Events in New Smyrna today

Develop core art skills while exploring color theory in a studio class focused on composition and expressive painting. Through guided practice, participants gain confidence with color relationships and learn to put them to work in oils or acrylics. Sessions are held at Artists' Workshop of New Smyrna Beach, with Studio C used in summer and Studio B in fall. The fee is $20 per class. Details on materials, scheduling, and registration are available on the organizer’s website.

Part of the State of Series, this State of the State program brings together business leaders, community stakeholders, and decision-makers from across Southeast Volusia to explore priorities, challenges, and opportunities at the state level. It offers a collaborative space to consider statewide issues that impact the region.

Life drawing sessions offer an informal, welcoming space for artists to work from a professional nude model. Each session begins with five two-minute gesture poses, continues with two five-minute poses, then moves into several 20-minute poses with short breaks about every 20 minutes. Conversation and friendly feedback are common during breaks. The studio provides chairs, stools, and easels, and artists bring their own materials; any medium is fine, and oil painters must use odorless mediums. Most participants draw standing and prefer large sheets of paper, since sizes smaller than 11x14 can be cumbersome. This is not a class, just a group that shares the cost of the studio and the model, and attendance can be occasional or ongoing with no sign up required. No photos are permitted. Cost is $20 at the door.

An upbeat comedy auction blends laughs with spirited bidding on treasures from years past. DJ Skratch keeps attendees energized throughout. Between auction rounds there are free Flip Flop Bingo games and a 50/50 cash raffle, with bingo winners receiving gift certificates from the bar. It is a lighthearted evening of entertainment, prizes, and friendly competition.

A welcoming women’s 18-hole league gathers at Cypress Head Golf Course for regular play with a friendly, competitive spirit. Formats rotate each week, offering a mix of individual and team games throughout the year. Annual membership is $50 and requires an established handicap index and the ability to play to a 36 handicap at Cypress Head. For complete eligibility details, please consult the membership director. Each round includes a $5 game entry with cash prizes awarded weekly. The schedule features special gatherings and tournaments, including an Opening Luncheon, a Holiday Tournament, Member/Guest and Member/Member events, a Presidents Cup, and a Club Championship. Participants also compete in the Intercity Women’s Golf League of Central Florida and Seagals Interclub Play. For sign-up and information, contact Membership Director Debbie Bagnato at dbagnat@gmail.com or 419-541-1477.

A vendor is set up at the Deland Farmers Market at the Volusia Fairgrounds, offering goodies to marketgoers.

At Besties, expecting mothers can connect in a welcoming setting, share experiences, and build community. Free drinks and snacks are provided. Pricing is two adults at no charge with a paid child, or $18 per adult.

Students and adults explore the Indian River Lagoon by land and water during a guided homeschool field trip. A naturalist leads the experience aboard a 40 passenger pontoon boat, sharing insight into the lagoon and its wildlife, with possible sightings of dolphins, manatees, birds, and other marine life. The group steps ashore on a remote island for hands-on exploration and a closer look at this unique environment. Designed for K through 12 learners, the program runs once each month throughout the school year, with rotating themes such as barrier islands, ocean zones from the sunlit surface to the deep sea, the many ways the lagoon acts as a buffer, nursery, and filter, and the science of ocean acidification with ways to help. The cost is $25 per person. A minimum number of participants is required. Students must attend with an adult, and both students and accompanying adults must register and pay as participants.

Explore watercolor painting in flexible, single-session classes led by award-winning artist Liv Witherow. Designed for beginners and intermediate artists, each class opens with a live, step-by-step demonstration, then moves into guided, hands-on instruction as participants create their own paintings from reference photos. Expect to practice advanced color mixing with a limited palette and experiment with dynamic watercolor techniques, building skills over time. Drop-in pricing is $20 for members and $25 for non-members per class. Students bring their own supplies, and a complete supply list is available on the Artists' Workshop of New Smyrna Beach website. Participants can reserve an easel by contacting the instructor, with details provided on the same site.

Connect over coffee at Copperline Coffee + Cafe during a relaxed networking meetup for professionals. Share what you do, exchange ideas, and build authentic relationships in a welcoming setting. This event is free for Chamber members.

Kickstart the day over quality coffee while connecting with a community focused on real estate. This weekly Volusia County gathering brings together investors, wholesalers, lenders, agents, entrepreneurs, business owners, contractors, service professionals, and anyone interested in the field to expand connections and opportunities. The format avoids sales pitches in favor of a casual, welcoming setting where practitioners share practical insights, talk through deals and strategies, and form genuine relationships. Expect approachable people, free flowing conversation and networking, a supportive atmosphere, and plenty of laughs with the caffeine. Newcomers and seasoned pros alike will feel comfortable and included.

Explore acrylic techniques for depicting the natural world in a weekly class with Scott Hiestand. Learn approaches for painting birds, fur-bearing animals, and the distinctive beauty of Florida landscapes while building confidence, creating mood, and making effective use of washes. Reference photos are typically provided to support skill building, and everyone is encouraged to paint the subjects they enjoy most. The class meets in Studio B. Tuition is $150. Please bring acrylic paints, gesso, canvas or birch panels, and a selection of brushes with a palette. Space is limited.

