Winter Wonder DeLand presented by Duke Energy is back and bigger and better than ever!
Launched in 2021, 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.
“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.”
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 to this year’s lighting display include:
— More than 10,000 lights wrapped around light poles along Woodland Boulevard.
— The city also refreshed all of its wreathes posted in Downtown DeLand with new lighting and ornaments.
— The city is also hosting its first ever 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. The winner of our contest will receive a $100 gift card to Ace Hardware. Residents can register their house for the contest here: https://www.deland.org/616/City-of-DeLand-Holiday-Lighting-contest
Winter Wonder DeLand will officially begin on Friday, December 2 to coincide with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree outside DeLand City Hall and MainStreet DeLand Association’s holiday wreath in Pioneer Park. Santa will visit both locations that evening.
Santa will also be riding our antique fire truck to visit neighborhoods on select evenings during December. These events will also complement the various other holiday events in the city.
The annual DeLand Christmas Parade presented by the Rotary Clubs of DeLand is also coming back on December 3. Then on Sunday, December 4, the DeLand Indie Market will return to Artisan Alley.
On December 16, DeLand Parks & Recreation will hold its second annual, “A Walk Through Christmas at Earl Brown Park”. This event will transform Earl Brown Park into a European style Christmas market where guests will be able to view different holiday scenes and be able to enjoy festive treats.
The holiday lights in Downtown DeLand will remain in place until the beginning of January.
Winter Wonder DeLand is a public-private partnership that has been made possible this year by a number of sponsorships including our presenting sponsor Duke Energy. Other major sponsors include AdventHealth DeLand, City Sanctuary Church and GFL.
We are still seeking other sponsors to join in supporting Winter Wonder DeLand 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 via email at grahamc@deland.org.
— DeLand Community Information Manager Chris Graham
Replace hose soldiers!? Getting got old. Maybe Angels