BlogThe Daytona Beach Review

To complement the NOLA festivities throughout March, big names will be hitting the Music Plaza stage ranging from The All-American Rejects to legend Diana Ross and electronic music sensation Marshmello. A full list of the concert series with times can be found online. Parade times also vary each day, so make sure to double-check when purchasing tickets. Take the fun to another level and become a part of the parade when you download the Universal app and sign up for the Mardi Gras Parade’s Virtual Line system. You’ll have the opportunity to secure a spot in the standby line for a chance to ride on one of the parade floats! Mardi Gras at Universal Studios is a Floridian experience you’ll never forget.

Daytona Speedweeks kicks off February 8th with the Lucas Oil 200, driven by General Tire. Then on February 9th, you have some options. While the Daytona 500 Qualifying event is from 12 pm-5 pm, there's also the Busch Clash at Daytona, a 75 lap race. Beer lovers also have the option to attend the Daytona Beer Festival going on from 12 pm-3 pm, including lounge seating and concession treats. Festival-goers will be able to tune into the races on a large flat-screen TV, so no one is missing out! Finish the week strong at the 62nd annual DAYTONA 500 on February 16th. A full schedule for the week can be found online with times and links to purchase race tickets. Remember, the Florida sun holds back for no one, so bring your sunscreen!

Rated the #1 Florida bioluminescence tour company, tourists from all over reserve kayaking trips with BK Adventures to explore the Bioluminescent Bay on the Indian River Lagoon. The winter water is currently lit up by comb jellies, however, contrary to their name, these organisms aren’t jellyfish. Instead, they’re jelly-like creatures that happen to emit a rainbow glow. As April approaches, the jellies will be accompanied by dinoflagellates a.k.a. glowing plankton. If you really want to enjoy the water at it’s most luminescent, schedule a tour on the night of a new moon, as full moons make these cool sea creatures harder to see. Packages online vary from sunset tours to clear kayaks and family rafting; spots go quickly, make sure to book now!

For the third year in a row, wind your way down the state-of-the-art motorsports facility, a car junkie’s version of a stroll down Candy Cane Lane. You and your passengers will be treated to a dazzling display of LED lights and animations that celebrate one of the most magical nights of the year.

Purchase your tickets in advance or claim them at the entrance daily from now until December 31st. Partial proceeds from all purchases will benefit the Florida Hospital Foundation. Visit the speedway’s site here to learn more and purchase your tickets to The Magic of Holiday Display. If you’re lucky, you may even catch Santa and his reindeer speeding overhead! 

Each year the festival grows, and last year, around 12,000 visitors and members of the local community were in attendance! The festival is free for all to attend, including the furry family members, and a free shuttle will be picking up guests each day from City Hall. To learn more or to check out additional events going on in Daytona Beach during your stay with us, check out the city's official tourism site here. 

This year, until November 2nd, visitors may enter, if they dare, 10 different haunted houses, including Stranger Things, Ghost Busters and Universal Monsters houses. In between houses, the scare continues with scare zones, street performances, themed cocktails and merchandise for a truly immersive experience.

We recommend buying your tickets in advance, getting to the park a bit early and trying one of their devilishly good cocktails in a signature souvenir glass. To learn more about what’s at the park this year and to purchase your tickets, please visit their website here. Have a terrifying time! 

Lasting four days, from the 26th to the 29th, the festival will feature live jazz music, awesome food, and more. Hop around over 20 venues along Flagler Avenue, Third Avenue, Canal Street, Atlantic Avenue, and the North Causeway. With so many spots to hit, there’s enough music to last you several days of exploration. Visit their website here for more details. Afterward, be sure to check out the beach, where it's the perfect time of the year for visitors to enjoy cooler breezes and empty shores at both New Smyrna and Daytona Beach. 

Watch the historic artist as he shreds on the guitar performing some of his biggest hits, demonstrating exactly how he cemented himself as a rock-n-roll hall of famer. Joining Ted is special guest singer, songwriter & proud U.S. Veteran, Michael Austin, who appeared on the fourth season of the popular tv show “The Voice”. 

Located just a few miles south of our resort on A1A, the Peabody is an excellent center to catch the biggest shows coming to Daytona Beach. Other notable performers coming to the Peabody this month include The Motowners, The Dirty Doors and Pipes, Drums & Patriots. For tickets and a full schedule of performances, visit the Peabody's website here. 

