Families gather under the oaks at Rockefeller Gardens for the Ormond Beach Celtic Festival – enjoying live music and cultural displays. Springtime in Volusia and Flagler Counties isn’t just about the beach – it’s also festival season! After March 5, 2026, the local calendar is packed with festivals and events that are perfect for families. From classic car shows to cultural celebrations, these events offer fun activities for all ages. In this guide, we’ll highlight some of the best upcoming festivals (March – April 2026) in the Daytona Beach/Flagler area, complete with what to expect, event dates, and where to stay. Mark your calendars and get ready to join the festivities!

Spring 2026 Festivals for Family Fun

Spring Daytona Turkey Run (March 27–29, 2026)

Location: Daytona International Speedway (Daytona Beach, Volusia County)
Description: Start your engines for the Spring Daytona Turkey Run – one of the nation’s biggest car festivals and a family-friendly favorite in Daytona Beach! This is the 36th annual spring edition of the Turkey Run, and it turns the Speedway infield into a car lover’s paradise. You don’t have to be an auto enthusiast to enjoy it, though – there’s something for everyone:

• Classic Car Show: Over 5,000 incredible vehicles on display, from shiny vintage hot rods to modern muscle cars. Kids and parents alike will be amazed strolling past rows of colorful cars. It’s an awesome chance for grandpa to share car stories and kids to pick their “dream car.” (No touching the cars, please – but photos are welcome!)
• Huge Swap Meet & Vendors: The Turkey Run features a mega swap meet with 2,000+ vendors selling car parts, souvenirs, antiques, and crafts. Even if you’re not shopping for auto parts, it’s fun to browse the booths for unique goodies or grab some festival snacks.
• Family Activities: This event truly caters to families. On Sunday, there’s an Easter Egg Hunt for children 11 and under – free to join and lots of fun for the whole family. Throughout the weekend, you’ll find kid-friendly attractions like face painting, bounce houses, and yummy fair food (think funnel cakes and ice cream). The infield has plenty of room for kids to run around in the fresh air between event attractions.
• Live Entertainment: Enjoy live music and entertainment, plus the excitement of being at the famous Daytona Speedway. Car show participants even get to do a parade lap around the track on Sunday – fun to watch from the grandstands!

Why Families Will Love It: The Turkey Run is a blend of car show and county fair. Adults appreciate the amazing car displays and shopping, while kids stay entertained with activities made just for them. Admission is $15/day (Fri-Sat) for adults, $10 Sunday, and kids 11 and under are free, making it an affordable outing for families. With plenty of food vendors and restroom facilities on-site, it’s easy to spend several hours here. Tip: Go early in the day for cooler temperatures and smaller crowds, and don’t forget sunscreen on this spring weekend!

Official Event Info: Visit the Spring Daytona Turkey Run website for details on tickets, parking, and schedules.

Turtle Day at the Marine Science Center (April 10–11, 2026)

Location: Marine Science Center, Ponce Inlet (Volusia County)
Description: Turtle Day is a beloved annual festival celebrating Florida’s coastal wildlife – and it’s two days long this year for the first time! Held at the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet, this event is free and super family-friendly. It’s essentially a mini wildlife festival where kids and adults can learn about sea turtles and local marine animals in a fun, festive atmosphere. Highlights include:

• Sea Turtle Encounters: Guests get to enjoy up-close encounters with endangered sea turtles and other marine life being rehabilitated at the center. You might see a turtle recovering in a tank or meet an educator holding a friendly snake or lizard. The center’s turtle hospital staff will share how they rescue and care for injured sea turtles and seabirds, which is fascinating for kids who love animals.
• Live Animals & Exhibits: The Marine Science Center has a touch pool where kids can gently touch cownose rays and hermit crabs (with supervision, of course!). During Turtle Day, they often bring out glove-trained birds of prey (like owls or hawks) for demonstrations. It’s not every day you can see a majestic owl up close or feed a stingray! Exhibitors from other nature organizations also set up tables with cool displays – so children can learn about dolphins, manatees, recycling, and more through interactive exhibits.
• Music, Crafts & Games: This feels like a neighborhood block party combined with an eco-learning day. There’s live music providing a fun soundtrack, kids’ craft stations (make a turtle-themed craft to take home), face painting, and simple games. All around are booths from conservation groups with hands-on activities – kids might do a scavenger hunt or get a “passport” stamped as they visit different learning stations. It’s entertaining and educational at the same time.
• Community & Conservation: The whole vibe is welcoming and informative. It’s a chance for the community to come together and celebrate local wildlife. Parents often comment that their kids come away inspired to help animals after meeting real marine biologists and volunteers. And since admission to Turtle Day is free, it’s easy on the wallet for families looking for a weekend outing. (Donations to support the Marine Science Center are appreciated, but not required.)

Why Families Will Love It: Turtle Day is fun for all ages – toddlers to grandparents. Little ones love the live animals and music, older kids get engaged by the science and conservation messages, and parents enjoy the relaxed atmosphere under the palm trees. There’s usually food available for purchase (or you can pack a picnic to enjoy at nearby Lighthouse Park). And speaking of which – you can make it a full Ponce Inlet day by also visiting the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and playground next door after enjoying the festival. Learning about saving sea turtles while having a blast? That’s a win-win.

Official Event Info: See the Marine Science Center’s website or Ponce Inlet’s community calendar for Turtle Day details. (Hours are typically 10 AM to 3 PM each day of the event.)

