While we may enjoy weather without the snow and ice, Christmas is celebrated with just as much joy and spirit as it is a bit farther north. Plus, as you know, Santa never leaves anyone out, so this is where you can find the merry gent locally this year…

The first place you may see him is along the New Smyrna Beach Parade route – starting at Flagler Avenue and South Atlantic and running along Flagler and the North Causeway, south on Riverside Drive until it turns west on historic Canal Street and ends at Orange Street – during Christmas on Canal December 3rd from 4 to 6:30.

If you love a parade, you may want to attend the Port Orange Christmas Parade at 2 p.m. on December 4th too. This one starts at Dunlawton Avenue and Jackson Street and runs east along Dunlawton to Spruce Creek Road.

You can also get photos with Santa, as well as your fill of hot chocolate, cookies and face painting at the “Very Merry Christmas Puppet Show” December 8th and 9th at 715 Magnolia Street at 6 p.m.

December 17th is a day for “Breakfast with Santa” from 8 to 11 a.m. at The Casements on Riverside Drive in Ormond Beach (Get $5 tickets by calling 386-676-3363.). Then, at 1 p.m., Santa heads over to the Ponce Inlet Community Center, where there will be Christmas shopping and cheer!

From now until Christmas Eve, you can also visit with Santa Friday and Saturday nights from 7 to 9 at 515 Walkertown Avenue in Deltona. They just ask that you bring an unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots Christmas toy drive to spread your own Christmas cheer. Santa is also known to frequent his workshop at the Volusia Mall in Daytona every day until Christmas.