Santa loves Christmas in Florida!

In fact, he enjoys our balmy weather so much, you’ll find him all over Orlando! If you’re looking for some "face time" with the jolly old elf himself, you won’t have far to look. Santa enjoys Christmas at Disney, and makes appearances at all of the other theme parks as well. He loves shopping for Christmas in Florida, and he can even be found at the Best of Florida Christmas celebration at Gaylord Palms Resort! Yep, the big guy gets around! Be sure to catch Santa for a chat, and even a photo, while he’s enjoying his Christmas in Florida. Need help finding him? Check out the listings below.

NOTE:  THESE DETAILS WERE CURRENT FOR THE 2009 CHRISTMAS SEASON.  Watch for updates for the 2010.

• Gaylord Palms Resort
• Mall at Millenia
• The Florida Mall
• Town of Celebration
• Downtown Disney
• Festival Bay Mall
• Old Town 

Gaylord Palms Resort

Best of Florida Christmas

NOTE:  THESE DETAILS WERE CURRENT FOR THE 2009 CHRISTMAS SEASON.  Watch for updates for the 2010.

At Orlando's "holiday headquarters," kids can visit the Jolly Ole Elf Nov. 16 through Dec. 24, 2009.

Nov. 16-20:  4-8 p.m.
Nov. 21-22:  Noon-8 p.m.
Nov. 23-26:  4-8 p.m.
Nov. 27-29:  Noon-8 p.m.
Nov. 30- Dec 4: 4-8 p.m.
Dec. 5-6:    Noon-8 p.m.
Dec. 7-11:   4-8 p.m.
Dec. 12-13: Noon-8 p.m.
Dec. 14-18: 4-8 p.m.
Dec. 19-24: Noon-8 p.m.

Santa Claus can be found in the convention center, in the pre-show area of ICE! (Florida F). Photos are available.

For children who are a bit shy, they can opt to send Santa an email instead! The free Santa email kiosk is near the entrance to ICE!, in Florida F.

Every Saturday and Sunday, the resort features "Brunch with Mrs. Claus" at Villa de Flora restaurant.

At Gaylord Palms Resort, families can also participate in an entire schedule of holiday activities, such as holiday entertainment, Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt, Christmas in Florida: The County Wreath Collection, and more! Of course, Gaylord Palms is also home to ICE!, a walk-through attraction hand carved from near TWO MILLION pounds of ice. Daily schedules are available on the Gaylord Palms website.

Mall at Millenia

Featuring Christmas in Hollyville

NOTE:  THESE DETAILS WERE CURRENT FOR THE 2009 CHRISTMAS SEASON.  Watch for updates for the 2010.

Beginning Nov. 13, 2009, The Mall at Millenia sparkles with the most spectacular seasonal décor package ever presented by a retail center in Florida. The décor glitters with oversized ornaments in bright, festive colors, whimsical trees adorned in holiday splendor, sparkling stars that surprise at every turn, and the incredible Millenia tree.

Santa's Arrival celebration will begin at 6 p.m. as a DJ kicks off the holiday fun with an energetic dance party and stage show filled with lights, pyrotechnics and snowflakes cascading from the sky.  Non-stop entertainment includes stilt walkers, magicians, Mrs. Claus, the elves, and a host of whimsical Hollyville characters.  At 6:45 pm, all eyes look to the skies to catch the rooftop arrival of Santa in a magical, enlightening moment. 

Santa will be on-site for visits beginning Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and throughout the season during mall hours; candid color photos, sepia-hued black and whites and CD-Rom images are available for purchase. Each child visiting Hollyville recieves a complimentary gift.

Please be aware that you may experience long lines during weekend visiting hours. Recommended visiting times are Monday-Friday 10-11 a.m., 3-5 p.m. or 7 p.m. -Closing.

The Florida Mall

NOTE:  THESE DETAILS WERE CURRENT FOR THE 2009 CHRISTMAS SEASON.  Watch for updates for the 2010.

This Christmas season beginning from Nov. 7 through Dec. 24, 2009, make your season bright with a special visit from Santa Claus! He will be onsite at the Florida Mall located in front of the Godiva Chocolatier for photos and fun. Look for the big guy in red with the rosy cheeks.

