Florida RV Tour for Christmas!

Florida RV Tour for Christmas!

Grab your family or friends!  We’ve planned an RV Tour that will take you around Florida to some of the most desired local Christmas events! A Florida RV vacation offers a fantastic mix of beaches, nature, theme parks, and unique cities. 

Follow along as we travel from Jacksonville around the state and end our adventure in Pensacola.  While there are plenty of Christmas events in between, these are the ones that stood out the most to us.  We can call it our Florida Christmas Bucket List!  While it may be impossible to visit all of the events, you should make your plan include your most desired destinations on your itinerary. 

The Gingerbread Extravaganza, Jacksonville, FL 

The Gingerbread Extravaganza is typically held at the Jacksonville Historical Society in Old St. Andrews, a historic church-turned-museum located in downtown Jacksonville.  You won’t believe the stunning display of intricately crafted gingerbread houses.  This event often serves as a fundraiser for the Jacksonville Historical Society, supporting their efforts to preserve and showcase the city’s history and cultural heritage. Here are a few RV parks close to downtown Jacksonville where the Gingerbread Extravaganza is typically held: Pecan Park RV Resort, Flamingo Lake RV Resort, or North Beach Camp Resort.

Nights of Lights, St. Augustine, FL

The “Nights of Lights” in St. Augustine, Florida, is a spectacular annual holiday event where the city is adorned with millions of twinkling lights that decorate the buildings, palm trees, streets, and waterfront, transforming the city into a dazzling display of holiday cheer. You can expect to enjoy holiday concerts, tours, carriage rides, boat tours, and special holiday-themed experiences. Here are some RV parks near the Nights of Lights in St. Augustine: Anastasia State Park, Stagecoach RV Park, North Beach Camp Resort, or St. Augustine Beach KOA.

Surfing Santas, Cocoa Beach, FL

The Surfing Santas event in Cocoa Beach, Florida, is a unique and festive gathering where hundreds of people dressed as Santa Claus hit the waves on surfboards. It takes place on Christmas Eve morning, allowing Santas of all ages and surfing abilities to participate in this fun and charitable event. The surfing Santas ride the waves while decked out in festive attire, spreading holiday cheer to spectators and onlookers. Here are a few RV parks near Cocoa Beach where you can stay while attending the event: Jetty Park Campground or Space Coast RV Resort.

Christmas in Orlando, FL

If you only had to pick one city to visit in Florida on your RV adventure, we suggest Orlando, FL as it has many Christmas events to choose from: Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, Grinchmas at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, ICE! At Gaylord Palms, Holiday Nights at Island H20, and Now Snowing in Celebration! Hands down, you have to park your RV at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground! We are happy to deliver and setup your RV. If they are at capacity, here are a few RV parks nearby: Orlando RV Resort, Tropical Palms RV Resort, or Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake.

ALL-idays at the Square, West Palm Beach, FL

At ALL-days at the Square you’ll partake in beloved nightly snowfalls, a captivating holiday Wishing Tree light show, powerful cultural performances, and a fashion showcase highlighting the talents of adults with disabilities. Here are some RV parks near ALL-idays at the Square located within Rosemary Square, downtown West Palm Beach: Palm Beach Traveler RV Park, Lion Country Safari KOA, or Palm Beach RV Park.

Tree Lighting in Boca Raton, FL

Boca Raton’s tree lighting ceremony includes the illumination of a spectacularly large Christmas tree, live music performances, holiday-themed entertainment, visits from Santa Claus, festive decorations, food vendors, and sometimes fireworks or special activities for families and children.  Boca Raton, Florida, doesn’t have many RV parks within its city limits, but there are several options nearby where you can stay while exploring the area: Breezy Hill RV Resort, or Paradise Island RV Resort.

Winterfest Boat Parade, Fort Lauderdale, FL

You do not want to miss one of the largest boat parades in the world. The Winterfest Boat Parade is a beloved Fort Lauderdale tradition attracting thousands of spectators each year. The parade features a dazzling display of decorated boats, yachts, and watercraft, each adorned with festive lights, elaborate decorations, and themed designs. Spectators gather along Las Olas Blvd to watch the procession of beautifully lit vessels, which might include music, entertainment, and special performances on some of the larger boats. Here are some RV parks near Fort Lauderdale, Florida: KOA Davie / Fort Lauderdale KOA or Yacht Haven Park & Marina.

Santa’s Enchanted Forest, Hialeah, FL

The family is sure to love Santa’s Enchanted Forest which transforms Tropical Park into a Christmas wonderland. They claim to be the World’s Largest Holiday Theme Park. Kids of all ages and adults can bounce between carnival rides, holiday-themed attractions, live entertainment, games, and food trucks. The park often hosts musical performances, holiday-themed shows, and special appearances by Santa Claus. Here are some RV parks near Miami, Florida: Larry and Penny Thompson Park, Miami Everglades RV Resort, or Goldcoaster RV Resort.

