Clearwater Families Deck the Sands for Christmas Beach Celebration

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A Unique Christmas Tradition at Clearwater Beach

Clearwater, Fla., (WFLA) — The holiday season is a time for family traditions, but not everyone celebrates in the same way. While some families gather around a Christmas tree to open presents, others take a different approach by spending their holidays at Clearwater Beach. This unique tradition offers a refreshing twist on a white Christmas, replacing snow with sand and warmth.

For many, celebrating at the beach is a new tradition that brings joy and relaxation. Lisa Williams shared her excitement about being in the sunshine state during the holidays. “Nothing better than being in the sunshine state for Christmas, Clearwater Beach is where it’s at today,” she said. Families who have moved from colder regions like Boston find this change refreshing. Rob Rocha, who originally hails from Boston, explained how different it is to be in Florida during December. “We’re used to the cold and snow, and here we actually have to bring sunscreen and some tanning oil on December 25th,” he added.

The weather at Clearwater Beach was perfect for the holiday, according to Tony Weber. “The temperature is great, it just turned out perfectly, God worked it out in all ways for us,” he said. For some, this is their first time celebrating Christmas at the beach, while others make it an annual event. Alisa Weber shared her experience, saying, “This is the first time we’ve done Christmas; we usually stay home for Christmas. We just needed a trip.”

For others, visiting Florida for Christmas has become a cherished tradition. “I come every year to Florida for Christmas to visit my family, my brother, and my dad,” Williams said. Whether it's their first time or a yearly tradition, the beach offers a special way to celebrate the holidays.

Dressed in Santa hats and Christmas onesies, visitors filled the beach with holiday spirit. Many enjoyed the simple pleasure of walking barefoot in the sand and taking a dip in the waves. It was clear that the main focus of the day was being with loved ones. Rocha shared how his family plans to reunite for Christmas dinner. “My brother has driven down from Delaware, he’s at my dad’s house right now in Trinity, and we’re all going to be meeting up for Christmas dinner and stuff like that.”

All the families interviewed by 8 On Your Side expressed their excitement about returning to Clearwater Beach for next year’s Christmas celebrations. The beach provides a unique and memorable way to spend the holidays, offering warmth, fun, and quality time with family.

Whether you're enjoying the sun, the sand, or the company of loved ones, Clearwater Beach proves that there's more than one way to celebrate Christmas. It's a reminder that the most important part of the holiday is coming together and making memories, no matter where you are.