A NOTE FROM OUR TOURISM DIRECTOR

November is here, and with it comes one of the most beautiful times of the year in the Sebastian River Area! As our temperatures become more comfortable, refreshing breezes return, and sunny Florida days invite us outdoors, we welcome back our snowbirds, seasonal residents, and visitors who look forward to making our community their home away from home each winter.

This is the perfect season to get outside and experience all that makes the Sebastian River Area so special. Our waterways are calling, and fishing remains at the heart of our community. From the Indian River Lagoon and Sebastian Inlet to the freshwater lakes and rivers around Fellsmere, there are plenty of opportunities to cast a line, head out with a local fishing guide, or simply enjoy a peaceful morning on the water. Whether you prefer boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing, hiking, biking, or birdwatching, our cooler weather makes it even more enjoyable to explore the natural beauty that surrounds us. Take a stroll through our parks and preserves, discover the beauty of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, watch for dolphins and manatees, or spend the day enjoying our beaches and scenic waterways. Here, outdoor adventure can be as exciting or as relaxing as you want it to be. November is also a time to celebrate the people, traditions, and local businesses that make our destination unique. From community festivals and live music to waterfront dining, fresh seafood, local shopping, and small-town charm, there is always something new to discover. Events like the Sebastian Clambake Festival bring people together to enjoy great food, entertainment, and the welcoming spirit that makes our community so special.

As you plan your November adventures, we invite you to make the most of your visit by staying a little longer and enjoying the welcoming accommodations our area has to offer. Our local hotels provide a comfortable home base for exploring everything from our beautiful waterways and outdoor adventures to our restaurants, shops, and community events. This month, we're also pleased to spotlight SpringHill Suites, one of the lodging options welcoming visitors to our area. Be sure to check out our feature and discover how staying locally can make your Sebastian River Area getaway even more enjoyable. Every hotel stay, restaurant visit, fishing charter booked, and local shop explored helps support the hardworking businesses and people who make our destination thrive.

To our returning seasonal residents and visitors, welcome back! And to those joining us for the first time, we are delighted to have you here. We hope you discover something that inspires you to stay a little longer, explore a little more, and return again and again.

Thank you for being part of what makes the Sebastian River Area such a special place to live, work, visit, and explore. Let's make it a memorable November!



Nicholas Frank Sanzone

Tourism Director

Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce



ELC Movie Nights

*Under The Stars*

Trade the living room for an evening under the stars.

The Environmental Learning Center hosts two free outdoor movie nights featuring Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo on November 6th and Disney’s Moana on November 7th. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs, grab pizza, popcorn and s’mores, and settle in for a cozy evening with family and friends.

Movies begin at sundown.

November 6 & 7, 2026 | 5–8 p.m.

Environmental Learning Center - Vero Beach

255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach



Admission is free, however Registration is required due to availability.

Click here to RSVP:

https://www.discoverelc.org/elc-movie-nights/

Vero Beach Art Club - Fall Fine Arts Festival

An art festival designed for artists.

Discover art at the Vero Beach Art Club’s annual Fall Fine Arts Festival. Explore original art works across 12 artistic categories, meet the artists with the Vero Beach Art Club behind each creation, and hear the stories that bring their pieces to life. Whether you’re a collector or simply browsing, you might find something

special to take home.

November 14 & 15, 2026 | Times Vary

Intergenerational Center- Wiggins Field

1590 9th St. SW (Oslo Rd.), Vero Beach



Registration pricing & event details? |

Open to both VBAC Members and Non-Members.

Discover original art & learn more:

https://www.verobeachartclub.org/Fallfineartsfest

23rd Annual Sebastian Clambake

CLAM.JAM.REPEAT.

Get ready for a weekend filled with fresh seafood, live music, local vendors, and family-friendly fun at the Sebastian Clambake! Bring your appetite & browse unique arts and crafts from local vendors, enjoy live performances from some of the region’s best bands, and soak up the welcoming atmosphere that makes this community tradition so special.

