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December Weather, Festivals and Events in Florida

Sparkling Mild Nights with Millions of Lights... even SNOW highlight December

By , About.com Guide

December Weather, Festivals and Events in Florida © The Walt Disney Company
November < December > January

December Weather

Average Temperatures
  • Daytona Bch: High 70°-Low 50°
  • Fort Myers: High 76°-Low 55°
  • Jacksonville: High 67°-Low 43°
  • Key West: High 77°-Low 67°
  • Miami: High 77°-Low 62°
  • Orlando: High 73°-Low 51°
  • Pensacola: High 63°-Low 45°
  • Panama City: High 64°-Low 40°
  • Tallahassee: High 66°-Low 40°
  • Tampa: High 72°-Low 52°
  • West Palm Bch: High 76°-Low 59°

10-Day Forecast

Average Water Temperatures
The water temperature for the Gulf of Mexico (West Coast) ranges from the mid to high 60s. The Atlantic Ocean (East Coast) waters are several degrees cooler. The beaches to the south are always several degrees warmer than those in North Florida.

Best Time to Go

Special 2012 Holiday Events

ABCs of Florida Holidays
It's as easy as A–B–C to enjoy Florida's holiday celebrations and extravaganzas. Here are 26 great ideas for family fun!

An Old-Fashioned Christmas
Cypress Gardens - Winter Haven
There will be no holiday display. The park is permanently closed.

Epcot's Candlelight Processional
November 25 through December 30, 2012
One of Disney's most beloved holiday traditions — Epcot's Candlelight Processional — is a joyous retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir.

Festival of Lights
Silver Springs
Dates TBA
At the end of another perfect winter day in Florida, follow millions of sparkling lights through a maze of illuminated gardens, twinkling topiaries and dozens of animated holiday scenes that come to life to delight the young and old alike.

Disney's Holiday Headlines from Around the "World"
Walt Disney World Resort is aglow in decorations, millions of lights, parades, celebrity appearances and more. The holidays are a joyous time at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando and we have all the details plus plenty of photos.

Holidays at Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens Africa - Tampa
November 30 thru December 23, 2012
Celebrate the spirit of the season with Christmas Town — a Busch Gardens Celebration.

Gaylord Palms' ICE!... and SNOW!
Gaylord Palms Resort - Kissimmee
November 10, 2012 thru January 1, 2013

This popular family experience gives guests a chance to visit a whimsical winter wonderland of interactive environments and larger-than-life, three-dimensional ice monuments and sculptures. The enormous structure used to house ICE! — dubbed "The Florida Fridge" — is cooled to a chilly nine degrees making it necessary for the resort to provide over-sized winter coats for visitors to wear.

Leu Gardens' Holiday House
November 19, 2012 – January 2, 2013
 Some of Orlando's best interior designers deck the beautifully resorted late 19th century Leu House Museum out for the holidays. Enjoy the tour and stroll the gardens. There is an admission charge.

Macy's Holiday Parade & Grinchmas
Universal Studios Orlando
December 1, 2012 thru January 1, 2013
Macy's will bring the magic and excitement of its world-famous parade daily to Universal Studios Orlando with a brand new parade experience and at Islands of Adventure; the popular Dr. Seuss book "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is brought to live in Grinchmas, a live stage show; and, an all-new Holiday Village. Enjoy nightly holiday music and don't miss three concerts by top-selling holiday musicians Mannheim Steamroller on December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 & 23, 2012.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Disney's Magic Kingdom
November 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29 & 30 and
December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18 & 20, 2012
The Magic Kingdom will "re-open" after regular park hours from 7:00 until midnight on select nights as the theme park celebrates with fireworks, parades, sweet holiday treats, special stage shows and plenty of fun for the whole family.

Nights of Lights
St. Augustine
November 23, 2013 to January 31, 2014
Florida's oldest city becomes a magical city with a grand holiday celebration of lights. The Nights of Lights features over two million lights that illuminate the colonial buildings, downtown parks, and historic bayfront. And, the event has grown to include activities that keep visitors busy well into the new year.

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
Disney's Hollywood Studios
November 9, 2012 thru January 6, 2013
What began as a family tradition in the mid-1980s in Little Rock, Arkansas, has blossomed into a new holiday tradition for many guests to Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort.

Ruskin Tomato & Heritage Festival (December 1 & 2, 2012) - Ruskin celebrates its agricultural heritage with this small, but well-attended festival.

The Polar Express Experience & Holidays at SeaWorld
SeaWorld Orlando
HOLIDAYS AT SEAWORLD
Friday to Sunday November 17 thru December 31, 2012
 Jump aboard The Polar Express Experience for a one-of-a-kind journey to the North Pole that will transport you into the spirit of the season. The experience combines one of the most beloved movies with an actual winter wonderland.

Florida Celebrates New Year In Style - Ring in 2013 with Florida's best celebrations and fireworks!

New Year At The World - Ring in 2013 at Disney World with fireworks, live entertainment and new attraction thrills!

Related Holiday Links

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