The holidays are a magical time of year in Lakeland and Central Florida! Twinkling Christmas lights, hot cocoa, and Christmas music in the air all make it a special time to be outside enjoying holiday festivities.
Check out all of the things you can do outdoors in Lakeland, Tampa, Orlando and Central Florida during the Christmas season including:
Some of these outdoor things to do are FREE, others require paid admission.
Don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Christmas Events + Holiday Activities for a full list of things to do this holiday season in Lakeland and Polk County including Christmas Light Displays, Santa Photos, Christmas Tree Lots, Christmas Parades, Holidays Concerts, Live Performances, Holiday Markets, Ice Skating, Toy Donation Needs, and more.
Drive Through Christmas Light Displays
We have a separate article just about Christmas lights! Check out our list of amazing neighborhood Christmas light displays.
Glorious Night Christmas Light Show at First Baptist Church of Plant City
Join First Baptist Church of Plant City this Christmas season for something new and unique. Glorious Night is a spectacular synchronized light display featuring over 75,000 programmed lights, great music, and a message of hope. Come and experience Glorious Night, be sure to tune your radio to the music – English – 87.9, Spanish – 101.9. {Show restarts every 40 minutes from 6-10pm but it is designed so that no matter when you arrive you can enjoy the show}. This show was called The Light of Christmas at First Baptist Plant City in 2020.
- FREE
- Nov. 27, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023 nightly from 6-10pm
- First Baptist Church of Plant City – 3309 James L Redman Pkwy, Plant City, FL 33566
- Website (see a short preview from 2020 on Facebook)
Walk Through Christmas Light Displays
Christmas Lights in Downtown Lakeland and Munn Park
Every year the City of Lakeland makes Downtown Lakeland magical with the addition of light displays all over Munn Park. Lights come on at dusk every night, so pick a night to eat at a great local eatery downtown, and take a stroll through the park! Or visit during one of December’s special events, such as First Friday, the Food Truck Rally, or Buena Market. See a list of upcoming events in Downtown Lakeland.
You can also find light displays around Lake Morton and Lake Mirror in the downtown area.
Lights of Lakeland
Lights of Lakeland has permanently ended. Lights of Lakeland was the free, huge walk-through church Christmas Lights event located on Lakeland Highlands Road at Highland Park Church.
Outdoor Things to Do in Polk County this Christmas
Christmas at Bok Tower Gardens
Christmas at Bok Tower Gardens is an annual celebration for all ages and one of the best times of year to visit. Let Your Spirit Soar this holiday season with beautiful displays of poinsettias, begonias, evergreens, and more. Take part in a delightful outdoor hunt with Tucker & Tilly, the delightful Pinewood Estate squirrel family and ring in your holidays with daily carillon concerts. Find additional joy with a robust schedule of educational programs and concert events.
- Most activities included in Regular Admission for Bok Tower. Some concerts and special events require a reservation and separate tickets, details on the website.
- Bok Tower Gardens – 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853
- Bok Tower Gardens Website
Happy Holidays at LEGOLAND Florida
LEGOLAND’s annual holiday celebration returns to deck the halls in 2022. Enjoy special holiday shows, a giant LEGO Christmas tree, festive decorations, Holly Jolly Jubilee live, a life-size LEGO Santa, holiday-themed scavenger hunts with prizes, holiday character photos, and more.
- Included in LEGOLAND Admission
- Weekends from late November through December
- LEGOLAND Florida Resort – 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884
- LEGOLAND Website
Christmas Parades
All of the Christmas Parades in Polk County are held outdoors.
Outdoor Christmas Activities in Tampa Bay
Head to Tampa for a day of outdoor Christmas fun! Get details on Christmas Lights and outdoor holiday activities in the Tampa Bay area that are outdoors including:
- Festival of Lights + Santa’s Village at the Hillsborough Fairgrounds
- Nights of Shimmering Lights in Dover
- Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
- Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa at Lowry Park
- FREE Light Displays at the Tampa Riverwalk and St. Pete Waterfront
- Drive-Thru Lights and Walk Through Lights in Clearwater
Outdoor Christmas Activities in Orlando
Orlando has lots of options for outdoor Christmas fun. Get details on Christmas Lights and outdoor holiday activities in the Orlando area including:
- Night of a Million Lights at giving Kids the World Village
- Now Snowing at Celebration, Florida
- The Lights on Jeater Bend in Celebration
- Dazzling Nights at Harry P. Leu Gardens
- Holidays at Disney Springs + Christmas Tree Trail
- Holidays at Universal Studios
- Sea World’s Christmas Celebration
Single Day Christmas Events
We do not have a list of events that are exclusively outdoors, but we do have a fantastic list of Christmas events in Lakeland and Polk County that you can use to find outdoor Christmas events near you.
Christmas Events + Holiday Activities
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Christmas Events + Holiday Activities to find more things to do including Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays, FREE Christmas Events, Santa Photos, Christmas Parades, and more.