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Orlando in December is mild, mostly dry and dressed for the holidays: average highs slip from about 76°F to 72°F over the month, rain falls on about seven days, and Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and Gaylord Palms all run their Christmas seasons at once. The month has two halves, though. Until December 18, every school calendar we checked is still in session; from December 21 the winter breaks pile up, and from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day they all overlap.
This guide uses NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals for Orlando International Airport, official school calendars and event dates published as of October 14, 2026. It covers the whole month; for party tickets and light shows, see our Christmas in Orlando guide. Dates change, so confirm them on the official pages.
Quick answer: Expect highs in the low to mid-70s, lows in the low to mid-50s, about 2.5 inches of rain over roughly seven days and sunsets around 5:30 p.m. Going by school calendars, December 1–18 is the calmer window, with every holiday event already running. Most breaks we checked start December 21 (December 24 in New York City and Boston), and all of them overlap from December 24 to January 1. EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional runs through December 30. Volcano Bay and Typhoon Lagoon are closed, but Blizzard Beach is heated. Pack layers and a rain jacket, since NWS expects a wetter winter than usual, and book a refundable room early.
Here’s the month in detail.
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Orlando weather in December
NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Orlando International Airport put the December average high at 73.8°F and the average low at 52.9°F, 4.5 and 5.3 degrees below November’s. A typical December 1 runs from about 56°F to 76°F, and a typical December 31 from about 50°F to 72°F.
| Measure | December normal | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Average high | 73.8°F | Pleasant park afternoons |
| Average low | 52.9°F | Jacket weather after dark |
| Rainfall | 2.48 in | One of the drier months |
| Days with rain | 7.1 | About one day in four |
| Days at 80°F or above | 9.0 | Some warm afternoons |
| Nights at 50°F or below | 11.5 | More than a third of nights |
| Nights at 40°F or below | 2.5 | A cold snap or two |
| Nights at 32°F or below | 0.3 | Freezes are rare |
Each December day has about a 22–23% chance of measurable rain in the daily normals, and only 1.5 days a month bring half an inch or more. Normal snowfall is zero. By our solar calculation, sunset falls to about 5:30 p.m. in early December and is still only about 5:40 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, so the holiday lights come on early. The Atlantic hurricane season ended on November 30.
NWS Melbourne’s dry season outlook, issued September 30, 2026, says a very strong El Niño raises the odds of wetter-than-normal conditions across central Florida from November to April, with more storminess and a higher potential for severe weather, including strong tornadoes. It cites Climate Prediction Center odds of 50–70% for above-normal rainfall from November to January. Our Orlando weather by month guide compares December with other months, and our guide to the best time to visit Orlando adds crowds to the picture.
Orlando crowds in December 2026, week by week
Disney and Universal don’t publish crowd forecasts, so this is our reading of official school calendars (checked in October 2026), not a prediction. The more breaks your dates overlap, the busier parks and hotels are likely to be.
| School system | Winter break | Back in class |
|---|---|---|
| Orange County Public Schools, Orlando | Dec 21 – Jan 1 | Tue, Jan 5 |
| Osceola County schools, Kissimmee | Dec 21 – Jan 1 | Mon, Jan 4 |
| Gwinnett County, Georgia | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Tue, Jan 5 |
| New York City public schools | Dec 24 – Jan 1 | Mon, Jan 4 |
| Boston Public Schools | Dec 24 – Jan 1 | Tue, Jan 5 |
| Toronto District School Board | Dec 21 – Jan 1 | Mon, Jan 4 |
| Kent County Council, England | Dec 21 – Jan 1 | Mon, Jan 4 |
| City of Edinburgh Council | Dec 21 – Jan 5 | Wed, Jan 6 |
Orange County also gives students January 4 off as a teacher workday.
December 1–6: after Thanksgiving
Every system in our table is in session, and Hanukkah begins at sundown on Friday, December 4. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party runs on December 1, 3, 4 and 6. Our Orlando in November guide covers the weeks before.
