- March 11, 2025
The Rockefeller Christmas event, at The Casements, will be made over in its 33rd year.
BY MATT MENCARINI | STAFF WRITER
It’s been around for 33 years, but is undergoing a bit of a change this year to give Ormond Beach residents a different experience.
This year’s A Rockefeller Christmas at The Casements will focus more on being a similar experience to what John D. Rockefeller might have given his Christmas guests, with increased entertainment and an emphasis on The Casements’ history.
“When you get to be doing it so many times, people might say, ‘Been there, done that,’” said Siobhan Daly, the city’s cultural director. “We’re trying to shake it up a bit.”
Daly said she anticipates between 1,000 and 1,500 guests to make their way through the home during the three-day event, which in previous years had held before Thanksgiving. Daly said this year’s timing is closer to when Rockefeller would’ve had guests over to his home for the holidays.
Friday night will feature what Daly refers to as a “Disney-esque” lighting ceremony, which will include carefully coordinated lighting of all three floors and an ice cream social, aimed at bringing out a younger audience.
Santa Claus and Rockefeller will arrive at The Casements at roughly 7 p.m. Friday, via a horsedrawn carriage, to start the ceremony.
Carriage rides will be available to the public all three nights.
The Casements will have about 20 Christmas trees on display throughout the house, including the Tree Gallery, which will feature 15 trees donated and decorated by local businesses.
Each room on the first and second floors of the house will be open during the festivities, and will have a historical character. For example, Ron and Alice Howell, who are local historians, will be portraying the Bostrums.
“(They) lived right down the street from Mr. Rockefeller,” Daly said. “During one winter, when Mr. Rockefeller didn’t have heat, they invited Mr. Rockerfeller to stay with them.”
Similar to other events at The Casements, this event will be an opportunity to celebrate some history of Ormond Beach’s most famous former resident.
“Each year we try to do different decorations,” Daly said. “This is called, ‘A Rockefeller Christmas,’ so we’re trying to bring in very glitzy (decorations) — diamonds and pearls — that type of thing.”
The gourmet shop, which will be located on the second floor, will offer baked goods, aprons and garlic-infused olive oil, among other items.
Also on the second floor, the crafters will sell handmade items and Christmas wreaths, and even some handmade gifts for pets.
The gift shop, which will have additional space during the weekend, will also sell various higher-end Christmas gifts.
There will be a Wine and More event 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, which Daly said will be a Christmas-themed cocktail party, with wine, appetizers, music and a wine expert from ABC Fine Wine and Spirits to discuss the wines and food pairings.
Sunday will feature two tea parties, 1 p.m and 2 p.m., which Daly said were already sold out. Guests at the tea parties will be served tea, scones, desserts and sandwiches.
“(We’re) making it an event,” Daly said. “Something you can bring your children, your young children, to ... and they can dress in holiday fare and they see the entertainment and all the wonder of the holidays.”
Entertainment schedule
Friday:
Bob Piejak and Company
Bill Murray, soloist
Daytona Beach Choral Society
Saturday:
Ormond Beach Elementary Chimers (11 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
Ron and Alice Howell as “Mr. and Mrs. Bostrum” (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
Sweet Adelines (1 p.m. to 2 p.m.)
Surfside Chorus (2: 30 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
Two Guys with Horns (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Joan Horton, storytelling in the Rockefeller Room
Sunday:
Bob Piejek, keyboard in the gallery
Bill Murray, soloist
Pay Johnson, piano in the gallery
