Lights, camera, holidays! South Florida ushers in the season with tree lightings, Santa photos and more

We’re a week away from the big Thanksgiving feast with our families, but that hasn’t stopped South Florida from getting a jumpstart on the holiday season even earlier this year.

Candles were still smoldering in jack-o’-lanterns all around when inflatable Santas and twinkling lights started to pop up in neighbors’ front yards. And cities throughout South Florida are following suit, as crews have been busy assembling towering holiday trees in their downtown areas. (Delray Beach’s tree tops out at a whopping 100 feet, while West Palm Beach’s Sandi tree is made of 700 tons of sand!)

So if you’re ready to celebrate the season, we’ve rounded up festivities throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties where you and yours can create magical memories starting now.

(And speaking of holiday early birds … parents, here’s a tip: Now’s a good time to schedule your pictures with Santa. Old St. Nick has already made his way to several malls in advance of Black Friday, and there are barely any lines now. If you don’t wait till the last minute, you can really save yourself some aggravation during this hectic time of year!)

BROWARD COUNTY

Fort Lauderdale

It may be near the ocean, but the third annual WONDERLAND is transforming Fort Lauderdale Beach into a winter paradise with a lineup of experiences through Jan. 1 at The LOOP, 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd. Anyone taking a seaside stroll or scenic drive along Fort Lauderdale Beach will find the area aglow with 50,000 lights, plus Olas, the 20-foot beach snowman at State Road A1A and Las Olas Boulevard.There’s also an ice-skating rink, holiday market, strolling characters, live music, dance performances, visits with Santa and holiday movie screenings (“Happy Feet” is next on Nov. 30). A Menorah Lighting Celebration will take place at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 with music and treats. For the full schedule, visit theloopflb.com.

Presented by the Las Olas Association, the 61st Annual Christmas on Las Olas will get downtown Fort Lauderdale into the holiday spirit from 5 to 10 p.m. Nov. 28. The event, from Southeast Sixth to 11th avenues along Las Olas Boulevard, will feature holiday lights and decor, costumed revelers, a snow mountain and 30 live performances on three entertainment stages. Free admission. Visit lasolasboulevard.com/christmasonlasolas.

Get ready to Light Up the Galt from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Beach Community Center, 3351 NE 33rd Ave. Music, entertainment, food, a performance from the Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds (7 p.m.) and a kids zone round out the activities. The tree-lighting ceremony is at 6:30 p.m. Free. Visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov/special-events.

The city promises there will be dancing in the streets for Light Up Sistrunk from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1, along Sistrunk Boulevard between Northwest Ninth and 11th avenues. In addition to a toy giveaway and kids zone, there will be a health fair, performances, food trucks, bounce houses, slides, and arts and crafts, plus a teen area with a DJ. The tree will be lit at 7 p.m. Free. Visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov/special-events.

Light Up Carter Park will feature a tree lighting, artist performances, bounce houses, train rides, face painters, holiday crafts and giveaways from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd. Free. Visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov/special-events.

Hallandale Beach

Gulfstream Park Village’s Symphony in Lights Holiday Celebration display features illumination from more than 250,000 LED lights, all set to the sounds of holiday music. A 10-minute light show will begin at the top of every hour from 6 to 11 p.m. daily, through Dec. 31. Santa will be making visits to Gulfstream Park Village, 901 S. Federal Highway, on select dates from Nov. 25 to Dec. 24 (available on a first-come, first-served basis from 6 to 9 p.m. in the ground-level Village Center). Visit gulfstreampark.com.

Hollywood

Come to the city’s downtown for the Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony with Santa on Nov. 17, followed by Movie Night featuring “The Santa Clause 2” from 7 to 10 p.m. The festivities will take place at the ArtsPark, 1 Young Circle. Free admission. Visit hollywoodfl.org.

Coral Springs

Where is Santa? Good question! He is scheduled to arrive at 11 a.m. Nov. 17 (and will be available until Christmas Eve) for photos at Coral Square Mall, 9469 W. Atlantic Blvd., Coral Springs. Cookies with Santa and Mrs. Claus special events will be available from 1 to 2 p.m. Dec. 9. To make reservations, visit whereissanta.com.

