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Christmas with kids in Spring Hill
In Spring Hill, Christmas often comes with a Florida twist. Nearby Weeki Wachee Springs adds holiday mermaid shows, and Brooksville's parade passed its 50th year in 2024.
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The story of Christmas in Spring Hill
How Spring Hill celebrates
Spring Hill families celebrate across Hernando County. Brooksville, a short drive north, hosts the Kiwanis Club's Christmas parade, a downtown tree lighting at the courthouse and a South Brooksville Avenue Christmas stroll that has ended at the 1885 Train Depot Museum. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park adds Winter Waterland, with Santa visits and holiday mermaid performances. Closer to home, the county library's Spring Hill Branch has run Gingerbread Storytime for preschoolers, and local groups hold breakfasts with Santa. Many traditions are small and neighborly rather than citywide.
Christmas last year in Spring Hill
In the 2025 season Tender Care PPEC Spring Hill announced its first inclusive Breakfast with Santa. It was set for December 14, from 10 a.m. to noon, for children of all abilities, including those with medical complexities or sensory sensitivities. The setting was sensory friendly, with a holiday breakfast, seasonal activities and photos with Santa. The event was free, though guests were asked to donate $3 per person toward the cost of breakfast, and tickets came through Eventbrite.
Fun facts about Christmas in Spring Hill
The 2024 Brooksville Christmas Parade was the 50th annual one. It drew more than 130 entrants and thousands of spectators, and the winning float featured a guitar 24 feet, 7 inches wide, built over about a month. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park turns its famous mermaid show into a holiday one in December. At the 2024 Brooksville tree lighting, a large children's choir sang on the courthouse stage and crowds were so thick that walking was hard. On New Year's Eve, Brooksville holds the Tangerine Ball Drop.
Trains and Christmas near Spring Hill
The closest sourced rail Christmas story is in Brooksville, where the South Brooksville Avenue Christmas Stroll has ended at the 1885 Train Depot Museum. A Florida's Adventure Coast holiday guide described a December walk that began at the Brooksville water tower and finished at the depot, with food trucks, craft vendors, hot cider, s'mores, lawn movies and Santa. It shows how an old depot can still anchor a holiday gathering.
Traditions today
- Brooksville Christmas Parade: The Kiwanis Club's parade reached its 50th year in 2024, with more than 130 entrants and thousands of spectators.
- Brooksville tree lighting: A downtown evening around the courthouse with food trucks, a children's choir and live theater performers.
- Winter Waterland: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park hosts Santa visits and holiday mermaid performances on December evenings.
- Family Sensory Christmas Celebration: A calmer holiday event with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Hernando Park, listed for December 2024.
- Inclusive Breakfast with Santa: Tender Care PPEC Spring Hill's sensory-friendly breakfast, begun in the 2025 season for children of all abilities.
- Tangerine Ball Drop: Downtown Brooksville rings in New Year's Eve with live music and food vendors.
A fact for kids
Near Spring Hill, mermaids celebrate Christmas too. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park adds holiday mermaid performances during Winter Waterland.
Questions about Christmas in Spring Hill
How does Spring Hill, Florida celebrate Christmas?
Spring Hill celebrates mostly through Hernando County events, including Brooksville's parade and tree lighting, holiday shows at Weeki Wachee Springs, library storytimes and breakfasts with Santa. Many families drive a short distance to join them. Our Spring Hill Christmas events guide on this page lists what is planned for this season.
How old is the Brooksville Christmas Parade?
The Brooksville Christmas Parade reached its 50th annual edition in December 2024. It is run by the Kiwanis Club of Brooksville and drew more than 130 entrants and thousands of spectators. The route started on Oakwood Drive behind the school district building and ended near the courthouse on North Broad Street.
Who won the best float in the 50th Brooksville parade?
Edison Ink and Company won best overall float for the second year in a row. The float took about a month to build, and its main guitar spans 24 feet, 7 inches. Tripeak Roofing took the People's Choice award, so floats come from local businesses as well as bands.
Is there a Christmas tree lighting in Brooksville?
Yes, Brooksville holds an annual tree lighting around the old courthouse downtown. In December 2024 it included food trucks, a large children's choir, Live Oak Theatre performers and a Windows Come To Life display. Streets were closed to cars. Our Spring Hill Christmas events guide on this page lists this year's date.
What is Winter Waterland at Weeki Wachee Springs?
Winter Waterland is a December evening event at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park with Santa visits and holiday mermaid performances. A 2023 guide also mentioned a live nativity and Santa photos, with admission of $10 for adults and children and free entry for ages two and under. Prices change, so check before you go.
What is the May-Stringer House Night of Lights?
Night of Lights is a December evening at the May-Stringer House Museum in Brooksville, a decorated Victorian home. A 2023 guide said Santa appeared and docents in 1800s clothing guided tours. It is a gentle way to show kids how families celebrated Christmas long ago.
