Christmas Day at a Glance
- Open
- Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, ICON Park
- Free
- Now Snowing in Celebration
- Closed
- Kennedy Space Center, Boggy Creek
- Normal weather
- About 73°F / 51°F
Orlando is one of the easiest places in the country to have something to do on Christmas Day, but not everything is open, and what's open is busy. Here's what to expect on December 25, 2026.
Open on Christmas Day
- Theme parks. Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld are open on Christmas Day, with their holiday events running. Expect some of the biggest crowds of the year, and get there for opening.
- ICON Park on International Drive. ICON Park and SEA LIFE Orlando have been open on Christmas Day. Check hours that week for SEA LIFE, The Wheel and Madame Tussauds.
- Free snow in Celebration. Celebration Town Center's Now Snowing runs nightly through the end of December, Christmas included, on Market Street. It's free. More places to find snow in Orlando.
- Christmas lights. Many light displays and drive-thrus run on Christmas night. See the Christmas lights guide.
- Restaurants. Restaurants at Disney Springs, the theme park resorts and the big hotels are the most reliable. Book ahead, since many sell out.
Closed on Christmas Day
- Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has closed on Christmas Day in past years. Go the day before or after. Kennedy Space Center tickets.
- Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures is closed on Christmas Day. It's open on Christmas Eve, 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Most stores and malls close, and many small attractions do too.
Make Christmas Eve or the 26th your outdoor day
Christmas week is busy, but the days around it are some of the best weather of the year. A few picks:
- Airboat tours at Boggy Creek, 10% off through us
- Mini Moo Land, 10% off, to bottle-feed baby highland calves
- Manatees at Blue Spring, where cold December mornings bring the biggest crowds of manatees
Tips
- Check hours the week before. Holiday hours change, and some attractions post them late.
- Book everything you can. On Christmas Day, walk-up options are limited and busy.
- Pack layers. Christmas Day in Orlando normally runs about 73°F in the afternoon and 51°F at night. See Orlando's December weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Orlando theme parks open on Christmas Day?
Yes. Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld are open on Christmas Day, and it's one of the busiest days of the year.
Is Kennedy Space Center open on Christmas Day?
It has closed on Christmas Day in past years. Plan your visit for Christmas Eve or December 26 and check the official hours.
What free things can you do on Christmas Day in Orlando?
Watch the nightly Now Snowing event in Celebration and drive or walk through free Christmas light displays.
Plan Christmas Eve Outside
Boggy Creek airboat tours run on Christmas Eve, 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
See Airboat Tours, 10% OffWhere to find snow in OrlandoMore editorial coverage from Adventures in Orlando and the full blog archive.