Holiday Lights Tour, Key West, FL

During the holiday season, many residents and businesses in Key West decorate their homes, boats, and establishments with festive lights and decorations to celebrate. While there might not be an official guided tour for holiday lights, visitors can still enjoy the holiday spirit by strolling through certain neighborhoods, particularly areas like Old Town Key West, where many homes and streets are beautifully decorated for the season. It is sure to be a memorable experience as you navigate the unique streets of Key West!  Due to its limited space and geographical constraints, Key West doesn’t have a vast array of RV parks directly within the city. However, there are a few options available nearby in the Florida Keys that can serve as a base for exploring Key West. Please note that traveling by RV to Key West might involve driving through the Overseas Highway, a scenic route spanning several islands and bridges. Here are some RV parks in the vicinity: Bluewater Key RV Resort, Boyd’s Key West Campground, Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina, and Jolly Roger Travel Park.

Christmas on 3rd St South, Naples, FL

Known for transforming the area into a festive holiday wonderland, Christmas on 3rd Street South takes place in the charming historic district of downtown Naples. The district is adorned with beautiful holiday decorations, twinkling lights, and festive displays, creating a magical ambiance throughout the area. If shopping is your thing, retail and restaurants along 3rd Street South often participate in the festivities, offering special promotions, holiday-themed merchandise, and delicious seasonal treats. Here are some RV parks near Naples: Naples/Marco Island KOA, or Lake San Marino RV Resort.

Edison and Ford Holiday Nights, Fort Myers, FL

You’ll want to check out the historic homes and gardens of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford which are adorned with thousands of lights, decorations, and holiday-themed displays, creating a magical ambiance. Enjoy guided tours of the beautifully decorated estates, often led by knowledgeable docents who share stories and historical insights into the lives of Edison and Ford. Here are some RV parks near Fort Myers: Red Coconut RV Park, Gulf Waters RV Resort, Cypress Trail RV Resort, and Tamiami RV Park.

Enchant, St. Petersburg, FL

Enchant, primarily known for its location in Tropicana Field, is known for featuring a maze adorned with millions of twinkling lights, creating a magical atmosphere for visitors to explore. Some call it The World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze.  You can be sure to enjoy various holiday-themed activities, such as ice skating, visits with Santa Claus, live entertainment, seasonal treats, and shopping for unique gifts. Here are some RV parks near St. Petersburg: St. Petersburg/Madeira Beach KOA, Bay Bayou RV Resort, Rainbow Village Largo RV Resort, Clearwater Travel Resort, and Cross Creek RV Resort.

Winter Village, Tampa, FL

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is transformed into Winter Village with holiday decorations, twinkling lights, and a festive atmosphere. The Winter Village features a seasonal ice skating rink where visitors can enjoy skating sessions and a big holiday market offering a variety of unique gifts, crafts, and seasonal treats. There is often live entertainment, music performances, and occasionally, visits from Santa Claus. Here are some RV parks near Tampa: Tampa East RV Resort, Bay Bayou RV Resort, Happy Traveler RV Park, and Clearwater Travel Resort.

Cascade Park Holiday Stroll, Tallahassee, FL

Cascade Park is adorned with festive decorations, twinkling lights, and holiday-themed displays, creating a magical ambiance. The Cascade Park Holiday Stroll aims to bring the community together to celebrate the holiday season in a family-friendly environment with live music performances, carolers, festive activities for children, seasonal treats, and sometimes visits from Santa Claus. Here are some RV parks near Tallahassee: Tallahassee RV Park, Big Oak RV Park, or Lake Talquin Campground and Marina.

Village of Baytowne Wharf, Destin, FL

The Christmas celebrations in the Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Resort in Destin offer a delightful experience filled with holiday cheer, entertainment, and a festive ambiance, making it a popular destination for families and visitors looking to celebrate the holiday season along Florida’s Gulf Coast. This charming little village transforms into a winter wonderland with an outdoor ice skating rink.  Enjoy being amidst the festive ambiance while shopping at various boutiques offering unique gifts, seasonal merchandise, and special holiday treats. Here are some RV parks near Destin: Destin West RV Resort, Camping on the Gulf RV Park, or Destin RV Beach Resort.

Pensacola Winterfest, Pensacola, FL

Grab a cup of hot cocoa and feel the snow fall down in Pensacola’s Winterfest.  It is so fun aboard Santa’s Express train tour where kids get to meet Santa Claus and take part in storytelling like “The Polar Express”. You’ll have fun as you make your way through the beautifully decorated downtown Pensacola. Here are some RV parks near Pensacola: Pensacola Beach RV Resort, Avalon Landing RV Park, or Pensacola RV Park.