Central Florida was ready for Christmas as of 12:01 a.m. November 1, but now that we are post-Thanksgiving, the holiday spirit is in full swing. Dazzling Nights, at Orlando’s Leu Gardens, offers an experience to wander through 17 areas in the acres and acres of gardens. Bring comfortable shoes, as you look around and explore, passing live music, themed seating areas with food and some kid-friendly options.
November 28, 2025 through January 4, 2026 at Leu Gardens
Dazzling Nights is an after hours experience, requiring the sun to set before the gardens can illuminate. Timed entries begin at 5:30 p.m. and end at 9:15. I would recommend giving yourself at least 1.5 hours to explore, but 2 or more hours if you want to drink, snack and enjoy the live entertainment.
As you make your way through the 17 areas you will discover larger-than-life creations, like my personal favorite, The Cathedral. Entertainment is also offered at stops along the walk, from live music to something best described as kid-sized pinball where the kids push around massive, inflated “ornaments” in a contained, outdoor area.
Kids can also join in on a scavenger hunt, keeping an eye out for yetis. The final area will be the culmination of their searching with inflatable yetis, towering over a section getting covered in Florida snoap (snow made from soap).
Photos ops made for a Christmas card
If you are looking for a spot to get Christmas inspired photos, this is it. Each area offers plenty of backdrops for Christmas cards. With the numerous areas and themes you could have photos with backgrounds such as:
- A towering, illuminated star
- A historic, Christmas covered home
- Lights, cascading from the trees
- Suspended, glowing chandeliers
- Inflatable yetis
- 8-Bit inspired Santa and Elf
- Glowing, stylized crystals
- A moody, fog filled campfire
- A forest filled with butterflies
- Christmas dinner with visiting woodland animals
- and much, much more…
You can purchase tickets and check out the FAQ page on the official Dazzling Nights website. Parking is complimentary, but not offered free on site, so pay attention to the correct addresses for your visit.
