Orlando in December buzzes with more than theme‑park cheer. Gamers pack up their dice and consoles and head to festive events where interactive play meets holiday magic. During the holidays, these communities give locals and visitors another reason to come together, blending seasonal cheer with a shared love of games.
Holiday Conventions Bring Fans Together
One of the biggest draws each winter is Holiday Matsuri, a three-day celebration at the Orange County Convention Center and the Hyatt Regency Orlando with cosplay contests, gaming tournaments, and themed dances. Last year’s edition had the same electric community spirit people love, although small things like the lack of food trucks and limited meal options pushed some attendees to duck out early.
A lot of them ended up heading home to play online with friends anyway, staying connected through group chats and shared game rooms.
That habit fits the wider picture of gaming in the Sunshine State, where online gaming has grown into its own ecosystem. iGaming in particular has picked up momentum because the platforms keep rolling out bigger game libraries and features that feel more social than solitary.
Holiday Matsuri still sets the tone for in-person gatherings and will probably smooth out last year’s issues, yet the online communities people fall back on have become just as worth exploring during the holidays, especially for anyone who enjoys that same mix of connection and play.
Board Games and Cozy Meetups
Not every holiday gathering requires a convention hall. For enthusiasts of cardboard, dice, and miniatures, there’s Merry Meeple Con, a one‑day Christmas board‑gaming convention that takes over the Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando on December 6. The RPGGeek listing notes that spots are extremely limited, which lends an intimate feel: attendees bring their favorite games, sip cocoa between rounds, and trade titles in a small marketplace.
It’s the kind of setting where you might show up with a copy of Azul and leave with an invitation to a weekly Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
Around town, local gaming clubs fill their December calendars with gift‑swap nights and themed tournaments. A retro‑gaming meetup might host a Mario Kart bracket, while a tabletop group across town assembles for a holiday‑themed role‑playing session. People hop between video‑game LANs, trading‑card duels, and board‑game markets without much tribalism.
If you’re looking for more unconventional December fun, our expert guide to Krampus events across Central Florida shows how the area embraces alternative holiday celebrations and quirky meetups alongside its gaming nights.
Community Impact and Festive Experiences
What ties these holiday gaming activities together is an emphasis on connection. Organizers frequently collaborate with charities, running toy drives or raffles alongside tournaments to support local causes. Holiday Matsuri, for example, pairs its cosplay and gaming schedule with fundraising auctions, while Merry Meeple Con partners with toy‑drive initiatives.
Even events that aren’t strictly about gaming, such as the Crayola Experience’s Colorful Christmas celebration, tap into that spirit: from November 22 through January 5, guests can make handmade gifts, complete a seasonal scavenger hunt, and explore color‑themed crafts.
Beyond headline attractions, Florida’s gaming communities create their own pockets of holiday cheer. Local arcades extend their hours so players can escape the shopping rush, and indie developers share prototypes at pop‑up showcases. Casual meetups have a way of making newcomers feel at home, whether they’re rolling dice for the first time or entering a double‑elimination bracket.
Spend a weekend bouncing between these gatherings, and you’ll hear plenty of laughter, see elaborate costumes, and find a welcoming seat at countless tables. That’s just how it is here: Central Florida’s holiday magic extends beyond theme parks, and its gaming communities offer a festive way to share it with old friends and new faces alike.