COCOA BEACH, Fla. — Thousands of holiday revelers packed the shoreline of Cocoa Beach on Christmas Eve as the iconic Surfing Santas celebration, presented by Orlando Health, returned with its largest turnout ever, transforming Florida’s Space Coast into a sea of red suits, surfboards, and holiday cheer.
Organizers reported more than 14,000 spectators gathered to watch over 400 surfers, dressed as Santa Claus and other festive characters, ride consistent 3- to 4-foot Atlantic waves under sunny skies and warm temperatures. The annual event, now in its 17th year, has grown from a small local tradition into an internationally recognized holiday spectacle celebrating surf culture, community, and the spirit of the season.
The 2025 event marked the second consecutive year Orlando Health served as title sponsor, and their support was impossible to miss. From team members and branding to interactive engagement throughout the beach, Orlando Health was actively involved in the event, supporting surfers, families, and spectators from start to finish.
“Surfing Santas has become more than an event — it’s a tradition that captures the heart of Florida,” said Lisa Ronan, CEO of Positively Osceola, whose media team attends the event annually. “Every year, our team makes the trip to Cocoa Beach because Surfing Santas represents everything we love about community — joy, creativity, and people coming together for something positive. And we absolutely love how Orlando Health continues to step up as the title sponsor. They were all over the beach during the event, showing genuine support for the surfers, the crowd, and the community as a whole.”
Beyond the waves, the celebration featured costume contests, dance-offs, live entertainment, and even skydiving Santas descending onto the beach, adding to the high-energy atmosphere that has made Surfing Santas a must-see holiday experience.
The event also delivered a significant economic boost to the Space Coast, with thousands of visitors supporting local hotels, restaurants, and small businesses during the busy holiday travel period.
“I am so proud of what Surfing Santas has become,” said event founder George Trosset. “It’s a true holiday family tradition here in Florida and reflects the spirit of who we are on the Space Coast. Every year this just grows and grows.”
Equally important, Surfing Santas continued its strong tradition of giving back. This year’s event raised more than $100,000 for local nonprofits, bringing total charitable contributions since 2013 to more than $500,000. Benefiting organizations included the Florida Surf Museum, Grind for Life, and Who We Play For, which also provided onsite heart screenings and CPR/AED education.
With record-breaking attendance, strong charitable impact, and visible community partnerships, Surfing Santas continues to ride a wave of success — proving once again that holiday magic in Florida sometimes comes with surfboards, sunshine, and a whole lot of Santa hats. 🎅🌊
