By Patrick Connolly | pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com | Orlando Sentinel
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Goff Stepien of Daytona Beach catches a wave during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Thousands of festive Floridians and visitors congregate on the beach during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A trio of festive surfers catch a wave during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A surfer catches waves early in the day during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A horn-playing Santa entertains visitors during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Families enjoy the sunshine during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A pair of Santas enjoy time on the beach during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Elves celebrate a festive day during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Dozens of surfers and a man on a hydrofoil board dot the horizon during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Santa poses for photos with a group of elves and helpers during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Santa joins the crowd in cheering during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A Santa look-alike poses for a photo with his surfboard during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Reindeer sit atop a surfboard on a cart during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Clifford “Peanut” Kuehner, the Surfing Santa himself, poses for photos with attendees during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
“Santa Paws” greets his owner during the costume contest as part of Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
The Grinch couldn’t steal the joy of Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A costume contest participant is dressed up like a Christmas tree during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A Cousin Eddie lookalike from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” interacts with visitors during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A costume contest participant is dressed up like a limited-edition holiday Barbie during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Santa reacts to winning the costume contest during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Goff Stepien of Daytona Beach catches a wave during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Paragliders appear in the sky during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Paragliders appear in the sky during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Goff Stepien of Daytona Beach catches a wave during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Spyke the surfing parrot catches waves during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Mike Mularz and Spyke the surfing parrot come together for a festive day of fun during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
“Ruby the Grinch” is one of the youngest costume contest participants during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A costume contest participant is dressed up like a limited-edition holiday Barbie during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Hundreds of attendees congregate for Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Clifford “Peanut” Kuehner, the Surfing Santa himself, poses for photos with attendees during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Mike Mularz and Spyke the surfing parrot come together for a themed costume during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Colton Jones of Top Team Moving surfs on a handmade sleigh constructed with three surfboards during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Clifford “Peanut” Kuehner, the Surfing Santa himself, poses for photos with attendees during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Colton Jones of Top Team Moving surfs on a handmade sleigh constructed with three surfboards along with Zack Spurlock during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Paragliders appear in the sky during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Melbourne native artist Jesse Travis completed a live painting of a surfboard during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A trio of festive surfers gather on one paddle board during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Paragliders appear in the sky during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Dalton Smith runs back toward shore during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A trio of surfers catch a wave during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Spyke the surfing parrot catches waves during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A pair of daredevils jump out of a helicopter in a planned event during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Paragliders appear in the sky during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Kent Compayre appears as a silver surfer during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A trio of festive surfers gather on one paddle board during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
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Goff Stepien of Daytona Beach catches a wave during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
ExpandEvery year since 2009, festive Floridians and visitors have gathered on Cocoa Beach for a celebration of holiday fun in the sun. “Surfing Santas,” which started as a humble gathering of a few families and friends, has grown to involve thousands of attendees, some of whom surf in jolly attire. This year included a record-breaking attendance, estimated at over 12,000 people. “I feel like we’re spreading joy around the world,” said event founder George Trosset, noting the widespread media attention this holiday tradition garners.
