Thanksgiving is just over a week away, but it’s starting to look like Christmas in Volusia and Flagler counties.
That’s right, the holiday spirit seems to be arriving earlier and earlier each year. No wonder, then, that a long list of events, the most festive of all seasons, is already on the calendar, from Santa-centric celebrations to opportunities for spiritual meditation.
Here’s how to celebrate the holiday in Volusia and Flagler counties.
daytona beach
magic of light, A drive-thru “Holiday Wonderland” with a colorful display illuminated by more than 1 million lights: Nov. 17-December, daily from 6-10 p.m. 31; Daytona International Speedway, 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Tickets start at $22. Enter the intersection of ISB and Bill France Boulevard. For more information, visit daytonainternationalspeedway.com.
Annual tree lighting ceremony November 17th from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Tanger Outlet Mall, 1100 Cornerstone Boulevard, Daytona Beach. The event will include live snowfall, giveaways, craft stations for kids, musical entertainment, and Santa Claus. free. For more information, visit tanger.com.
“The Nutcracker,” Performances by Volusia Civic Ballet: Dec. 2 at 2 p.m., Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Peabody Auditorium, 600 Auditorium Boulevard, Daytona Beach. Tchaikovsky’s beloved Christmas favorites will be performed by his 70-person cast representing his central Florida dance studios. Ticket prices at Ticketmaster.com range from $25 to $45.
Daytona Beach City Christmas Parade “Jingle All the Waves” parade sponsored by Brown & Brown Insurance: Dec. 9, 6 p.m., along Beach Street in Daytona Beach. The parade route begins at Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard and continues south on Beach Street to Jackie Robinson Parkway. free.
children’s christmas party, December 8th from 6pm to 9pm. Jackie Robinson Ballpark, 105 E. Orange Ave., Daytona Beach. Sponsored by the City of Daytona Beach and City Commissioner Paula Reed, the event is for children ages 3 to 12 and features book giveaways, free snacks, games, line dancing, a photo with Santa and a Daytona Girlfriend. There are opportunities to run beach-sponsored bases and more. Tortugas and screening of the movie “Elf”. Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for donation to the community. Visit codb.us for more information.
Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade Presented by Halifax River Yacht Club: Dec. 16, 6 p.m., along the Halifax River in Daytona Beach. Boats will meet north of Sea Breeze Bridge at 5:45 p.m. and launch along the river at 6 p.m. Visit hryc.com for more information.
DeBary
Holiday Tree Lighting and Chili Cook-Off: Dec. 2 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Gateway Park, U.S. Highway 17-92 and Saxon Boulevard in DeBary. The event will feature photo ops with Santa, live entertainment, holiday music, a laser light show and more. Free admission. For more information, visit debary.org.
DeBary City Christmas Parade: December 10th, 3pm: “Christmas Through the Decades.” The parade route will follow U.S. Highway 17-92 from Spring Vista Drive to Poinsettia Drive in DeBary. For more information, visit debary.org.
Winter light walk: Held Dec. 3-17 at Gateway Park, U.S. Highway 17-92 and Saxon Boulevard in DeBary. Outdoor holiday display with thousands of lights, decorations, and more. Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 6-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. free. For more information, visit debary.org.
deland
“Christmas Spectacular!” Stetson Mansion Vacation Home Tour: Daily through January 20, 2024: Stetson Mansion, 1031 Camphor Lane, DeLand. Multiple tours, by reservation, are scheduled daily to tour his 10 designer-decorated rooms and his more than 30 nativities from around the world to celebrate the birth of Christ. Tickets start at $28 for adults. For more information, visit stetsonmansion.com.
DeLand Rotary Christmas Parade: December 2nd at 6pm. The parade route follows Woodland Boulevard in downtown DeLand. For more information, visit mainstreetdeland.org.
DeLand’s Christmas Boat Parade Sponsored by the Downtown DeLand Rotary Club: Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. The parade travels along the St. Johns River from Whitehair Bridge to Beresford Lake. For more information, please visit DDRotary.org.
deltona
City of Deltona Holiday Parade: December 9th at 6pm. The “Whoville Parade” route exits at 1200 Deltona Blvd. At Deltona. For more information, visit deltonafl.gov.
edge water
Edgewater City Christmas Parade “Christmas Traditions Through History” Parade: 10 a.m. Dec. 11 along Indian River Boulevard in Edgewater. The parade route begins on Air Park Road and continues east on Indian River Boulevard to the Hibiscus Drive finish line at Friendship Community Church. For more information, visit cityofedgewater.org.
holly hill
64th Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Sponsored by the City of Holly Hill: Dec. 1 from 6 to 7 p.m. Holly Hill City Hall, 1065 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill. The event will feature an appearance by 2023 Miss World America Victoria DiSorbo, as well as Christmas carols, hot chocolate, ice cream and a visit from Santa Claus. For more information, visit hollyhillfl.org.