What is Brooksville Country Christmas?
In 2023, Brooksville Country Christmas ran on several December evenings along historic Brooksville streets, with carriage rides, including kids' carriages. Tickets were sold at the Country Depot on North Broad Street. It is a fun way to explain to children how people traveled before cars.
Is there a Christmas stroll that ends at a train depot?
Yes, in 2023 the South Brooksville Avenue Christmas Stroll began at the Brooksville water tower and ended at the 1885 Train Depot Museum. It offered food trucks, craft vendors, hot cider, s'mores, lawn movies and Santa. Check our Spring Hill Christmas events guide on this page for this year's dates.
Is there a sensory-friendly Santa visit near Spring Hill?
Yes, Tender Care PPEC Spring Hill held its first inclusive Breakfast with Santa in the 2025 season. It ran from 10 a.m. to noon on December 14 with a holiday breakfast, activities and photos with Santa. Hernando Park also listed a Family Sensory Christmas Celebration with Santa and Mrs. Claus in December 2024.
How much was the inclusive Breakfast with Santa?
The event was free, though guests were asked to donate $3 per person to help cover breakfast. Tickets were available on Eventbrite. It was designed for children and families of all abilities, including children with medical complexities, sensory sensitivities or developmental needs, and it took place in a sensory-friendly setting.
What is Gingerbread Storytime at the Spring Hill library?
The Hernando County Library System's Spring Hill Branch has offered Gingerbread Storytime for preschool-aged children and their caregivers, with registration required and limited space. The page listed ages from 12 to 24 months through age 5. Our Spring Hill Christmas events guide on this page lists current library programs.
Does the Spring Hill library have storytimes?
Yes, the Spring Hill Branch lists toddler, preschool, sensory and STEAM storytimes, along with seasonal ones such as Gingerbread Storytime. Some require registration and fill up. Dates change by season, so check the library calendar or our Spring Hill Christmas events guide on this page for holiday readings.
What is the Tangerine Ball Drop?
The Tangerine Ball Drop is Brooksville's New Year's Eve celebration, held downtown with live music, food vendors and festive fun. A December 2024 holiday list included it on December 31. It marks the end of the season with a Florida fruit instead of the usual ball.
Are there mermaids at Christmas near Spring Hill?
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is known for its mermaid shows, and in December it offers holiday mermaid performances during Winter Waterland. Visitors can also see Santa during the event. For kids, it is a fun way to see a Florida Christmas that looks different from snow-covered scenes.
How do you explain a Florida Christmas to a young child?
Tell your child that in Spring Hill the weather is often warm, so Christmas events can be outdoors, from tree lightings to parades and boat parades. You can read a gingerbread story together at the library and then look for Santa at a local breakfast or tree lighting.
Is there a Christmas boat parade near Spring Hill?
Yes, the Weeki Wachee Boat Parade has been held in December, with live music and Santa possibly appearing on a boat. A 2023 guide said it began at Mary's Fish Camp, and a 2024 list put the river boat parade at 6:30 p.m. See our Spring Hill Christmas events guide on this page for this year's date.
Where can kids see a Christmas parade in Hernando County?
Brooksville hosts the best known parade, held by the Kiwanis Club in downtown on a Saturday in mid December. The 2024 edition ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is built for all ages, and Santa appears. Arrive early to find a good spot along North Broad Street.
What is Christmas Under the Moon?
Christmas Under the Moon was a December evening program at HarvestMoon Fun Farm in the 2023 guide, with light paths, Santa visits, hayrides, carols, a 70-foot jumping pillow, a Cow Train and a petting farm. Programs change each year, so confirm the season before you plan a trip.
When do Hernando County Christmas events usually happen?
Most Hernando County holiday events cluster in the first three weeks of December, according to recent holiday lists. Tree lightings come first, followed by the Brooksville parade, boat parade and sensory-friendly events. The Tangerine Ball Drop on December 31 ends the season. Our Spring Hill Christmas events guide on this page has this year's calendar.
Is Brooksville close to Spring Hill for Christmas outings?
Brooksville is the county seat just north of Spring Hill, so most events there are a short drive for local families. Streets near the courthouse close to cars for the tree lighting and parking fills by 5 p.m., so plan to arrive early and walk in.
Sources
- 50th annual Brooksville Christmas Parade, Hernando Sun
- Brooksville Christmas tree lighting festivities usher in holiday season, Hernando Sun
- Holiday events in Hernando County, December 2024, Hernando Sun
- Make the season bright with holiday events on Florida's Adventure Coast, Florida's Adventure Coast
- Tender Care PPEC Spring Hill announces its first ever inclusive Breakfast with Santa, Hernando County Chamber of Commerce
- Gingerbread Storytime @ Spring Hill Branch, Hernando County Library System