Christmas Events for Kids in Daytona Beach (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

Updated 4 min read

Looking for Christmas events in Daytona Beach this year? We found 2 for kids and families in 2026, including Daytona Beach Christmas Parade and Jackie Robinson Ballpark - Children's Christmas Party. 2 of them are free. We check every date on the host’s own website, and each listing links straight there. For the rest of the state, see our Florida Christmas events for kids guide.

The short version

  • 2 Christmas events for kids in Daytona Beach
  • The season runs from Jackie Robinson Ballpark - Children's Christmas Party (Daytona Beach, December 11) to Daytona Beach Christmas Parade (through December 12)
  • Free: Jackie Robinson Ballpark - Children's Christmas Party and Daytona Beach Christmas Parade
  • Every date checked on the host’s own site on Nov 4

Christmas events for kids in Daytona Beach

2 events in Daytona Beach itself, soonest first.

Holiday craftsFree

Jackie Robinson Ballpark - Children's Christmas Party

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The Children's Christmas Party takes place at Jackie Robinson Ballpark and is presented by Zone 6 City Commissioner Paula R. Reed and the Daytona Tortugas. It is free for children ages 3 to 12.

The listing mentions hot chocolate, face painting, music, line dancing, games and concessions. It is described as the kickoff to a weekend of holiday festivities in Daytona Beach, and the city Christmas parade follows the next evening.

Parent tip: Call 386-671-5551 with questions. The listing comes from a local kids calendar, so check the contact number if plans change.

Host
Daytona Tortugas and City of Daytona Beach Zone 6 (opens in a new tab)
Address
Jackie Robinson Ballpark, 113 Jackie Robinson Parkway, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Daytona Tortugas and City of Daytona Beach Zone 6 (opens in a new tab)

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Rally’s Christmas research

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Coming up on this page

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  • 1 Crafts
  • 2 Free

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Holiday paradeFree

Daytona Beach Christmas Parade

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The City of Daytona Beach hosts its Christmas Parade on a Saturday evening in December. The route starts at Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard and runs south on Beach Street to Jackie Robinson Parkway, and the lineup includes local bands, festive floats and performances by community organizations.

Watching the parade is free. The city page shows the evening start time of 6 pm. The Daytona Beach Chamber lists a different weekend for the parade, so confirm the date on the city page before you go. A children's Christmas party is held at Jackie Robinson Ballpark the night before, which makes a fun pair for a holiday weekend with kids.

Parent tip: Arrive early, because parking and traffic get harder downtown on parade nights. Bring a folding chair or blanket for little ones.

Host
City of Daytona Beach (opens in a new tab)
Address
Beach Street, downtown Daytona Beach, Beach Street at Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom City of Daytona Beach (opens in a new tab)

New Daytona Beach events every week

Rally researches Christmas events in Daytona Beach daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Daytona Beach.

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Look inside the book

Story time with Santa in Daytona Beach? Bring Rally home.

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Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

We check every event above on the host’s own page for the date, time and cost, plus the things parents ask about, like sign-ups and ages. Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Florida Christmas train rides page.

Daytona Beach Christmas events for kids at a glance

Kids’ Christmas events
2 confirmed for 2026
Cities
Daytona Beach
Season
December 11 to December 12, 2026
Free events
2
Kinds of events
Holiday crafts and holiday parades
Last checked
See every event on a December calendar

Plan your December

When each Daytona Beach Christmas event for kids happens

The first is Jackie Robinson Ballpark - Children's Christmas Party in Daytona Beach on December 11; the last runs to December 12. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.

Looking further afield? Our Florida Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the state, and we have city guides for Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Tallahassee, Pensacola, Gainesville, Sarasota, Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, West Palm Beach, Cape Coral, Lakeland, Melbourne, Palm Coast, North Port, Ocala, Port Saint Lucie, Palm Bay, Spring Hill, Deltona, Port Orange, Port Charlotte, Bonita Springs and The Villages. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.

A story for the drive home

A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

2026 Christmas events are coming in late November

More Christmas events arrive in late November. We add them here as soon as we confirm them.

The story of Christmas in Daytona Beach

In Daytona Beach, Christmas comes with palm trees and warm evenings. Bands march down Beach Street, lights glow along the Halifax River, and families watch a drive-through light show from the car.

How Daytona Beach celebrates

Christmas in Daytona Beach is a mix of downtown and waterfront traditions. The city's Christmas Parade runs south along Beach Street with local bands, floats and community groups. The Riverfront Esplanade turns into a holiday park with lights, a bazaar and Santa sightings. Over the years the area has also hosted a Christmas boat parade on the Halifax River, a tree lighting with a free concert at the Ocean Center, and Family Nights with real reindeer at ONE DAYTONA.

