Thanksgiving/Christmas in Florida 2007

Florida is a truly magical place during the holiday season. Most theme parks start the holiday season at Thanksgiving and then continue on through Christmas to the start of the New Year.

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year in Florida so it is important to make sure you arrive at the parks early as often they will close when they reach capacity and it makes sense to make dinner reservations well in advance.

SeaWorld Dates
November-December

SeaWorld

From the day after Thanksgiving, November 23 until Christmas Day, December 25, SeaWorld is specially decorated for the holiday season.

At the Waterfront, you can see water dancing to music at the Christmastide Holiday Fountain Show .

Each evening listen to carol singers amongst the nightly snow flurries or take you children to meet Santa Claus.

At the evening Shamu's Christmas: A Child's Wish, singers and musicians combine with the killer whales and trainers to tell the story of a young child's Christmas wish to meet Shamu.

A special Shamu's Sea-cret Santa Celebration Show combines music and dance to highlight the importance of family during the holiday season. During the show SeaWorld characters mingle with the audience.

New for 2007, the Wild Arctic helicopter simulator ride is being transformed into The Polar Express Experience at SeaWorld based on the Warner Bros. Pictures film starring the character voiced by actor Tom Hanks. Riders will board the 'train' to take them to North Pole which is specially decorated with Christmas tree, sleigh and Santa Claus himself.

The new ride will run from November 23 until January 1, 2008 and then after that it will revert back to the normal Wild Arctic theme.

Note that the Makahiki Christmas Luau is open from November 23 to January 1 except for Christmas Day.

Universal Studios Dates
December-January

Universal Studios

At Universal Studios, between December 7 and January 1, you can see Macy's Holiday Parade with some of the signature giant inflatable characters and floats from Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

The parade sets off around dusk with marching bands from around the country plus toy soldiers, stilt walkers, clowns and of course, Santa Claus. It finishes outside the facade of Macy's Herald Square where the tree lighting ceremony takes place.

There is also the KidZone Holiday Show where characters dance to holiday hits in a live show, the sing-along Barney's Christmas Show and the Blues Brothers Christmas Show with snow on Delancey Street at the end of each show.

Universal's Islands of Adventure Dates
December-January

Universal's Islands of Adventure

The story of the Grinch is brought to life at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas between December 7 and January 1.

In the evening there is a Seussian-tree lighting ceremony and a musical Whoville Whobilation show telling the tale of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".

Visit Seuss Landing which is transformed into the festive town of Whoville and meet the Grinch himself.

Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens holds their Christmas Celebration from the week before Thanksgiving until the New Year.

The park takes on a festive holiday look and in the Christmas Celebration which features song and dance you get to see snowmen, reindeer, toy soldiers and a visit from Santa and his elves.

Cypress Gardens Dates
November-December

Cypress Gardens

Christmas Wonderland officially starts at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park the day after Thanksgiving on November 23 with the reading of the original Christmas story and the turning on of the Christmas tree lights in front of Magnolia Mansion and runs until December 30.

This year, dance along to "Jingle Fest", watch the "The Living Nativity" performance, shed a tear to "A Holiday Homecoming", enjoy the music of "Holiday Brass" and listen to the stories of Dr. Christmas in "Tales from the North Pole".

Holiday treats include gingerbread men, roasted nuts, cider and hot cocoa.

Many of the attractions are given a Christmas feel including the Wonderland Express train ride, a Christmas dinner cruise on the Cypress Belle, "An Old-Fashioned Christmas on Ice" at the Royal Palm Theater and the Shenani-Guns Cowboy Christmas.

Children can look forward to a meeting with St. Nicholas or you can take in one of the Christmas concerts at the Star Haven Amphitheater including Darryl Worley (November 24), Jo Dee Messina (December 1), Lorrie Morgan (December 9) and Its All About Doo Wop (December 15).

Silver Springs Dates
November/December

Silver Springs

Silver Springs hosts their 15th Annual Festival of Lights from the day after Thanksgiving on November 23 on selected nights until December 30.

Millions of sparkling lights illuminate the gardens with twinkling topiaries and animated holiday scenes from dusk until 8:30pm each night.

Each night, local choirs sing seasonal songs, whilst strolling carollers and musicians move throughout the park. There is also a Lighted Boat Parade and special stage shows on Fridays and Saturdays, plus Santa Claus (through December 24).

There are also two concerts, Lorrie Morgan on December 8 and Crystal Gayle on December 15.

Click here for the dates of all the seasonal celebrations in Florida in 2007.