Hours of Operation:
Nov. 7 – Dec. 24, 2009
Monday – Saturday  9 a.m – 8 p.m.
Sunday – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Enter to win a surprise visit from SANTA himself!
Learn More at: www.simon.com/WinSanta

Town of Celebration

NOTE:  THESE DETAILS WERE CURRENT FOR THE 2009 CHRISTMAS SEASON.  Watch for updates for the 2010.

Now Snowing, Central Florida’s original and premier "Snowing" event offers all new snow machines, new decorations and a variety of live entertainment for 2009. A month long Winter Wonderland Spectacular featuring strolling Charles Dickens Carolers, Santa Claus, horse drawn carriage rides, the premier of their ice skating rink on Bloom Street and nightly snowfall beginning with a special tree lighting ceremony on  Nov. 28 at 5:30 p.m. 

Nov. 28 - Dec. 31, 2009.
Photos with Santa are available every night through Dec. 24 from 5 to 9 p.m. along with nightly snowfall at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m.

Join Celebration and Radio Disney for a holiday concert family event. Featuring a performance from pop star Justin Beiber on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009 at 6 p.m. located on Market Street.

Brought to you by Lexin Capital, and sponsored in part by the Celebration Town Tavern, and the Celebration Hotel. Now Snowing Nightly, parking and admission are free. Celebration is conveniently located between Highway 192 and interstate 4 near Walt Disney World.

Downtown Disney

Festival of the Seasons

NOTE:  THESE DETAILS WERE CURRENT FOR THE 2009 CHRISTMAS SEASON.  Watch for updates for the 2010.

Enjoy the hustle, bustle and good cheer of the holiday season in the Downtown Disney® area. Great shopping, live entertainment and a fantastic photo op with Santa himself make this the perfect one-stop, holiday shop location. Check out the dazzling displays of lights and the special holiday window dressings that adorn the shops and restaurants. Feast your eyes and ears on the seasonal carolers, musical acts and holiday variety performers throughout the streets. The Downtown Disney® area is truly a winter wonderland.

Santa hours from 12 to 10 p.m. daily.

In front of the World of Disney store.

Festival Bay Mall

NOTE:  THESE DETAILS WERE CURRENT FOR THE 2009 CHRISTMAS SEASON.  Watch for updates for the 2010.

Santa’s Arrival Parade
Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009
Join Festival Bay Mall as they kick off the season with a holiday parade featuring the head elf himself, Santa Claus! A treat for the whole family.
Parade starts at 12noon on Saturday Nov. 21, 2009.  Follow him throughout the mall, he will end at his Santa station where he will be meeting children everyday through Christmas eve located near Monkey Joe’s and Vans Skate park.
Following the parade join Festival Bay in the center court where they will be celebrating their Holidays Around the World Show. A true celebration with music, dance, customs and traditions presented by community and professional entertainers.

Holiday Shopping Kickoff!
Friday, Nov. 27- Nov. 28, 2009
Festival Bay Mall will be open at 8am (Bass Pro Shops opens at 6am) on the Day After Thanksgiving.  Spend $100 before noon and receive a $10 dollar Shop Etc. mall gift card and bonus subscription to Martha Stewart Living magazine. Shoppers can also enjoy exclusive merchant discounts! Santa Arrives at 10 A.M. Photos with Santa for a nominal fee!  Parents don’t forget to stay for the Kids Crew Kids Club in association with Radio Disney from 1pm – 3pm near Cinemark 20 Theatres on November 28th. Kids enjoy fun, games and prizes.

Gingerbread House Contest
Nov. 21 – Dec.31, 2009
Festival Bay Mall is holding its third annual Gingerbread House Contest benefiting Partnership In Education schools.  Shoppers are encouraged to look at the display of over 50 gingerbread houses located in a store front near Sheplers Western Wear and vote for their favorite gingerbread house at customer service!  Each vote cast is a $1 with 100% off the proceeds going to school’s PIE program.

St. Nick's pet pics!
Monday nights beginning Nov. 30th and in December (7th, 14th & 21st)
6 p.m.-9 p.m.

Understanding that many shoppers LOVE to share photos of their pets during the holidays , they have added some fun costumes for the pets to wear in their Santa photo! Talk about a paw-fect photo!  

Old Town

NOTE:  THESE DETAILS WERE CURRENT FOR THE 2009 CHRISTMAS SEASON.  Watch for updates for the 2010.

Holiday-goers can stroll Old Town's brick-lined streets and browse through a diverse selection of merchandise at more than 75 specialty stores. A variety of "carnival-style" rides and attractions are also offered.