64th annual Christmas parade, With Miss World America 2023 Grand Marshal Victoria DiSorbo: December 2nd at 10am. The parade route will proceed along Ridgewood Avenue from Walker Street to his 10th Street in downtown Holly Hill.
lake helen
Lake Helen Christmas Parade and Holiday Bazaar: Dec. 16 from 4 to 9 p.m., Blake Park, 493 S. Lakeview Drive, Lake Helen. The parade begins near Fox Grass at 4 p.m. A holiday bazaar will continue at Blake Park featuring food trucks, vendors and other activities. For more information, visit lakehelen.org.
New Smyrna Beach
Let your spirit shine, Holiday Community Event: November 24th from 5-7:30pm at Christmas Park, corner of Live Oak and Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach. The month-long “Christmas on Canal Street” kickoff event will feature a tree lighting ceremony, live entertainment and Santa’s grand entrance. For more information, visit canalstreetnsb.com.
36th The annual light-up flagler, Merchant’s Holiday Open House: Dec. 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. Flagler Avenue Business District, New Smyrna Beach. For more information, visit flaglerave.com.
New Smyrna Beach Christmas Parade: Dec. 2, 4:30 p.m., downtown New Smyrna Beach. The parade route begins at the intersection of Flagler Street and South Atlantic Avenue, heads west along Flagler Street and the North Causeway, heads south on Riverside Drive, turns west on Canal Street, and ends at Orange Street. For more information, visit canalstreetnsb.com.
Southeast Volusia Holiday Boat Parade: Dusk on December 9th. A procession of illuminated personal watercraft will travel along the Intercoastal Waterway in New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater, and be viewed at Riverside Park. For more information, visit canalstreetncb.com.
orange city
Light up Orange City: December 1st from 5pm to 8:30pm. City Hall, 205 E. Graves Ave., Orange City. At 5:30 p.m., the switch will turn on and light up the city’s holiday trees and light displays. The event includes a food truck, kids zone, train ride, Santa photos, holiday movies, and free hot cocoa and cookies. For more information, visit orangecityfl.gov.
Orange City Christmas Parade: Dec. 9, 5 p.m., along Volusia Avenue (US Highway 17-92 in downtown Orange City. For more information, visit orangecityfl.gov.)
Ormond Beach
tree lighting ceremony, As part of the 45th Annual Casements Guild Christmas Gala: Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. Rockefeller Gardens, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach. Events include train rides, ice cream, live music, appearances by Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the Snow Queen. Free admission. For more information, please visit thecasements.net.
City of Ormond Beach Homes for the Holidays Parade, “A Groovy Christmas” Theme: Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m., in downtown Ormond Beach. The parade route will run from Division and Ridgewood streets north to Granada Boulevard, then east to Granada to Beach Street and south to City Hall. For more information, visit ormondbeach.org.
ponce entrance
Ponce Bay Christmas Parade: The activity, sponsored by the Ponce Bay Veterans Memorial Association, begins at 9 a.m. Dec. 2 with “Breakfast with Santa” at the Ponce Bay Community Center, 4670 S. Peninsula Drive. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. on Dec. 2 with a route north along South Peninsula Drive from Davis Lighthouse Park to Harbor Village Boulevard. For more information, visit c4pi.org.
port orange
45th Annual Port Orange Holiday Parade; The “Very Florida Christmas” parade begins Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. along Dunlawton Avenue in Port Orange. The parade route begins on Jackson Street and continues east on Dunlawton Avenue to Spruce Creek Road. For more information, visit port-orange.org.
south daytona
arctic drive thru, Community Holiday Event: Dec. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. Reed Canal Park, 919 Reed Canal Road, South Daytona. For more information, visit southdaytona.org.
flagler county
holiday market, Third annual event with over 100 vendors. Santa Appearance: Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Flagler County Fairgrounds, 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell. Free admission. For more information, visit visitflagler.com.
Palm Coast City Holiday Market, Shopping, food trucks, kids activities and holiday lights included: Dec. 2 from 5 to 9 p.m. Palm Coast Central Park, 975 Central Ave., Palm Coast. For more information, visit Eventbrite.com.
Holiday at the Beach Parade: Dec. 2 from 1 to 2 p.m. The parade route will travel along State Route A1A in Flagler Beach. For more information, visit cityofflaglerbeach.com.
holiday family movie night, “The Muppet Christmas Carol” Screening: December 12th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. Flagler County Public Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast. Free admission, light refreshments provided. For more information, call 386-446-6763.
palm coast holiday boat parade, Presented by Palm Coast Yacht Club: Dec. 9, 6-8:30 p.m. The procession of lighted boats begins at the Cochise Channel, Palm Coast’s northern cut into the Intracoastal Waterway, and heads south. Pass through the sails of the Cimarron Channel and Clubhouse Channel, under the Hammock Dunes Toll Bridge, and past the St. Joe Walkway and Waterfront Park. For more information, visit palmcoastyachtclub.com.