Pack Your Sleigh: 8 Festive Florida Cities for the Ultimate Christmas Road Trip

Florida doesn’t exactly scream “Christmas” to most people. We’re the Sunshine State—kids run outside in shorts on Christmas morning, zipping around on new scooters, spraying each other with water guns. Snow? Not a chance. Sure, we decorate, but our neighborhoods aren’t dotted with cozy, snow-covered cottages. We have fir trees, but you won’t spot many reindeer. Fireplaces? Only if you count barbecue grills or those patio fire pits. Our Christmas cards usually star Santa in swim trunks, maybe waving from a kayak or lounging near an alligator. This year, Christmas Day should bring highs in the 70s.

But here’s the thing: Florida cities still know how to celebrate. Travel sites have taken notice, putting several Florida spots on their lists of America’s most festive places. Condé Nast Traveler even named a Florida city to its “25 US Cities That Go All Out for Christmas,” and others earned their own nods for being especially Christmassy.

Of course, Florida’s got its own quirky holiday traditions, like the 700-ton sand tree in West Palm Beach or the surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach. And then there’s Christmas, Florida. Yes, that’s the actual name of a town, halfway between Orlando and Titusville. It’s a tiny place, just a couple thousand people, many of them working elsewhere. It’s quiet, with not much in the way of big celebrations. But hey, if you want to spend Christmas in Christmas, Florida, you can. That’s about as Florida as you can get.

So, if you want to catch the holiday spirit—Florida style—here’s where to go.

First up: St. Augustine

When it comes to Christmas, this place doesn’t hold back. Condé Nast Traveler calls it “truly something to behold.” For 32 years now, the city’s “Nights of Lights” have transformed the nation’s oldest city into a glowing wonderland. More than 3 million bulbs blanket downtown, stretching from sidewalks to rooftops, lighting up the Bridge of Lions, historic buildings, parks, hotels, restaurants, and inns—basically, if it stands still, it’s covered in lights. The effect? The whole skyline glows, especially against that Spanish Colonial backdrop.

St. Augustine racks up the accolades, too. Southern Living crowned it the “Ultimate Southern Christmas Town.” HGTV picked it as Florida’s best small Christmas town, reminding everyone that no American city has done Christmas for longer. USA TODAY named St. Augustine’s light display one of the nation’s best. Want to see it? Head downtown or cross the Bridge of Lions anytime between November 15 and January 11. You can’t miss it. And you don’t have to pay—just look up and enjoy.

Step into Christmas….Florida

And you can't miss it—a massive, decked-out tree stands tall all year. Right now, the place buzzes with visitors. People line up at the Christmas Post Office, eager to get their holiday cards and packages postmarked with that famous Christmas, Florida stamp. Some even hope for an extra touch—festive commemorative images stamped by Santa himself.

If you want your mail to carry that special postmark and reach anywhere in the lower 48 by Christmas, make sure it arrives in Christmas, Florida before December 17. You’ll find the post office along Highway 50, just east of Bithlo. Visiting is free, and you just pay regular postage.

Electric Light Boat Parade in Clearwater, Florida

Over in Clearwater, holiday spirit takes to the water. Sure, the city has its usual festivals and events, but the real standout is the Clearwater Yacht Club’s annual Holiday Boat Parade. Dozens of boats, glowing with lights and decked in decorations, cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s a refreshing spin on holiday parades—less marching, more floating.

Miss Clearwater’s parade? Don’t worry. Florida’s passion for boat parades lights up the coast. Plenty of nearby towns—St. Pete Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, Tarpon Springs—host their own, each worth checking out.

Clearwater’s parade sets sail Saturday, December 13, at 6:30 p.m. Boats launch just north of the Mandalay Channel bridge, then glide through Island Estates, past Coachman Park (the best spot to watch), and past Memorial Causeway, ending at the Clearwater Yacht Club. Watching is free, and it doesn’t cost a thing to join the parade, though you’ll need to register if you want to compete for awards.

And then there's Mount Dora

Mount Dora is a holiday postcard come to life. Ever wanted to stroll through the kind of small town you see in Hallmark Channel Christmas movies? Mount Dora delivers. Antique shops, art galleries, quirky festivals, and the sparkling waterfront by Lake Dora set the scene. It’s charming any time, but during the holidays, it turns magical.

Each year, the Light Up Mount Dora event draws thousands. The downtown and Sunset Park glow under more than two million lights. This year’s lighting flipped the switch November 22, with music, fireworks, a 40-foot Christmas tree, aerial displays, and, of course, a visit from Santa. NBC’s "Today" show is even swinging by on Friday, December 5, to spotlight Mount Dora for its "Merriest Main Street Series."

The lights stay on every night through January 1, 2026, and then weekends until February 1. Walk around, take it in—it’s all free.

Orlando: The Mouse is Wide Awake

Orlando goes all out for Christmas, and at the heart of it is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Disney World. Think special treats, free seasonal sweets and drinks, and character meet-and-greets you won’t find any other time of year. Huge holiday shows light up the night. They even make it "snow." No surprise, tickets are already gone for this year’s events, but don’t worry—Orlando isn’t running out of holiday spirit.

Stroll over to Lake Eola for the holiday lights, wander through the Dazzling Nights display at the sprawling Harry P. Leu Gardens, or catch the Dinos in Lights exhibit at the Orlando Science Center.

West Palm Beach: Sandi Steals the Show

If you think your city has a big Christmas tree, meet Sandi. She weighs in at 700 tons, all sand, and stands tall on the West Palm Beach waterfront. This year, she lights up for the first time on Thursday, Dec. 4.

Sandi isn’t alone—every year, a new 35-foot sand tree appears by the water, decked out in thousands of lights synchronized to music, because that’s just how Florida rolls. The whole month is packed with nightly light and music shows, plus some faux snow at The Square to keep things festive.

While you’re in town, take a drive and check out Delray Beach’s massive 100-foot Christmas tree, or swing by Palm Beach for the annual surfboard tree at The Royal Poinciana Plaza. Every year, artists and designers create something new—this year’s whimsical, multi-colored tree comes from Loewe, inspired by Louis Wain, “The Man Who Drew Cats.” See it unveiled on Dec. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m.

When: Sandi Tree lighting, 6–10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4

Where: West Palm Beach Waterfront

How much: Free

Key West: Christmas, Island-Style

If you’re celebrating Christmas in Florida, you might as well do it right and head down to Key West. No snow, just sunshine and a city that knows how to party for a whole month. Key West Holiday Fest turns the island into a tropical celebration.

Walk the Lights from Lazy Way Lane to the Ferry Terminal at Grinnell Street. Palm trees, Christmas trees, boats, shops, and bars—everything glows. Hop on a trolley tour, catch the parades on land and sea, lace up for the 5K Rudolph Nose Run, try the ice skating rink at Waterfront Winter Wonderland, and soak up live music all month.

Surfing Santas: Cocoa Beach’s Holiday Tradition

Each year, hundreds of people in Santa suits (or their best attempt) hit the waves in Cocoa Beach, while thousands cheer from the shore. Surfing Santas started in 2009 when George Trosset donned a Santa suit—beard made from a blanket—and his son, dressed as an elf, joined him for a Christmas Eve surf. The idea took off.

Last year, over 800 Surfing Santas and nearly 10,000 spectators came out, all supporting the Florida Surf Museum and Grind for Life, a charity helping people with cancer. Prizes go to the best-dressed surfers, chosen by the crowd.

Where: 3 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach

When: Dec. 24, 7:30 a.m.–12 p.m.

How much: Free