The Best Florida Beach Towns to Visit This Christmas Season

When Bing Crosby first sang “White Christmas,” he probably wasn’t singing about Florida. Here in the sunshine state, your chances of experiencing a white Christmas are pretty slim—at least in the way you’ve always defined a white Christmas. We may not have white snow, but we do make up for it with all of our Florida beaches with pretty white sand. One of the best Florida beach towns even builds an entire Christmas tree out of sand. So no, we may not have your typical snow-filled, Hallmark-style Christmas towns, but we do have some great beach towns that celebrate the season in their own unique ways. Here are a few of my favorite Florida beach towns that are worthy of a visit this Christmas:

This is one of Florida’s most charming beach towns, but for a few days each Christmas season, you’ll feel as if you’re in Victorian era London. The annual Dickens on Centre Christmas Market and Holiday Festival happens December 11-14, 2025 and includes a variety of events that feature theatrical performances, live music, costumed characters, a Parade of Paws (there’s even a prize for the best Victorian pet), and more. You can even book a 75-minute session for you and your friends or family to have snacks and drinks inside a Christmas-themed snow globe. 

The Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach brings in visitors to see illuminated masterpieces on an unlikely palette: lifeguard chairs. Deck the Chairs happens from November 26, 2025-January 1, 2026. Local students also show off their creative artwork, and there’s a variety of other activities such as an ornament and coloring workshop with Santa, live music, a Christmas market, and even a Christmas Eve service. 

In America’s oldest city, they believe in celebrating big for the holiday season. The Nights of Lights has become one of Florida’s most dazzling spectacles and has millions of white lights that adorn this historic downtown. You can experience Nights of Lights every night from November 15, 2025-January 11, 2026, but if you want to experience fewer crowds, try to align your visit during the weekdays, as weekends tend to be busier.  The city offers free shuttles to help with parking though, so plan ahead and take advantage of that. 

Daytona Beach is home to the “World Center of Racing,” but during the holiday season, Daytona International Speedway looks quite different. From November 21, 2025-January 3, 2026, you can experience the Magic of Lights—a drive-through experience that includes a journey through the longest light tunnel in Florida. If you go, also plan a stop at the Riverfront Esplanade, another great place to see lights. They also have a variety of events happening throughout December, including a Howliday Pet Parade on December 17. 

Cocoa Beach is one of Florida’s top spots for surfing, so it’s no surprise that even Santa himself loves coming to this beach to surf. As a matter of fact, hundreds of Santas show up each year to catch waves. The annual Surfing Santas event happens each Christmas Eve and I’ve had a blast watching all of the Santas simultaneously run out into the water. It’s a pretty unique thing to see! It happens right in front of one of the area’s most popular beach bars—Coconuts on the Beach—and is always a great party. It does start early in the morning though since Santa has places to be later that evening. 

Although West Palm Beach is situated on the mainland, I just couldn’t leave out a town that has a 700-ton Christmas tree made entirely of sand. The 35-foot tree is appropriately named “Sandi” and is a part of the community’s Holiday in Paradise festival that happens December 4-December 31, 2025. Across the bridge on the beachside, the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach will be decked out in Christmas decor and you’ll find another festive way to celebrate the season. 

One of the best ways to see the holiday decor in Fort Lauderdale is from the water, and from December 4, 2025-January 4, 2026, you can take a Holiday Lights Cruise to see all of the illuminated homes. You can also visit one of the city’s most popular streets on December 2 for the Christmas on Las Olas celebration. While you won’t usually find snow in south Florida, you can sled down a snow mountain for one night only. There’s also a huge Winterfest Boat Parade on December 13, 2025, and the theme this year is “Yacht Rock of Ages.”

Being one of Florida’s biggest cities, there’s plenty happening throughout the year, and that’s no exception during the Christmas season. On November 14, there will be a tree lighting ceremony at Triangle Park, and then another at the Lincoln Road Shopping District on November 22. The Christmas Wonderland at Tropical Park is one of the city’s biggest holiday celebrations though, and you can visit November 13, 2025-January 4, 2026. Expect carnival rides, games, food, drinks, and immersive holiday experiences. 

The tropical island is known for its over-the-top celebrations, and Christmas in Key West is no exception. Expect a plethora of events throughout the season, starting with the tree lighting on November 26 that kicks off their annual “Harbor Walk of Lights.”  In true Key West fashion, though, the trees will be a little different. Instead of traditional trees, they like to have trees made from things like fishing buoys and lobster traps. The lights in the harbor last through New Year’s Eve, and you can also enjoy other events such as the Key West Lighted Boat Parade on December 13. 

This picturesque community located along 30A in Florida’s panhandle is quite stunning all year, but it really comes alive during the Christmas season. On November 29, they have their annual Turn on the Town event, which includes a parade and tree lighting. Santa will be there to help light up Seaside, and you can take pictures with him in the Christmas Village. Other holiday events throughout the season include a free performance of The Nutcracker and a Christmas movie night—both happening in the town’s amphitheater.  

As snow flurries fill the air, you’ll feel as if you’re elsewhere, but in reality, you’ll be in downtown Pensacola. It’s just one of the ways Pensacola Winterfest sets the ambience to get you in the Christmas spirit. The festivities happen select nights November 21-December 24, 2025 and the main highlight is the special tours that you can take. Choose from a variety of themes including the Polar Express, Scrooge, The Grinch, Charlie Brown, and Mistletoe Magic. Each trolley tour allows you to experience the Christmas season in a different way. Make sure to come out for the Pensacola Elf Parade on November 28, too. 

This is a special year for the city of Fort Myers, as it is the 50th anniversary of their historic holiday celebration. The former homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford are lit up and adorned in historic decorations that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The Edison and Ford Estates Holiday Nights will happen November 28, 2025-January 4, 2026. If you make it to this part of the state, you may also want to make a stop in Cape Coral. They’ll be celebrating the season with a Holiday Boat-a-Long parade on December 20.

Here in Florida, we love Christmas just as much as everyone else.  As a matter of fact, we even have a town named Christmas. (It’s about 45 minutes away from Cocoa Beach, and if you want to get really festive, you can take your Christmas cards there to get postmarked.) I’ll admit though—my first Christmas in Florida many years ago was unique, but in a very good way. There are so many great beach towns in Florida that really get into the Christmas spirit and there’s plenty to see and do. It’s also pretty cool to not have to worry about scraping ice (the only ice you’ll have to worry about around here is the ice melting in your umbrella drink).