Best holiday lights mapped, from public displays to neighborhood hot spots in Palm Beach County

Janis Fontaine
Updated ·9 min read

South Florida could hardly be mistaken for a winter wonderland, but when the holiday season rolls around, we do not skimp on festive lights, trees and displays. But Palm Beach County is vast, and you'll need a guide if you don't want to simply cruise the streets looking for best and brightest lights.

Fortunately, we have come into this month prepared to help. From Jupiter to Boca Raton, from the coast to the western communities, use our lists and maps to help you find the best holiday lights displays in Palm Beach County.

Here is our interactive map with pins for each location mentioned in this guide.

Santa Claus tracker: Santa Claus can be found in these spots in Palm Beach County for kids, and pets too!

🌟 Best public lighting displays in Palm Beach County

Boca Raton

Merry In Mizner — Mizner Park, 590 Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton. Through Jan. 1. More than 50,000 LED lights adorning 75 palm trees throughout the park, plus garland, wreaths, and festive 2D light displays. The Music Series from 7-9 p.m. Fridays near the Christmas tree features local performers: Morgan Minsk (Dec. 8); Holden Amory (Dec. 15); Teddy Sings (Dec. 22); and Gratitude Steel Band (Dec. 29).

Gumbo Limbo Aglow! — 6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 8, 15 and 22, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, 1801 N. Ocean Ave., Boa Raton. Visit the "glowing" outdoor aquariums, enjoy holiday refreshments, yard games, and photos with Luna. Reservations are required. For age 7 and older. $15 members, $19 nonmembers. gumbolimbo.org or 561-544-8605.

Delray Beach

Classic 100-foot tree and Holiday Village — Through Dec. 31, Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. The 30-year-old tree has18,000 ornaments and 217,980 individual LED lights. Holiday Village has ice skating, carousel, mini-golf, and photos with Santa. Get tickets at the Gingerbread House. Touring the tree is free. www.delraybeachfl.gov or downtowndelraybeach.com

Boynton Beach

Boynton Beach Holiday Tree — Centennial Park, 120 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach. The centerpiece of downtown Boynton. 561-742-6024.

West Palm Beach

Holiday in Paradise — At the West Palm Beach Waterfront, Flagler Drive and Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Home to Sandi, the world's only 35 foot 700-ton holiday sand tree. Through Dec. 31. Synchronized nightly music and light shows from 6 to 10 p.m. on the quarter hour.

Palm Beach Zoo Lights — Dec. 1-3, 8-10, 15-23, 26-30, and Jan. 1-7, Palm Beach Zoo, 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Over one million eco-friendly lights. Giant animal displays. $15-$26. palmbeachzoo.org.

Tropical Holiday Trees at Mounts Botanical Garden — 531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach. Two 8-15-foot trees installed with dozens of colorful bromeliads and other tropical botanicals are on display, and Patrick Dougherty’s “Stickwork” has also been adorned in holiday décor. Through December 31. Included with regular admission. mounts.org

Don't miss Garden of Lights at Mounts Botanical Garden this holiday season as thousands of jewel-toned lights showcase the garden's lush landscape.
Don't miss Garden of Lights at Mounts Botanical Garden this holiday season as thousands of jewel-toned lights showcase the garden's lush landscape.

Lights 4 Hope Holiday Light Show — Okeeheelee Park, 7715 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach, near Micanopy Pavilion. More than two miles of animated and musical holiday light displays. lights4hope.org. Showtimes: 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 6-9 p.m. Sundays and select weeknights, Nov. 17-19, Nov. 24-26, Dec. 1-3, Dec. 8-10, Dec. 15-17, Dec 18-21, Dec. 22-23, Dec. 25-29. Dec. 30 is Bicycle Night from 6-7:30 p.m. ($15 per rider) and vehicles from 8-10 p.m.) Tickets: Standard car or truck with up to six people, $20. Large van or small bus with 7-12 people, $30. Large bus with 13 or more people, $40.

The non-profit Lights 4 Hope Inc., features a mile-long drive-through Holiday Lights Show at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach.
The non-profit Lights 4 Hope Inc., features a mile-long drive-through Holiday Lights Show at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach.

The ALL-idays At The Square — The Wishing Tree at The Square, 700 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach. The 30-foot-tall banyan tree is lit with 100,000 individually programmable, full-color-spectrum LEDs and nightly snowfalls and a light show takes place each evening at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. through Dec. 31.

