Daytona Beach – the Festival Capital of Florida – Announces 2019 Annual Events
Festive year ahead with a flair for everything from culture and cuisine to motorsports and music
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 17, 2019) – Home to over 60 renowned art, music and one-of-a-kind pop culture festivals, Daytona Beach is the Festival Capital of Florida. Some of the most well-established events in the state happen in Daytona Beach. With reliably sunny weather and a flair for everything from culture and cuisine to motorsports and music, the year ahead is a festive one!
Add these popular Daytona Beach annual events to your 2019 travel itinerary:
1. January 26-27 | 57th Rolex 24 At DAYTONA
Where: Daytona International Speedway
Sports cars will jumpstart three weeks of activity at the “World Center of Racing” with the 57th Anniversary of the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, North America’s most prestigious sports car event and the season opener to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Insider Tip: The most unique dining event of the year – the 10th Annual Taste of the 24! Enjoy non-stop racing, entertainment and food from the area’s finest restaurants during the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA from the Midway Suites of Daytona International Speedway.
Lodging Availability
2. February 9-10 | Daytona Beach Half Marathon
Named by Active.com to be one of seven scenic half marathons in America, the 10th Annual Daytona Half Marathon offers runners the opportunity to start on the famed tri-oval track of Daytona International Speedway and run to the hard-packed sands of the beach, where racing got its name. New for 2019, the 13.1-mile race will finish at ONE DAYTONA, directly across from Daytona International Speedway, where runners will celebrate with drinks, food, and awards! 2019 will also expand festivities over two days, with the addition of a 5K— an out-and-back on the beach Saturday afternoon.
3. February 9-17 | Daytona Speedweeks Presented by Advent Health and 61st DAYTONA 500
Where: Daytona International Speedway
DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth officially kicks off the NASCAR season with an action-packed schedule of races across several different racing series culminating with NASCAR's most prestigious event of the year, the DAYTONA 500.
Insider Tip: $52 package the Inaugural DAYTONA Beer Festival February 10 includes 10 samples from over 70 brands plus a collectible mini beer mug and a general admission ticket to the DAYTONA 500 Qualifying By Kroger and the Advance Auto Parts Clash.
Lodging Availability
4. March 8-17 | 78TH Annual Daytona Bike Week
Where: Daytona Beach area
Dubbed the “World’s Largest Motorcycle Event,” Daytona Bike Week is a 10-day event filled with high-octane street festivals, concerts, motorcycle races, bike shows, rallies, manufacturer showcases and much more. The event was established more than seven decades ago and has grown into a crowd of over 500,000 motorcyclists who make it an annual pilgrimage.
Lodging Availability
5. March 22-24 | 30th Annual Daytona Spring Turkey Run
Where: Daytona International Speedway
A family-friendly event, the Spring Daytona Turkey Run boasts show quality cars from around the country including restored classics, newer, customized rides and foreign and domestic exotics. Whether you’re looking for a ‘57 Cadillac 62 series, 1996 Bentley Turbo R, Packard Woody Wagon from 1948 or ’62 Triumph TR3A, the Spring Daytona Turkey Run is one of Daytona Beach's most sought-after attractions and the place to be every spring.
6. April 13 – April 14 | P1 AquaX Daytona Beach Grand Prix
Where: Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach viewing area
P1 AquaX is the fastest growing Personal Watercraft racing series in the world and is returning to the World's Most Famous Beach in Daytona to kick off the 2019 season! This two day event will showcase both Professional and Amateur racers traveling from around the world including England and Canada to battle it out for that 1st place trophy! The Hard Rock Hotel is the place to be over this race weekend, giving the best views of the racecourse, world-class service with music and fun for all!
7. April 20 | Easter Beach Run
Where: Registration begins at Daytona Beach oceanfront Bandshell at 8 a.m. and the race starts at 10 a.m. This festive, Easter-themed beach run is the oldest consecutive footrace in the State of Florida. Since 1967, participants have enjoyed a scenic run on the hard-packed sands of the World’s Most Famous Beach while traveling out and back for a 4-mile race, 2-mile fun run or health walk. Kids are also welcome to participate in the 1/4-mile race, 100 and 50-yard dash.
8. April 22-28 | Jeep Beach
Where: Daytona Beach area
Jeep Beach enthusiasts gather to celebrate a passion for off-road vehicles over seven days of family-friendly fun for Jeep owners. Attracting Jeepers and Jeep industry vendors from all over the United States, Canada, and even overseas, Jeep Beach brings you a week of fun in the sun with thousands of your closest Jeep friends! Lodging Availability
9. May – September | Bandshell Summer Concert Series
This free seasonal concert series is held at the historic oceanfront Bandshell May through September every Friday and Saturday night beginning at 7 p.m. The Boardwalk and Pier are the place to be after every Saturday night concert to catch a free Daytona Beach fireworks show at 9:45 p.m., too.