November 7 & 8, 2026 | Times Vary

Riverview Park - Sebastian

600 US Hwy 1, Sebastian



Saturday - (11AM - 9PM)

Sunday Lineup (11AM - 5PM)

Learn more & see band lineup:

https://www.sebastianclambake.org/schedule

Night Sounds Concert Series: Sebastian Inlet State Park

Enjoy live bluegrass on the water by Penny Creek Band.

Come enjoy live entertainment at the Sebastian Inlet, where Penny Creek brings bluegrass to the south side pavilions for November’s Night Sounds concert. Hosted by Friends of Sebastian Inlet State Park, Come for the music and grab a bite from the food trucks, with soft drinks and desserts also available for purchase on site. Parking is limited so arrive early! 

November 21, 2026 | 6-8 p.m.

Sebastian Inlet State Park - S. Side Pavilions

700 S Hwy A1A, Melbourne Beach



A little bluegrass, a little sea breeze. |$10 Per car admission fee.

Click here to see full concert schedule:

https://www.friendsofsebastianinletstatepark.org/events

McKee's Rhythm in Bloom: Rhythm in Sky

Good music. Great atmosphere. All in bloom at McKee.

Spend your Friday evening in the garden surrounded by music and botanical beauty as Rhythm & Sky performs at McKee Botanical Garden. Come hungry for the Garden Café’s special “Bites in Bloom” menu, featuring street tacos, pulled pork sliders, artisan flatbreads, , and sweet treats. Beer & wine available for purchase with beer samples from American Icon Brewery.

November 13, 2026 | 6-8 p.m.

McKee Botanical Garden - Vero Beach

3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach

 

Free for members | $10 non-member adults | $5 children

Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets!



Registration required! Learn More:

https://mckeegarden.org/events/#currentevents

19th Annual Thanksgiving Day Trot Against Poverty 5K

Start Thanksgiving with Gratitude & Movement.

Make room for Thanksgiving dinner while giving back! United Against Poverty’s Trot Against Poverty 5K returns to Riverside Park in Vero Beach on November 26. Run, jog, or walk with the whole family, then celebrate with sweet potato pancakes and larger-than-life turkeys Tom and Tina. Every step supports local individuals and families working toward self-sufficiency.

November 26, 2026 | 7:30 a.m.

Riverside Park - Vero Beach

3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach



$40 through November 25; $50 on race day. Groups of four or more receive a $5 discount.

Learn more & register:

https://trotagainstpoverty.org/

-NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT-

Room to relax, adventures to discover.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Vero Beach

A great getaway starts with a comfortable place to call home. At SpringHill Suites Vero Beach, spacious studio suites, thoughtful amenities, and personal attention give visitors a welcoming base for exploring our coastal communities. Located at 5115 Indian River Boulevard, the hotel welcomes vacationing families, business travelers, wedding parties, and sports teams. Whether guests are here for a weekend or an extended stay, the goal is the same: help them settle in and enjoy their time in the area.

“I’d describe SpringHill Suites Vero Beach as a welcoming place where you have room to relax and feel at home,” says Jessica Von Kohorn, Director of Sales. “What makes us special is the personal attention our team gives our guests. We want you to feel welcome from the moment you arrive.”

Every room is a studio suite, with distinct areas for sleeping, working, and relaxing. Guests can choose a king bed or two queen beds, along with a sofa featuring a trundle bed for additional sleeping flexibility. A mini-refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker make it easy to keep snacks handy, warm up leftovers, or enjoy a quiet cup of coffee. “Having that extra space helps guests settle in and feel more at home,” Jessica explains.

The conveniences continue beyond the suite. Complimentary breakfast makes mornings easier, while an outdoor pool offers a refreshing break between outings. A fitness center helps guests maintain their routines, and Wi-Fi keeps everyone connected. Free parking, guest laundry facilities, and a 24-hour marketplace are useful touches for travelers spending several days away from home.

For Jessica, however, the hotel’s strongest feature is its team.

