Around Orlando
Christmas Market and Open-Air Ice Skating at Grande Lakes Orlando
When the Central Florida air turns crisp and evening settles over the water, Grande Lakes Orlando becomes one of the season’s most inviting holiday destinations. Beginning November 25, the lush 500-acre luxury resort—home to The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes—opens its holiday season with the return of the Christmas Market and open-air ice skating rink, a festive stretch that continues through January 2 and rewards both overnight guests and locals looking for an elevated evening out.
On the Da Vinci Lawn beside the scenic lake, the Christmas Market invites guests to stroll among European-inspired cottages featuring traditional holiday delicacies, tasty beverages, and local artisan crafts. Hourly snowfall and advent surprises keep the night feeling playful for families and couples alike. Market hours are 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.—a gracious window for browsing cottages, warming up with a seasonal sip, and lingering in the glow before dinner.
Photo by Felipe Callado Photography
Just steps away, the open-air ice skating rink offers a distinctly festive thrill: skating under the winter sky with the lake as backdrop. The resort’s winter programming presents the rink as new for the season, while sessions operate in one-hour intervals starting at 5:30 p.m., with the last skate beginning at 10:00 p.m. General admission follows that evening window; hours may vary on select dates. Seasoned skaters and first-timers alike can share the ice, then ease off the blades without leaving the lawn.
The Fireside Lounge, also on the Da Vinci Lawn from November 25, 2026, through January 2, 2027, gathers guests around cozy fire pits next to the rink in sessions from 5:00–7:00 p.m. and 8:00–10:00 p.m. Offerings include a charcuterie board and s’mores kit (each serving four), a dedicated host, and an à la carte menu from the Rink Side Brasserie, with short-term event parking validated—welcome news for readers who come for the atmosphere without booking a full stay.
“A holiday that feels polished without leaving Central Florida.”
Overnight guests can deepen the experience with the Festive Escape Package (promo code THM), available November 25, 2026, through January 2, 2027, with exclusive seasonal savings and added benefits. Across the resort, festive entertainment, fireside gatherings, gingerbread decorating, visits with Santa, and other holiday traditions round out evenings that feel both celebratory and unhurried. Area General Manager Jon McGavin has singled out the beloved Christmas Market as guests discover memorable ways to experience the season—culinary pleasure, outdoor adventure, wellness, and family tradition in one destination.
That sense of arrival matters. Hidden in the heart of Orlando at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades, Grande Lakes pairs Forbes Five-Star Ritz-Carlton hospitality with expansive JW Marriott ease, about 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport and minutes from the Orange County Convention Center and major theme parks. For November/December readers seeking a holiday that feels polished without leaving Central Florida, the Christmas Market and lakeside rink deliver European cottage charm, open-air ice under Florida stars, and the warm signature hospitality that defines Grande Lakes Orlando.
For dates, hours, and reservations, visit grandelakes.com.