Ormond Beach Celtic Festival (April 18–19, 2026)

Location: Rockefeller Gardens & Fortunato Park, Ormond Beach (Volusia County)
Description: Get ready to don some tartan and embrace the Celtic spirit! The Ormond Beach Celtic Festival is celebrating its 15th year, and it has grown into a two-day extravaganza of music, culture, and family fun. This festival brings the community together to celebrate Celtic heritage (Irish, Scottish, Welsh and more) – you’ll feel like you’ve traveled to the British Isles for the weekend. Here’s what to expect:

• Live Celtic Music & Dance: Music is the heart of this festival. Across multiple stages, you’ll hear everything from lively Irish jigs and Scottish bagpipes to Celtic rock bands. There are also scheduled performances of traditional Celtic dancing – watch energetic Irish step-dancers and highland flingers show off their moves! The best part is the energy: festival-goers often grab a spot on the lawn or bring folding chairs to sit and clap along to the tunes. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself dancing a bit too!
• Highland Games & Clan Village: A big draw is the authentic Highland Games competition. You can witness athletes in kilts tossing cabers (huge wooden poles) and throwing hammers, showing off incredible strength. It’s an official sanctioned event, so these competitors are the real deal – kids will be wowed by the feats of strength. Nearby, the festival sets up a “Clan Village” where various Scottish and Irish clans (like family heritage groups) have tents displaying their banners, tartans, and history. It’s fun to walk through and maybe find your family’s ancestral clan!
• Celtic Food & Vendors: Come hungry because the Celtic Festival offers yummy foods like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, corned beef sandwiches, and of course plenty of shortbread and Scottish eggs. And for the adults, there’s usually a beer garden (“Hops & Scotch” perhaps) with Guinness and other brews to enjoy. In the vendor area, you’ll find Celtic crafts and souvenirs – think handmade jewelry, kilts for sale, Celtic flags, and musical instruments like bagpipes and tin whistles. It’s a great place to pick up a unique gift or keepsake.
• Kids’ Activities: This festival is very welcoming to children. In fact, they expanded the kids’ zone this year to be larger than ever! There will be a petting zoo and pony rides for younger kids (who doesn’t love cute farm animals, right?). Plus, craft stations where kids can maybe color their own Celtic knot design or try a simple weaving craft. Don’t miss the kid-friendly shows – sometimes there’s a storyteller sharing Irish fairy tales or a magician performing tricks. Children 12 and under get free admission to the festival with an adult, making it an affordable family outing.

Why Families Will Love It: The Ormond Beach Celtic Festival has a little bit of everything – music, culture, sports, food – in a beautiful outdoor setting along the Halifax River. It feels both exciting and laid-back. You can spend the day wandering between the two parks (they are connected by a pedestrian bridge) soaking in the festive atmosphere. One moment you’ll hear bagpipes skirling, the next you might be cheering on a caber toss. Kids will love seeing people in traditional Celtic costumes (knights, fairies, and Vikings often roam around for photo ops). With plenty of free parking and a shuttle from nearby lots, it’s easy to get to. Bring sunscreen and maybe a blanket to sit on the grass. By the end of the day, your family might just leave humming an Irish tune or attempting a Gaelic phrase! Sláinte!

Official Event Info: Check out Ormond Beach Celtic Festival on Ormond Beach Mainstreet’s site for tickets (adults are $12 in advance per day) and the entertainment schedule.

Where to Stay: Family-Friendly Home Bases for Festival Fun

After enjoying these fantastic festivals, you’ll want a comfortable and convenient place to relax. Why not choose a Salty Dog Vacations rental as your home base? Here are three top picks that position you perfectly for attending the events above, while providing all the comforts and space a family needs:

• When it comes to festival season, you need a stay that’s as fun and flexible as your itinerary. Here are three Salty Dog favorites that put you close to the action while giving your crew space to recharge:
• Seaside Serenity – Steps from the shore and perfect for families, this coastal escape offers ocean views, open-concept living, and a kid-friendly layout that makes vacation feel effortless.
• Blue Anchor Beachside Retreat – This charming spot in Flagler Beach is cozy, coastal, and close to everything. With beach access nearby and a laid-back vibe, it’s a stress-free hub between festival hopping.
• A Wave From It All – Spacious, stylish, and great for larger groups, this Palm Coast gem comes with modern amenities and plenty of space to unwind after a big day out.

Whether you’re catching live music, tasting local eats, or just soaking in the Florida sunshine, these homes give your family the comfort and convenience you need to make the most of every moment.

Why Salty Dog Vacations? All Salty Dog rentals come with fresh linens, fully equipped kitchens, WiFi, and smart TVs – so you have all the comforts of home. You’ll have more space and privacy than a hotel, which is a game-changer for families. Imagine having multiple bedrooms (no sharing one cramped room!), a living room for family movie night, and maybe even a backyard or game room for the kids. Plus, you can save money by cooking some meals at your rental before heading out to the festival fun. Salty Dog’s local team is on hand if you need anything, ensuring a smooth stay while you focus on enjoying your vacation.

As you plan your spring 2026 trip to enjoy these awesome festivals, consider timing your rental to catch more than one event. For example, you could arrive for Turtle Day in early April, stay through the Celtic Festival mid-April, and enjoy some beach days in between – all while staying in the same comfy rental home. With a little planning, you can turn a single festival visit into a full-on family vacation.

So pack your bags – and maybe a shamrock shirt or race car t-shirt or two – and get ready for a spring adventure in Volusia and Flagler counties. Between the festivals by day and relaxing family time by night at your Salty Dog Vacations rental, this will be a trip you’ll always remember.

Explore our family-friendly rentals now and reserve your festival home base. Adventure awaits – see you at the festival!