Get in the holiday spirit with these parades, events in Volusia, Flagler
With the Thanksgiving leftovers a mere memory by now, yuletide-themed events from parades to ceremonial tree lightings shift into high gear this weekend throughout Volusia and Flagler counties.
Here’s a round-up of holiday events:
Daytona Beach
Light up Volusia: The Ocean Center will host the 11th annual Light up Volusia at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, on the east plaza of the county-owned convention center at 101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach. The free event features music by The Love Band and “America’s Got Talent” finalist Benton Blount, as well as the traditional lighting of the more than 1,300 lights on the Ocean Center's holiday tree. Free admission, with parking available for $10 in the Ocean Center lots or parking garage. Call 386-254-4500 for details.
Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade: . An array of watercraft accessorized with twinkling lights and holiday décor will cast off at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, from Halifax River Yacht Club, 331 S. Beach St., to travel south along the Halifax River starting at the Seabreeze Bridge. Best viewing spots include City Island and the west end of the Veteran's Memorial Bridge on Orange Avenue. It's free.
Daytona Beach Shores
Daytona Beach Shores Christmas Parade and Event: The Daytona Beach Shores Christmas Parade to benefit Operation Changing Lives steps off at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Crabby Joe’s parking lot, 3701 S. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach Shores.
From there, the procession will travel north on State Road A1A for nearly two miles before making a left on Bellmead Drive to finish at the Shores Community Center. Following the parade, at 3:30 p.m., there will be food trucks and a DJ offering holiday cheer at the Community Center.
Holiday tunes to get you in the mood: Ring in the season with these holiday music concerts in Volusia County
Members of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will perform at Veterans Park (behind the Community Center) at 4:30 p.m., followed by a Tree Lighting at Veterans Park at approximately 5:45 p.m.
NOTE: A special traffic pattern will be in effect for the parade, beginning at 12:45 p.m. and remaining in effect until the conclusion at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Northbound traffic on A1A — between Emelia and Thames avenues — will be directed to Cardinal Boulevard and South Peninsula Drive, as all northbound lanes will be closed.
The southbound lanes of A1A between Emilia and Thames will also be closed, and traffic will be directed to Cardinal Boulevard and South Peninsula Drive — except between Van Avenue and Dunlawton Boulevard, where the southbound lanes will remain open.
DeBary
DeBary Holiday Tree Lighting and Chili Cook-off: Celebrate the season with free family activities, including a photo with Santa, entertainment, holiday music and vendors from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Winter Marketplace at Gateway Center for the Arts, 880 U.S. Highway 17, DeBary.
DeLand
73rd Annual Downtown DeLand Rotary Christmas Parade: More than 120 parade units will step off at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at Michigan Avenue and Woodland Boulevard for a march through downtown DeLand. The theme of this year’s parade is “Winter Wonderland down Mainstreet.”
Deltona
Deltona Christmas Light-Up Display: The holiday light display at Deltona City Hall officially opens on Saturday, Dec. 4, for residents to be able to drive through the illuminated municipal complex at 2345 Providence Blvd. from 6-9 p.m. Santa, along with his elf workshop and toy soldiers, will be there, as well as snow, vendors and candy.
Lake Helen
Lake Helen Christmas Home and Garden Tour: This self-guided holiday tour presented by the Lake Helen League for Better Living is open from 12:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, and Sunday, Dec. 5. Cost: $15 advance; $20 at the door at Hopkins Hall, 150 Connecticut Ave., the tour's starting point. Visit lakehelen.org for details.
New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach Christmas Parade: Sponsored by The City of New Smyrna Beach, the annual Christmas Parade will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the intersection of Flagler and South Atlantic avenues in New Smyrna Beach. It will travel west along Flagler Avenue and the North Causeway, south on Riverside Drive and then west on Canal Street to Orange Street. Visit canalstreetnsb.com for details.
Port Orange
43rd Annual Port Orange Holiday Parade: The parade featuring bands and floats celebrating “Christmas Around the World” steps off at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at Jackson Street and will run east on Dunlawton Avenue to Spruce Creek Road.
Another Volusia holiday tradition: A Daytona holiday treat: Volusia Civic Ballet presents 25th edition of 'The Nutcracker'
Motorists be advised that both westbound and eastbound Dunlawton Avenue will be closed beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday from Nova Road to Powers Avenue. For more information about the parade, call 386-506-5851.
Flagler County
Flagler Beach Holiday At the Beach Parade: Floats and other units will proceed from North 10th Street to South 7th Street on State Road A1A starting at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 in Flagler Beach. Detours will be in place for other traffic, so motorists should be alert.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Get in the holiday spirit with Volusia, Flagler parades, events
