This holiday season, trade those winter coats and trekking through the snow for some relaxation and fun in the sun on Cocoa Beach.
It’s the perfect place to unwind if you’re planning to forego a white Christmas. Don’t worry though! There’s still plenty of Christmas tradition taking place for you to enjoy some holiday cheer.
Santa loves coming to Cocoa Beach every Christmas Eve before he delivers toys to good boys and girls. Surfing Santas Cocoa Beach is an annual, holiday tradition that draws huge crowds and hundreds of surfers dressed up at Ol’ Saint Nick. However, if you’re looking to do more than attend Surfing Santas, there’s plenty of options for you.
Here’s a few ways to make most of your stay and enjoy the holidays in Cocoa Beach on Florida’s Space Coast!
Local Attractions
Florida Surf Museum
Experience the heritage and culture of East Coast surfing. The Florida Surf Museum produces exhibits exploring the history and evolution of surfing – the people, places, boards, culture and more.
Ron Jon Surf Shop
Need to do some last-minute holiday shopping? With 52,000 square feet filled floor to ceiling with merchandise, you will find something for everyone on your list! Whether this is your first beach vacation experience or you’re a well-seasoned beach bum, you’ll find the best selection of surf, skate, swim and beach essentials available 24 hours a day, seven days a week…including Christmas Day!
Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier
Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier is a historical landmark on the Space Coast. Home to five restaurants, four bars most with spectacular views of the beach, gift shops and live entertainment that will keep everyone enjoying their visit. The Pier also offers beach rentals, fresh water showers, regulation beach volleyball courts, lifeguards year-round and some of the best surfing on the east coast.
Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront
Just steps away from the beautiful sandy beach and 20 minutes from Port Canaveral Cruise Port. Enjoy our outdoor pool deck and covered Tiki Bar. Our hotel offers direct beach access with bikes and beach equipment available to rent. We have several beach activities available including deep-sea fishing and surfing lessons.
Salt Restaurant and Lounge offers casual American cuisine, fresh seafood, and creative cocktails. Visit Longboards Tiki Beach Grille for laidback all-day dining with pool and beach access. For lighter fare, try Castaway’s Beach Bar, Cool Beans coffee shop, and Gilberto’s Gelato & Creamery.
Country Inn & Suites, Port Canaveral
Welcome to the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Port Canaveral, FL, located about a mile from the port, where you can board a cruise with Carnival, Norwegian, Disney, Royal Caribbean, or MSC. From our rooms, you can see docked cruise ships waiting to sail, enjoy stunning views of the Intercoastal Waterway, or even glimpse a Falcon 9 rocket being towed back to port. Just 15 minutes away, Cocoa Beach offers plenty of entertainment, and we’re also one of the closest hotels to Kennedy Space Center. Here for business? Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is nearby along with top employers like NASA, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and SpaceX.
On arrival, you can recharge with complimentary cookies and coffee in our lobby while you use free Wi-Fi to check in with loved ones. Our fitness center and outdoor pool offer a place to stretch your legs or simply relax. In the mornings, drop by our dining room to start your day with a free, hot breakfast.
Dinosaur Store
Housing one of the most incredible collections of fossils and minerals in the world, including authentic shark teeth, dinosaur eggs, meteorites and amber specimens, visitors will have loads of fun exploring the two-story museum and kid-friendly adventure zone.
Lighthouse Cove Adventure Golf
Lighthouse Cove Adventure Golf offers two 18-hole courses of exciting miniature golf in a tropical fishing village-themed environment, 24 flavors at the 3 Scoops ice cream bar, and premium craft beers from Florida’s top breweries including Tequesta Brewing Company, Funky Buddha and Twisted Trunk.
Space Coast Light Fest
The Space Coast Light Festival is a holiday themed drive-through event transforming Fred Poppe Park into a virtual winter wonderland. This is a family oriented celebration featuring shimmering lights and animated displays.
A journey through the 1.3 mile park will take your breath away as your family experiences the wonders of the holiday season. The climax of your journey will end as you pass through a 200 foot “Light Tunnel” exploding with light.
Location: Fred Poppe Regional Park Palm Bay
Brevard Zoo
This community-built zoo’s mission is ‘Wildlife conservation through education and participation.’ It’s a world-class zoo that serves as a conservation hub where people gather to learn about animals, nature and conservation. You can feed giraffes or exotic birds, take a kayak tour–even kayaking out to mingle with lemurs–or view the zoo from overhead through the spectacular Treetop Trek, an aerial adventure of climbing, zip lining and more. There’s even a water play area for young children. Brevard Zoo is a small zoo that does big things!
Restaurants
Long Doggers, Cocoa Beach
Take a break from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a laid-back, American eatery with a surf shop atmosphere and a fantastic menu. Serving up wings, burgers, seafood bowls, salads, and the signature Long Dogger hot dogs, and beer everyone, including those with picky palates will walk away totally satisfied. Choose to dine indoors or under the large covered outdoor space. In the rare case that should you have to wait to be seated, time will fly by as you entertain yourself with the outdoor games.
Coconuts on the Beach
Literally right on the beach and located where Surfing Santas takes place, Coconuts on the Beach is a popular choice for those wanting to watch the waves, sip some drinks and grab a bite to eat. The restaurant serves sandwiches, steaks, seafood and pasta.
Juice N Java
Locals and visitors alike visit Juice N Java not only for their coffee but also their fantastic menu, which includes all-natural fruit smoothies, bagel sandwiches, breakfast wraps, Panini sandwiches, soups and salads. The ambiance there is much like a coffee house and is the perfect place to stop by before Surfing Santas takes place.
Café Surfinista
Cafe Surfinista in Cocoa Beach is an eclectic gathering place for those of you who call yourself a foodie. Serving healthy food in a unique way, this restaurant specializes in organic acai and pitaya bowls, juices, and smoothies, you will quickly become a fan of eating healthy if you aren’t already. And if you aren’t a foodie, but just need to pick up a good cup of coffee and a snack, Cafe Surfinista offers espresso specialty drinks, fresh organic pressed orange juice, and homemade pastries, baked goods, light lunches that you can choose from and are made daily.
Florida Key Lime Pie Company
The Florida Key Lime Pie Company paints a picture of inspiration and influence from the Florida Keys. The company offers several different versions of their cold and refreshing Key Lime Pie as individual servings such as their signature “Key Lime Pie in a Cup” available in both a regular and chocolate graham cracker crust, as well as a gluten free option. Plus, the store has an emphasis on Florida Made products like handcrafted beers, wine, and much more.
Fat Snook
With a thumbs-up by world-famous chef, Emeril Lagasse, come experience the mouth-watering menu of the Fat Snook. Take in the sights and smells of this ‘seafood centric’ restaurant, complete with a scratch kitchen, and casual, Caribbean feel. The Fat Snook is known for it’s whimsical atmosphere, fresh and delicious food offerings, and ’boutique-style craft beers and wines from around the world.’ Dedicated to supporting local purveyors, you can taste the freshness of every dish, in every bite.
Grills Riverside – Melbourne
Along with its stunning water views, Grills proudly offers the finest quality local fish prepared using the healthiest and most delicious processes available. This is a family friendly spot, offering traditional and specialty breakfasts daily, a kids menu, as well as vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Enjoy a large selection of marinated and grilled fish, seafood, steaks, ribs, and chicken entrees. The extensive menu also features chowders, salads, pastas, kabobs and sandwiches. You can dine indoors or outdoors, taking in the beautiful water view. There is a full bar, and live music Wednesday through Saturday.