Coconut Creek

Promenade at Coconut Creek and Seminole Casino Coconut Creek will present a Tree Lighting Ceremony from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 18. The event at the Promenade, 4467 Lyons Road, will feature music, entertainment and visits with Santa. Free. Visit Facebook.com/PromenadeCC.

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the city’s Bike through the Lights event will open the season at Holiday Fantasy of Lights at Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Road, on Nov. 18 and 19. Take a bike ride through 3 miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees. There also will be food trucks and entertainment. Tickets are $10 per bike; no electric bikes or scooters are permitted. The drive-thru version will be from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly, including holidays, starting Nov. 22 through Jan. 1. Early bird admission is $20 per car. Go to holidaylightsdrivethru.com.

Pompano Beach

Get festive at Light Up MLK from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 18 at Annie Adderly Gillis Park, 601 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. The event will feature community-based performances, interactive holiday-themed activities, and food and beverage options, with the tree-lighting ceremony set for 7 p.m. Santa will also stop by. Free. Visit pompanobeacharts.org.

For the first time, the Pompano Beach Parks and Recreation Department will have its annual tree lighting on the Main Beach. Tree Lighting & Music Under the Stars Holiday Special is at 6 p.m. Dec. 8 on the Pompano Beach Great Lawn, on Atlantic and Pompano Beach boulevards. The RetroRadio Band will play at 7 p.m. The tree will be lit at 8 p.m. Fireworks, carolers and Santa are part of the lineup. Free. Visit pompanobeachfl.gov/blog/merry-moments-2023.

Plantation

Check out the first holiday parade of the season with the It’s A Wonderful Life in Plantation Holiday Parade, set for 9 to 10:45 a.m. Nov. 18. The route goes from the intersection of Broward Boulevard and Northwest 46th Avenue, then turns north on Northwest 69th Avenue and west on Fourth Street to City Hall, 400 NW 73rd Ave. Look for floats, community groups, marching bands, businesses, city officials, residents and Santa Claus participating in the parade this year. Free. Visit plantation.org.

The Plantation Historical Museum, 511 N. Fig Tree Lane, will open its Winter Wonderland holiday exhibit after the parade at noon Nov. 18. It will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays until Dec. 30, with more than 40 themed Christmas trees and a holiday gift shop. Free admission. Visit plantation.org/museum.

From 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 2, Light Up City Hall, at 400 NW 73rd Ave., invites you to take selfies with Santa, go ice skating, experience snow, hear vocal groups, and enjoy food trucks and crafts. Free admission. Visit plantation.org.

Dania Beach

A ceremonial Christmas tree lighting, pictures with Santa, an ice-skating rink, free treats, entertainment and food vendors are lined up for Light Up Dania Beach, set for 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 30 at Dania Beach City Hall, 100 W. Dania Beach Blvd. Free admission. Visit daniabeachfl.gov/3160/Special-Events.

Sunrise

Take a family photo during the Holiday Tree Lighting, from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Sunrise Civic Center Campus, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd. The lights will debut at 7 p.m., along with other colorful decorations. Free. Visit sunrisefl.gov.

Miramar

Watch as the city turns on the sparkle during its Holiday Tree Lighting from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 at Miramar Town Center, 2300 Civic Center Place. There will be performances, visitors from the North Pole, and food and beverages available for purchase. Free admission. Register at holidaytreelighting.eventbrite.com.

The city’s Very Merry Celebration will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 2 at Shirley Branca Park, 6900 Miramar Parkway, with entertainment, food trucks, and photos with Santa and Friends, among others. Bring chairs and blankets. Free admission. Visit verymerrymiramar.eventbrite.com.

Oakland Park

Holiday Village will take over Jaco Pastorius Park, 4000 N. Dixie Highway, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Dec. 1 and 1 to 9 p.m. Dec. 2. There will be live entertainment, a Holiday Village Carousel, snow slide, ice-skating rink, Christmas tree-decorating competition, visits from Santa, artisan and craft vendors, and a food court. Join the the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1. Free admission. Visit oaklandparkfl.gov/641/Holiday-Village.

Deerfield Beach

Ocean Way Holiday — set for 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Main Beach Parking Lot, 149 SE 21st Ave. — will light up the night with entertainment, Santa and his reindeer, a giant interactive snow globe, ice skating, treats and other activities. Free admission. Visit deerfield-beach.com/1298/Ocean-Way-Holiday.