Passport to the Beginning reflects on the humble origins of a one-room museum launched in 1955 by a group of women in a modest building along a quiet Daytona Beach road, where artifacts from local collectors first went on display. As plans move forward for an iconic new building in Daytona Beach that will feature widely discussed exhibits across the Southeast, this gathering pauses to honor the journey from those first steps to what comes next. Cocktail attire with a 1950s vintage flair fits the theme. The event takes place at the Brannon Center.

Deepen your understanding of color with instructor Mary Gerlach in a class centered on strengthening core art skills. Explore ways to plan engaging compositions, choose palettes with confidence, and translate ideas into expressive paintings. Work in oils or acrylics with guidance on applying essential color theory to your own pieces. This ongoing offering spans summer and fall at the Artists’ Workshop of New Smyrna Beach, with sessions in Studio C during summer and Studio B in the fall. Each session costs $20. Details about materials, scheduling, and registration are available from the organizer.

Artists seeking clear, professional critique can take part in a monthly open session led by local artist and instructor Arnold Desmarais. The conversation welcomes creators working in any medium and at any experience level. Expect a supportive setting to overcome creative blocks, polish work ahead of an exhibition, and spark new ideas with feedback from peers. Participants may bring one or two works in progress or finished pieces, with a limit of two paintings per person. The gathering takes place at The Gallery on Magnolia. Cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

Set out from Marine Discovery Center for a guided paddle timed with the full moon, watching the sun fade behind the mangroves as moonrise brightens the water. The experience includes on-water instruction and naturalist-led insights, and all required gear is provided. It is designed for every skill level, so no prior kayaking is necessary. An observation mound next to the kayak launch offers an elevated spot to take in the rising moon. This tour is scheduled around each monthly full moon, weather permitting. Rates are $60 for adults. Children ages 6 to 12 are $42 and must ride in a tandem with an adult. If you bring your own kayak or a stand up paddleboard, the rate is $42.

Halo Violation returns to The Port Hole for an evening of rock and roll.

Browse a sweets-centered booth at the NSB Farmers Market featuring deep dish cookies, gluten-free cookies, sourdough cookies, candied apples, caramel apples, apples dipped in caramel and chocolate, fudge, toffee, cake pops, brownies, sourdough crackers, and apple cider donuts. Sourdough bread is not part of the offerings, as other sourdough bread vendors are already at the market.

Discover Nandi at the New Smyrna Beach Farmers Market near City Hall, featuring tallow face and body care. Each item is locally sourced and made in New Smyrna Beach, using grass fed and finished, non medicated suet with no mRNA.

Ease into the day with a peaceful beachside yoga session accompanied by the sound of the ocean. This all-level class combines gentle Hatha with soothing Yin for a calm, supportive practice suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners. The session lasts 60 minutes and is free to attend, with voluntary donations welcome. Please bring a blanket or an oversized beach towel, as these work better on sand than typical yoga mats. No reservations are required, and arriving a few minutes early is recommended to get settled. For parking, register your vehicle through Park Volusia, or park across the street and use the designated crosswalk.

Enjoy an energizing oceanfront yoga session that blends the grounding focus of Hatha with the flowing sequences of Vinyasa to build strength, flexibility, balance, and overall wellness. All experience levels are welcome. This is a free community class, and donations are appreciated. Bring a blanket or large beach towel, which is often more comfortable on the sand than a traditional mat. No reservations are required. For parking, register with Park Volusia, or park across the street and use the crosswalk.

The Sauce-a-Palooza Festival in Port Orange features the mobile Fairy Hair vendor alongside more than seventy vendors for a sauce-themed day of food and shopping. Service is offered by arrival order, so consider possible wait times.

Fire-kissed barbecue takes center stage with meats smoked over locally sourced Florida oak. The lineup features whole smoked pork butts, pulled pork, and full racks of spare ribs. Offerings are available only while supplies last.

This event features food, chilled drinks, and live reggae rock tunes for an evening out.

Tom Bennett and Ariel Vegodsky bring a lively dueling pianos performance to The General Public House, blending crowd-pleasing tunes with playful piano work. The show is interactive, with plenty of opportunities to sing along and be part of the music.

The 5th Annual Volusia County Out of the Darkness Walk brings together a caring community focused on suicide prevention and awareness. Suicide ranks as the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, and meaningful prevention begins with understanding. Routes span roughly one to three miles and are noncompetitive. The program features an opening ceremony, activities centered on hope and healing, resource tables with information, and complimentary honor beads for all participants.

Welcome the new season with an afternoon runway showcase of style, shopping, and community. Presented by The Posh Pineapple and hosted at The Gray Room, the event spotlights thoughtfully assembled Fall and Holiday collections as they step onto the runway, highlighting key trends, accessories, and gift ideas. Guests can enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while connecting with fellow fashion fans and browsing pop-up shopping from select brands. Following the show, The Posh Pineapple will host a private shopping window that provides first access to the featured looks and new arrivals before the season begins. Raffle baskets will be available throughout the afternoon, with proceeds benefiting the Marine Discovery Center. Whether refreshing a wardrobe, searching for early holiday gifts, or spending time with friends, this celebration blends festive flair with fashion-forward inspiration and exclusive shopping. Tickets are available.