Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach, Florida Christmas event — Courtesy: Shutterstock — catlauren
With the holiday season in full swing and Christmas here, many families are enjoying their festive customs.
Floridians are enjoying the balmy weather while people in the north are staying inside and sipping hot chocolate or going outside to create snow angels during the harsh winter months.
These variations are accompanied by radically different customs. Here are eight Christmas customs that are exclusive to Florida, without further ado.
Surfing Santa’s
Floridians surf the waves at Cocoa Beach on Christmas Eve while wearing complete Santa suits or tropical shirts with a Christmas theme.
With over 15,000 people anticipated to gather annually to witness approximately 600 surfers, what started off as a family custom has grown into a significant event.
Parades of Boats
For over 60 years, the month of December has been marked by illuminated, Christmas boat parades. This holiday season, there were 43 boat parades throughout the Sunshine State, complete with toy drives, costume competitions, and an abundance of Christmas lights.
Trees and Sand Snowmen
Florida residents exchange the snow for sand rather than packing and piling snowballs on top of one another. Residents create a unique winter paradise by using the beautiful white sand from our shorelines to construct festive sculptures, such as snowmen and impromptu Christmas trees. While you’re doing it, you can also create some sand angels!
Join Mickey Mouse for a party
A trip to Disney, one of the most wonderful locations on earth, is necessary during a magical season. The annual “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party” at Disney World in Orlando includes a Christmas parade, stage acts, pyrotechnics, and character dance parties.
Vacation Bike Ride
Every year, the streets of Key West are lined with a BeLighted Bike Ride. Their Holiday Village, complete with carnival rides, acts, “snowfalls,” and of course, Santa Claus, is where the yearly extravaganza begins.
Santa’s arrival without a sleigh
Santa Claus takes a shrimp boat to Apalachicola instead of his sleigh! On the day following Thanksgiving, Saint Nick shows up in true Florida fashion, exchanging his reindeer for a boat.
Set up the chairs
This six-week-long Jacksonville holiday festival encourages locals to support local children’s arts and arts education by decorating lifeguard seats on the beach.
Adorn your tree in a beachy manner
Exchange the aroma of pine with the wind from the sea. Having a tree filled with seashells, starfish, and other tropical trinkets is the perfect way to really embrace the Floridian Christmas.
At least you’re wearing flip-flops and shorts this year, regardless of how you choose to celebrate Christmas. Cheers to the holidays!
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.