UPDATED DECEMBER 2024
The Christmas season in Seaside adds even more magic to an already magical town. Palm trees draped in Christmas lights, Christmas trees sparkling brightly, thousands of lights on Coleman Pavilion overlooking the Gulf, an interactive light show at the Amphitheater, stores and venues lit up and aglow with cheer - it's a dreamland, soft and warm and having fun.
Florida in winter is that special time when the crowds diminish and people come for their own particular visit, enjoying off-season rates and a peaceful getaway. The locals get to unwind too, and join in the celebrations. The winter sunsets are spectacular, and the mild weather enables people to gather in comfort and enjoy the moments.
Seaside, that gem of the Emerald Coast, beckons during the Christmas season as an especially enchanting destination. Called by Travel & Leisure one of the greatest trips in the country, hailed by Time for its astounding design achievement, and lauded by Newsweek as being the best thing since Versailles, it took the editors of Southern Living to call out the Seaside charm for Christmas, explaining why Seaside, Florida is Even Better During Christmastime.
December in Seaside
If you're coming into town for the festivities, the multiple free shuttles are running from 6 am until midnight, seven days a week. Pickup and drop-off point in town is at the Lyceum gateway in Central Square, and the parking lot is off of Hwy 331 on the south side of Choctawhatchee Bay. It's scenic, free and easy to come to Seaside!
Santa will be coming in too on this occasion - the big man loves to hand out photo ops for parents - and this time it's in our new Christmas Village, with 25 sparkling trees that will keep their lights on all the way through New Year's Eve.
Get the kids ready for the Elf-Stravaganza Fun Fest happening on December 20-22 at the Christmas Village from 2:30 pm until 4:30 pm. This free event offers holiday characters, storytelling from the elves, festive music and lots of laughs. At 4 pm, our local It's Heavenly Shortcakes & Ice Cream vendor presents a true sweet tooth challenge with a cookie-eating contest, to win the title of Sugar Rush Superstar - only for the brave.
Santa will be around again on December 13-19 at 4-6 pm in the Village, following his guest appearance at Pickle's for Breakfast with Santa on December 12. By the way, the beachside Pickle's Burgers & Shakes has also now added Pickle's Sandbar if you're thirsty for a cocktail, beer or frozen drink with all the excitement going on.
Our regular Farmers Market continues each Saturday morning at the Amphitheater, offering gourmet treats and exotic delights as well as the staples to take home to your cottage kitchen. Close out that market trip with a free show from the world class performers of our REP Theatre, its very own Every Christmas Story Ever Told in front of the Seaside Post Office at 11 am - be sure to catch one or all of these free shows!
And check out that Post Office - America's most famous selfie location - all decked out for Christmas:
Circle back to the Amphitheater on that Saturday afternoon for an afternoon of live music from various performers as you relax and enjoy the day. Musical Saturday afternoons happen all through December.
If you get thirsty from shopping, the Daytrader Tiki Bar & Restaurant (by Coleman Pavilion) has a helping hand for you with its seasonal Miracle pop-up bar through December 30, offering its famously wild and unusual refreshments - see the cocktail menu here. It's a winter wonderland all in itself at Miracle:
December 25 offers a break from the festivities for everyone to enjoy their own special day. The venues and amenities of the town are still available to serve you, but check ahead to see who's open and what's on the menu that day (Miracle is open for sure, and plenty of restaurants are offering a Christmas Eve dinner). Best option may be to get your supplies in beforehand and gather the crew around the dining table in your luxury guest cottage and...Merry Christmas!
How do you follow Christmas? Only New Year's Eve will satisfy, and it beckons for more celebration. The evening festivities fill Central Square on that Sunday, December 31, 5-9 pm, with face painting for the kids, arts & crafts to explore, and a live music performance from Monsters of Yacht. Nationally acclaimed coast to coast, and in from Nashville, this band is guaranteed to keep you dancing through the evening.
Oh, and FIREWORKS! One of the best NYE shows anywhere along the Hwy 30A beachfront, it's a family friendly show starting around 9PM after the Monsters of Yacht concert, over the Gulf of Mexico and viewed perfectly above the Seaside Amphitheater.