Feel the holiday anticipation in Daytona Beach! Discover all the exciting events and activities with our guide. For those born and raised in Daytona Beach and those just arrived, our guide is your key to unlocking seasonal wonders.
One highlight of the holiday season is the enchanting Nutcracker Ballet, where timeless choreography brings a classic tale to life, captivating audiences of all ages. With extravagant costumes and beautiful music, it promises a delightful escape. The Christmas Boat Parade showcases brilliantly decorated vessels gliding through the waters, creating a magical display of light. And the Christmas Spectacular is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a vibrant mix of holiday performances sure to entertain. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Daytona Beach
- Christmas Boat Parade
- Christmas Spectacular
- The Nutcracker Ballet
- Riverfront Esplanade: A December to Remember
- Santa Paws Parade (New Smyrna Beach)
- 31st Annual Home for the Holidays Parade (Ormond Beach)
- City of Daytona Beach's Jingle All The Waves Christmas Parade
- Port Orange Holiday Parade (Port Orange)
- Ponce Inlet Christmas Parade (Ponce Inlet)
- Holly Hill Christmas Parade (Holly Hill)
See these and even more events listed below!
Daytona Beach Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Decorated boats with twinkling lights and holiday decorations.
Description:
The Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade is an annual holiday event hosted by the Halifax River Yacht Club, featuring a fleet of boats decorated with twinkling lights and holiday decorations. Boats assemble north of the Seabreeze Bridge and proceed south, turning into the Halifax Harbor north and south basins, ending at the Chart House/Daytona Boat Works. The parade can be viewed from various locations along the riverbanks, City Island, and Manatee Island.
Where: Daytona Beach | More Info: Christmas Boat Parade
Gingerbread Fantasy
What to Expect:
Unique holiday light display with gingerbread-themed decorations.
Description:
Rose Villa Southern Table and Bar transforms into a Gingerbread Fantasy holiday light display, featuring larger-than-life Gingerbread men, towering lollipops, unique topiary snowmen, and hundreds of colorful lights reaching from the ground to the top of the two-and-a-half-story rooftop.
Where: Ormond Beach | More Info: Gingerbread Fantasy
Christmas Winter Festival- DeLand
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with a tree lighting and ice skating.
Description:
The Christmas Winter Festival in DeLand is a festive event featuring holiday cheer, including a Christmas tree lighting, ice skating rink, and Santa Claus. It offers a day filled with community activities and holiday ambiance.
Where: DeLand | More Info: Christmas Winter Festival- DeLand
Daytona Beach Holiday Markets and Shopping
Riverfront Esplanade: A December to Remember
What to Expect:
Multi-day extravaganza with diverse holiday activities.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Riverfront Esplanade with community events, a holiday bazaar, Santa sightings, live music, and a free community movie featuring "The Polar Express."
Where: Daytona Beach | More Info: Riverfront Esplanade: A December to Remember
Daytona Beach Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker Ballet
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with local and guest artists.
Description:
The Nutcracker Ballet is a classic ballet performance featuring local dancers and guest artists from the Cincinnati Ballet, set to Tchaikovsky's iconic score with elaborate costumes and sets.
Where: Daytona Beach | More Info: The Nutcracker Ballet
Christmas Spectacular
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a historic mansion with intricate decorations and themed rooms.
Description:
The Stetson Mansion transforms into a spectacular holiday display with elaborate decorations, over 50 nativities, and themed rooms, showcasing the opulence of the Victorian era.
Where: Daytona Beach | More Info: Christmas Spectacular
City of Daytona Beach's Jingle All The Waves Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with local bands and floats.
Description:
The Jingle All the Waves Christmas Parade in Daytona Beach features local bands, festive floats, and community performances along Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, traveling south to Beach Street and Jackie Robinson Parkway.
Where: Daytona Beach | More Info: City of Daytona Beach's Jingle All The Waves Christmas Parade
Daytona Beach Other Holiday Activities
Santa Paws Parade
What to Expect:
Holiday dog parade with a "Best Dressed Dog Award."
