If you grew up watching holiday movies, you probably associate December with heavy coats, shoveling snow, and roaring fireplaces. But here in Cocoa Beach, we do things a little differently.

At Ocean to River Properties, we believe that trading snow boots for flip-flops is the best trade you can make. While the rest of the country is shivering, the Space Coast is buzzing with a unique brand of holiday spirit that you can’t find anywhere else.

Whether you are a long-time local, a snowbird settling in for the season, or looking to buy your first vacation home, here is why the holidays are better on the beach—and the events you absolutely cannot miss this year.

1. Surfing Santas: The Ultimate Cocoa Beach Tradition

• When: December 24th (Christmas Eve) | 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM

• Where: 2 Minutemen Causeway (End of Minutemen Cswy at the Beach)

This is the big one. What started as a small family gathering has exploded into a worldwide phenomenon. Thousands of surfers dressed as Santa Claus (along with surfing reindeer and elves) hit the waves while thousands more cheer from the sand.

It is vibrant, it is hilarious, and it is quintessentially Cocoa Beach.

The Real Estate Angle: Events like this prove that Cocoa Beach isn’t just a "tourist town"—it is a community with a deep soul. Buying a home here means buying into a neighborhood that loves to have fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously.

2. The Christmas Boat Parades

You can’t talk about "Ocean to River" living without mentioning the river! One of the biggest perks of living on the Space Coast is the water culture, and nothing celebrates that quite like the holiday boat parades on the Banana River.

Captains deck out their vessels—from 50-foot yachts to kayaks—with thousands of LED lights, inflatables, and sound systems blasting Mariah Carey.

The Real Estate Angle: This highlights the incredible value of waterfront property. There is nothing quite like hosting a holiday party in your backyard, sipping a drink on your private dock, and watching the parade float by. (Don’t have a dock yet? We can help you find a home that does!)

3. Skydiving Santas

If surfing wasn't extreme enough for you, keep your eyes on the skies near the Cocoa Beach Pier. Each year, professional skydivers take the plunge in full Santa gear, landing right on the beach to greet the crowds. It is a thrill to watch and a reminder that on the Space Coast, we have a front-row seat to air and space history—even during the holidays.

4. A "White Christmas" (Sand Edition)

Let’s be honest: The best part of a Cocoa Beach Christmas is the weather. While your northern friends are scraping ice off their windshields, you are taking a sunset walk on the beach.

We trade:

• Snow angels for sand angels.

• Hot fireplaces for fire pits on the patio.

• Gray skies for rocket launch views.

Make "Local" Your Status for 2026

The holidays in Cocoa Beach are magical because they combine the warmth of the season with the warmth of the sun. It’s a lifestyle that focuses on outdoor living, community connection, and relaxation.

If you find yourself visiting this week and thinking, "I could get used to this," let’s talk. Whether you are looking for a condo with an ocean view to watch the Surfing Santas, or a single-family home on the river to watch the boat parade, we are here to help.

From our family at Ocean to River Properties to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Ready to make the move?

Are you dreaming of waking up to an ocean view next Christmas morning? Contact Ocean to River Properties today to see what’s new on the market. Let’s make 2026 the year you come home to the coast.