Christmas

For travel during the Christmas holiday season, see Christmas and New Year travel

Christmas is a small town in Orange County, central Florida. It is located just off State Road 50, 20 miles east of Orlando en route to Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and Canaveral National Seashore in Titusville.

Understand

Old homes in the Historic Park

History

Christmas was founded on Christmas Day of 1837 as a fort during the Second Seminole War, but most of the historic sites date to the early 20th century as the town grew due to settlement of eastern Orange County. The old town has been well-preserved but has chosen to remain off the beaten path and lacks chain restaurants, hotels or facilities, leading most visitors to commute from surrounding cities.

The town's proximity to the St. Johns River, a few miles to the east, and its adjacent wetlands have led to the creation of conservation and wildlife areas. The most notable of these is Orlando Wetlands Park, a natural filtration wetland which is known for its wildlife viewing opportunities.

Get in

The access road by car to the town is FL-50, which approaches the town from both sides. The historic downtown area is near Fort Christmas Rd, which turns to the north of the highway.

See

• 1 Fort Christmas Historical Park, 1300 North Fort Christmas Rd (north of Highway 50), ☏ +1 407-254-9312. Historical military fort built on December 25, 1837 during the Second Seminole War and since rebuilt for display. Inside are displays of a wide variety of military and Seminole Indian artifacts. Much of the old town of Christmas dating from the early and mid-20th century to the south of the fort is preserved intact with furniture displays and memoirs from those who have historically lived in the town.  
• 2 Jungle Adventures Nature Animal Park, 26205 East Colonial Drive, ☏ +1 407-568-2885. Daily 9:30am-5:30pm. 

Do

• 1 FL-50 Boat Ramp, 28500 E Colonial Dr, ☏ +1 407 254-9310. Boat access to the St. Johns River east of Christmas. (updated Apr 2024)
• 2 Orlando Wetlands Park, 25155 Wheeler Rd, ☏ +1 407-568-1706, orlandowetlandspark@orlando.gov. Several miles of trails through a wetlands environment. The main attractions are a boardwalk on-site, excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, and a guided tour around the park's ecosystems. Common animals found in the park include alligators and various species of birds such as herons, egrets, bald eagles, hawks, spoonbills, and anhingas. Free. (updated Feb 2022)

An ibis photographed at the wetlands

• 3 Seminole Ranch Wildlife Management Area, 25382 Wheeler Rd. A part of the larger Seminole Ranch Conservation Area, the staging area for the 6,000-acre WMA is opposite Orlando Wetlands Park and is accessible via Wheeler Rd. (updated Apr 2024)
• 4 Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area, Taylor Creek Rd. $4. (updated Jan 2018)

Buy

• 1 Christmas Groceries, 25002 E Colonial Dr. Convenience store on the junction with FL-50. (updated Apr 2024)

Eat

• Heart of Christmas Farms, 21310 Fort Christmas Rd, ☏ +1 407 512-2004, heartofchristmasfarms@gmail.com. (updated Apr 2024)

Sleep

Further options for lodging can be found about half an hour away in Orlando or Titusville.

• 1 Christmas RV Park, 25525 E Colonial Dr, ☏ +1 407-568-5207, info@christmasrvpark.com. Full hook ups, dump station, and heated outdoor pool. Includes Wi-Fi. (updated Feb 2022)

Go next

• Greater Orlando via FL-50 to the west
• The St Johns River and the Space Coast via FL-50 to the east