Photo: canva

Friday, Dec. 2

‘Christmas on the Halifax’: 44th-annual Christmas Gala at the Casements

When: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3; and 12-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4

Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: The theme for this year’s gala, presented by The Casements Guild, is “Christmas on the Halifax.” Celebrations will begin with a tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Gardens at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, and will include  a special visit by Santa and the Snow Queen, as well as photo opportunities. Train rides, face painting and baked goods will be available. Visit thecasements.net or call 386-676-3216. Free.

Starry Nights kickoff

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Veteran’s Park, 101 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., Flagler Beach

Details: Join Flagler Beach as it kicks off the holiday season with live holiday music and the lighting of “Deck the Charis” in Veteran’s Park. Snow in the Park begins at 7 p.m.

Celebrating Traditions

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4

Where: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 156 Florida Park Drive N, Palm Coast

Details: Join the Community Chorus of Palm Coast for its holiday concert, featuring familiar melodies. The concerts will include a performance prior to the chorus portion by the Palm Coast Community Band at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, and 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4. Free event. Visit https://www.communitychorusofpalmcoast.com/

Saturday, Dec. 3

Flagler Beach Holiday parade

When: 2 p.m.

Where: Veteran’s Park, 101 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., Flagler Beach

Details: Presented by the Flagler Beach Rotary Club, enjoy this year’s holiday parade. The parade will run from Sixth Street North to Sixth Street South on A1A. Santa will make a special appearance by skydiving into the parade at the start. Free.

Holiday mini-pop-up sale

When: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Where: Flagler County Public Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast

Details: Join the Friends of the Library for a holiday sale in the library lobby and main entrance. There will be fiction, non-fiction, young adult and children’s books for sale, as well as DVDs and CDs.

12th-annual Light up Volusia

When: 3-6 p.m.

Where: Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach

Details: Kick off the holiday season with this event, featuring a tree lighting. There will be kid-friendly activities, snacks and an opportunity for photos with Santa. There will also be live music by The Love Band. Free event. Vehicles who bring an unwrapped toy for donation will receive free parking in the Ocean Center lots or parking garage. Otherwise, parking is $10. Visit OceanCenter.com or call 386-254-4500.

Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Intracoastal Waterway, Palm Coast

Details: This annual Palm Coast holiday tradition returns. The parade departs Cimmaron Basin at 6 p.m., and heads south, passing Tidelands, Marina Cove, the Hammock, Yacht Harbor Village and the Palm Coast Legacy Resort, before going under the Hammock Dunes bridge along St. Joe’s Walkway and Canopy Walk. Then, it will pass Island Estates, Waterfront Park and turn at the gazebo at Grand Haven. People may watch from spots along St. Joe’s Walkway or Waterfront Park. Bring a chair and get there early. Hosted by the Palm Coast Yacht Club. Visit palmcoastyachtclub.com.

Volusia Civic Ballet presents ‘The Nutcracker’

When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 (Family Series); 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4

Where: Peabody Auditorium, 600 Auditorium Blvd., Daytona Beach

Embedded Photo

Clara, played by Amelia Palmer, and her younger brother Fritz, played by Lucas Walker. Photo courtesy of Michael Cairns

Details: See “The Nutracker,” presented by the Volusia Civic Ballet. Set to the classical music of Tchaikovsky, the ballet features a cast of over 80 performers, with choreography produced by 12 choreographers. A condensed narrated “Family Series” show is offered on Saturday, Dec 3, suitable for audiences with special needs, all levels of mobility and young children. The Children’s Sugar Plum Tea, featuring appearances from the ballet’s characters, will be offered on Saturday and Sunday, one hour prior to the show. Tickets range from $25 to $45. The Children’s Sugar Plum Tea tickets are $25 as an add-on. Buy tickets at the Peabody Box Office, online at peabodyauditorium.org or via Ticketmaster.