10. July 4-6 | Coke Zero Sugar 400
Where: Daytona International Speedway
Celebrate Independence Day weekend at the “World Center of Racing” during the Coke Zero Sugar 400 - the Ultimate All-American Summer Tradition. The Coke Zero Sugar 400 Weekend is the summer getaway of all getaways. Drivers race 400 miles, 160 laps under the lights to the finish. If it's Daytona Beach fireworks you're looking for, immediately following the drop of the checkered flag, enjoy one of the biggest fireworks displays in the Southeast.
11. October 2019 | Symetra Tour
Where: LPGA International
The “Road to the LPGA” golf tournament kicks off at Northport, FL in 2019 and ends in Daytona at legendary LPGA International in October. The best up and coming players from around the globe battle to finish in the Top 10 of the season's money list, earning them their 2020 LPGA Tour Cards. Don't miss the excitement of this professional championship golf tournament at the home of the LPGA Tour! Dates to be announced.
12. October 17-20 | 27th Annual Biketoberfest® motorcycle rally
Where: Daytona Beach area
Bikers, motorcycle enthusiasts and curious travel seekers enjoy a long weekend of beautiful fall weather, live music and watching the pros compete in Daytona International Speedway's motorcycle races. Between the thrill of live racing to cruising along the most scenic rides in Central Florida, Biketoberfest® celebrates the adventure and spirit of today’s motorcycle enthusiast.
13. November 2 -3 | 57th Annual Halifax Art Festival
Where: Historic Beach Street, downtown Daytona Beach
Named a Top 200 Festival by Sunshine Artist Magazine, the 57th Annual Halifax Art Festival will feature over 250 juried fine artists and fine craft artisans along historic Beach Street in downtown Daytona Beach. A premier annual event in Central Florida, the second oldest continual art festival in the state of Florida draws over 45,000 to enjoy fine works of art within a quaint historic shopping and dining district.
14. November 7-10 | 43rd Annual Greek Festival
Where: St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Fully immerse yourself in Greek culture at the 43rd Annual Greek Festival. Featuring authentic traditional Greek food, music, dancing and libations, the multi-day community event is held every November on the Halifax River at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church on Halifax Avenue in Daytona Beach. The event is free and open to the public, which includes parking and shuttle service.
15. November 28-December 1 | 46th Annual Daytona Turkey Run
Where: Daytona International Speedway
Take a walk down memory lane and relive a 46-year tradition with the Daytona Turkey Run, the largest combined classic car show and swap meet in the United States. The annual Daytona Turkey Run is a car enthusiasts dream held each Thanksgiving weekend in the infield of the “World Center of Racing.”
About the Daytona Beach Area
Experience endless adventures in the Daytona Beach area, a destination comprised of eight distinct communities offering visitors the perfect beach base camp to explore Florida’s East Coast. Choose thrilling activities or embrace the tranquility of days spent on 23 miles of world-famous white-sand beaches. Recognized worldwide for a few annual events including Bike Week, Biketoberfest®, the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and the DAYTONA 500, Daytona Beach’s famed heritage also claims the headquarters of LPGA and NASCAR -- and is home to Daytona International Speedway, the ‘World Center of Racing.’ With more than 12,000 beds, the destination boasts accommodations for all lifestyles and budgets from 4-star resorts to hotels, B&Bs and everything in between. Ranked #1 in Travel Channel’s 2017 “Top 10 Attractions in Florida, and a TripAdvisor 2018 Best Weekend Getaway in Northeast Florida. TripAdvisor also named Daytona Beach to its “10 Most Affordable Beach Vacations on Florida’s East Coast” and “25 Most Popular Summer Vacation Rental Spots in the US.” Visitors can enjoy experiences beyond the beach by choosing from a surprising list of outdoor adventures, family-friendly attractions, arts and cultural venues and a colorful culinary scene. With 23 miles of world-famous beaches ideal for swimming and surfing, it is no surprise Daytona Beach was chosen as a Best Florida Attraction and Best Spring Family Beach Break Destination in the Top 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel award contests sponsored by USA TODAY. To receive a complimentary Destination Guide or book a stay, visit DaytonaBeach.com. For real-time updates, visit Facebook.com/DaytonaBeach or Twitter.com/DaytonaBeachFun.
