The SoWal Palms RV Park in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, has become an unexpected seasonal attraction this year as one camper transformed his site into a large-scale Christmas display that has drawn attention from campers, neighbors, and passersby.
The installation, created by Pennsylvania native Joseph Gaston, features lights, inflatables, themed scenes, and even artificial snow.
Gaston, who relocated to Walton County from Pennsylvania, said the project stemmed from a desire to recreate the festive atmosphere he grew up with.
“Without the snow, well, kind of without the snow. I have a snow machine up, but I love the winter and the decorations. Christmas is my biggest holiday, so I just have to decorate to make it feel like I’m back home,” he said in a News and Insights report of My Panhandle on November 30.
According to Gaston, the display began with a simple request to add holiday decorations. He received approval from park owner Lauren Norris, who expected something modest.
“And I was thinking like two or three inflatables and maybe some Christmas lights. And then he just started adding more and more, and I’m like, I love it. Go for it. So it’s brought all the campers so much joy,” Norris said.
The installation has since expanded well beyond initial expectations, filling the space with illuminated elements and festive characters that have become a focal point inside the park. The setup reflects a hands-on, evolving process that Gaston manages without a written plan.
“I mean, it’s like you just start somewhere and go with it, and you move stuff. You take it down, you move it somewhere else, you add until you like where it’s at,” Gaston said.
Campers and local families have taken notice, with many stopping by nightly to take in the holiday display. The setup has quickly become a seasonal draw in the Santa Rosa Beach area.
“I actually love it. People have been driving by every night to come see the lights,” Gaston added.
The display’s success has motivated Gaston to coordinate additional holiday activities for the community. On December 11, he plans to host a neighborhood gathering that will include cookies, hot cocoa, and opportunities for photos with Santa and the Grinch.
At SoWal Palms RV Park, guests are just minutes from the beaches of the Emerald Coast, known for powder-white sand, turquoise water, and colorful sunrises.
According to its website, the park offers RV sites and tiny home rentals, including the Coastal Cube, which sits 2.5 miles from Ed Walline Beach Access on 30A and near Topsail Hill Preserve and Grayton Beach state parks.
Visitors can use onsite amenities such as a grill area, outdoor games, a bathhouse, and new pickleball courts. The location is right off Highway 98 and close to shopping, dining, and local seafood restaurants.