December in Daytona Beach: Holiday Events & New Year's Eve 2025

As snowflakes settle elsewhere, December in Daytona Beach invites you to trade snow boots for sandals and unwrap the season oceanside. Twinkling lights reflect off the Atlantic, carols mingle with the ocean breeze, and New Year's Eve crescendos in fireworks over the surf.

For those craving warmth, celebration, and a touch of nostalgia, a Christmas vacation on the Florida coast offers a refreshing take on the season. It's holiday spirit by the sea, rooted in tradition, shaped by sunshine, and anchored by Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort.

Book your holiday getaway with FREE parking and COMPLIMENTARY breakfast for two.

December's Holiday Events in Daytona Beach

December in Daytona Beach doesn't wait for snow. The season arrives in glowing light displays, riverfront celebrations, historic performances, and oceanfront fireworks. From downtown parades to drive-through spectacles at the Speedway, the city wraps itself in holiday magic without sacrificing the warmth that makes Florida's coast unforgettable.

Here's how to spend the season, coastal style.

Holiday Performances at Peabody Auditorium

The city's historic venue hosts a string of December performances worth planning around. Peabody Auditorium, built in 1919, transforms into a stage for seasonal spectacles that blend tradition with theatrical magic.

Christmas at the Opry | December 11
Slip on your boots, grab a cup of cocoa, and settle in for Christmas at the Opry, a festive evening filled with timeless Christmas classics, stunning vocals, and the rich sounds of fiddle and steel guitar. This heartwarming holiday show brings together beautiful harmonies, joyful melodies, and a welcoming atmosphere that feels just like home. Whether you're singing along to your favorite carols or simply soaking in the season's spirit, Christmas at the Opry is the perfect way to celebrate with family, friends, and a little country charm.

Jingle Laser Rock | December 13
Jingle Laser Rock is the ultimate holiday rock spectacle, dazzling full-color laser light show choreographed to all your favorite Christmas and holiday hits! Bursting with energy, festive cheer, and jaw-dropping visual effects, this electrifying production combines high-powered lasers, synchronized lights, and timeless holiday music in a way you've never seen before. From rocking renditions of classic carols to modern holiday anthems, Jingle Laser Rock creates a magical, high-tech winter wonderland perfect for families, music lovers, and anyone ready to kick off the season in spectacular style.

Both performances begin at 7:30pm, and Peabody's intimate 2,500-seat layout ensures every show feels personal. With Hilton Daytona Beach just across the street from Peabody, guests can walk to the show, return to the resort for a nightcap at McCoy's Rum Room, and wake up to ocean views the next morning.

Attending a Peabody performance? Florida and Southern residents save up to 20% with our Southern Hospitality rate. 

Riverfront Esplanade: A December To Remember

Just blocks from the resort, downtown Daytona Beach's Riverfront Esplanade transforms into a walkable winter playground. From November 28 through January 5, the riverwalk sparkles with lights, festive music, and seasonal programming designed for families and couples alike.

Holiday Cocktail Stroll | December 12
The inaugural Holiday Cocktail Stroll invites guests to sip and stroll through a festive trail of holiday lights with seven cheerful cocktail stops, each serving handcrafted seasonal drinks. It's a perfect blend of holiday cheer and downtown exploration, starting at 6:30pm.

Howliday Pet Parade | December 17
The 4th Annual Howliday Pet Parade brings festive pups to the riverwalk at 6pm, strutting their stuff in holiday costumes while supporting the Halifax Humane Society. It's charming, photogenic, and quintessentially Daytona.

Holiday Movie Night | December 19
Enjoy a magical night under the stars watching *The Santa Clause* in the Rose Garden at 7pm. Bring a blanket or chair and savor free popcorn for a festive, cozy family experience.

Holiday Bazaar & Santa Sightings | Fridays: December 12, 19
Support local makers and discover unique treasures at the Holiday Bazaar, held from 6–9pm. Stroll through twinkling lights, shop one-of-a-kind gifts from small businesses, and snap the perfect holiday photo at Santa's booth or inside the inflatable snow globe.

The Riverfront Esplanade sits less than a mile from Hilton Daytona Beach, making it an easy evening stroll or quick drive. Explore the lights, enjoy the programming, then return to the resort for oceanfront relaxation.

Dashing Through Daytona Christmas Parade | December 13

Ring in the holidays on Beach Street with the City of Daytona Beach's Dashing Through Daytona Christmas Parade. This hometown classic begins at 6pm at Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard and travels south on Beach Street to Jackie Robinson Parkway.

