Orlando December Guide

If you are planning a trip to Orlando this December, make sure to check out our essential tips in this article to get the most out of your time in this busy city.

We have been living here for years. Here are the most important facts for December at a glance. You can find all details and our local tips further below.

Ticket Tips and More

If you only have two or three days for Disney in December, we highly recommend the ‘Hopper Ticket’ (see above). For Universal and the Space Center, you are free to choose. Click on the ticket banner (by GetYourGuide) to see more options.

All of the links above open in a new tab. They are incredibly useful for your Orlando trip.

💡 For the Kennedy Space Center in December, booking in advance is highly recommended. The bus tour is included in the standard admission. Take it early in the day, as the last bus leaves 2.5 hours before the visitor complex closes. Check availability here:

Weather Overview

The temperatures continue to drop in December as we enjoy the tail-end of fall weather.

The weather is relatively dry, and rain is infrequent during December in Orlando. The average high temperature hovers around 73°F (23°C). There is little rainfall throughout the month, with an average of 0.6 to 2.4 inches (15 to 61 mm).

Hurricane season ended at the end of November, so this month is a safe time to visit Orlando if you are looking to avoid the possibility of encountering a hurricane.

Average high temperatures in December:

• Early December: 75°F (24°C)
• Mid-December: 73°F (23°C)
• Late December: 71°F (22°C)

💡 Weather tip: Orlando is more likely to experience cold fronts of cooler weather in December that drop temperatures into the 60s and often even the 50s. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, and don’t forget to pack layers and a jacket!

Temperature progression for a typical day:

• Early Morning (8 AM): 62°F (17°C)
• Afternoon (2 PM): 74°F (23°C)
• Evening (11 PM): 62°F (17°C)

The weather here is rather favorable in December, with highs rarely entering the 80s. Instead, temperatures often range from the low-70s to the mid-70s on an average day. More often than not, we have nice weather throughout December, with fewer storms and more sunny days.

Rain

In Orlando, the rainy season ends in early fall, meaning December is moderately dry. Thunderstorms are a rare occurrence this month, and the chances of rainfall are relatively low compared to most of the year.

There are only eight days of rainfall on average in December. The average rainfall in is 1.8 inches at the start of the month and 2.0 inches by the end of the month.

Local experience: December is one of the driest months in Orlando. Though thunderstorms are possible, they are unlikely. Rainfall is light and infrequent. You likely won’t have to worry about the rain disrupting your travel plans.

Can it rain the whole day? Chances of rainfall won’t spoil your Orlando trip in December because spurts of rain are brief and not very extreme. Of the small number of days where rainfall occurs, these instances are usually very short rain showers that last under an hour. Make sure to look at the forecast and plan accordingly to keep these small instances from interrupting your day.

Humidity

Orlando is known for its humidity due to its closeness to the equator. Despite that, the month of December is less humid thanks to the fall weather that we begin to receive in October and November.

There is a reduction in humidity levels this month, with less recurring rainfall and overall more arid weather, which continues throughout December.

The morning hours usually have humidity levels of 87% and drop to 56% during the early afternoon. On a daily basis, Orlando humidity averages 75% in December.

What to Wear | Outfits | Packing

This month, though the temperatures are milder, they still range wildly throughout the day, with 15-20°F differences being typical.

During December in Orlando, the weather can vary greatly, so you will want to pack and wear layers. Pants/jeans and short-sleeve shirts are great to wear during most afternoon outings. A jacket or a hoodie is a must-pack item for mornings and evenings when the temperatures are in the 60s.

💡 Packing tip: If you are planning on staying in a hotel during your December trip to Orlando, don’t forget to pack your swimsuit! Most pools are heated so that guests can enjoy them year-round.

