Magic of Lights runs Nov. 20 to Jan. 2 at the speedway. Riverfront Esplanade lights, Santa, the boat parade and holiday shows in Daytona Beach for 2026.

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from each organizer’s own page, linked. The Christmas parade and any tree lighting are on our separate Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Daytona Beach’s biggest light show is Magic of Lights, a drive-through display at Daytona International Speedway from Nov. 20, 2026, to Jan. 2, 2027. Downtown, the Riverfront Esplanade lights up for A December to Remember, with Friday markets and Santa. Several other December traditions, from the boat parade to the city’s children’s party, had not posted 2026 dates as of Oct. 8; their 2025 dates are below, labeled.

Good to know

Light displays

Display Where 2026 dates and hours
Magic of Lights Daytona International Speedway, 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd. Nov. 20 to Jan. 2; 6 to 10 p.m. nightly; 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 25-29
A December to Remember Riverfront Esplanade, Beach Street Not yet posted; in 2025, 6 to 9 p.m. from Nov. 28

Magic of Lights is celebrating its 10th year in Daytona. Drivers wind through holiday scenes and characters built from LED lights and digital animation without leaving the car, and admission is one price per carload, according to the organizer. New this year is a November-only ticket. Thanksgiving week, Nov. 25-29, the show opens an hour later, at 7 p.m.; the Daytona Turkey Run is at the speedway the same days.

A December to Remember strings lights along the Riverfront Esplanade downtown. In 2025 the lights went on Nov. 28 and stayed on 6 to 9 p.m., according to the Riverfront Shops of Daytona Beach.

Santa and family events

These ran in 2025. The organizers have not posted 2026 dates; we will update each line when they do.

  • Holiday Bazaar and Santa Sightings, Riverfront Esplanade, 179 S. Beach St.: 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19, 2025, with gifts from local makers and photos at Santa’s booth (2025 listing).
  • Children’s Christmas Party, City Island Park, 113 Jackie Robinson Parkway: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, for children 3 to 12, with hot chocolate, photos with Santa, face painting, music, games and books. The city hosted it with the Daytona Tortugas (city announcement).
  • Halifax Repertory Theatre’s Mini Jingle Jam, Rose Garden, 255 S. Beach St.: holiday songs by adult and youth singers, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 2025.
  • Howliday Pet Parade, Riverfront Esplanade: costumed dogs and prizes, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, 2025; entry by donation to the Halifax Humane Society (2025 listing).
  • Holiday movie on the lawn, Rose Garden: “The Santa Clause,” 7 p.m. Dec. 19, 2025. Bring a blanket or chair; no coolers.

On the river

The Halifax River Yacht Club’s Christmas Boat Parade of lighted boats began at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, at the Granada Bridge floating docks and headed south to finish in front of Halifax Harbor Marina, according to the Riverfront Shops’ listing. The 2026 date is not out yet. Beach Street and the Esplanade are the places to watch.

Holiday shows

  • Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Peabody Auditorium, 600 Auditorium Blvd.: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12; doors at 6 p.m. (Peabody listing).
  • More December shows are added to the Peabody Auditorium calendar through the fall.

Grown-up evenings

In 2025 the Esplanade added a Holiday Cocktail Stroll (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 12), with seven tasting stops under the lights, and Beach Street held a Holiday Wine & Cookie Walk (1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 13). Both are ticketed; watch the Riverfront Shops calendar for 2026 dates.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4. We have not found a public menorah lighting in Daytona Beach with 2026 details published by its organizer. Congregations planning one can send us the details.

The parade

The city’s Christmas Parade steps off at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, on Beach Street. Route, parking and entries are on our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

What this means for you

  • Magic of Lights opens Nov. 20; November visits have their own ticket.
  • Watch the Riverfront Shops calendar in November for the 2026 December to Remember dates.
  • Friday nights in December are the busiest downtown; park behind Beach Street.

Related: Christmas parade and tree lighting, New Year’s Eve in Daytona Beach and Black Friday and holiday shopping.

Frequently asked questions

When does Magic of Lights open at Daytona International Speedway in 2026?

Magic of Lights runs Nov. 20, 2026, through Jan. 2, 2027, from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly, and 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 25-29. It is a drive-through show priced by the carload.

Are there holiday lights on the Riverfront Esplanade?

Yes. A December to Remember lights the Riverfront Esplanade each year. In 2025 the lights were on 6 to 9 p.m. from Nov. 28, with a Holiday Bazaar and Santa Sightings on Fridays. The 2026 schedule has not been posted.

Where can kids see Santa in Daytona Beach?

In 2025, Santa appeared at the Riverfront Esplanade’s Friday Holiday Bazaar in December and at the city’s free Children’s Christmas Party at City Island Park on Dec. 12. Both are expected again; 2026 dates are not out yet.

When is the Daytona Beach Christmas boat parade?

The Halifax River Yacht Club’s 2025 boat parade was 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, from the Granada Bridge floating docks south to Halifax Harbor Marina. The 2026 date has not been posted.