Parkland

Light Up The Park will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8 at Pine Trails Park Amphitheatre, 10555 Trails End. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and gather at the Great Lawn for food, music and an ugly sweater raffle. Free admission. Visit cityofparkland.org/1215/Light-up-the-Park.

Lauderdale-by-the Sea

The tree will be lit during Christmas By The Sea, from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 on Commercial Boulevard at the beach. Browse for holiday and seaside-themed gifts and crafts, and write letters to Santa. Free. Visit discoverlbts.com/events.

Wilton Manors

Kick off the holiday season with a free family event that features stories and musical performances representing different cultures at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Justin Flippen Park, 2109 Wilton Drive. Along with the Holiday Lighting Ceremony of the menorah, kinara and Christmas tree, there will be musical performances. Visit wiltonmanors.gov.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Boca Raton

Musical and dance performances from schools and groups, meet-and-greets with Santa and a petting zoo will highlight the CP Group Tree Lighting & Holiday Extravaganza, taking place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Boca Raton Innovation Campus, 5000 T-Rex Ave. Led by WPTV-Ch. 5 chief meteorologist Steve Weagle, the event is a fundraiser for Spirit of Giving’s annual Holiday Gift Drive. There will be a countdown to the tree lighting at 6 p.m., plus Santa’s Workshop with holiday-inspired activities and LED cirque performers showing off their hula-hoop and juggling skills. Food will be available for purchase. General admission is free with a new, unwrapped toy or monetary donation. Adult VIP tickets are $50, including access to a VIP hospitality tent with open bars, hors d’oeuvres and a carving station, among other amenities. Children VIP tickets (age 16 and younger) are $15 and include access to a Kids Corner and kid-friendly beverages and meal options including a “Make Your Own Smores” station. All ticket proceeds go to the Junior League of Boca Raton. Visit eventbrite.com.

The Shops at Boca Center, 5150 Town Center Circle, will ring in the holiday season with Joyful Nights & Sparkling Lights: Holiday Tree Lighting and Festivities from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 17. Before the tree is lit, look for Nutcracker stilt-walkers, Clara and Sugar Plum Fairy ballerinas, and a grand entrance by Santa. Snack on cookies and hot chocolate, listen to festive music from young singers and support the Tri-County Animal Rescue. Free admission. Visit bocacenter.com/event/holiday-kickoff.

Mizner Park will kick off Boca Jolly Days, a series of winter events, from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real. Come out for music, a holiday vendor marketplace, lighting displays, food trucks, a kids’ craft area and free photos with Santa. At 7:15 p.m., the 30-foot Merry Magenta tree at the southern end of the center and all of the holiday lights and displays with an “under the sea” theme throughout downtown Boca will be lit by Mayor Scott Singer and City Council members. Free admission. For a full schedule, visit myboca.us/2074/Merry-in-Mizner.

Lake Worth Beach

Head over to the Cultural Plaza, 414 Lake Ave., for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 25. Twinkling lights will illuminate the plaza and tree in the heart of the city’s downtown. Free. Visit lakeworthbeachfl.gov/event.

Delray Beach

Even before Halloween, work begins to assemble the city’s gigantic tree in preparation for the 100-Foot Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration and Yuletide Street Fair. This year’s edition will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 28 at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., with food trucks, more than 60 vendors along Atlantic Avenue and Pineapple Grove, and three entertainment stages. Free admission. Throughout the season, visitors can also check out a Gingerbread House, carousel, ice skating, Santa’s House and mini golf. Prices and times vary for activities. Visit delraybeachfl.gov/our-city/things-to-do.

West Palm Beach

The first (faux) snowfall of the season has fallen, the Wish Tree has been lit, and ALL-Idays At The Square, 700 S. Rosemary Ave., are in full effect until Dec. 31. Snow will fall nightly at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Meet Santa at his workshop from Fridays to Sundays, through Dec. 24. Free admission. Visit thesquarewestpalm.com/west-palm-beach-events.