Christmas last year in Daytona Beach

In 2025, A December to Remember and Holiday Lights ran at the Riverfront Esplanade from November 28 to January 5, with free lights every night from 6 to 9 pm. Fridays on December 5, 12 and 19 brought a holiday bazaar and Santa sightings. The Mini Jingle Jam concert was on December 5, the Howliday Pet Parade on December 17, and a lawn showing of The Santa Clause on December 19.

Fun facts about Christmas in Daytona Beach

Magic of Lights at Daytona International Speedway is a drive-through display that uses millions of LED lights and features dozens of displays, so kids can enjoy it from the car. The historic Stetson Mansion, built in 1886 with 10 themed rooms, decorates for a Christmas home tour each year. Florida's tallest lighthouse, at Ponce Inlet, is only minutes away. And the area has 23 miles of white sand beaches to visit between holiday outings.

Traditions today

  • Daytona Beach Christmas Parade: Local bands, floats and community groups travel south on Beach Street on a Saturday evening in December.
  • A December to Remember at the Riverfront Esplanade: Free nightly holiday lights, plus Friday bazaars, Santa sightings and a lawn movie along the Halifax River.
  • Magic of Lights: A drive-through display of millions of LED lights at Daytona International Speedway that families can watch from the car.
  • Stetson Mansion Christmas home tour: An 1886 mansion decorated with a new theme each holiday season.
  • Children's Christmas Party at Jackie Robinson Ballpark: A free party with hot chocolate, face painting and games, scheduled for the Friday before the parade in 2026.
  • Christmas boat parade: Lit-up boats on the Halifax River, listed as part of the area's holiday season.

A fact for kids

In Daytona Beach, you can watch a Christmas light show from the back seat. At Daytona International Speedway, a drive-through display uses millions of LED lights.

Questions about Christmas in Daytona Beach

How does Daytona Beach celebrate Christmas?

Daytona Beach celebrates with a Christmas parade on Beach Street, free holiday lights and Santa sightings at the Riverfront Esplanade, and the Magic of Lights drive-through display at Daytona International Speedway. The Stetson Mansion also opens for a Christmas home tour, and kids can join a free Christmas party at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

When is the Daytona Beach Christmas Parade?

The city's page lists the parade on Saturday, December 12, at 6 pm, for the 2026 season, although a chamber article gives a different weekend. Check the City of Daytona Beach page for the latest, and look at our Daytona Beach Christmas events guide on this page.

Where does the Daytona Beach Christmas Parade go?

The parade starts at Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard and runs south on Beach Street to Jackie Robinson Parkway. It features local bands, festive floats and performances by community organizations. Parking gets harder downtown on parade night, according to the local chamber, so arrive early with your family.

What is A December to Remember at the Riverfront Esplanade?

It is a free holiday celebration at the Riverfront Esplanade overlooking the Halifax River. In 2025 it ran from November 28 to January 5 with nightly holiday lights from 6 to 9 pm, plus a lawn movie, a holiday bazaar, Santa sightings and live music on selected nights.

What happened at Christmas in Daytona Beach last year?

In 2025 the Riverfront Esplanade ran its lights through January 5. Fridays on December 5, 12 and 19 had a holiday bazaar and Santa sightings, the Mini Jingle Jam concert was on December 5, the Howliday Pet Parade was on December 17, and The Santa Clause played on the lawn on December 19.

Where can kids see Santa in Daytona Beach?

Santa sightings were part of the Riverfront Esplanade's Friday bazaar nights in December 2025, from 6 to 9 pm. Other Santa visits happen at local events, so look at our Daytona Beach Christmas events guide on this page for confirmed dates for this year.

Is there a free Christmas party for kids in Daytona Beach?

Yes. The Children's Christmas Party at Jackie Robinson Ballpark is free for ages 3 to 12 and is listed for Friday, December 11, 2026, from 6 to 8 pm. It offers hot chocolate, face painting, music, line dancing and games, and it kicks off a weekend of holiday festivities.

What is Magic of Lights?

Magic of Lights is a drive-through holiday display at Daytona International Speedway. It uses millions of LED lights and features dozens of displays. It is described as a family experience and runs from late November into early January, so little ones can watch from their car seats.

When does Magic of Lights run?

In the 2024 season, the Speedway display ran from November 22 to January 4, and in 2019 it ran from November 22 to January 1. Dates vary each year, so confirm this season's schedule on the Speedway's website before you plan a night out with your family.

What is the Stetson Mansion Christmas tour?

