Craving an escape from winter weather? Head to Daytona Beach for a range of holiday events and holiday spectaculars. Whether you are in the mood for the dreamlike experience of Christmas lights, a celebration that takes a step back in time or a jolly holiday parade, plenty of fun Christmas activities await in Daytona Beach! And with other Florida holiday experiences, such as Nights of Lights in St. Augustine and the fun spectacle of Surfing Santas in Cocoa Beach, so close (less than an hour drive) there’s even more reason to head to Daytona Beach for the holidays. Consider any one of these events to put you in the holiday spirit:
Magic of Lights® Holiday Display
The iconic Daytona International Speedway transforms into a holiday heaven during the Magic of Lights® Holiday Display. Take the family and drive through the 1.5-mile display, which features over a million of the latest in LED bulbs and all-new digital animation technologies that have been specially created for the “World Center of Racing.” New this year will feature the premiere of the Barbie TM holiday light display as well as Big Foot Monster Trucks and Prehistoric Christmas. For more information on ticket pricing for this drive-thru experience, visit the website. The event takes place daily from November 18 through January 1 from 6 to 10 p.m. (on Thanksgiving weekend 11/24-27, 7-10 p.m. and 12/3, 7-10 p.m.). Double Drive Tuesdays, Dash Passes, Photo Package, and limo/bus upgrades are available.
Venue: Daytona International Speedway (at the intersection of International Speedway and Bill France Boulevards)
Address: 1801 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Stetson Mansion Christmas Spectacular Holiday Home Tour
The Stetson Mansion Christmas Spectacular Holiday Home Tour takes place at “Florida’s first luxury estate,” the famed Victorian Gilded Age residence built in 1886. Its original, rich architectural details make the perfect backdrop for elaborate holiday decorations, which are different each year. Designer decorations from around the world will adorn the mansion and each of the ten rooms. Come and experience how Stetson Mansion has decked the halls on one of these enchanting self-guided tours, offered four to six times per day Nov. 1 through January 21. Reservations are required. Group guided tours are available with advanced reservations (20-24 people), visit the website for more information.
Venue: Stetson Mansion
Address: 1031 Camphor Lane, DeLand, FL 32720
Enjoy a Christmas Spectacular Tour in this Stetson Mansion video!
Gingerbread Fantasy Holiday Light Display
This holiday season, Rose Villa Southern Table and Bar will transform into a Gingerbread Fantasy decorative light display that evokes classic storybook memories in exquisite style. From November 18, 2022, through January 5, 2023, visitors can stop to take a family photo or a fun selfie outside of in this historic setting in downtown Ormond Beach. During Gingerbread Fantasy, the restaurant will be decorated with larger-than-life Gingerbread men, towering lollipops, unique topiary snowmen, the “dogs of Rose Villa,” stained glass windows reflecting gingerbread men, gold bells, candy canes, and candied fruit, and of course hundreds of colorful lights reaching from the ground to the top of the two and a half story rooftop. For an extra special holiday activity, Rose Villa will offer a hands-on experience building your own gingerbread house. This confection-based activity is offered daily from 10 a.m. – noon. Cost starts at $99 and reservations are required.
Venue: Rose Villa Southern Table & Bar
Address: 43 West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach, FL 32176
Price: Free Holiday Light Display; Gingerbread House building experience starts at $99, reservations required
Holiday Story Stroll in Rockefeller Gardens
Visit the giant pages of a classic holiday book set up around the Christmas tree in beautiful Rockefeller Gardens at The Casements in Ormond Beach. A collaboration of the City of Ormond Beach, Volusia County Public Library and Ormond Beach MainStreet, the Holiday Story Stroll will be open in Dec. 2-21, 2022. More information about this free, family-friendly event is available by calling Ormond Main Street 386-492-2938 or The Casements 386-676-3216.
Venue: Rockefeller Gardens at The Casements
Address: 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach FL 32176
Admission: Free
Christmas at Peabody Auditorium
The Peabody Auditorium will host a trio of holiday shows beginning with country music star Martina McBride, who will be performing her “Joy of Christmas” tour on Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. On Dec. 3-4, enjoy Volusia Civic Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” which in addition to the full-length production, will also offer a condensed narrated Family Series show. Million Dollar Quartet will wrap up the holiday shows on Dec. 5. This brand-new musical is inspired by the true story of the momentous homecoming in December 1956 of rock 'n' roll newcomers, and soon to be legends, as they reflect on Christmases past and contemplate Christmases present and yet-to-come at a moment when no one knew if rock 'n' roll was a fad or a revolution.
Venue: Peabody Auditorium
Address: 600 Auditorium Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
Turkey Run
The Daytona Turkey Run features thousands of unique automobiles and swap meet vendors in the infield of the “World Center of Racing,” Daytona International Speedway. Considered to be largest combined car show and swap meet in the United States, this family-friendly four-day event takes place every fall during the Thanksgiving holiday week.
Venue: Daytona International Speedway
Address: 1801 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach FL 32114
New Year's Eve on Main Street
Bring in the New Year on historic Main Street in Daytona Beach. The 16th annual New Year’s Eve on Main Street celebration will have six blocks of fun featuring five stages of music, festival food and food trucks, plenty of drink specials and amazing stilt walkers. Bring in the New Year with a ball drop and fireworks at midnight. Family friendly and free to the public.
Venue: Main Street
Address: Main Street at Atlantic Avenue to west on Main Street at the base of bridge
Admission: Free
Riverfront Esplanade: December to Remember
It's a December to Remember at the new Riverfront Esplanade, a gathering space and botanical garden located in the heart of Daytona Beach. Composed of more than a mile of waterfront running trails with comfortable benches and swings overlooking the Halifax River, the Riverfront Esplanade will be a hub for holiday activities such as pictures with Santa, Carolers, Hawliday Pet Parade and Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical. There will also be Movies on the Lawn with "Elf" and "Nightmare Before Christmas" and guitarist and vocalist Jonathan Butler's Oh Holy Night Christmas concert at The News-Journal Center. Visit the website for a complete schedule.
Venue: Riverfront Esplanade
Address: 249 North Beach Street, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Admission: Free
ONE DAYTONA: Winter Wonderland
Held every Saturday between Dec. 3 and Dec. 17, ONE DAYTONA will transform into a Winter Wonderland. Between 5 - 8 p.m., enjoy the festive atmosphere with holiday craft vendors, balloon stilt walkers, holiday characters and a holiday concert in Victory Circle.
Venue: ONE DAYTONA
Address: 1 Daytona Blvd.
Admission: Free
Holiday Parades
Celebrate the holidays with the family and friends by attending Christmas parades within the different municipalities in the Daytona Beach Area. Festive floats, local marching bands, walking performers and Santa and Mrs. Claus will deliver the holiday cheer.
- Dec. 3, Holly Hill Christmas Parade
- Dec. 3, Ponce Inlet Christmas Parade
- Dec. 4, Port Orange Holiday Parade: Jurassic Christmas (Dunlawton Avenue)
- Dec. 10, City of Daytona Beach's Bell & Shells Christmas Parade (Beach Street)
- Dec. 10, 31st Annual Home for the Holidays Parade, City of Ormond Beach
Check out this blog post for more holiday getaway ideas and the full list of festive holiday activities and fun. No matter what one you choose, a winter getaway is sure to put your whole family in a sunny, spirited state of mind.
Enjoy a look at everything Daytona Beach has to offer and start planning your next trip! Download our free official destination guide or sign up for our e-newsletter.
