It’s no secret that Florida is an ideal place to spend the winter months.
And though snow and freezing rain were spotted in parts of the Panhandle earlier this year, snow and frigid temperatures are relatively rare in the Sunshine State.
The mild weather and holiday season combine for the perfect time of year to create a Florida winter bucket list. Here are 10 things you must do in Florida this winter!
See the manatees snuggle at Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach
People started seeing manatees gather in large numbers near Tampa Electric ‘s Big Bend Power Station in 1986. Now, whenever the water in Tampa Bay gets 68 degrees or cooler, manatees seek out the warm waters of the station’s discharge canal. TECO also set up the Manatee Viewing Center and a viewing tower open from Nov. 1 through April 15.
6990 Dickman Road, Apollo Beach
Enjoy “snow” and frigid temperatures
Despite being the Sunshine State, every year there are a handful of events that promise to bring the frozen white stuff to Florida. Snowfest 2018 comes to Lakeland on Dec. 8 with snow mountains, a craft fair and Santa. Ybor City has its annual Snow on 7th Parade with 10 marching bands and krewes walking under a “sky of snow.” Then on Dec. 15, the Florida State Fairgrounds hosts Sno Fest with powder in the streets, Christmas lights and displays and opportunities to make your own (artificial) snow.
Over in Kissimmee, Gaylord Palms presents its annual ICE exhibit. Literal tons of ice is carved into intricate shapes and colored to create a chilly walk-through experience. This year’s theme is A Christmas Story, so you’ll get the iconic leg lamp, Aunt Clara’s pink nightmare and the ultimate triple dog dare -- all carved out of ice. The room is kept at 9 degrees, so make sure to bring extra layers and gloves.
Enjoy a touristy Christmas at the theme parks
A very Florida problem to have: So many theme parks, so little time. Every theme park in the state has some sort of ongoing holiday celebration, from candlelight processionals and lit-up parks to castle light shows and holiday parades.
Disney World, of course, goes all out with holiday events at every one of its four parks, but Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Legoland and Busch Gardens all have their respective Christmas celebrations.
Here's what all the theme parks are doing for the holidays.
See a lighted boat parade
Nothing says Christmas in Florida quite like a parade of boats decked out in colorful lights. Florida By Water has a frequently-updated list of boat parades happening this year around the state, including at least nine in the Tampa Bay area.
Take a trip to Christmas
Yes, there is a town in Florida named Christmas. It was so named after U.S. Army soldiers arrived in the area on Christmas Day to construct a fort, named Fort Christmas. Christmas is about 17 miles west of downtown Titusville on State Road 50 in Orange County. It’s the only Christmas in the world with a post office, and its streets are biblical and holiday-themed: Bethlehem, Luke, Matthew, Comet, Antler, St. Nicholas. It’s also reportedly home to the “World Largest Gator” attraction.
Surf with Santa
Every year on Christmas Eve, hundreds of people gather in Cocoa Beach to ride the waves while wearing Santa costumes and other festive costumes. It’s a family-friendly, free event and surfers of all ages and skill levels are welcome. There’s also a costume contest with cash prizes. The Surfing Santas Cocoa Beach event benefits local charities like the Florida Surf Museum and Grind for Life. Since 2014, Surfing Santas has raised more than $100,000 for local causes.
Build a sand snowman
With more than 660 miles of beaches, there are plenty of places to create a snowman, er, sandman. Even better -- build one at some of the best beaches in the country like Clearwater Beach and Siesta Key.
Create Christmas palm trees
These tropical trees are abundant in the Sunshine State, and they make pretty stunning holiday decorations to put presents under. Good luck finding any outdoor Christmas decorations that don’t include decorated palms in Florida. There is even a variety called a Christmas Palm Tree, which is much smaller than Royal Palm Trees. In December, the trees sprout green oval-shaped fruits that turn bright red and hang in clusters like ornaments.
Indulge in oranges fresh from the grove
The bright, sweet, sticky fruits are in season from fall until spring in Florida, so winter is a perfect time to eat them straight from the tree. There are more than a dozen groves around the state where you can visit and enjoy fresh oranges. Many also offer orange products like wines and other culinary creations. Visit Florida has a list of citrus and orange groves in Florida.
Go to the beach on Christmas day
Average Christmas day temperatures hover from the high 60s to the low 70s in Florida -- almost perfect beach weather. The water in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean might still be a bit too chilly for a swim, but watching a Christmas day sunrise or sunset is a very Florida way to cap the holiday season.
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