Most people assume that there's no reason to hang around in Florida during the winter except for the warm weather, but that's just not true. Floridians love to go all out for Christmas, whether it's with huge light displays, parades, fake snow, or giant trees made of sand, Florida has plenty of amazing ways to celebrate the holidays. Try any of these things to do in Florida in the winter for a memorable Christmas this year:

1. Sandi, West Palm Beach

This 35-foot, 600-ton tree made of sand is quite the sight to behold. Nightly entertainment and thousands of lights dazzle in this month-long event. This event runs for the entire month of December. This incredible display definitely qualifies as "only in Florida," and we simply adore it.

It's the perfect Florida winter activity!

2. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas, Walt Disney World, Orlando

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a spectacular holiday celebration for children and adults who are children at heart. It's held every December at the Magic Kingdom. Get ready for parades, fireworks, and plenty of Disney magic.

This winter activity in Florida makes everyone's bucket list. It's an iconic event that we all look forward to each year!

3. Winterfest in Pensacola

Pensacola Winterfest: Falling snow, hot chocolate, holiday performances and magical train rides. Get photos with Santa and the Grinch, or enjoy the Elf parade! The fun happens every year from November through December.

Tickets start at $10.00 for kids, and $14.00 for adults. This is one of the most fun things to do in Florida in the winter season!

4. Stetson Mansion, DeLand

Florida's first luxury home, built by the famous hatmaker blends different architectural styles and Gilded Age decorations. The house is especially charming dressed up for the holidays. Christmas tours are given every year from mid- November through mid-January.

Tours run 75 to 90 minutes long and run daily every day except on Sunday mornings. Reservations are required for these tours.

If you're enjoying winter in Florida, make sure to put the Stetson Mansion on your list!

1031 Camphor Ln, DeLand, FL 32720.

5. ICE at Gaylord Palms, Kissimmee

Every year, this magical show of interactive displays and hand-carved ice sculptures brings stories to life. This year's theme is A Charlie Brown Christmas. ICE is held annually from mid-November through January 1st.

At this frosty event in Central Florida, you can pretend you live somewhere with an actual winter. It's a great way to shake up winter in Florida!

6000 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746.

5. Epcot Christmas, Walt Disney World, Orlando

Epcot is a fascinating place this time of year, because you can experience holiday rituals from all over the world (with plenty of delicious food and beverages.)

An Epcot Christmas is a great way to celebrate the holiday season in Florida.

6. St. Augustine Nights of Lights

From November 19th through the end of January, our nation's oldest city is covered in millions of lights to celebrate the season. Stroll through the historic streets or catch a trolley ride with cookies, cider, and "magic" glasses that make the lights even more spectacular.

Winter activities in Florida never looked so good. Enjoy the lights with everyone in your family!

7. Decking the palm trees

This has long been a Florida tradition. We basically have two kinds of Christmas trees. If you have palm trees in your yard, you should really consider decorating them. Don't they look great all lit up?

We love this fun winter activity in Florida!

8. Send a letter from Christmas, Florida

Wouldn't it be magical to send a letter from Christmas? It's totally possible, if you take a trip to this tiny town, and bring all of your Christmas cards with you.

A trip to Christmas, Florida should be on everyone's annual winter season list.

9. Santa's Enchanted Forest, Miami

Santa's Enchanted Forest: The World's Largest Holiday Theme Park, featuring over 100 rides, shows, games and attractions. It's open every year from the first week in November through the first week in January. The theme park is open daily from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.

If you're looking for Florida winter activities, this theme park is guaranteed to get you into the holiday spirit!

Located in Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40th St, Miami, FL 33155.

10. Christmas Festival of Lights, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center, Fort White

This park has so much holiday spirit, with marshmallow roasting, carol singing, millions of lights twinkling in the majestic oaks. The Festival of Lights run in December each year, with some nights open for drive-through viewing only.

Brighten up winter in Florida with the Festival of Lights this year!

11016 Lillian Sanders Dr, White Springs, FL 32096

11. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers

At the vacation homes for Thomas Edison and Henry Ford you can tour the homes and the 21-acre botanical garden. During December, the houses are lit up and hours are extended for Edison Ford Holiday Nights. This event begins late November with an annual tree lighting ceremony. Nightly tours, river cruises, food service and entertainment (and on certain dates, visits from Santa), will run from November 25th through January 1st daily from 5:30 p.m - 9:00 p.m. Admission for adults (with tour) is $20.00.

This Florida winter activity has become a yearly tradition!

2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 3390.

12. Santa arriving by shrimpboat in Apalachicola

This Northwest Florida town is so charming, and it's worth a visit any time of year. And every year, Santa will arrive by shrimpboat to the docks! Watch as the historic town of Apalachicola lights up the Day after Thanksgiving.

13. The Oakdale Dispaly In St. Petersburg

This huge light display, with half a million lights, is famous for its quirky charm. It's sure to put a smile on the face of even the grumpiest Scrooge out there. A single house, it still manages to incorporate 700 animated objects and a 700-foot-tall lit Christmas tree!

Put this on your list of "things to do in Florida in the winter!"

2719 Oakdale St S St. Petersburg, FL 33705

Have you experienced any of these things to do in Florida in the winter? Do you have any favorites we might have missed?

Looking for more things to do in the winter in Florida? Check out Plant City, Florida's Winter Strawberry Capital of the World!