Ho, Ho, Ho! Holiday Fun in Daytona Beach and Beyond

The holiday season is in full swing in Volusia and Flagler counties, where a variety of festive events and parades bring the community together. From Santa-themed celebrations to spiritual reflections, there’s something for everyone during this joyous time of year. Here's a detailed look at some of the most anticipated holiday events in the area.

Daytona Beach

A December to Remember This annual event takes place along the Riverfront Esplanade on Beach Street from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily through January 5. The celebration features holiday lights, community events, movies on the lawn, a holiday bazaar, Santa sightings, and live music. Admission is free. For more information, visit riverfrontesplanade.com.

Magic of Lights This display of over a million twinkling lights is open daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. through January 3. Visitors can drive through the illuminated path beneath the grandstand and into the open spaces in front of the Daytona International Speedway. Ticket prices vary depending on the vehicle type and the date of visit. For details, visit daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

Dashing Through Daytona Christmas Parade Held at 6 p.m. on December 13, this parade starts at Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard and travels south on Beach Street to Jackie Robinson Parkway. It includes local bands, festive floats, and performances by community organizations. More information is available at daytonabeach.gov.

Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade Hosted by the Halifax River Yacht Club, this event begins at 6 p.m. on December 20. Boats set off from Granada Bridge and travel south to Halifax Harbor Marina. Details can be found at hryc.com.

DeBary

Tree-lighting and Chili Cook-off Taking place from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on December 6, this event features live entertainment, holiday music, a laser light show, kids' photos with Santa, and free mini-train rides. It is held at Gateway Park. For more details, visit debary.org.

DeBary Christmas Parade Scheduled for 3 p.m. on December 14, this parade follows the theme “A Very Merry Beach Christmas.” It starts at the intersection of U.S. Highway 17-92 and Spring Vista Drive and travels north on 17-92 to Poinsettia Drive. More information is available at debary.org.

DeLand

Light Up DeLand This event runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on December 5. It includes ice skating, Santa’s Workshop with Christmas crafts for children, and a skydive by Santa Claus to light the city’s official tree. The event is held outside the historic courthouse at 112 W. Indiana Ave. Free admission. For more details, visit mainstreetdeland.org.

DeLand Rotary Christmas Parade Taking place at 6 p.m. on December 6, this parade celebrates the theme “A Winter Wonderland Down Mainstreet.” It includes bands, floats, and units representing various community organizations. Visit delandchristmasparade.org for more information.

DeLand Christmas Boat Parade Held at 6 p.m. on December 13, this parade starts just north of Ed Stone Park and travels south along the St. Johns River to Lake Beresford Yacht Club. More details can be found on Facebook.

Deltona

Holiday Parade This event, themed “Home Sweet Deltona,” takes place at 6 p.m. on December 13. The parade will travel along Deltona Boulevard. For more details, visit deltonafl.gov.

Edgewater

Edgewater Christmas Parade Starting at 10 a.m. on December 13, this parade travels along 30th Street from Hibiscus Drive to Silver Palm Drive. For more information, visit cityofedgewater.org.

38th Annual Southeast Volusia Holiday Boat Parade Hosted by the New Smyrna Anglers Yacht Club, this event begins at 6 p.m. on December 13. The parade route along the Intracoastal Waterway starts south of Menard May Park and travels north into New Smyrna Beach. Viewing is available from Menard May Park, Kennedy Park, and all along Riverside Drive. For more details, visit cityofedgewater.org.

Holly Hill

City of Holly Hill’s 66th Annual Christmas Parade This event starts at 10 a.m. on December 6. The procession begins at 2nd Street and Riverside Drive, traveling west on 2nd Street to U.S. Highway 1, then north to LPGA Boulevard. More information is available at hollyhillfl.org.

Lake Helen

Christmas Parade and Event Held from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on December 13, this event traditionally features Santa Claus, live music, seasonal vendors, and food. It takes place at the Lake Helen Equestrian Center. For more details, visit lakehelen.org.

New Smyrna Beach

38th Annual Light Up Flagler This holiday merchant open house takes place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on December 5 along Flagler Avenue. For more details, visit flaglerave.com.

Santa Paws Pooch Parade Held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on December 5, this event features dogs dressed for the holidays. It is part of the Light Up Flagler events. More information is available at flaglerave.com.

Christmas Crazy Cart Pop-up Parade This golf cart parade takes place at 7:15 p.m. on December 5 as part of the Light Up Flagler events. For more details, visit flaglerave.com.

New Smyrna Beach Christmas Parade Starting at 3 p.m. on December 6, this annual holiday procession begins on Flagler Avenue and ends on West Canal Street. For more information, visit canalstreetnsb.com.

38th Annual Southeast Volusia Holiday Boat Parade Hosted by the New Smyrna Anglers Yacht Club, this event begins at 6 p.m. on December 13. The parade route along the Intracoastal Waterway starts south of Menard May Park and travels north into New Smyrna Beach. For more details, visit canalstreetnsb.com.

Orange City

Light Up Orange City This event takes place at 5 p.m. on December 5. It includes the official lighting of the city’s holiday decorations, with activities such as tree-lighting, food trucks, a kid zone, train rides, Santa photos, and a holiday movie. It is held outside City Hall at 205 E. Graves Ave. For more details, visit orangecityfl.gov.

Orange City Christmas Parade Held at 5 p.m. on December 13, this parade celebrates the theme "Gnome Place Like Home for the Holidays." The route starts at French Avenue and U.S. Highway 17-92 and travels south along 17-92 to Ohio Avenue. More information is available at orangecityfl.gov.

Ormond Beach

HOme for the HOlidays Parade This 34th annual march steps off at 6 p.m. on December 13 on a downtown route that culminates at Ormond Beach City Hall on South Beach Street. For more details, visit ormondbeach.org.

Ponce Inlet

Town of Ponce Inlet Christmas Parade This event takes place at 2 p.m. on December 6. The parade route travels north along South Peninsula Drive from Davies Park to Harbour Village Boulevard. More information is available at ponce-inlet.org.

The 47th Annual Port Orange Holiday Parade Held at 2 p.m. on December 7, this parade consists of bands and floats celebrating the theme “Hollywood Holidays!” The route starts at Jackson Street and travels east on Dunlawton Avenue to Spruce Creek Road. For more details, visit port-orange.org.

Flagler County

20th Annual Fantasy Lights Festival This event features 57 dazzling displays and is organized by the Rotary Club of Flagler County to support local non-profit organizations and scholarships for high school seniors. It runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly through December 30 at Central Park Town Center. Admission is free. For more details, visit flaglerrotary.org.

Holiday At the Beach Parade This parade takes place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on December 6 along State Road A1A in Flagler Beach. More information is available at cityofflaglerbeach.com.

Starlight Parade This event at Palm Coast Town Center begins at 6 p.m. on December 6. For more details, visit palmcoast.gov.

Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade Held at 6 p.m. on December 13, this parade starts at the Cimmaron Basin and proceeds south under the Hammock Dunes Bridge to the Grand Haven Gazebo. Spectators can enjoy complimentary shuttles from the European Village and the Daytona State College Palm Coast Campus parking lot to the viewing spot at Waterfront Park from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more details, visit palmcoast.gov.