Your honey may be the best gift you could ever ask for, but it's okay to still have your own Christmas wish list. It may seem like a kids' thing, seeing Santa Claus in Orlando, but there are some date-worthy experiences around town.
Plus you can sip some festive spirits at nearby Christmas bars in Orlando, or stroll through one of the many Christmas lights and holiday displays.
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Places to See Santa Claus in Orlando
The Santa Workshop Experience
December 1 – 31, 2023
This Santa experience is second only to a visit to the North Pole. While this festive place to see Santa Claus is definitely kid-friendly – in fact each child that participates in The Santa Workshop Experience will receive a free ride on the new Carousel on The Promenade – it's worthy of date night too.
They’ll also be provided a complimentary ride on The Wheel in a holiday-decorated capsule and access to the VIP no-wait line. Guests accompanying the child can get 50 percent off their tickets to The Wheel.
To register for The Santa Workshop Experience, click here.
Packages start at $30
Plus there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and things to do at ICON Park while you're there!
Santa at Wall Crawl
Select dates through December 22
Wall Crawl is putting the “joy” back into the holidays again this year – with a truly unique Santa photo experience that you’ll never forget! With their designated Santa Sessions, you’ll enjoy a one-hour semi-private experience with Santa – including stories, songs, and of course – photos!
During the hour, you can take as many photos with your own cameras and phones as you would like. You can upgrade your experience by adding a photo package with one of their pro photographers.
(Featured image of this blog post from Orlando Wall Crawl)
High T – Alice in Wonderland Bar “Winter in Wonderland”
23 West Church Street, Orlando, FL 32801
Select dates through December 31
Head to Church Street in Downtown Orlando for an incredibly festive atmosphere. November 14th-December 31st, High T has a specialty cocktail menu, homemade family recipes, festive bites, live Christmas entertainment from Merrily, and a chance to meet Alice & Mrs. Claus!
This incredible venue is different than our other places to see Santa Claus because it is definitely geared towards adults.
There is also Saturday and Sunday for Afternoon Tea with Mrs. Claus during their all ages hours from 11am-4pm!
Visit bookthewonder.com to make a reservation
Winter Wonderland at Wekiva Island
Select Days, December 1 – 31, 2023
Wekiva Island’s long-awaited Winter Wonderland is back again, and they’re excited to celebrate the festive season all December long.
In addition to their well-loved activities like daily “snow” flurries, the Christmas tree forest and their 30-ft tall tree, and visits from your favorite Christmas characters, Santa is inviting all the good boys and girls for the first time ever to his Workshop, right at Wekiva Island!
Santa's Workshop is located upstairs in the space that is normally an art gallery. This workshop is so charming and beautiful! Besides the main workshop area where Santa and Mrs. Claus await, there is a gingerbread room and Santa's very own office!
Winter Wonderland is open to the public. There is a $5 admission fee, and select events require an additional ticket.
Santa's Workshop is open on select hours and select days, usually Friday evenings, and midday Saturdays and Sundays.
Oh, What Fun!® Holiday Festival
December 7 – 23, 6pm – 10pm
Some activities are Fridays and Saturdays only
Lake Nona Town Center & Boxi Park
Get ready for a fun, festive, and busy holiday event. Enjoy classic Christmas tales with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s Cottage. This Santa experience is definitely meant for families, but everything offered at Oh What Fun in Lake Nona is definitely date-worthy.
Stroll through Lake Nona’s very own Holiday Market for some Christmas shopping or explore the Evergreen Christmas Tree Trail. Snap memories in front of the picture-perfect photo walls and Peppermint Square’s 24-foot Christmas tree centerpiece with family and friends.
Santa's Teddy Bear Tea
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
December 9, 10, 16, 17, 22, & 23
Teddy Bear Tea at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes welcomes you to step into the holidays with the most cherished tradition. Sip on an elegant selection of tea, delight in thoughtfully curated sweet and savory culinary delights.
Engage with crafts, storytelling, live entertainment, and a special visit from Santa Claus. All while taking in the holiday atmosphere with incredible views.
Children will take home a special gift as will each adult, as a little something to remember the day by. Share the miracle of Christmas to the life of others in the form of a new unwrapped gift which will be donated locally to Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital.
Cost: $158 – $189
Christmas Makers' Market
Sunday, December 17, 10am-3pm
Propagate Social House
Step into a winter wonderland of holiday cheer at the Christmas Makers' Market, where the spirit of the season comes to life. This festive celebration is like no other, featuring a curated collection of handcrafted treasures, delicious treats, and heartwarming moments that will make your holiday season extra special. Enjoy activities like photo opps, live Christmas tree picking, and a celebrity guest appearance!
See Santa for FREE at Disney Springs
Daily throughout December
You can see Santa for free at Disney Springs, but you’ll need to get there early. To see Santa at Disney Springs, you’ll need to sign up through the virtual queue. When you arrive, check for a sign with a QR code. Santa is at Once Upon a Toy which is in the Marketplace section of Disney Springs. The virtual queue signs are near the entrance to Once Upon a Toy as well as once you’ve entered Disney Springs from each parking area.
Once you’ve entered the virtual queue you’ll get a notification on your phone when it is your turn to see Santa. You can check the MyDisneyExperience app, under Virtual Queues to see how much longer you have to wait.
While you wait go explore the rest of Disney Springs, like the Christmas Tree Stroll or perhaps with a pub crawl, though you’ll need to get to the Santa greeting area within 45 minutes of notification that it is your turn. So don’t go too far.
You can also have Breakfast with Santa at Disney Springs, at Maria and Enzo’s Italian Restaurant.
Celebration Town Center 25th Annual Now Snowing
November 26 through December 31
Now Snowing, Central Florida’s original and premier “Snowing” event is one of our must-do holiday season date idea. Try your skills on the synthetic ice rink, enjoy special community performances by some of the area’s top young talent, and strolling Charles Dickens style Carolers.
Photos with Santa are a highlight but the horse drawn carriage rides, train rides, ice skating, and nightly snowfall make it stunning.
Bass Pro’s Santa Wonderland
November 4 – December 24
Visit their Santa Wonderland to get a FREE 4×6 photo and experience the magic of Christmas at Santa’s Wonderland! During your visit, you can mail your letter to Santa and receive free giveaways while supplies last. This spot is a bit more on the kid-friendly side, but still a stroll among the aquariums and wildlife displays found in every Bass Pro Shop can be a fun date day.
Additional places to visit and get your photo taken with Santa Claus.
- Sunsational Farms Umatilla – December 2, 9, and 16
- The Mall at Millenia – November 10 – December 24
- The Florida Mall – November 16 – December 24
- Holinights Celebration at Sunset Walk – November 17 – December 25
