Winter Wonders and Festive Lights: Embracing the Holiday Season in West Volusia
Celebrate The Season in West Volusia!
2024 The holiday season is a wonderful time to visit West Volusia, Florida – a picturesque part of the Sunshine State nestled between Orlando and Daytona Beach. Charming areas like Downtown DeLand, top-notch restaurants, and natural beauty are always an attraction. But come December, West Volusia knows how to throw a good holiday bash. Brimming with lively events, craft fairs, parades, and a warm, welcoming community spirit, it’s a fantastic place to celebrate the season. So, corral the family, pack the car, and spend a few days experiencing what makes this part of Florida so special.
The Christmas Mansion Holiday Home Tour (Nov 1 - Jan 18)
From November to January, the luxurious 1886 Stetson Mansion, Florida's most historic home, transforms into a dazzling display of over-the-top designer decorations from around the world for its annual "Christmas Spectacular!" Ten room themes present intricate vignettes and luxurious accents with elegance and a reverence for the season. This is a popular Florida tradition for families and friends and has been named "Top 10 Attractions in the USA" by TripAdvisor.
CoolCraft Christmas returns with holiday-themed beverages and a commemorative ornament for collecting five signatures.
A Christmas Carol at the Historic Athens Theater (Nov 22 - Dec 15)
Get ready to unwrap the magic of the holidays with A Christmas Carol, a musical that will sweep you off your feet and bring you into the holiday spirit! With original, enchanting melodies by the incredible Milton Granger and a live band bringing the soundtrack to life, this festive celebration promises to transport you right into Dickens’ classic tale of joy and redemption.
CoolCraft Christmas (Nov 29 - Dec 31)
CoolCraft Christmas returns with Sheriff Santa and Deputy Dougie on the wild West side of Volusia County! Enjoy holiday-themed beverages at over 20 local spots. Santa suggests you might want to spend a little extra time in the area to sample all of the delightful concoctions he and his elves have come up with. Pick up a Christmas Card at participating locations, the West Volusia Visitor Center, or Athens Theatre. Visit 5 spots, collect 5 signatures, and redeem your card for a commemorative ornament!
Mistletoe March (Dec 2 - Jan 3)
Find toy soldiers hiding in shops around Downtown DeLand and enter to win prizes.
Winter Walk of Lights (Dec 4 - Dec 18)
Bring the family for a festive evening stroll through Gateway Park in DeBary, aglow with thousands of twinkling lights, motion displays, and enchanting holiday decorations. Sun-Thur 6-8pm | Fri & Sat 6-9pm
All aboard the Butler Express at the Equestrian Center in Lake Helen for a tour of the beautiful town to view all the Christmas lights and sing along to Christmas music. 6-9 pm Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23.
Get ready to celebrate the holiday spirit with a fresh twist on a beloved DeLand tradition! Join the Winter Wonder DeLand festivities, featuring cozy carriage rides, unique shopping, festive food and drinks, and an ice-skating rink. Enjoy live entertainment, and magical moments at Santa's Workshop, and watch Santa make a grand entrance by skydiving into the celebration!
Breakfast with Santa at DeLeon Springs State Park (Dec 7)
Have breakfast with Santa in De Leon Springs State Park. Get in the holiday spirit with crafts, letter-writing to Santa, and a delicious pancake breakfast.
Artisans, crafters, and makers from across Florida gather in beautiful Downtown DeLand's Artisan Alley for the most wonderful time of the year! Find holiday gifts, including handmade jewelry, art, vintage items, live plants, and more!
City of DeBary’s Christmas Tree Lighting & Chili Cook-off (Dec 7)
Enjoy live entertainment, cheerful holiday music, and a spectacular Laser Light Show! The kids can meet Santa for a holiday photo, and everyone can explore the Gateway Center Winter Marketplace filled with exciting activities and local vendors.