Description:
The Santa Paws Pooch Parade is a festive holiday event where participants dress up their furry friends and walk down Flagler Avenue. The parade is part of the 35th Annual Light Up Flagler and features a "Best Dressed Dog Award." All pets must be on a leash, and owners are expected to follow specific rules to ensure safety and enjoyment for both participants and spectators.
Where: New Smyrna Beach | More Info: Santa Paws Parade
Holly Hill Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Traditional parade with festive floats and community participation.
Description:
The 65th Annual Holly Hill Christmas Parade, themed "A Toyland Christmas," is a festive event featuring floats, marching bands, and community groups celebrating the holiday season.
Where: Holly Hill | More Info: Holly Hill Christmas Parade
Ponce Inlet Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Parade with Santa and community center breakfast.
Description:
The Ponce Inlet Christmas Parade is a festive event featuring a parade route that proceeds north along S. Peninsula Dr. from Davies Lighthouse Park to Harbour Village Blvd., with a breakfast with Santa at the Ponce Inlet Community Center.
Where: Ponce Inlet | More Info: Ponce Inlet Christmas Parade
Port Orange Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Celebratory parade with bands and floats themed around a Very Florida Christmas.
Description:
The 45th Annual Port Orange Holiday Parade features bands and floats centered around the theme "Very Florida Christmas." The parade route starts at Jackson Street and runs east on Dunlawton Avenue to Spruce Creek Road.
Where: Port Orange | More Info: Port Orange Holiday Parade
31st Annual Home for the Holidays Parade
What to Expect:
Community parade with festive floats and marching bands.
Description:
The 31st Annual Home for the Holidays Parade is a community celebration featuring floats, marching bands, and festive decorations.
Where: Ormond Beach | More Info: 31st Annual Home for the Holidays Parade
Crazy Cart Parade on Flagler Avenue
What to Expect:
Decorated golf carts celebrating Christmas.
Description:
The Crazy Cart Parade on Flagler Avenue is a festive event where participants decorate their golf carts with Christmas decorations and ride down Flagler Avenue. The parade is part of the 37th Annual Light Flagler Entertainment Series and features a competition for the best decorated cart.
Where: New Smyrna Beach | More Info: Crazy Cart Parade on Flagler Avenue
Daytona Beach SantaCon
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed bar crawl with exclusive drink specials.
Description:
Join Daytona Beach SantaCon for a holiday bar crawl featuring festive decorations, holiday-themed drinks, and live DJs at multiple venues.
Where: Daytona Beach | More Info: Daytona Beach SantaCon
CORE's 3rd Annual Reindeer Run & Roll 5k
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed 5K run with festive attire encouraged.
Description:
Join the CORE Team and participants for the 3rd Annual Reindeer Run & Roll 5k, benefiting the CORE Foundation, Inc. The event features a 3.1-mile course along the beautiful Seminole-Wekiva Trail, encouraging runners to dress in their most festive holiday gear. Post-race festivities include a parking lot party with music and mimosas.
Where: Daytona Beach | More Info: CORE's 3rd Annual Reindeer Run & Roll 5k
Selfies with Santa at The Center at Deltona
What to Expect:
Unique holiday photo opportunity with Santa.
Description:
Capture memorable moments with Santa at The Center at Deltona, a fun and family-friendly event perfect for holiday photos.
Where: Deltona | More Info: Selfies with Santa at The Center at Deltona
Christmas in the Country at River of Life Church of Volusia
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with Santa and festive lights.
Description:
Christmas in the Country at River of Life Church of Volusia features a hay ride through a Christmas lights display, meeting Santa, enjoying free hot cocoa, roasting marshmallows, and viewing Christmas village and nativity displays.
Where: Daytona Beach | More Info: Christmas in the Country at River of Life Church of Volusia
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Port Orange (5 miles)
- Ormond Beach (6 miles)
- New Smyrna Beach (14 miles)
- Edgewater (17 miles)
- DeLand (21 miles)
- Deltona (26 miles)
- Palm Coast (28 miles)
- Sanford (32 miles)
- Oviedo (39 miles)
- Winter Springs (39 miles)
- Casselberry (41 miles)
- Wekiwa Springs (43 miles)
- Altamonte Springs (43 miles)
- Titusville (43 miles)