Clothes to pack:

• Sandals
• Sneakers
• Thick, breathable socks
• Athletic pants
• T-shirts
• Light sweater
• Light jacket
• Warmer jacket
• Bathing suit/swim trunks
• Bathing suit cover-up

Additional items to pack:

• Sunscreen
• Umbrella
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Sunglasses
• Bug spray (essential for outdoor activities, especially in the evenings)
• Water bottle
• Portable phone charger (theme park apps will drain your phone battery)
• Small backpack or fanny pack

What to Wear in the Morning, Afternoon and Evening

The temperature changes a lot during the day in December. Here is what to wear at different times of the day:

Morning: Right after sunrise, it is often still in the 50s, especially in the second half of the month. Wear long pants or jeans and a hoodie or light jacket. A long-sleeve shirt is great, because you can simply push up the sleeves when it gets warmer.

Afternoon: On sunny days, a T-shirt is often enough by lunchtime. On warm days, you can even wear shorts. Put your hoodie or jacket in your bag.

Evening: The sun sets at around 5:30 PM. After that, it cools down quickly. Wear long pants and a jacket that is a bit warmer than the one you wore during the day. This is especially important for parades, fireworks and holiday parties.

Do You Need a Warm Jacket?

You don’t need a heavy winter coat or a ski jacket for Orlando in December. But cold nights are not rare. In recent years, there were December nights in the 40s and even in the 30s. On December 25, 2022, it dropped to 30°F (-1°C), and on December 31, 2025, to 38°F (3°C).

Tip: Pack a light, packable down jacket or a fleece jacket. It keeps you warm, but you can fold it small and put it in your bag during the day.

For cold evenings, a beanie and thin gloves are very helpful. You feel the cold most when you stand still, for example while you wait for fireworks or a parade. Hand warmers are also a good idea.

Comfortable Shoes

Please don’t forget comfortable shoes. Many visitors underestimate the amount of walking they’ll be doing, in Orlando’s theme parks. It’s likely that you will be walking 7 to 10 miles in a day, and even more if you park hop.

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💡 Without comfortable walking shoes, you end up with blisters and hurting feet at the end of the day. Please don’t wear flip-flops in theme parks, as these also run a risk of flying away on the rides.

Walking Tip | Bag

When sightseeing in Orlando, we always make sure to bring a bag large enough to store our additional layers of clothing when the temperature picks up in the afternoon. If we are out and about all day, those layers will make a reappearance in the evening when the temperature goes down.

Water Rides in December

Water rides like Kali River Rapids (Animal Kingdom), Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Magic Kingdom), Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges and Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls (both Islands of Adventure) can get you really wet. In summer, this is nice. In December, it can get cold fast.

Tips for water rides in December:

• Bring a poncho, but don’t expect to stay dry. Most of the time, your legs and feet still get wet.
• Wear sandals for the ride and leave your sneakers in a locker. Wet socks and shoes can cause blisters.
• Pack dry socks or a change of clothes. Kali River Rapids has lockers across from the ride entrance.
• Don’t wear jeans on water ride days. Wet jeans take hours to dry.
• On cool days, do the water rides at the end of the day, right before you leave the park.
• At Islands of Adventure, you can find full-body dryers near the water rides (for a small fee).

💡 Good to know: On very cold days, Disney can open water rides later or close them earlier. This happened, for example, during the cold snap in early 2026. For 2026: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure closes for refurbishment on November 2, 2026. The reopening is planned for December, but there is no exact date yet. Please check the My Disney Experience app. Jurassic Park River Adventure at Islands of Adventure is planned to reopen on November 20, 2026.

Outfits for Holiday Events

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights: Both parties go until late at night (midnight or 12:30 AM). The evening can start warm and end quite chilly. Dress in layers and bring a sweater or jacket. If you stay until the end, hand warmers are a good idea. And yes, a Christmas sweater is perfect here!

Candlelight Processional at EPCOT: The shows are in the late afternoon and evening. Bring a jacket. Hand warmers are also great here.

ICE! at Gaylord Palms: Inside, it is 9°F (-13°C) all the time. You get a free parka at the entrance. But you need closed-toe shoes for the ice slides. A hat and gloves are recommended. If you get cold easily, bring a scarf and warm socks, too.

Pool Time

The main pools at Disney hotels are heated to about 82°F (28°C) and are open in winter. The water is nice, but getting out is cold, especially in the evening. Bring a warm top or a robe and sandals or warm shoes for the walk back to your room.