December 7–18: the likely calm window
No break on our list starts before December 19. Orange County ends its second marking period on Friday, December 18, and Kent and Edinburgh end their terms that same day. If your dates are flexible, aim here: every holiday event is running and no break on our list overlaps it.
December 19–24: the breaks begin
The first weekend of winter break is December 19–20. Orange and Osceola counties, Gwinnett, Toronto, Kent and Edinburgh all break on Monday, December 21; New York City and Boston follow on Thursday, December 24. The last Christmas party night at Magic Kingdom is December 22, and Santa’s EPCOT meet-and-greet ends December 24.
December 25–31: every break overlaps
Christmas Day is a Friday. From December 24 to January 1, every calendar in our table has schools closed, and the Pop-Tarts Bowl (December 29), the last Candlelight Processional (December 30) and New Year’s Eve (a Thursday) share the week. Book tickets, dining and your hotel early, and arrive at opening. Our New Year’s Eve in Orlando guide covers the countdown parties.
Events in Orlando in December 2026
| Dates | Event | Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| All month (to Jan 6) | Holidays at Walt Disney World | Regular park ticket |
| 13 nights, Dec 1–22 | Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party | Separate, $189–$229 + tax |
| 7 nights, Dec 5–23 | Disney Jollywood Nights | Separate, $169–$199 + tax |
| To Dec 30 | EPCOT Festival of the Holidays | EPCOT admission |
| All month (to Jan 3) | Holidays at Universal | Park ticket or annual pass |
| Select nights | SeaWorld Christmas Celebration | Park admission |
| All month (to Jan 3) | Christmas at Gaylord Palms | Timed tickets online |
| Nightly to Dec 31 | Now Snowing, Celebration | Free |
| Dec 29 | Pop-Tarts Bowl | On sale after Dec 6 |
Holidays at Walt Disney World
Disney’s holiday season runs November 13, 2026 to January 6, 2027. With a regular ticket you’ll see the Frozen Holiday Surprise castle show and Jingle Cruise at Magic Kingdom, Sunset Seasons Greetings projections at Hollywood Studios, Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses at EPCOT and the 55-foot Christmas tree at Animal Kingdom. Disney says its resort hotels put up holiday decorations and big Christmas trees, too.
Two parties need their own ticket. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes over Magic Kingdom on December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20 and 22, from 7 p.m. to midnight (entry from 4 p.m.). Disney Jollywood Nights runs at Hollywood Studios on December 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21 and 23, then January 3 and 5, from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Disney warns tickets are limited.
EPCOT Festival of the Holidays and the Candlelight Processional
The Festival of the Holidays runs November 27 to December 30, 2026, with Holiday Kitchens, the Holiday Cookie Stroll and storytellers around World Showcase, including a Hanukkah storyteller between the Morocco and France pavilions.
The Candlelight Processional plays nightly at the America Gardens Theatre at 4:45, 6:30 and 8:00 p.m.: the Christmas story read by a celebrity narrator with a massed choir and a 50-piece orchestra. Disney’s December lineup at the time of writing:
| Dates | Narrator | Nights |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 1 | Gary Sinise | 1 (also Nov 29–30) |
| Dec 2–3 | Benjamin Bratt (new) | 2 |
| Dec 4–5 | Whoopi Goldberg | 2 |
| Dec 6–7 | Robin Roberts (new) | 2 |
| Dec 8–9 | Jason Kelce (new) | 2 |
| Dec 10–12 | Neil Patrick Harris | 3 |
| Dec 13–14 | Josh Groban (new) | 2 |
| Dec 15–16 | Lauren Daigle | 2 |
| Dec 17–19 | Ralph Macchio | 3 |
| Dec 20–21 | Henry Winkler | 2 |
| Dec 22–23 | Lacey Chabert (new) | 2 |
| Dec 24–25 | Jodi Benson | 2 |
| Dec 26–27 | Simu Liu | 2 |
| Dec 28–30 | Eva Longoria | 3 |
“New” is Disney’s label, and appearances can change without notice. There’s no separate show ticket; a Candlelight Processional Dining Package pairs an EPCOT meal with guaranteed seating, and other seats are first come, first served.
