This Iconic Holiday Event in Florida is the One Thing You Must Do This Season

Grab your Santa hat, sunblock, and surfboard, and make your way to Florida's Space Coast! There, you can join hundreds of other Santas surfing Atlantic waves while a cast of elves, reindeer, snowmen, and gingerbread people cheer you on from the sunny shores. This is not some strange Christmas-Spring Break fever dream but the actual scene for Surfing Santas in Cocoa Beach, Florida, an event that's grown into a global phenomenon and raised over $300,000 for charities since it began back in 2009.

Since its humble beginnings as a small affair founded by resident George Trosset and his family, Surfing Santas Cocoa Beach now attracts thousands of participants and spectators from near and far, all in the name of holiday fun and giving back to the community.

Held annually on December 24th from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 3 Minutemen Causeway Beach in Cocoa Beach, the event is free to attend. Whether you're eager to don your best Santa wetsuit and catch a wave or prefer to watch the spectacle from the warm sands, there's no better way to kick off your holiday beachside.

This year marks the 16th anniversary of Surfing Santas Cocoa Beach, and with it comes a costume contest to add even more fun to the day's festivities. Participants of all ages are encouraged to dress up in their favorite winter-themed outfits, with categories ranging from babies to groups and men to women. Be sure to arrive on time, as the contest commences at 8:30 a.m., followed by Santa surfing out at 10 a.m. Showcase your creativity for a chance to snag a prize.

Beyond the frivolity and fun, Surfing Santas Cocoa Beach helps charitable organizations through Surfing Santas Swag sales. Two nonprofits most directly involved in the event are the Florida Surf Museum, which preserves and documents the history and culture of Florida surfing, and Grind for Life, which provides financial assistance to cancer patients and their families to help with travel expenses while seeking treatment and care.

Trosset says he's excited to have another nonprofit involved this year, Who We Play For (WWPF), a Melbourne, Florida-based organization that aims to prevent sudden cardiac death in young people by advocating for affordable heart screenings, AEDs and honoring the lives of kids we have lost from sudden cardiac arrest.

At this year's Surfing Santas Cocoa Beach, WWPF will attempt to break the world record for the largest CPR/AED training. To do that, the organization will offer CPR/AED classes every 30 minutes throughout the entire event.

Trosset added that Surfing Santas will also attempt for a second time to do a paddle out honoring the life of Jimmy Buffett following the main event. High waves prevented the group from doing their planned paddle out at last year's event following Buffett's passing in September 2023.

As you make plans for this year's Christmas Eve festivities, consider joining this enduring tradition of Surfing Santas Cocoa Beach. Beyond the unforgettable sights and lighthearted fun, you'll be part of a bigger effort to support the local community and make an impact far beyond it.

If you are looking for a place to stay, consider the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, just less than two miles north of the event site.

You can get the full schedule of events on the Surfing Santas website and see the latest news and updates on the Surfing Santas of Cocoa Beach Facebook page.

Let us know if you go to this iconic Florida holiday event! We would love to hear all about your time in Cocoa Beach surfing with the Santas.