What NOT to Pack

• A heavy winter coat or a ski jacket. A packable down jacket or a fleece jacket is enough.
• Only shorts. Pack at least one pair of long pants, even if the forecast looks warm.
• A down jacket as your rain jacket. Down doesn’t like rain, so pack a poncho, too.
• Flip-flops for the theme parks (see our shoe tip above).

 

Crowds and Rates

December is a great time to visit Orlando because of all the different events that are being held for the winter holidays. Crowds and rates vary greatly throughout the month due to these events.

Orlando is busy during the second half of December when children and students begin their holiday breaks that run through the end of the year. The first half of the month is notably less crowded while school is still in session.

10 Best Hotels in Orlando (via booking.com) Important: Book as far as advance as possible. Save the link in your bookmarks and check for deals daily.

Because of the smaller crowds at the beginning of the month, December tends to offer better rates to visitors that book their vacation during this time. If you are planning on visiting the theme parks, check out different vacation packages that combine theme park tickets, and hotel stays for considerable discounts on both!

Theme Parks | Things to Do

As previously mentioned, the Orlando theme parks experience smaller crowds at the beginning of the month of December. Most parks start their holiday events in early or mid-November. There are tons of different things to do and experience in the Orlando theme parks this season. This section has a lot of useful information for your trip to the Orlando theme parks in December.

When to visit: The best days to visit the theme parks in December are during the first two weeks before schools wrap up and begin their holidays. The latter half of the month is significantly busier, with people taking winter vacations to join in on the Orlando theme park festivities.

December crowds overview for the theme parks:

• First two weeks of December: Busy but not as crowded as around Christmas until New Year’s Day
• Third week of December: Crowds start to pick up but are not as jam-packed as around Christmas until New Year’s Day.
• Christmas week until New Year’s Day: Jam-packed.

Depending on which day of the week Christmas falls, things can shift a bit. In 2026, Christmas Day is on a Friday.

Arrive early: If riding a popular, higher-wait-time ride is on your to-do list, it is beneficial to arrive before the park gates open to avoid longer wait times. If you aren’t planning on doing that, arriving 30-60 minutes after the parks open will allow you to avoid those initial opening crowds while still having an entire day at the parks!

Disney

In December, Disney tends to receive fewer visitors in the first two weeks leading up to the winter holidays. These weeks are quieter than the last two weeks of the year, with quicker wait times for rides and shows, as well as more options for Disney Dining reservations. Holiday decorations at Disney go up in early November, and most of them are gone in the first week of January.

Disney’s Magic Kingdom will be hosting Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on select nights in November and December (2026: November 8 to December 22) that will include special firework shows and parades. In December 2026, the party nights are December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, and 22. The party is a separate ticket and runs from 7 PM to midnight.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has its own holiday party, Disney Jollywood Nights. It is also a separate ticket and runs from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM. In December 2026, the party nights are December 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, and 23.

💡 Party night tip: On party nights, Magic Kingdom (Christmas Party) and Hollywood Studios (Jollywood Nights) close earlier for regular day guests. If you don’t go to the party, visit these parks on another day.

Disney’s EPCOT park will have its International Festival of the Holidays in full swing from the day after Thanksgiving until December 30 (2026: November 27 to December 30). The festival has a lot of food and drink popups in its World Showcase, as well as a candlelight processional and other special offerings.

Tip: If you want a guaranteed seat for the Candlelight Processional, book a Candlelight Processional Dining Package. It includes a meal at an EPCOT restaurant. For 2026, booking starts on October 14.

Crowds: The days surrounding Christmas and New Year’s Day are some of the busiest of the year. One year, we went the day after Christmas and were shocked by the high volumes of crowds we encountered.

Expert Tip: While the crowds are unavoidable, your park-going experience will be more pleasant if you take a park break in the afternoon when the parks are busiest. Enjoy amenities at your resort or hotel, or enjoy shopping and dining in different parts of Disney property.