The first snowfall to kickoff the holidays at The Square to kickoff on November 11, 2023 in West Palm Beach.
The first snowfall to kickoff the holidays at The Square to kickoff on November 11, 2023 in West Palm Beach.

Winter Wonderland Laser Lights and Bites — 6-9 p.m. Fridays through Dec. 22, at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, 4801 Dreher Park Trail, West Palm Beach. A laser light show and sing-along takes place at 8:30 p.m. Outdoor exhibits, mini golf, and holiday lighting along the Science Trail. $22 adults, $20 seniors, $18 children, $15 adult members, free for children of members and children younger than 3. coxsciencecenter.org

Mini golf under holiday lights is just one of the fun events at Cox Science Center and Aquarium's Winter Wonderland Laser Lights and Bites.
Mini golf under holiday lights is just one of the fun events at Cox Science Center and Aquarium's Winter Wonderland Laser Lights and Bites.

Hoffman's Chocolates Holiday Extravaganza — Through Dec. 30 at Hoffman's Chocolates Factory, Shoppe, Ice Cream Parlour and Gardens, 5190 Lake Worth Road, Greenacres. More than 15,000 lights and over 800 ornaments on the 40-foot tree. Take photos with Santa from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 8, 9, 16, 16 22 and 23. hoffmans.com.

Palm Beach

Cruising the main thoroughfares — Palm Beach knows how to spread the holiday light. The island's signature palm trees that line several of its thoroughfares, notably Worth Avenue, Royal Palm Way and Royal Poinciana Way, are wrapped endless yards of white lights.

The Flagler Museum’s Christmas at Whitehall — 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach. After the tree lighting in the Grand Hall, the 16-foot tree is on display at the 120-year-old museum daily, with special evening tours at 6, 6:15, 6:30, and 6:45 p.m. Dec. 19-23. The tree is decorated in gilded age style with authentic period-inspired ornaments and special lighting. Free for members. $50 adults, $30 for ages 17 and younger. Advance purchase required. flaglermuseum.org or 561-655-2833.

Hundreds attend the holiday tree lighting at Worth Avenue and Hibiscus Avenue November 28, 2023 in Palm Beach.
Hundreds attend the holiday tree lighting at Worth Avenue and Hibiscus Avenue November 28, 2023 in Palm Beach.

The Worth Avenue Holiday Tree — Residents flock to the corner of Hibiscus and Worth avenues annually to see this towering testament to Christmas tree lighting and there's no charge to stop by as you do some holiday shopping on the avenue. While you're out, check out the oversized evergreen decorated at Bradley Park along Royal Poinciana Way and the surfboard tree at Royal Poinciana Plaza.

Royal Palm Beach

Royal Palm Beach Holiday Tree — Commons Park, 11600 Poinciana Blvd., Royal Palm Beach. The village's impressive 28-foot holiday tree is lit nightly. royalpalmbeachfl.gov.

Lake Park

112811 LAKE PARK - Lake Park Public Works Department employees Jim Skrandel, (left) and Dennis Kelley assemble the town's Christmas tree November 28 2011.
112811 LAKE PARK - Lake Park Public Works Department employees Jim Skrandel, (left) and Dennis Kelley assemble the town's Christmas tree November 28 2011.

Lake Park Holiday Lights Display — Along Park Avenue from 7th St. to 10th St., in Lake Park. On Fridays and Saturdays through the month of December, and on Sunday and Monday, Dec. 31-Jan. 1, the road is closed to traffic so pedestrians can stroll the street and enjoy close-up views of the lights. Golf cart rides will be available on pedestrian nights in order to accommodate those who wish to see the lights but may have challenges. Hosted by the Town of Lake Park CRA. 561-840-0160 or email specialevents@lakeparkflorida.gov.

North Palm Beach

2023 Santa's Trolley Rides — 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, Veterans Park, 303 Anchorage Drive, North Palm Beach. A holiday tradition is back. The whole family can ride on Santa’s Trolley around the Village, enjoying neighbors’ holiday lights and decorations. $1 person or $5 family, cash only. Four trolleys are running to keep the wait to a minimum. After, kids can visit Santa at the North Palm Beach Library and listen to Mrs. Claus’ story time at 6:30 p.m. village-npb.org.

