- May 1, 2024
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Editor's note: The following article was first published in Ormond Beach Historical Society's newsletter, and reposted here with permission from the author, local historian Randy Jaye.
The first observance of Christmas in what is now the United States occurred in Florida in 1539. The Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto and his expedition of 600 people including soldiers, slaves, craftsmen and 12 Catholic priests celebrated the Christmas holiday while encamped at the Apalachee town of Anhaica (present-day Tallahassee). This Christmas celebration lacked the present-day traditions of gift exchanges, eggnog and holiday songs. However, it included a traditional Catholic mass and a large feast (courtesy of the Apalachee food reserves that included maize and beans that were left behind when de Soto’s expedition forced these native people out of their settlement).
This first observance of Christmas was most likely not a very happy affair for de Soto’s expedition, as they were frequently attacked by the displaced native Apalachee people. The de Soto expedition reported that the Apalachee people even attempted to burn down their own town with flaming torches and arrows to chase the Spanish expedition away from their rightful lands.
After the American Civil War an influx of people from northern states and immigrants from European countries started relocating to Florida to build settlements. Many of these post-Civil War settlers brought their traditional Christmas customs along, which included a traditional Christmas tree that was usually a cedar tree, Balsam fir, Douglas fir or Norfolk pine. Most of these kinds of tree species are not native to Florida. These new Floridians adapted by using native trees such as longleaf and sand pines.
Interestingly, most of the native Florida trees do not have branches that support heavy traditional Christmas ornaments, so many of these nineteenth-century Christmas trees were decorated with homemade lightweight items such as feathers, ribbons, shells and yarn.
In addition to Santa Claus being depicted in tropical settings on many vintage and current postcards and holiday cards, there are many other Christmas traditions unique to Florida.
Christmas decorations unique to Florida include turquoise and sand color themes. Christmas tree ornaments include starfish, seashells and Santa Claus wearing sun glasses, shorts, and flip flops.
Many Floridians have substituted traditional Christmas dinner menu staples such as roasted turkey or baked ham with seafood feasts. Traditional desserts such as apple and cherry pie are oftentimes substituted with key lime pie.
Surfing with Santa Claus was the idea of George Trosset, of Cocoa Beach. Dressing in a Santa suit or wearing tropical themed holiday shirts or swimwear on Christmas Eve to go surfing now attracts thousands of people to central Florida beaches.
The Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World features a huge magical celebration that includes caroling, dancing, holiday-themed treats and an incredible fireworks display. Snow-making machines provide falling snow for those who enjoy snowfall during the holidays.
Santa arrives without a reindeer-drawn sleigh in many places around Florida. In the city of Apalachicola, Santa sails into town on a working shrimp boat. In Cocoa Beach, Santa skydives into town and lands on the beach. At the National Marine Sanctuary in the Florida Keys, Santa has occasionally been spotted coming to town in scuba gear.
A swimming Santa Claus and his elves create a Christmas-themed show at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park as they join the traditional underwater production of "The Little Mermaid." This underwater mermaid show has become one of Florida’s most unique Christmas traditions.
Christmas, Florida (that’s correct — a Florida town is actually named after a Second Seminole War fort, called Fort Christmas, which was established on Dec. 25, 1837). The town’s streets are named after Santa’s reindeer and its post office is very popular around the holidays because of its “Christmas” postmark. The town hosts the annual Fort Christmas Cracker Christmas in December, which is a large craft fair with various types of food, quilting, handcrafts, wood carving, historical reenactments, and blacksmith demonstrations. Although this town is associated to “Old Florida” it seems it is as close to the North Pole as one can get in Florida.
Miami features Santa’s Enchanted Forest, which transforms Tropical Park into a winter wonderland with six million lights, 100 rides, games, and attractions. It is reportedly the largest Christmas-themed amusement park in the world. Bayfront Park sets up a giant 52-foot Christmas tree decorated with flowers and sparkling lights. The Miami Zoo features animal-shaped lights, Christmas carol sing-a-longs and lighted carousel rides.
Jacksonville boosts a very bright Christmas with the Morocco Shrine Center’s display of some of the brightest holiday lights in the state. The city’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Hemming Park features a 56-foot tall tree with over 78,000 bulbs and more than 100 ornaments. A nationally celebrated holiday display known as the Jax Beach Deck the Chairs (DTC) promotes arts and arts education through a community supported holiday exhibit, and includes over 40 American Red Cross lifeguard chairs that are decorated in holiday themes. In 2015, People Magazine recognized DTC in its top 50 list of America’s Unique Holiday Events.
Orlando’s theme parks including Universal Studios, Walt Disney World, and SeaWorld set up world-renowned Christmastime displays, host festive shows and create family-friendly fun for holiday lovers of all ages. Legoland sets up a giant lego brick Christmas tree.
Pensacola’s Winterfest features various holiday shows. The Winterfest Express Electric Train caters to children and features a ride through the holiday-themed lighted streets and a visit to Papa Noel (aka Cajun Santa). The Pensacola Lighted Boat Parade is a holiday season sparkling event that is said to be best witnessed from the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk.
Sarasota’s University Town Center features over four million lights in holiday shapes ranging from reindeer to Christmas trees. The Holidays on the Green event features carousel rides, horse-drawn carriage rides, ice-skating, and even “snow” tubing. The annual Gingerbread Festival features over 150 gingerbread houses made by local youth groups, schools, and businesses.
St. Augustine hosts the annual Night of Lights Festival where more than three million lights are draped on historic buildings, homes, wrapped around palm trees, and lined along roads and streets.
Tallahassee boosts a festive Christmas glow of twinkling lights. The annual Holiday Stroll Through Cascades Park features more than 20 performances including Christmas carol singing. Water fountains spray in tune to holiday songs.
West Palm Beach’s downtown Sandi Land hosts a 35-foot, 700-ton sand tree topped with a giant star and decorated with more than 5,000 lights. A music and light show is performed every 15 minutes each night during the Christmas season.
With all the unique Christmas traditions throughout Florida, who needs ice and snow for the holidays?
