Holidays Are HAPPENING in Brevard

With Christmas just around the corner, this can be either the most wonderful time of year or something you endure until January 1. I am usually called “Christmas Nancy” as I go all out to decorate and play Christmas carols in my car all season. I actually send Christmas cards in the mail and attend a myriad of holiday parties and events. If you are in need of some holiday spirit, I have a number of events to explore. 

Wickham Park always has the Space Coast Lightfest, which is wonderful to drive through with a carload of people. If you like twinkling lights, almost every city in Brevard County has a holiday parade and tree lighting ceremony. The Viera roundabout is home to the spectacular dripping-lights tree. Verbenia Court in Satellite Beach has become known as Candy Cane Lane because residents have been stringing lights, putting candy cane arches over the sidewalk and completely decking out the neighborhood for over 30 years. 

For those who love the water, local holiday boat parades are truly unique. The Surfing Santas of Cocoa Beach go out Dec. 24 to catch some waves. And look up! The Skydiving Santas of Cocoa Beach put on a show the Saturday before Christmas, falling out of the sky aiming for inflatable targets. 

How about the largest free Christmas Party in Brevard? The House Church invites the community to have free food, entertainment and activities such as bounce houses, rock climbing, train and horse rides and more. If the family party isn’t up your alley, how about Lunch with the Old Bags — a holiday luncheon hosted by the ABWA Space Coast Women Express Network featuring fabulous purses, gift baskets and great atmosphere around Eau Gallie Yacht Club’s giant Christmas tree.

To compliment all the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies, how about live theater? “A Christmas Carol” and “A Christmas Story” are always family favorites. They run at the King Center, Henegar Center, Cocoa Village Playhouse, Titusville Playhouse, Surfside Theatre and Melbourne Civic Theatre. There is no shortage of Christmas live productions in Brevard County. 

We can’t forget dance. The Nutcracker is always a favorite at multiple venues, featuring local dance students from the Galmont Ballet Center for Dance, Melbourne City Dance and Space Coast Ballet.

For the shoppers, Melbourne City Dance Center sells Christmas Cards as a fundraiser and the Zonta Club of Melbourne produces a new Christmas ornament each year depicting local points of interest. 

So the choice is yours. Hibernate for November and December or experience all the wonderful holiday events we have on the Space Coast. There is just no way to be bored during the holidays!

Check the EverythingBrevard.com online calendar listings for these and more holiday events!

Nancy Peltonen serves as President/CEO with The Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce. She currently serves on committees for the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, Palm Bay Maker Faire Committee, and State Small Business Expo Partner, and still finds time to volunteer with many local organizations and travel the world. Nancy’s accolades include 2017 Community Excellence Award, 2016 Business Acceleration Summit Heart of the Community Award, 2013 Woman of Excellence, 2011 & 2014 Woman of the Year for the American Business Women’s Association Space Coast Express Network.

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