Expect local bands, festive floats, marching groups, and Santa himself leading the procession. It's family-friendly, photogenic, and pure community joy. A reminder of why small-town holiday traditions still matter, even in a city known for speed and surf.

Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade | December 20

A glowing fleet sails the Halifax River in one of Daytona's most beloved traditions. The Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade, hosted by the Halifax River Yacht Club, begins at 6pm at the Granada Bridge and heads south, culminating at Halifax Harbor Marina.

Boats are extravagantly decked out with twinkling lights and holiday décor, creating a spectacle best viewed from nearby riverfront parks with a blanket and cocoa. Prime viewing spots include City Island, the Riverfront Esplanade, and Caribbean Jack's. It's nautical nostalgia at its finest.

Magic of Lights | Through January 3

Once the sun sets, Daytona International Speedway transforms into a glowing holiday spectacle. Magic of Lights continues its seasonal run through January 3, offering a drive-through experience of oversized LED displays, animated holiday scenes, and synchronized music playing through your car radio.

New installations keep the experience fresh for returning visitors, and the ease of a drive-through format makes it perfect for families, couples, or anyone looking for a low-key holiday outing. After the lights, return to Hilton Daytona Beach for oceanfront relaxation. Our resort's central location makes it easy to experience Daytona's seasonal events without sacrificing comfort.

Stetson Mansion Christmas Spectacular | Through January 16

A 40-minute drive inland leads to Florida's first luxury estate, transformed into a gallery of themed rooms filled with thousands of vintage ornaments. The Stetson Mansion Christmas Spectacular offers intimate, hour-long tours showcasing the grandeur of a Gilded Age Christmas.

Tours book early, but the experience is worth the advance planning. After exploring the mansion's holiday splendor, the drive back to Daytona Beach delivers you straight to the coast, where oceanfront rooms and beachfront dining await.

New Year's Eve: A Celebration by the Sea

As the final sunset of 2025 slips into the Atlantic, New Year's Eve in Daytona Beach turns into something magical. No snow, no stress. Just surf, skyline, and celebration.

Main Street Ball Drop & Fireworks
One of the city's biggest nights. Main Street becomes a pedestrian party with live music, local eats, and a countdown capped by a rooftop ball drop and fireworks over the skyline. It's Times Square energy with a beachtown soul.

Boardwalk Pyrotechnics Over the Ocean
Just outside Hilton Daytona Beach's doors, the Boardwalk becomes a front-row experience for a full-scale fireworks show over the Atlantic. The waves reflect every burst of color, and the only thing louder than the applause is the surf itself.

Hilton Daytona Beach New Year's Eve Celebration
Ring in 2026 at Hilton Daytona Beach's exclusive New Year's Eve event. With oceanfront views, live entertainment, chef-crafted cuisine, and a champagne toast at midnight, it's the ultimate way to celebrate without leaving the resort. Book your overnight package or grab party-only tickets to join the celebration.

Celebrate New Year's Eve at the beach with our exclusive overnight package.

Holidays at Hilton Daytona Beach: Easy, Bright, and Right by the Beach

There's a reason travelers return to Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort for the holidays. It's where flip-flops meet holly, and mistletoe comes with an ocean view: a standout among oceanfront hotels for Christmas in Florida.

Why guests choose Hilton Daytona Beach for the holidays:

• Steps from it all: Breezy strolls to parades, lights, and fireworks
• Comfortable stays: Spacious rooms and suites with ocean views and room for the whole family
• On-site dining: Fresh, local flavors without ever leaving the resort
• Kid-approved & parent-friendly: Easy beach access, two pool decks, and festive ease all season long
• Walkable access to downtown Daytona Beach, the Boardwalk, and Ocean Walk Village

This is Christmas at the beach, Florida-style, where memory-making doesn't need mittens, and midnight toasts happen with toes in the sand.

Earn 10,000 bonus Hilton Honors points with our Coastal Rewards offer.

This Year, Make December a Seaside Affair

Forget frost. Daytona Beach in December offers something rare: light shows by the ocean, concerts without coats, and a New Year's Eve you'll actually want to stay awake for. From glowing boats to boardwalk fireworks, this is where the holidays shine differently.

And if you're drawn to the idea of salt air, starry skies, and a slower kind of celebration, you'll find it at Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, right where the season meets the sea!

Ready to book your holiday getaway? Enjoy FREE parking and breakfast for two with our Park, Eat & Play package. Book now →