Holidays at Universal Orlando
Universal’s holiday season runs November 14, 2026 to January 3, 2027, included with a theme park ticket or annual pass (blockout dates may apply). It lists Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter across three parks, Grinchmas, Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, Snoggletog in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD décor. Jurassic Park River Adventure, closed for maintenance, is due back December 17.
SeaWorld Christmas Celebration
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration runs on select nights, included with admission. Its banner gives November 6 to January 4, but the FAQ on the same page says November 7 to January 5, so check SeaWorld’s calendar. It also lists nightly Hanukkah menorah lightings December 4–12, Kwanzaa kinara lightings December 26 – January 1 and New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Christmas at Gaylord Palms and ICE!
Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee runs its Christmas program November 13 to January 3. ICE! featuring The Polar Express uses more than 2 million pounds of ice kept at 9°F; parkas are provided, and tickets are sold only online with timed entry. Overnight guests get front-of-line ICE! access (tickets still required), and on select peak evenings Gaylord reserves table-service dining for them.
Free evenings and the Pop-Tarts Bowl
Celebration’s free “Now Snowing” fills Celebration Town Center with artificial snow nightly through December 31, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Disney Springs parking is free, and Disney lists its Christmas Tree Stroll, though 2026 details weren’t posted when we checked.
The Pop-Tarts Bowl is Tuesday, December 29 at 5:30 p.m. at Camping World Stadium, about 16 miles by road from Disney Springs and 8 from CityWalk. Florida Citrus Sports says capacity is reduced during the stadium’s renovation; public tickets go on sale after teams are picked on December 6.
Park closures, early entry and water parks in December
- Disney ride closures: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure closes for refurbishment on November 2, and Disney expects it back in December 2026. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress has been closed since July 6, 2026 and isn’t due back until late spring 2027.
- Disney Early Theme Park Entry: guests of Disney Resort hotels and select others, including the Disney Springs Resort Area hotels, enter any Disney theme park 30 minutes early.
- Lightning Lane window: guests of Disney Resort hotels and a few select hotels can buy passes 7 days ahead; everyone else gets 3 days.
- Universal Early Park Admission: up to an hour early at select attractions for Universal hotel guests, but Universal’s page listed dates only through November 30 when we checked.
- Water parks: Volcano Bay is closed from October 26, 2026 until on or before April 1, 2027, and Typhoon Lagoon is closed for refurbishment. Disney says Blizzard Beach is heated to about 81°F, though weather closures can come with little notice.
On a 52°F morning an unheated pool is cold, so trust only a hotel’s own heating statement; our list of Orlando hotels with heated pools has 15 verified picks.
Early January: Marathon Weekend and the Citrus Bowl
The Citrus Bowl is Saturday, January 2 at noon, and Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend runs January 6–10, 2027, and runDisney listed the weekend as sold out at our last check. See our guides to runDisney race weekend hotels and Orlando in January.
Where to stay in Orlando in December
Pick the base by the celebration you want most. All three are sold on Booking.com. Drury and Universal say their pools are heated; the Swan’s pool page doesn’t say either way.
Walt Disney World Swan: walk to the Candlelight Processional
The Marriott-run Swan at 1200 Epcot Resorts Boulevard is the easy base for EPCOT’s holiday nights. By our walking route, it’s about 0.7 mile from the hotel’s lakeside to EPCOT’s International Gateway and about a mile to the America Gardens Theatre, so you can walk back after the last show. Water taxis run to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios about every 20 to 25 minutes. Swan guests get Early Theme Park Entry, Extended Evening Hours, the 7-day Lightning Lane window and free standard theme park parking, and the resort says Santa, Ms. Claus and Kandy Kane visit on several weekends in November and December. See our Walt Disney World Swan review.
- Good to know: at the time of writing, the resort listed a mandatory $50 plus tax daily resort service package (benefits for two guests), self-parking at $40 plus tax a day and valet at $51 to $61 plus tax. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
See prices and availability at the Walt Disney World Swan
Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando – Disney Springs Area: early entry and free meals
This Official Walt Disney World Hotel at 2000 Hotel Plaza Boulevard is on Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry list. Drury says its pool is heated year-round, and it serves a free hot breakfast and the free 5:30 Kickback with evening snacks and cold drinks. The free shuttle to all four Disney theme parks starts about 90 minutes before opening and runs until 90 minutes after closing. The hotel says Disney Springs is half a mile away; by our walking route, World of Disney is about 0.9 mile. Our Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando review has the details.
