I grew up in southeastern Ohio where there were very clear seasons and traditions that align with weather-based activities: apple picking, raking fall leaves, sledding down a snowy hill, cutting down a Christmas tree from the farm. While I will admit the temperature and humidity here in Florida has gone down a bit, it still feels like a tamer version of summer nearly year-round. Due to this, I have had to adjust my expectations of what constitutes holiday traditions and feel like my family is finally in a fun rhythm that I’d love to share!

Thanksgiving Fun at VoLaSalle Farms

For the past several years, my girls and I have headed over to De Leon Springs to pick our own veggies for Thanksgiving dinner at VoLaSalle Farms (601 Johnson Lake Rd). The green beans are ready each year, but it has turned into an interesting conversation with my kids about what to do when the squash isn’t ready and how we need to find something else to complement our meal. This is not a grocery store where any item is found all year, we can only harvest and eat what is ready!

On our most recent trip, we did pull up carrots along with our usual green beans, Italian sweet peppers, and wildflowers. The Crump family that runs the farm let my girls feed the carrot greens to the goats, also housed on the farm. In the past, they have hooked up barrels to the tractor to give kids a “train ride” past the cows and orange groves. We end our time bagging up some of their oranges to take home and purchasing orange juice and their famous pumpkin rolls.

Magic of Lights at Daytona International Speedwayrolls

Moving into the Christmas season, we love visiting the holiday light displays in both Daytona and Holly Hill. We were able to attend the opening night of the “Magic of Lights” at the Daytona International Speedway (1801 ISB Blvd) on Friday, November 21st. This event allows you to drive under the stands at the speedway with holiday music playing through the car’s radio to see holiday stories brought to life through moving lights and cruise through light tunnels with the windows down, and is open until January 3.

In recent years, Magic of Lights has added a “Holiday Village” near the end of the loop to get out of your car for photo ops, snacks, merchandise, and games to play.

Holly Hill’s Twi-Light II Motel Holiday Display

In Holly Hill, the Twi-Light II Motel at 1125 Ridgewood Avenue is normally small and unassuming, but after Thanksgiving, the motel cottages and home of the owners behind it is decked out in light displays, inflatable characters, and visits from Santa himself. While you can drive through this event, my family chooses to take our time to walk around the grounds. There are lots of great photo spots and usually a friendly face handing out candy canes to passersby.

I think my favorite part of these few traditions is that they are not dependent on the weather. Sure, it’s fun to walk through light displays when it’s cooler so I can hold a cup of hot cocoa, but we don’t have to wait for snow to enjoy all three of these activities as they can be experienced at any Florida temperature.

I love that my family is making and keeping new traditions to enjoy in the place where we live and I hope that you enjoy your Florida holidays, as well!