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Disney World, Universal Orlando, Busch Gardens light up parks for holiday season

Spend the holidays at Florida theme parks with millions of Christmas lights, joyful entertainment and all the cookies and eggnog you can manage.
Photos: Universal Orlando

It may not feel like the holiday season in Florida, but local attractions are lighting up their parks to get visitors in the holiday spirit.

Christmas at the theme parks

Holidays at Universal Orlando: The park's annual festivities begin Saturday and run through Jan. 6, 2019. The Universal Holiday Parade featuring Macy's has 15 floats and 13 giant balloons made exclusively for Universal. The parade runs through the streets of Universal Studios.

Over at Islands of Adventure, Grinchmas is in full swing with the Who-liday Spectacular being performed on a brand new stage. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade has also been decked out on holiday decor. Last year's popular projection mapping show "The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle" returns to light up the famous wizarding school in holiday cheer.

Manheim Steamroller also returns for live performances at 7 p.m. Nov. 17-18, 24-25 and Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16.

Holidays at Universal Orlando is included with park admission.

WATCH: The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle at Universal Orlando

Busch Gardens Christmas Town: Millions of holiday lights will cover Busch Gardens Tampa beginning Saturday. Christmas Town runs every day through Dec. 31 with extended hours on weekends and certain dates with more new experiences.

New this year is a Sing-A-Long Train, more lights, a new holiday show and new sweet and savory treats around the park. Guests can also meet Rudolph and his friends in his Winter Wonderland and, of course, Santa Claus.

Busch Gardens Christmas Town is included with park admission.

Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa: For 18 nights, ZooTampa transforms into a winter wonderland filled with lights, holiday treats and chances to see animals at night. The festivities begin Nov. 23 with the return of Santa's Village, holiday-themed entertainment and a 50-foot animated Christmas tree.

Guests can celebrate with the zoo's animals by creating presents and ornaments and checking out the new holiday animal show, Hazel's Christmas Gift.

Christmas in the Wild runs Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 30 and is included with park admission.

Holidays at Disney World: Disney has holiday celebrations going on at almost all of its Florida parks, including Disney Springs.

Magic Kingdom has Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party with eight ways to dance to Christmas tunes, see shows and consume as much eggnog and holiday cookies as you can. The night culminates with the dazzling Frozen Holiday Wish projected on Cinderella Castle and the Holiday Wishes fireworks.

Epcot's Festival of the Holidays features outdoor kitchens around World Showcase and celebrity narrators telling the story of Christmas during the annual Candlelight Processional.

At Hollywood Studios, Toy Story Land is decked out oversized cranberry and popcorn garland, a 10-foot-tall Hamm sugar cookie and green alien ornaments near the Alien Swirling Saucers ride. Nighttime shows include the return of Jingle Ball, Jingle BAM in front of the Chinese Theater and a projection mapping show on the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

Finally, Disney Springs brings back its Christmas Tree Trail with festive trees themed after iconic characters, movies and park rides.

Most holiday events at Disney World are included with park admission. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a separate ticket event running through Dec. 21.

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