- Good to know: at the time of writing, Drury listed no resort fee and self-parking only, at $28 per night (its FAQ still says $25 plus tax). Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
Check your December dates for Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando on Booking.com
Loews Royal Pacific Resort: Express Unlimited for Christmas week
Royal Pacific at 6300 Hollywood Way is one of three Universal hotels whose guests get Universal Express Unlimited at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure (not Epic Universe or Volcano Bay), plus Early Park Admission. Loews values the perk at $199.99 per person per day, based on 2-park Express Unlimited prices of $124.99 to $389.99. Its lagoon-style pool has a sand beach, and CityWalk is about half a mile on foot by our route. Universal’s 2026 winter guide says all 11 of its hotels are decorated for the holidays, and Universal’s hotel FAQ says their pools are heated, though slides close below 60°F, pools below 50°F and pool decks below 45°F. Read our Loews Royal Pacific Resort guide.
- Good to know: at the time of writing, Loews listed self-parking at $36 and valet at $45 plus tax per vehicle, a minimum booking age of 21, $55 per extra adult beyond two and free Pack ‘n Plays. App mobile check-in is only for reservations booked directly with Loews. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
See available rooms at Loews Royal Pacific Resort
What to pack for Orlando in December
- Layers: T-shirts for afternoons in the 70s and a sweater or fleece for nights in the low 50s.
- A warm jacket: for the two or three nights a typical December drops to 40°F or below.
- Rain gear: a packable rain jacket, especially with this winter’s wet El Niño outlook.
- Closed-toe shoes: required on the ICE! slides and better on cool, wet days.
- Swimsuit and sunscreen: for heated pools and Blizzard Beach.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time to visit Orlando?
Yes, especially before the school breaks. December averages a high of 73.8°F and a low of 52.9°F with about seven rainy days, and every big holiday event is running. Official school calendars suggest December 1–18 is the calmer window; most breaks we checked start December 21.
What is the weather like in Orlando in December?
Mild and mostly dry. NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Orlando International Airport give December an average high of 73.8°F, a low of 52.9°F and 2.48 inches of rain over about 7.1 days. Daily normal highs fall from about 76°F on December 1 to 72°F on December 31, with two or three nights at 40°F or below in a typical year.
Is Disney World crowded in December?
It depends on the week. Going by official school calendars, December 1–18 overlaps no break on our list, while Orange County, Toronto, Kent and others break from December 21, and New York City and Boston from December 24. Christmas week through New Year’s Eve overlaps every calendar we checked.
Can you swim in Orlando in December?
Yes, in heated water. Disney says Blizzard Beach is heated to about 81°F, Drury Plaza says its pool is heated year-round, and Universal says its hotel pools are heated but close below 50°F. Volcano Bay and Typhoon Lagoon are closed, and with mornings in the low 50s, ask any other hotel whether its pool is heated before you book.
What events are in Orlando in December 2026?
Disney’s holiday season, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (13 December nights) and Disney Jollywood Nights (7) run alongside EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays and Candlelight Processional to December 30. Holidays at Universal and Christmas at Gaylord Palms run all month, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration on select nights, Celebration’s free Now Snowing nightly and the Pop-Tarts Bowl on December 29.
Bottom line
Orlando in December gives you mild days, early sunsets and every holiday celebration running at once. Aim for December 1–18, before the winter breaks, and plan Christmas week like a peak. Pack layers and a rain jacket, choose a hotel with a heated pool and book a refundable rate early.
Compare rates for the Walt Disney World Swan for your December dates
Sources checked in October 2026: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 climate normals, Orlando International Airport, NWS Melbourne dry season forecast, Disney: Festival of the Holidays entertainment, Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort, Orange County Public Schools 2026–2027 calendar