Palm Beach Gardens

Downtown Palm Beach Gardens Holiday Tree Celebration — Dec. 1-24, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave., Palm Beach Gardens. Stroll the property and view beautiful holiday trees decorated by local non-profits. 561-727-2640 or downtownpbg.com.

🌟 Best Palm Beach County Neighborhood holiday/Christmas lights:

Residents put out candy cane shaped Christmas lights along Hollywood Street in the Heights neighborhood in Jupiter.
Residents put out candy cane shaped Christmas lights along Hollywood Street in the Heights neighborhood in Jupiter.

The Heights, Jupiter — Lights, lights and more lights. This neighborhood of about 1,000 homes has tons of holiday spirit. You’ll often find friendly neighborhoods sitting in the driveway or on the front porch chatting. Just east of I-95 on Donald Ross Road, go north on Heights Blvd., and follow the road for about a mile. You’ll see a glow down the streets on your left: Check Hollywood St., Lauderdale St. and Drake St.

Gabriel Lane, Lake Clarke Shores — This normally quiet street just off I-95 is sometimes called the “Christmas Street.’ Directions: I-95 to Forest Hill Boulevard. West to Florida Mango Road. Turn right. Gabriel Lane on the right.

On Gabriel Lane, the Schaefers have a huge black olive tree that's dripping in white red green and blue lights in this 2005 photo.
On Gabriel Lane, the Schaefers have a huge black olive tree that's dripping in white red green and blue lights in this 2005 photo.

Old Northwood — This historic neighborhood founded in 1921 is decorated for the 35th Annual Old Northwood Holiday Home Tour, which takes place Dec. 17. Located north of downtown a block west of Flagler Drive from 26th St. to 36th St., between Poinsettia Ave. and U.S. 1.

Woodland Creek — In western Lake Worth. Lots of decorated homes in this neighborhood. Take Lantana Road west past Hagen Ranch Road and turn south into Woodland Creek.

Christmas lights at 7580 Woodland Creek lane Thursday December 17, 2015 in Lantana.
Christmas lights at 7580 Woodland Creek lane Thursday December 17, 2015 in Lantana.

Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill Blvd., Boynton Beach. Neighbors in this cozy community just south of Bethesda Memorial Hospital compete for bragging rights. From Woolbright Road, take Seacrest Blvd. south to Chapel Hill Blvd. and turn right. Turn right again on Westwood Lane/SW 8th St., and right on SW 28th Ave.

Flamingo Park — Just south of Okeechobee Blvd., off Parker Ave. There won’t be a home tour this year, but residents are decorating to win prizes and bragging rights. Judging takes place Saturday Dec. 9. The best streets are Ardmore Road, Claremore Drive and Flamingo Drive.

Ken and Jessica Walters decorated their home with Christmas cheer in the Flamingo Park neighborhood of West Palm Beach, Florida on December 4, 2023.
Ken and Jessica Walters decorated their home with Christmas cheer in the Flamingo Park neighborhood of West Palm Beach, Florida on December 4, 2023.

Jupiter’s Holiday Lighting Contest — Businesses and residents were asked to decorate for the holidays and register their addresses for an interactive map of Jupiter. Find info about how to register (the deadline is Dec. 30) and see the map here: jupiter.fl.us. Locations on the map:

Harbourside Place in Jupiter held their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 23, 2019.
Harbourside Place in Jupiter held their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 23, 2019.

· E. Riverside Driver at U.S.1 South, Jupiter.

· 1041-1183 Glynn Mayo Highway, Jupiter.

· Sawfish Bay Park, 1133 Alternate A1A N., Jupiter.

· Church St., Jupiter.

· Beachcomber Condominiums, 4161 U.S. 1 N., Jupiter.

· Donald Ross Road and Military Trail, Jupiter.

· Near Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, in the 1200-1300 block of Frederick Small Road, Jupiter.

North Palm Beach — The trolley route for this event — 2023 Santa's Trolley Rides, Friday, Dec. 15, Veterans Park, 303 Anchorage Drive, North Palm Beach — should be available soon here: https://www.village-npb.org/575/Santas-Trolley-Rides.

Deck the House Decorating Contest, Boca Raton. The City of Boca Raton is accepting online applications for through December 3 at 5 p.m. Winners will be announced on Dec. 17 in four categories: Best Entryway, Best Traditional, Best Use of Imagination and Best Overall. myboca.us

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Christmas lights near me: Best displays, including drive through