Fill your hot summer days with outdoor excursions including cruises on the beach, kayaking in the intercoastal and, our personal favorite, a pina colada and live music at the Ocean Deck. Daytona Beach is a great location for laid-back beach adventures and equally laid-back entertainment venues, including Ocean Walk, Daytona Lagoon and the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. 

Complete the month with the 2019 SweetSunshine Music Festival at the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center, featuring some of the area’s best live performers and food trucks galore. There’s plenty to do in Daytona Beach this summer and beyond!

He can still to a classic handgun or even fire an automatic rifle! But this is more than just a fun outing to thank dad for all he does. The restaurant and bar mean that the whole family (even those who aren’t a fan of shooting) can enjoy a meal together as they hang out on the range. Located within close proximity to the Daytona International Speedway and mall, so a trip to the range can turn into a full day of exciting activities during your stay in Daytona Beach.

Combining the best of both worlds, the massive, permanent facility hosts retail vendors, food stalls, and so much produce, you won’t know where to begin! On Saturday, May 25th, the market is hosting its annual County Veg Fest, featuring even more fruits and veggies from farmers across Volusia, with deals to make any veghead happy. Located off International Drive, it’s just a quick drive to some of Daytona Beach’s biggest attractions, such as the International Speedway or impressive Embry Riddle Aeronautical University campus.

Ponce Inlet is the stretch of land that sits just north of the intercoastal inlet, opposite New Smyrna Beach, and is home to the iconic Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. Visitors will love checking out this quaint beach town for its many hidden treasures such as the lighthouse museum--where guests can learn about the history of the structure and even climb to the top for a stunning view of the area--and the Marine Science Center, home to aquatic and land species.

But the best part of Ponce Inlet is its beautiful miles of beach, with powdery white sands, surf-worthy waves and a noticeable lack of tourists. Live like a local for a day and you’ll get to know the beach like a regular Floridian.

On this 78th year of Bike Week, there are more than enough events to keep any motorhead busy. Our favorite event? For the last 25 years, Harley Davidson plays host to the bike week kickoff party. Stop by on March 8th to start your week with a bang. The surrounding Destination Daytona was specially designed for this event, so hang out all week to experience all that the area has to offer. Pro tip: For the best wings in town, hop over to Houligan’s next door. The fun starts March 8th, lasting until March 17th. Click here to view the official bike week site for more details on happenings.

This mind-blowing race marks the start of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and it certainly won’t disappoint. There’s plenty to do and see from the stands, as well as the massive infield, at the 2.5-mile long Daytona International Speedway. The week kicks off Saturday, February 9th and continues through Sunday, February 17th with the Daytona 500. We recommend getting to the track Sunday, February 10th for the inaugural Daytona Beer Festival, where patrons can sample over 70 beers! Come back throughout the week to see racing across multiple series. Click here for the week’s schedule and more. We hope to see you there!

A local favorite, the race is about more than sitting on the sidelines. Tons of fun is to be had in the middle of the massive 3.56-mile long course: carnival rides, food, tent & RV camping, live entertainment and more. Not enough? For the true motorheads out there, we recommend snagging a “Garage Pass” ticket, which puts you up-close and personal to drivers, cars, and crews for a truly unique vantage point. As the kickoff race to the IMSA Weather Tech SportsCar Championship season, this is a race that knows how to get things started with a bang! Get your tickets today by visiting their site here. The fun lasts from January 26th to the 27th.

This year’s trip will take you down Candy Cane Lane and through the Snowflake Forest. If you’re lucky, you may even catch Santa and his reindeer flying overhead. Tickets are available in advance and at the gates daily from now until December 31st. Partial proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Florida Hospital Foundation. Visit the speedway’s site here to learn more about the event and claim your tickets.

Whether you are an art lover, looking for a refreshing experience or searching for an escape, we offer the best of Daytona Beach hotels. Broaden your horizons with diverse works of art and relax at our beachfront hotel. We are ready to welcome you along with more than 40,000 visitors to the Halifax Art Festival. A day shopping for original works of art, antiques, jewelry, crafts and more, can only be matched by a room with a captivating ocean view. Mark November 3-4 on your calendar, get the best rate at our beach resort by booking your stay today and embark on an experience to remember.