Holly Jolly Holidays at The Garden Shop (Nov 30, Dec 13 - 14)
Bring the whole family to The Garden Shop for festive games, crafts, and treats in a cozy holiday wonderland. Each day offers something special, with visits from Santa on two magical days and our first-ever Grinch-Mas celebration! This is a ticketed event.
Holiday Candlelight Tours (Dec 13 - 14)
Explore the DeBary Hall Historic Site during holiday evenings. Candlelight will fill the 19th-century mansion with a warm glow, accentuating its historic treasures and Christmas decorations. Refreshments will be served. Reservations are required; call 386-668-3840 to purchase your tickets.
A Florida Christmas Remembered (Dec 14)
Bring the whole family to this fun holiday event at Barberville Pioneer Settlement to enjoy anything from living history demonstrations and Christmas folk music to vendor shopping and meeting Santa Claus!
… And Parades-A-Plenty!
• DeLand Christmas Parade | December 7, 2024 | 6 pm | Woodland Blvd in Downtown DeLand
• Orange City Christmas Parade | December 14, 2024 | 5 pm | Volusia Avenue
• Deltona Holiday Parade | December 14, 2024 | 3 pm | Deltona Blvd
• Lake Helen Christmas Parade | December 14, 2024 | 4 pm | Blake Park
• DeBary Christmas Parade | December 15, 2024 | 3 pm | Spring Vista Dr. to N U.S. Hwy 17/92, end at Poinsettia Dr.
Holly Jolly Holiday Market at Artisan Alley (Dec 14)
Festive fun all in one place! Shopping, food, face painting, and more. Over 100 vendors and a meet and greet with Santa!
Tour of Historic Homes (Dec 14 - 15)
The West Volusia Historical Society invites you to an unforgettable tour of ten historic homes and gardens, beautifully decorated for the holiday season. This year's tour features University Terrace, one of the earliest and most fashionable subdivisions in East DeLand, known for its gently curving streets and rolling hills. Platted in 1925 during the height of the Florida Land Boom, this neighborhood showcases homes that reflect different decades of nearly a century of growth and resilience.
Christmas Craft Fair (Dec 14 - 15)
Prepare to check off your Christmas list at this holiday craft fair featuring a variety of local and national artisans and crafters selling specialty goods and handmade creations!
Snap selfies with Santa Claus, indulge in delicious breakfast treats, sip on warm hot chocolate, and engage in fun kids’ crafts, all while experiencing a snowy patio wonderland at BakeChop Events!
Fairy Festival & Holiday Market (Dec 14 - 15)
Head out for a fun-filled day at Hotel Cassadaga for the Fairy Festival & Holiday Market. This family-friendly event will have vendors, music, food, prizes, and more!
Selfies with Santa at The Center of Deltona (Dec 14)
Join Santa in his workshop for pictures, breakfast, and crafts.
The Great American Big Band Holiday Concert (Dec 18)
The Great American Big Band returns to the historic Athens Theater with timeless holiday favorites. Join the band along with their friends Bing, Rosemary, Cab, Glenn, Artie, and Benny as they help ring in the season!
Snap selfies with Santa, enjoy breakfast treats, hot chocolate, kids’ crafts, and a snowy patio wonderland at BakeChop Events!
Manatee Christmas Market (Dec 21)
Free Pictures with Santa, food trucks, vendors, and holiday fun! (300 S Volusia Ave, Orange City)
Phantasmagoria’s An Even More Haunted Victorian Christmas (Dec 22)
Athens Theatre presents the critically acclaimed Victorian Performance Troupe, PHANTASMAGORIA, as they return with their all-new collection of haunted (and haunting) tales for the holiday season!
Holiday Stress Buster 5k & Fun Run (Dec 24)
Close out the holidays by working off the stress that comes with the hustle and bustle with a 5k in ‘The Gem of Florida!’ Consisting of a Kids Run/Fun Run and 5K, the route takes you around a beautiful, historic 3.10-mile route in Lake Helen.
Be sure to check our Calendar of Events to stay updated on all the happenings in West Volusia.