• Search the Best Hotels in Disney World Area

While Disney World features multiple attractions, including water parks and golf courses, its main attractions are the four theme parks:

1. Magic Kingdom
2. Animal Kingdom
3. Hollywood Studios
4. Epcot

Tickets: For a hassle-free experience, get the base tickets in advance: Walt Disney World Orlando – Admission Base Tickets 2-7 days (mobile voucher or printed voucher)

How many days? If you only have two or three days, we recommend booking your tickets with the added Park Hopper option. This will enable you to spend half of your day in one park before hopping to another. That way, you can still have the opportunity to see all four Disney theme parks during your Orlando vacation.

Universal

The holidays at Universal Orlando start in mid-November and run until early January (2026: November 14, 2026 to January 3, 2027), with a variety of different celebrations throughout their parks. From Grinchmas, Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and a holiday parade featuring Macy’s, there are many festivities to enjoy this month. The Universal parks will have holiday decorations on display from mid-November to early January.

New in 2026: For the first time, Epic Universe gets holiday decorations in Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.

Crowds: Like with Disney, the festivities bring an uptick in crowds, especially during the days surrounding Christmas and New Year’s Day. If you want to prioritize fewer crowds, consider visiting at the beginning of the month.

Tip: If you visit around Christmas or later, we recommend skipping the high wait-time rides and enjoying the seasonal shows and dining options.

Tip: Hotels in Universal Studio Resort (staying in one of these saves you a lot of time… and money)

Is the park-to-park ticket worth it? The park-to-park ticket allows you to roam between the theme parks (see below) on the same day. With 1- and 2-day tickets, you can hop between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. With tickets for 3 days or more, you can also hop to Epic Universe. You definitely should get it if you are a Harry Potter fan, as you need it to ride the Hogwarts Express.

Check out here if the ticket is worth it for you: Universal Orlando – Park-to-Park-Ticket

Additionally, some visitors always get the park-to-park ticket as they love to move around, especially if it’s too busy in one park (for example, if you visit around Christmas). It simply gives you more flexibility.

Skip-the-line-ticket: The crowds in early December are low enough to do Universal Studios without the express/skip-the-line ticket mid-week. During the last two weeks of the month, especially around Christmas, we recommend them due to higher crowds.

Four parks: Universal Studios is not just one park. There are three theme parks and one water park, each with its own theme and unique attractions:

• Universal Studios Florida
• Islands of Adventure
• Epic Universe (opened in May 2025)
• Volcano Bay Water Park (closed for refurbishment from October 26, 2026 until spring 2027)

SeaWorld

SeaWorld is another great park to visit in December. Often less busy than Disney and Universal Orlando, the Seaworld Christmas Celebration kicks off in early November, which has different dining and shopping experiences, as well as Christmas-themed shows and performances. The Christmas Celebration runs on select dates, so check the park calendar before your visit.

SeaWorld will have holiday decorations on display from early November to the beginning of January. We especially love the Sea of Trees, large Christmas trees lit up on the water within the park.

Crowds: It isn’t as difficult to avoid crowds at SeaWorld compared to the other parks in December, but as we suggest for Universal, there will be fewest crowds near the beginning of the month.

SeaWorld’s Christmas week crowds aren’t as bad as the other Orlando theme parks, but you will still encounter larger crowds and wait times during that holiday week. The great thing about SeaWorld is that there are always shows that you can enjoy while avoiding the crowds.

Theme park tip: Check out the theme park websites for your visit so that you know which festivities you want to see while you are there. Save time and hit the ground running with a well-planned park itinerary!

 

Special Events and Activities in December

In addition to the theme park holiday events, Orlando hosts some other fun events and activities in December.

Holiday Blooms

Holiday Blooms is an annual holiday event at Harry P. Leu Gardens, a 50-acre garden near downtown Orlando. The event usually runs from late November to early January. The event includes thousands of poinsettias and seasonal flowers in holiday-themed gardens.

Christmas at Gaylord Palms

Christmas at Gaylord Palms is a celebration that runs from mid-November to early January (2026: November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027) at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. The event includes icy hills to ride tubes down, snowmaking machines, and beautiful Christmas tree displays. The highlight is ICE!, a walk-through attraction with huge ice sculptures (2026: ICE! featuring The Polar Express). Check out our outfit tips for ICE! above.