ORLANDO, Fla. – Visitors from across North America traded traditional winter scenes for sand and surf this Christmas Eve, as Central Florida’s beaches drew holiday crowds seeking warmth and sunshine.
From Flagler Beach to Daytona Beach, families strolled the shoreline under blue skies, creating their own version of holiday memories without the snow.
“Beach and waves is a lot better than, you know, cold snow. So I’ll take it any day,” said Tracy Aebischer, whose family is visiting from Kentucky. Her son played in the sand at the Flagler Beach Pier, where families exchanged traditional winter wear for swimsuits and sunscreen.
In Ormond Beach, where crowds were thinner but views equally spectacular, a family from Central Texas explained their holiday destination choice.
“We love the weather. We love the sunshine,” said Charity Davison, noting it was her children’s first time seeing the Atlantic Ocean. “They saw the Pacific two years ago. So now here we are with the little dog, just living our best life.”
The Daytona Beach Pier and Boardwalk buzzed with holiday activity, as families enjoyed carnival rides alongside beach activities. Among the visitors was a family who traveled from Canada for their Florida Christmas celebration.
“It’s been great,” said Jennifer Fleming. “We started in Orlando, went to a couple places to hang out. Went to Gatorland, which was really cool. Then we made our way to Daytona because we have a place down here.”
While northern states experience typical winter weather, Florida’s Atlantic coast communities from Flagler to Daytona Beach welcomed visitors seeking a different kind of holiday experience. The common thread among beachgoers was gratitude - for the sunshine, ocean views, and the opportunity to spend quality time with family in a unique setting.
For these holiday travelers, the absence of snow didn’t diminish their Christmas spirit. Instead, the warm weather and coastal scenery provided exactly the celebration they were seeking.