some restaurants offering holiday specials for you to enjoy as you celebrate the Holidays on I-Drive.
Tapa Toro Orlando
Whether you’re looking for brunch or dinner on Christmas this year, Tapa Toro has a table with your name on it.
For brunch enjoy a large variety of options, from a complete charcuterie board and breakfast classics to Spanish frittatas and even chicken & churros. For the main dish select a paella from their menu, or enjoy digging into something from a Skirt Steak Carving Stations or Honey Spiral Ham, to pair with a variety of sides and seasonal desserts that will be available. Or if a Christmas dinner is a must, enjoy selecting your authentic Spanish favorites from their full menu that will be available on Christmas Day.
Whichever you choose, it is sure to be an amazing meal complete with live flamenco dancing and an experience you can only get in the heart of Orlando.
Christmas Eve at Taverna Opa
Enjoy a Family Style Menu of authentic Greek favorites available for 4 or more! Here’s what’s on the menu at Taverna Opa this holiday season:
First Course: Hummus, Tzatziki, Dolmades, Horiatiki
Second Course: Spanakopita, Calamari, Keftedes
Third Course: Meat Platter with Chicken Kebob, Beef Kebob, Oak-Grilled Pork Loin & Sliced Gyro | served with YiaYia’s veggies & lemon potatoes
Their entire menu will be available on Christmas Eve, and as always, there will be traditional belly dancing entertainment starting at 7 pm. Reservations are highly recommended though, so be sure to get the details and reserve a table for your family ahead of time.
Christmas at Del Frisco’s
Whether you’re looking to dine in or pick your meal up to enjoy at home, Del Frisco’s is cooking up delicious grub for the whole family to enjoy this holiday season.
Del Frisco’s will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, offering a drool-worthy three-course prime rib dinner. For those who want to pick up a meal to enjoy with their loved ones in the comfort of their own home, they are also offering a family pack. Here’s what is included:
Lobster Bisque Holiday Salad or Caesar Salad
1/2 or Whole Prime Rib With Au Jus and Horseradish Cream (Serves 6, Serves 12)
Chateau Potatoes
Haricot Vert Pecan Pie with Chantilly Cream
A limited dinner menu will also be available for takeout, but be sure to get your order in before Friday, December 24th!
There are plenty of options when it comes to celebrating a magical holiday season on I-Drive. Be sure to check the events calendar as we get closer to Christmas for additional events, and don’t miss any of the festive fun going on in Orlando’s Most Dynamic Neighborhood this holiday season!