Daytona Beach Area Sizzles with a Spectacular Summer Lineup: NASCAR, Baseball, Concerts, and More DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.
As the summer season approaches, visitors to the vibrant Daytona Beach area can revel in many exciting experiences and activities. This diverse destination offers a mix of 23 miles of pristine beaches, exhilarating 190 mph NASCAR racing at the renowned Daytona International Speedway, captivating concerts, and enriching museum experiences, providing endless adventures for the entire family.
Coke Zero 400 Weekend: On Aug. 25-26, NASCAR enthusiasts can look forward to the much-awaited Coke Zero 400 Weekend at the Daytona International Speedway. The highlight of this summer classic is the Coke Zero Sugar 400 event, a premier spectacle on the NASCAR schedule, where drivers fiercely compete to secure their spot in the final 10-race battle for the NASCAR Cup Series championship on Saturday night, August 26. The adrenaline-pumping action begins on Friday night, August 25, with the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola for the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Daytona Tortugas: Baseball fans can enjoy the games of the Daytona Tortugas, the Class A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Their season extends through Labor Day Weekend at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. At this historic venue, groundbreaking African-American baseball player Jackie Robinson played in the first integrated Major League Baseball spring training game in 1946. The Tortugas will conclude their season with a thrilling six-game series against the Dunedin Blue Jays from August 29 to September 3.
Ocean Center: Daytona Beach’s versatile convention center and entertainment complex will be bustling with various events leading up to Labor Day Weekend. The lineup includes the World Martial Arts Games on July 29-31, uniting competitors in under belt and black belt/youth and adult divisions; the awe-inspiring Jurassic Quest from Aug. 4-6, featuring the largest traveling dinosaur experience in North America; the 34th annual National Reptile Breeders’ Expo on Aug. 19-20, recognized as the largest reptile gathering worldwide; and an evening of laughter with comedy legend and Emmy® award-winning actor Katt Williams on August 25, as he takes the stage for his 2023 and Me Tour.
Unfolding The Universe: The James Webb Space Telescope: Space enthusiasts can deeply explore the universe at the Museum of Arts & Sciences with NASA’s latest space-based observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope. This captivating exhibition, “Unfolding The Universe: The James Webb Space Telescope,” runs through October 1 and showcases breathtaking insights and imagery of stars, planets within and beyond our Solar System, star-forming nebulae, massive galaxies, and some of the most remote objects ever observed.
Daytona Beach Bandshell: The historical Daytona Beach Bandshell hosts a thrilling summer concert series every Friday (through September 1) and Saturday night (through September 30) at 7:15 p.m. The concerts are free, with an option to purchase reserved VIP tickets for $15. Attendees can top off their evenings with a dazzling fireworks display after the Saturday night concerts, commencing at 9:45 p.m. The schedule includes tribute performances such as Rocket Man – Elton John Tribute, Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi Tribute, Fast Forward – Kenny Chesney Tribute, and Nuthin’ Fancy – Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute.
National Lighthouse Day at Ponce Inlet Lighthouse: On Saturday, August 5, visitors can celebrate National Lighthouse Day at the historic Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and Museum. Climbing 175 feet to the top of Florida’s tallest lighthouse and exploring the world-famous lighthouse museum allows guests to discover 250 years of American lighthouse history in one of the nation’s largest and most authentic light stations. Family-oriented activities, including living history interpretations, hands-on workshops, and kids’ crafts, will also be available from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., provided free of charge with regular admission.
P1 AquaX USA: The 10th-anniversary season of P1 AquaX USA comes alive in Daytona Beach from Aug. 18-20 with the thrilling Daytona Beach SBGT AquaX Grand Prix. Competitors can showcase their jet ski prowess in the beautiful Atlantic Ocean waters in front of the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach. This event presents two divisions of racing – Enduro and Sprint – each featuring a pro and amateur class, offering 80 participants from across the United States and abroad an opportunity to demonstrate their skills. Spectators can attend the event free of charge.
About the Daytona Beach Area | #LoveDaytonaBeach: The Daytona Beach area, a dynamic destination in Central Florida, offers endless adventures for every type of traveler. With 23 miles of world-famous white-sand beaches, various thrilling activities, and over 12,000 rooms, it is an ideal beach base camp to explore the wider region. Whether seeking excitement or tranquility, this eclectic destination caters to meetings and groups of all sizes and budgets, providing a truly memorable experience.
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