11 Festive Florida Towns to get you in the Holiday Spirit
1. St. Augustine, Florida
Nights of Lights, St. Augustine
St. Augustine's Nights of Lights begins on the Saturday before Thanksgiving with “Light Up Night” when the nation’s oldest city transforms to a beautifully illuminated Christmas town. Celebrating its 25th Annual Nights of Lights, this 3 million + light display is one of the best in the world.
Colonial Night Watch, St. Augustine
Celebrate St. Augustine’s history with events from 9am - 4pm at Castillo de San Marcos where the parade begins at 7pm. This spectacular Night Watch “Grand Illumination” Parade features a one-of-a-kind light display.
Annual St. Augustine Christmas Parade
A charming home town Christmas Parade featuring floats, marching bands, and all of the things you’d expect from a town parade.
2. Jacksonville
Gingerbread House Extravaganza, Jacksonville
If you love Gingerbread Houses, this is a must do event for the Holiday season. Featuring unique and creative gingerbread houses by artisans from all backgrounds. These are no ordinary gingerbread houses!
3. Safety Harbor, Florida
Safety Harbor has its own celebrations for the local community to help get them in the Christmas spirit
A Harbor Holiday Christmas Trolly Tour
4. Downtown Tampa
Head to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park to celebrate the holidays in Tampa
Santa Fest and Downtown Christmas Parade
River of Lights Holiday Cruise
Ybor City
Ybor City's holiday celebrations kick off with a tree lighting ceremony and the area stays in the spirit for the rest of the season with events and general merriment. Check out the specific events:
5. Largo, Florida
Largo Holiday Stroll
Come to Largo Central Park for a small carnival and holiday decorations plus special events like a gift market.
6. Inverness
Light Up Inverness
A small town Christmas celebration like no other! Meet Santa, watch the tree lighting, and so much more
Inverness Night of Lights
Come to Fort Cooper State Park for a Christmas celebration with live entertainment, a visit from Santa, and beautiful lights throughout the park.
7. New Smyrna Beach
Christmas on Canal
Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach lights up with Christmas spirit during the season with tons of events for the whole family to enjoy.
8. Daytona Beach
Light Up Volusia
Daytona Beach kicks off the holiday season with a tree lighting and visit from Santa at the Ocean Center.
Journey Thru Christmas
This is the only place in Volusia County where you can experience the story of Christmas, from the birth of Christ through his resurrection, free of charge.
Sunday Snowdays
Spend your Sundays in the most spirited way you can at Daytona One, where special holiday activities happen every week.
9. Pensacola
Pensacola Winterfest
Downtown Pensacola’s Winterfest brings the season spirit to life with arts & crafts, plaza show, carriage rides, music and more.
10. Key West
Annual Key West Holiday Fest
Lighting of the Harbor Walk of Lights kicks off the holidays in Key West followed by Holiday events.
11. Town of Christmas, Florida
This list wouldn't be complete without listing the town in Florida named for Christmas. More than a once a year celebration, this small town outside of Orlando boasts the name “Christmas”. It is the one place where you can send a postcard from “Christmas, FL”. The town was named from the original settlement where Soldiers arrived on December 25, 1837, and establish Fort Christmas. Located halfway between Orlando and Merritt Island, it is worth a stop to visit the park. You can’t miss the large Christmas Tree along SR50 that stand year round.
Cortney