Winter Wonder DeLand

Winter Wonder DeLand presented by Wharton Smith Inc. will include some exciting and new changes for 2025!

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.

In 2023, 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 5. 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.

Annual residential Lighting contest

  • The city is also hosting its 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 5 - Light Up DeLand

Saturday December 6 - The annual DeLand Christmas Parade presented by the Rotary Clubs of DeLand.

Sunday, December 11 - Thursday, December 22 - On select dates throughout the month of December, Santa will be riding our antique fire truck to visit neighborhoods.

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.”