When you live in Florida, holiday celebrations have a tropical flavor. Florida’s Nature Coast is no exception. Our parades include floats, school marching bands, Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, cool cars, mounted patrols and horse groups and, of course, Saint Nicholas bringing Christmas cheer.

Cookie exchanges, live manger scenes, synchronized light shows and neighborhood tours to compare who has the best display are all part of the fun.

As an area with many traditional downtowns and community pride, NatureCoasters are able to come together and enjoy “dressing up” for the holidays without the inconvenience of snow and ice. For our part, we wanted to highlight celebrations throughout the area to help you plan for the best holiday ever in 2018.

Light Up Inverness

The lights of Inverness will shine bright this holiday season throughout Courthouse Square on the evening of December 7, 2018 with the combined efforts of the City of Inverness, Citrus County Historical Society, and the Valerie Theatre. This event is free and open to the public. More Info here.

The Inverness Christmas Parade is December 8 from noon-3pm

Brooksville’s 25 Days of Christmas

Come celebrate with us in historic downtown Brooksville this Christmas season! Thousands pass through our town in the month of December, and there are 25 days of events and opportunities to make memories with your loved ones.  December 6 is the annual Christmas Tree lighting with spectacular musical performances coordinated by Live Oak Theatre, followed by nightly caroling on the Courthouse steps. The Brooksville Christmas Parade is December 8 from 10am – 2pm. More Info Here

Fort Cooper Nights of Lights

December 7-9 from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm at Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 Old Floral City Rd, Inverness
Admission is a non-perishable food item or new toy for Citrus United Basket or pet food for Citrus County Animal Shelter. For more information call (352) 726-0315 or click here

Hernando Beach Boat Parade

The Hernando Beach Yacht Club will host its Annual Christmas Boat Parade on Saturday, December 9. This event is open to the public, so decorate and enter your boat, or view the parade from our club. Doors open at 5:00 pm and the parade will begin at 6:00 pm. Hot dogs, chips, chili and drinks will be for sale and even have a visit from Santa! For more information call Patti Nelson at 206-919-8921.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park Celebration of Lights

The 28th Annual Celebration of Lights, featuring Sebastian Hawes’ Spectacular Synchronized Light and Sound Show and live nightly entertainment, begins on Wednesday, Dec. 19 and runs nightly through Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24, and again on Wednesday, Dec. 26. The park will open at 5:30 pm on these evenings and remain open until 9 pm. The Celebration of Lights will be closed on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 25. More Info Here

(Story main image courtesy of Joe Dube)

Crystal River Holiday Boat Parade

Watch anywhere on Kings Bay December 15, 2018 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm and see Santa cruise on the river. Best viewing areas include Crackers, Dockside Ice Cream, the 3rd Street Pier and the Crab Plant (around 6:45pm); Pete’s Pier, Three Sisters Bridge and King’s Bay Isle (around 7pm); the Shallows and Warden’s Key (around 7:30 pm) ending at Margarita Breeze for an after party around 8pm.

34^th Annual Homosassa Boat Parade

The community is invited to join in the wonder of Christmas at the 34th annual Homosassa Christmas Boat Parade! The parade will begin December 15 at 6pm at Marker 75 by Bird Island. An awards ceremony will immediately follow the parade at Homosassa Springs Marina. spectators can watch at various locations along the Homosassa River, most popularly near MacRae’s and off of Halls River Road. Food and beverages will be available.

42nd Annual New Port Richey Holiday Street Parade

The 42nd Annual Holiday Street Parade in downtown New Port Richey is Saturday, December 8, 2018 starting at 6:00 pm. sponsored by the Holiday Rotary Club and the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce. Streets close at 5pm.

Citrus Springs Christmas Parade

The Citrus Springs Christmas Parade will start December 16 at 2pm and travel from the fountain area on Citrus Springs Boulevard to Wesley Jones Park. At the park there will be food vendors, activities for children and Santa will be in attendance.

Floral City Christmas Boat Parade

Join the Sunshine Lodge, 9161 E Devils Neck Rd in Floral City for a Christmas Open House and Holiday Party December 21 from 5:50-9:30pm. It will be a night filled with food, fun and a front row seat for a spectacular Christmas Boat Light Parade. For more information, call Ash at 352-344-1025.

Holiday Lights at The Concourse and the Grand Holiday Train (Shady Hills)

Celebration of Lights is thrilled to announce that this year you will be able to not only drive through The Concourse and Safety Town (11919 Alric Pottberg Road, off of SR 52) at $10 per car, open Sunday through Thursday nights from 6 to 9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 6 to10 p.m., but you will also be able to walk though Safety Town where there will be vendors and Santa Claus. More Info Here

Dade City Christmas Stroll

Enjoy a stroll through the charming downtown while listening to holiday music performed by our local high school band, catch the performance of Miss Sally Blackwood’s legendary dancers, join in for a little street dancing with country singer Karl Sapp or croon along with “Just Sherry” as she sings your favorite songs. Enjoy a country hay ride for the entire family. December 14 is Holiday Lights Tour and the 21 – 23 is the wonderful Church Street Christmas. More Info Here

Central Pasco & Gulf Railroad 2018 Christmas Train

Unlimited train rides through the Scenic Wilderness Park December 8–9 and December 15-16 from 10 am to 4pm. Bring your camera and take pictures with Santa Claus at the North Pole. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. On December 15 and 16 you can come and meet Walt Disney’s “Tinkerbell” Margaret Kerry. Steam Engines Will run Dec 15 & 16 weather permitting. The cost is $6.00 Per person (12 months and younger free)