Winter Wonder DeLand presented by Duke Energy and Wharton Smith Inc. will include some exciting and new changes for 2023!
Winter Wonder DeLand is a month long celebration of the holidays, where residents can enjoy the holiday lighting displays and ambiance in Downtown DeLand while also supporting the city’s local businesses and restaurants. Since inception, tens of thousands of lights have been added to Downtown DeLand through the Winter Wonder DeLand program.
Downtown areas that will be adorned in lights this year include Woodland Boulevard, Indiana Avenue, Chess Park and Pioneer Park. Of course, our acclaimed toy soldiers will be back to guard their respective downtown street corners.
New additions and programming being added to this year’s lighting display include:
The city's Christmas tree is moving to West Indiana Avenue in front of the historic Volusia County Courthouse. The tree itself is also new with more than 2,000 lights, ornaments and a star. The new location will lend itself as a more visible location for people to take photos.
The tree will be the centerpiece of Light Up DeLand on Friday, December 1. For quite some time, the city has had two lightings take place to kick off the holiday season. Instead, the City of DeLand and MainStreet DeLand Association will be joining forces to have one magnificent tree lighting. Light Up DeLand will have a live music, an ice skating rink and Santa Claus will make a dramatic entrance to help us light the city tree.
The trees along West Indiana Avenue, which were traditionally lit in years past, were replaced during the city's streetscape project and needed to mature. They have now grown enough for us to light them.
Parks & Recreation will host Christmas Cheer in Santa’s Village at 9 a.m. Saturday, December 9 at the Sanborn Center. The event is free to the public.
2nd Annual residential Lighting contest
The city is also hosting its second annual home decorating contest sponsored by Ace Hardware of DeLand. Residents are invited to submit their home in our contest. Homes will be entered into a Google Map for people to use if they wish to go see some of the city’s best residential lighting displays.
Holiday event schedule
Friday, December 1 - Light Up DeLand
Saturday December 2 - The annual DeLand Christmas Parade presented by the Rotary Clubs of DeLand.
Sunday, December 3 - The DeLand Indie Market will return to Artisan Alley.
Sunday, December 3 - Thursday, December 21 - On select dates throughout the month of December, Santa will be riding our antique fire truck to visit neighborhoods.
Saturday, December 9 - Breakfast with Santa and Christmas Cheer in Santa’s Village.
The holiday lights in Downtown DeLand will remain in place until the beginning of January.
“This is a wonderful example of the city partnering with our community businesses to brighten our city and make it even more of a destination for the holiday season,” said Mayor Chris Cloudman. “We invite people to spend part of their holidays in DeLand and do their holiday shopping at our local businesses, too.”
Sponsors
Winter Wonder DeLand is a public-private partnership that has been made possible this year by a number of sponsorships.
Presenting Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
We are still seeking other sponsors to join in supporting Winter Wonder DeLand this year and to sustain it for future years. Businesses or entities interested in partnering as a sponsor of the event, please contact Community Information Manager Chris Graham at 386-872-0821 or email Chris Graham.