“Our spacious studio suites, complimentary breakfast, and convenient location are all great features, but I think what guests appreciate most is feeling recognized and cared for,” she shares. “We put a lot of heart into making their stay comfortable.” That care often shows up in small gestures. Jessica recalls a family traveling with a baby who requested early check-in. The front desk associate explained that availability would determine what was possible, then followed up before their arrival to confirm a room was ready. She also arranged a quiet location so the baby could sleep, a thoughtful welcome the family remembered. Jessica’s own hospitality career began at a Fairfield Inn & Suites in Holiday, Florida, where she discovered how much she enjoyed working with guests and helping with sales. Today, she helps groups coordinate their visits and enjoys seeing those relationships grow into returning guests and lasting partnerships.

The team’s hospitality also extends to helping visitors explore. Through local recommendations, Visitor Guides, and partnerships with businesses and the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce, staff members connect guests with experiences suited to their interests.

In Sebastian, Jessica recommends waterfront dining, live music, fishing and boating on the Indian River Lagoon, and discovering local history at Mel Fisher’s Treasures Museum. Fellsmere offers another side of the region, with freshwater fishing, marshlands, and Old Florida character.For an outdoor adventure, her pick is an airboat tour through the Blue Cypress Conservation Area near Fellsmere. “It’s a great opportunity to see a different side of our area beyond the beaches!” she says. Afterward, she suggests stopping at Marsh Landing Restaurant for Southern cooking, with frog legs or gator tail for adventurous diners. Another favorite is the Environmental Learning Center, where boardwalk trails, aquariums, a touch tank, and guided pontoon tours introduce visitors to the Indian River Lagoon.

“We love that our guests can experience so much during their stay, from exploring the outdoors to supporting local shops and restaurants, then return to a comfortable suite at the end of the day.”

For those bringing people together, SpringHill Suites offers group room blocks and personalized booking links for weddings, reunions, sports teams, and business gatherings. Its 676-square-foot meeting room accommodates up to 36 guests classroom-style or 40 theater-style, according to Jessica. A television with HDMI connectivity, complimentary Wi-Fi, and the option to bring outside catering provide flexibility for meetings and training sessions. There is also something new to anticipate. Jessica shared plans for a renovation scheduled from May through October 2027, bringing a fresh look to the hotel, a bar, and a new outdoor gathering space.



Whether you’re visiting from out of town or planning a getaway close to home, SpringHill Suites Vero Beach offers a place to recharge between adventures and a team eager to help you discover what makes our area special.

Plan Your Stay

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Vero Beach

5115 Indian River Boulevard, Vero Beach, FL 32967

Hotel: 772-978-9292

Group inquiries: Jessica Von Kohorn, Director of Sales, 772-410-0880

Click here to explore the hotel and plan your visit!



2026 - Visit SRA FAM Tour

We’re accepting nominations and applications for THIS YEAR'S

Visit SRA FAM Tour on November 20!

This full-day tour will explore the western portion of the Sebastian River Area, stopping at multiple locations to meet the people and discover the experiences that make this part of our destination special. The tour is a great way to familiarize yourself with the area firsthand. You’ll leave with stories and ideas you can share with your own audience. We’ll also create photos and videos throughout the day and use that content to promote the Sebastian River Area over the coming year. By sharing both the content you create on the tour and the content we produce, you can help showcase the destination while promoting your own brand.

If you would like to join us or nominate someone who would be a great fit? Email Tourism@sebastianchamber.com .

Visit SRA Visitor Guides Are Here!

The new Visit SRA Visitor Guides have arrived, and Chamber members can request copies to share with guests, customers, and visitors. Whether you need a stack for your front desk or a box or two to keep on hand, we’d be happy to get guides to you. To request guides emial the Chamber.

Email- Tourism@sebastianchamber.com

Tourism Partners Reminder

We kindly remind our community partners and local businesses to email the Tourism Director links, flyers, and details about your upcoming events, special promotions, and exclusive deals. If you don’t tell us, we can’t share it. We want to help promote you and the area we all love.

Together, we can keep Sebastian vibrant, visible, and thriving.