Christmas parade and holiday activities planned for Beach Street

Bridge and road closures will be implemented to accommodate crowds.

Kick off the holidays with activities downtown Saturday, Dec. 11. Make sure to arrive early and enjoy being downtown as we ring in the holidays together in Daytona Beach. Several bridge and road closures will be implemented for the city’s Bright Lights & Merry Nights Christmas Parade.

Motorists should plan accordingly if planning to use the Veterans Memorial or International Speedway Boulevard bridges Saturday evening. Motorists are asked to use the Main Street and Seabreeze/Oakridge bridges beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday until after the parade ends.

The parade begins at Bellevue Avenue and Beach Street and travels north on Beach Street to Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard.

The parade will travel in the northbound lane once it reaches Orange Avenue.
Parade attendees will be able to sit in the median from Orange Avenue to Bay Street.
The Judging/review area will be at Magnolia Avenue/Jackie Robinson Parkway and Beach Street. Parade winners will be announced the week of Dec. 13.
Parade attendees should plan to arrive early and bring chairs and/or blankets.
Portable restrooms will be available at different locations.
Free public parking is available behind the shops on Beach Street.

Santa takes to the streets Dec. 14

Daytona Beach’s Police and Fire departments will escort Santa through the streets of the Derbyshire neighborhood on Tuesday, Dec. 14, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Residents are invited to be curbside anywhere along the route, which begins at the former YMCA lot, travels north on Derbyshire Road and will traverse the following roads: 5th Street, West Coquina Drive, 6^th Street, Williamsburg Drive, 8^th Street, Continental Drive, 3^rd Street, Lakewood Park Drive, Barbara Drive, Berkshire Road before ending at the Derbyshire Sports Complex.

Daytona Beach Symphony Society celebrates opening of 70th Anniversary Season

The Daytona Beach Symphony Society will celebrate the opening of its 70th Anniversary Season at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, presenting the Jacksonville Symphony performing Handel’s Messiah. Known as “the greatest story ever told….the most majestic music ever conceived,” the audience will enjoy this exhilarating experience at Peabody Auditorium.

The performance will be conducted by Courtney Lewis, considered one of his generation’s most talented conductors. Handel’s Messiah is an astonishing work of art. Written in only three weeks, Handel’s craft and musical mastery is obvious. Originally intended for performance at Easter, Messiah tells the whole story of Christ—the prophecy of his coming, his birth, life, passion, resurrection and, ultimately, his glorification in heaven.

Ticket prices range from $51 to $89 plus applicable surcharges. Community discounts for students, military, first responders, groups of 10 or more and Volusia County School employees are available in person at the Peabody Box Office. For more information on community discounts or the performance, visit www.peabodyauditorium.org.

Children’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic Saturday at ONE DAYTONA

Farm Share hosts drive-thru food distribution event Thursday

Farm Share is hosting a drive-thru food distribution event beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Midtown Cultural and Educational Center (925 George W. Engram Blvd). The food is available until supplies run out; first-come, first-served.

Food Truck Rally in downtown Daytona Beach Dec. 17

Head to downtown Daytona Beach Friday, Dec. 17, for a Food Truck Rally. From 5 to 9 p.m. enjoy music, fun and food trucks on Magnolia Avenue between Beach Street and Palmetto Avenue.
The Downtown Daytona Nights Food Truck Rally is sponsored by Downtown Development Authority and Riverfront Shops of Daytona Beach.

Bring the kids for photos with Santa Dec. 18

The Downtown Farmers’ Market will host Santa Claus at the Market@Magnolia from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday Dec. 18. Families with children can have their pictures taken with Old Saint Nick by a professional photographer for free. Children can also share their list with Santa before he rushes back to the North Pole. Free photographs will be sent by email or text to the parent or guardian before Dec. 25 to share with family and friends.