The Stetson Mansion hosts a Christmas Spectacular Holiday Home Tour with self-guided and guided options, and reservations are required. The mansion was built in 1886 and has 10 themed rooms. The decorations and theme change every year, so the tour may suit older children best.

Is there a Christmas boat parade in Daytona Beach?

A Christmas Boat Parade on the Halifax River was listed for December 7 in the 2019 holiday season. The sources we read for 2026 did not confirm a date, so check local event calendars. Bring warm layers, since waterfront evenings can feel cooler than daytime.

Are there reindeer in Daytona Beach at Christmas?

In 2019 ONE DAYTONA hosted Family Nights with Real Reindeer from December 3 to 13. We did not find that event listed for 2026, so check the ONE DAYTONA calendar. Our Daytona Beach Christmas events guide on this page lists the family events we confirmed.

Can kids see The Nutcracker near Daytona Beach?

Yes. The Volusia Civic Ballet performed The Nutcracker at Peabody Auditorium on December 7 and 8 in 2024, and a Nutcracker Ballet was also at Peabody in 2019. Dates change each year, so check the Peabody Auditorium calendar for this season.

What is the Howliday Pet Parade?

The Howliday Pet Parade was a holiday event at the Riverfront Esplanade on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 7 pm, as part of A December to Remember. It gave families with dogs a way to join the season. Dates change yearly, so check the Esplanade listing for this year.

Is Daytona Beach busy right before Christmas?

Yes, December is busy, with the parade, the riverfront lights and Magic of Lights all drawing crowds. Parking and traffic get harder downtown on special event nights, according to the local chamber. Plan to arrive early, and check our Daytona Beach Christmas events guide on this page for dates.

What can kids see near Daytona Beach besides lights?

Florida's tallest lighthouse, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, is only minutes from Daytona Beach, and the area has 23 miles of white sand beaches. Kids can climb, walk and look for shells between holiday events. Check lighthouse hours before you go.

How can I explain the Christmas parade to a toddler?

Tell your toddler that marching bands and decorated floats will pass by and that everyone claps from the curb. Bring a blanket and snacks, consider ear protection for the drums, arrive early for parking, and be ready to leave if the evening gets late for little ones.

Who hosts the Children's Christmas Party in Daytona Beach?

The Children's Christmas Party at Jackie Robinson Ballpark is presented by Zone 6 City Commissioner Paula R. Reed and the Daytona Tortugas. The listing gives the contact number 386-671-5551 and describes the party as the kickoff to a weekend of holiday festivities in Daytona Beach.

Where can I find Daytona Beach Christmas events for this year?

Our Daytona Beach Christmas events guide on this page lists the family events we confirmed for 2026, including the Christmas parade and the Children's Christmas Party. Dates for lights and bazaars usually appear in November, so check the city, the Riverfront Esplanade and Daytona Beach tourism pages too.

What is the Mini Jingle Jam?

Mini Jingle Jam was a concert held at the Riverfront Esplanade on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 7 pm, during A December to Remember. It fell on the same night as the Friday holiday bazaar and Santa sightings, so families could combine them. Check this year's Esplanade listing for the 2026 schedule.

Sources

  1. Christmas Parade, City of Daytona Beach
  2. Christmas in Daytona Beach 2026: 4 Holiday Activities to Start Planning Now, Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce
  3. A December to Remember and Holiday Lights, Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
  4. Daytona Beach Christmas Celebrations: Fun Facts and What's New, Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
  5. Daytona Beach Area Ready to Celebrate the Holidays, Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
  6. Jackie Robinson Ballpark Children's Christmas Party, Fun 4 Daytona Kids

Keep the Christmas magic going: track Rally the corgi on Christmas Eve, print free Christmas coloring pages, learn how to say Merry Christmas in 100+ languages, find train museums to visit with kids, or browse Christmas events in every Florida city.

Daytona Beach Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask

What are the best Christmas events for kids in Daytona Beach this year?

Rally Takes the Train has confirmed 2 Christmas events for kids in Daytona Beach for the 2026 season, and 2 of them are free. Good places to start: Daytona Beach Christmas Parade (Dec 12) and Jackie Robinson Ballpark - Children's Christmas Party (Dec 11). Each one is listed with its dates, times, cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Daytona Beach?

Yes. All 2 Christmas events for kids in Daytona Beach confirmed for 2026 are free. Some free events still need a reservation, so check the host’s page before you go.

Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Daytona Beach?

Yes. Santa trains and holiday train rides have their own guide: Rally Takes the Train’s Florida Christmas train rides guide. This Daytona Beach guide covers story times, Santa visits, light shows and other events off the rails.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 4, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

Kelsey Cecil
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