Wednesday, Dec. 7

Chelsea basket workshop

When: 9:30 a.m. to noon

Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: The Ormond Beach Garden Club invites the community to take part in a Chelsea basket workshop. Wire form, edging tape, ribbon and bows, greens, pine boughs, pinecones, decorations and assistance will be provided. Personalize your basket with your own small decorations. Workshop costs $35. RSVP by Nov. 30 by calling Sharon Mihalyak at 203-668-6413 or via email at

Embedded Photo

Zetta Gillespie creates a Chelsea basket. Courtesy photo

sharchar@gmail.com; or Zetta Gillespie at 386-301 0366 or via email at znginflorida@aol.com.

Friday, Dec. 9

Movies on the Halifax

When: 6-8 p.m.

Where: Rockefeller Gardens, 26 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a showing of “”The Santa Clause,” rated PG. Movies are weather-sensitive. Call 386-676-3216 for rainout information.

The Sound of Christmas

When: 7 p.m.

Where: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 5400 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast

Details: Attend this concert, featuring holiday music. Free.

Saturday, Dec. 10

Starlight Festival

When: 4-9 p.m.

Where: Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Ave., Palm Coast

Details: Celebrate the holidays with your friends and neighbors at the city of Palm Coast’s Starlight Festival. Floats will park along Central Park, and they will be judged. Prizes will be awarded for multiple categories such as Best Marching Unit, Best Decorated Festival and Best of Festival. The newest category, Fan Favorite, is sponsored by the Palm Coast Observer. All live entertainment performances will take place in front of the Christmas tree.

31st-annual Home for the Holidays parade

When: 6:30 p.m.

Where: Between Ridgewood Avenue and Beach Street, Ormond Beach

Details: Attend one of the city’s largest holiday events. This year’s parade theme is “Christmas on the Coast. There will be live bands, performances and a tree lighting at City Hall at 6 p.m. The parade is about 1.5 miles long and will begin at Division Avenue and Ridgewood Avenue, before turning right on Granada Boulevard and proceeding until Beach Street where the parade will turn right to conclude in front of City Hall.

Sunday, Dec. 11

Tomoka Outpost hosts Santa

When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Tomoka Outpost inside Tomoka State Park, 2099 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: Santa is coming to the Tomoka Outpost. Bring your wish list and take a photo with Santa. All ages and pets are welcome. For more information, call 386-673-0022.

Thursday, Dec. 15

Community Band Holiday Performance

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Palm Coast City Hall, 160 Lake Ave., Palm Coast

Details: The Palm Coast Community Band, a group of over 20 musicians, and the jazz band will play holiday tunes in front of City Hall. Interested in joining the band? Email palmcoastband@gmail.com.

Ongoing

A December to Remember

When: 6-9 p.m., Dec. 7-31

Where: Riverfront Esplanade, 249 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach

Details: Start a new holiday tradition while you explore the brand-new Riverfront Esplanade overlooking the Halifax River in downtown Daytona Beach. This multi-day celebration features a variety of community events such as a a movie on the lawn, holiday basaar, Santa sightings and live music concerts. An opening ceremony with a tree lighting will take place at the News Journal Center on Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 5:30-6:3 p.m. Visit RiverfrontEsplanade.com.

Sixth-annual Magic of Lights

When: Through Jan. 1

Where: Daytona International Speedway, 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach

Details: The popular drive-through lights extravaganza is back with more than one million lights and holiday scenes. New this year is the premiere of the Barbie holiday light display, as well as the Big Foot Monster Trucks and Prehistoric Christmas. Tickets cost $20 per vehicle in advance through Dec. 8, or $30 at the gate weekdays; or $35 on weekends. From Dec. 9 to Jan. 1, weekday entrance costs $25 in advance or $35 at the gate; or $40 on weekends. Visit MagicofLights.com.

Holiday Light Fight

When: Nov. 24-Dec. 17

Where: City of Palm Coast

Details: Palm Coast residents —  break out all of your lights, garland, inflatable snowmen, and more to participate in our new Holiday Light Fight. Parks and Recreation is working with the city’s GIS department to create maps showing where residents’ light displays are located. Judging will take place on Dec. 17, and winners will receive lawn signs to mark their yards as award winners. Call 386-986-2360.