© 2025 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Tallahassee’s annual Elf Night brings fun and heavy traffic

a graphic shows an elf covered by the words "Oven Park Elf Night"
Talgov.com

Beware of Thomasville Road traffic on your commute Thursday afternoon.

It’s time for the City of Tallahassee's annual Elf Night from 5:30 till 8 p.m. at Dorothy B. Oven Park. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, along with free hot Cocoa and cookies provided by Santa’s helpers while supplies last.

The park’s holiday light display runs nightly through New Years Day, weather permitting. It’s normally a drive-through display, but no vehicles are allowed for Elf Night.

Parking will be available next door at Thomasville Road Baptist Church.


A weekly deep dive into Tallahassee's most talked about news topic. Hosted by Gina Jordan every Thursday.

Press release from the City of Tallahassee:

Get your merry spirit ready as holiday magic and evening traffic merge near the City of Tallahassee’s annual Elf Night event on Thursday, Dec. 18. The event takes place from 5:30-8 p.m. at Dorothy B. Oven Park, 3205 Thomasville Road.

For safety reasons, vehicles will not be allowed to drive through Oven Park during the event. Free public parking will be available next to the park at Thomasville Road Baptist Church, 3131 Thomasville Road.

Motorists traveling along Thomasville Road on Elf Night are urged to slow down and drive with caution in the vicinity of the park. Pedestrians and law enforcement will be present.

Drivers who typically use Thomasville Road and are not attending Elf Night should use an alternate route. Delays are expected due to heavier than normal traffic along the road during the event.

Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and a whole host of elves will make an appearance at Elf Night. If you’d like to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, upon arrival, check in on the front lawn to be assigned a ticket number on a first-come, first-served basis until all tickets are claimed.

While enjoying Elf Night, parents will want to have their cameras ready to record all the smiles and wonderment on their children’s faces. Hot cocoa and cookies will be provided by Santa’s little helpers, while supplies last.

Over 150,000 lights twinkle against the night sky in Oven Park. The holiday light display opened on Thanksgiving night and remains open through Jan. 1 from 6-10 p.m. on weekdays and 5:30-11 p.m. on weekends. Every night except Elf Night, visitors can drive through or walk the grounds, weather permitting. Use caution if driving through the park.

For more information about Elf Night and the holiday light display at Dorothy B. Oven Park, call the special holiday hotline at 850-891-3555.

Gina Jordan is the host of Morning Edition for WFSU News. Gina is a Tallahassee native and graduate of Florida State University. She spent 15 years working in news/talk and country radio in Orlando before becoming a reporter and All Things Considered host for WFSU in 2008. Follow Gina: @hearyourthought on Twitter. Click below for Gina's full bio.