The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, 1301 Summit Blvd., will flip the switch on its annual Zoo Lights on Nov. 17. New this year are animal sculptures highlighting the zoo’s efforts to save animals in the wild, a 24-foot animated Christmas tree and lights around Fountain Plaza choreographed to music, along with Florida “snow” and Santa’s Village with cookie decorating. The after-hours event lights up various nights until Jan. 7. Early admission is at 5:30 p.m. and regular admission starts at 7 p.m., with closing at 9 p.m. Admission is $20 to $26 for adults and $15 to $21 for children, based on dates and entry times. Food is available for purchase. Visit palmbeachzoo.org/zoolights.

Sandi, the 700-ton holiday sand tree, will be lit for the season Nov. 30 on the Great Lawn, 100 N. Clematis St., as part of the city’s Holiday in Paradise events from 6 to 10 p.m. The Ferris wheel, sand sculptures, music and light shows are back along with a new Paradise Island, a 50-ton sandbox with holiday- and pirate-themed activities. On opening night, a holiday shopping bazaar will take place in the Lake Pavilion. Catch synchronized nightly music and light shows through Dec. 31 from 6 to 10 p.m. (shows will be extended on New Year’s Eve through midnight). Free admission. Ferris wheel rides are $5 per person, per ride, plus taxes and fees. Visit wpb.org/events.

Palm Beach

Venture over the bridge for the lighting of the 16-foot Grand Hall Christmas Tree, with its historically accurate trimmings, from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Flagler Museum, 1 Whitehall Way. Hear holiday music played on the original 1,249-pipe Odell organ and the 1902 Steinway art-case grand piano. There will also be choir performances, refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus. Each visitor will receive a box of animal crackers, which was invented in the Gilded Age and originally designed as a Christmas tree ornament. Free with museum admission. Visit flaglermuseum.us (under “Programs”) for additional holiday events at the museum.

Wellington

Santa’s Arrival and PJ Party will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at The Mall at Wellington Green, 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd., so put on your cozy pajamas and head to the mall for musical entertainment, cookie cakes, holiday characters and other activities. Free. Then get Fido camera ready for Pet Photos with Santa from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 27 and Dec. 4. Photos may be purchased after the visit. Visit shopwellingtongreen.com.

Celebrate everyone at the Holiday Cultural Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd. Activities include face painting, holiday card crafting, a hot cocoa station, music, characters, performances and vendors. The tree lighting is at 6:30 p.m. Bring a new and unwrapped toy to this event for Wellington’s Annual Hometown Holiday Toy Drive. Free. Visit wellingtonfl.gov.

Palm Beach Gardens

Santa has arrived at his Enchanted Garden in the Grand Court of The Gardens Mall, 3101 PGA Blvd. Give him your wish list and take Photos With Santa during all mall hours, through Dec. 24. Reservations are offered, but walk-ups are welcomed. Stilt-walkers will join Santa from 1 to 4 p.m. on weekends. Visit thegardensmall.com/news-style/events.

Boynton Beach

Music, food trucks, a holiday market and lighting of the big tree will help get downtown into the seasonal spirit during Winter Nights & Holiday Lights, set for 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 1 at Centennial Park & Amphitheater, 120 E. Ocean Ave. Bring chairs and blankets. Free. Visit boynton-beach.org.

The 52nd Annual Holiday Parade will step off at 4 p.m. Dec. 2 in downtown Boynton Beach, along Federal Highway between Boynton Beach Boulevard and Woolbright Road. Expect entertainment, marching bands, schools and community organizations. Free. Visit boynton-beach.org.

Royal Palm Beach

Entertainment from dance groups, choruses, and a Journey tribute will be part of Winter Fest from 1 to 9 p.m. Dec. 2 at Commons Park, 11600 Poinciana Blvd. The lighting of the 28-foot Christmas tree and fireworks will take place at 6:15 p.m. Also on the schedule: a Ferris wheel, train and carnival rides, a snow slide (opens at 4 p.m.), hot cocoa and cookies, food vendors, a children’s craft station and photos with Santa (6:30 p.m.). Free admission. Visit royalpalmbeachfl.gov.

Greenacres

Holiday in the Park — from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 9 at Samuel J. Ferreri Community Park, 2905 Jog Road — will feature Santa and a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, school performances, face painting, arts and crafts, carolers and other activities. Children younger than age 11 may receive a gift from Santa while supplies last. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Free admission. Visit greenacresfl.gov.