Northeast Florida has a real calendar of events that shapes when — and how far in advance — you should book a vacation rental. Some of these are massive regional draws that fill homes across St. Augustine, Palm Coast, and Flagler Beach months out. Here’s the year, in order.
February: Daytona 500
NASCAR’s season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway, about 50 miles south of St. Augustine, draws the single largest crowd of the racing calendar. It fills lodging well beyond Daytona itself, into Palm Coast and St. Augustine. The 2027 race is set for Sunday, February 21. Official race info → · Read our full Daytona 500 stay guide →
March: Bike Week & THE PLAYERS Championship
Bike Week brings a ten-day motorcycle rally to Daytona Beach — one of the largest gatherings of its kind in the world. The 2027 edition (the 86th annual) runs March 5–14. Official Bike Week info → · Read our full Bike Week stay guide →
THE PLAYERS Championship, one of golf’s most-attended single events, is held at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach — about 15 miles from St. Augustine, making it the closest major event on this list. Tournament week for 2027 runs March 8–14. Official tournament info → · Read our full THE PLAYERS stay guide →
Summer (June–August): Peak Season
Summer is the baseline high season for Northeast Florida — school-break family travel, warm water, and the highest demand for pool homes all year. If you want the classic beach-week experience, this is it. Read more →
July 4: Fireworks Over the Matanzas
St. Augustine’s Fourth of July show is one of the largest fireworks displays on the East Coast, launched over the Matanzas Bay in front of the historic downtown skyline. Event info → · Read our full July 4th guide →
October: Biketoberfest & Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS
Biketoberfest is Bike Week’s fall counterpart in Daytona Beach — smaller, but still a significant regional draw. The 2026 edition (34th annual) runs October 15–18. Official Biketoberfest info → · Read our full Biketoberfest stay guide →
Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS presented by Circle K, a PGA TOUR Champions event, is now hosted right in Palm Coast at Hammock Beach Golf Resort’s Ocean Course. The 2026 event runs October 5–11, with tournament rounds October 9–11. Official tournament info → · Read our full golf week stay guide →
Thanksgiving Through Mid-January: Nights of Lights
St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights is one of the city’s single biggest tourism drivers — National Geographic has named it one of the best holiday lights displays in the world. It now runs from Thanksgiving weekend all the way through mid-January (2026–27: November 21 through January 18), which means Thanksgiving week itself overlaps directly with the kickoff — compounding demand for large family homes right when it’s already high. Official Nights of Lights info → · Read our full Nights of Lights guide →
Read our full Thanksgiving in St. Augustine guide →
Book Ahead
Any of these weeks can sell out a market’s worth of vacation rentals well in advance — especially Nights of Lights, Daytona 500, and THE PLAYERS. If you’re planning around one of them, the earlier you book, the more selection you’ll have.
Where to Stay
We manage vacation homes across St. Augustine, Palm Coast, and Flagler Beach — many within easy reach of all of the above. View available homes →