Save the dates: Tree lightings, Santa photos, music & more for South Florida’s holiday season
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 have been 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, 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.
The Friends of Jack & Jill Center will host the 22nd Annual Stiles Light Up Downtown from 5:30-8 p.m. Nov. 28 at The Plaza on Las Olas, 301 E. Las Olas Blvd. Before the 30-foot Christmas tree is lit, the adults-only fundraiser will have unlimited cocktails, canapés and live entertainment including carolers, jugglers and stilt walkers. Proceeds benefit the center that supports children and families through education, programming and community engagement. Age 21 and up. Tickets are $125 at jackandjillcenter.org/event/lud.
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.
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, 900 N. Birch Road, will transform into an illuminated wonderland during Five Nights of Holiday Magic on Dec. 1, 2, 6 and 8. From 7-10 p.m. Dec. 1, the Holiday Magic Soirée will feature fully catered food and drinks with a sneak peek of “POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance,” which will have a residency show Dec. 19-30 at Fontainebleau Miami Beach.VIP tickets are $175 and general admission is $125. Holiday Magic Whimsical Wonderland is a family event with entertainment by the Broward Center Spotlights, a scavenger hunt, letters to Santa and holiday family portrait photo ops from 5:30-8 p.m. Dec. 2. General admission (includes two drink tickets) is $35 for adults, $15 (ages 13-17), $5 (ages 6-12) and free for age 5 and under. Holiday Magic Evening Experiences will have entertainment each night from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 6-8 with Santa and his elves to Christmas storytelling to strolling carolers to Gin & Jazz featuring Davis & Dow, to The Yuletide Carolers. General admission (includes two drink tickets) is $35 for adults, $15 (ages 13-17), $5 (ages 6-12) and free for age 5 and under. Visit bonnethouse.org/holiday-magic-2023.
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.
Coral Springs
Where is Santa? Good question! He 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.
Holiday Fantasy of Lights returns for another season from Nov. 22 through Jan. 1 at Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Road. Drive through from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly, including holidays. Early bird admission is $20 per car. Go to holidaylightsdrivethru.com.
Pompano Beach
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
The Plantation Historical Museum, 511 N. Fig Tree Lane, has its Winter Wonderland holiday exhibit 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
Dania Pointe is bringing back Let It Snow and The Snowman Experience on The Lawn, 150 Sunset Drive. The celebration begins on Nov. 24 with snowfalls at 7 and 8:30 p.m. for 15 minutes of flurries. Enjoy Let It Snow at 7 and 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 7 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 24. The Snowman Experience kicks off on Nov. 25 as real snowmen are assembled before you take photos alongside them. The snowmen are made every Saturday and Sunday from 2-7 p.m. through Dec. 24. Free. Visit daniapointe.com/events.
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
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.
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., has flipped the switch on its annual Zoo Lights. 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.
Take a two-mile drive through Okeeheelee Park, 7715 Forest Hill Blvd., to view animated and musical holiday light displays during the sixth annual Lights 4 Hope Drive Thru Light Show on select nights through Dec. 30. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit children and families facing life-altering diseases and diagnoses. Admission for standard cars or truck with up to eight passengers is $20. Visit lights4hope.org.
The Cox Science Center and Aquarium, 4801 Dreher Trail N, is organizing ‘Tis the Season for Science events throughout the rest of the year (and into January). Rock out to the holiday classics Laser Light Shows at the full-dome planetarium from Nov. 24-Jan. 7 and winter-themed science demos and STEM activities. Visit coxsciencecenter.org/tis-season for a full schedule.
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 has arrived at The Mall at Wellington Green, 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd., to take photos with the kids. Then get Fido camera ready for Pet Photos with Santa from 5 to 7 p.m. 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
Hoffman’s Chocolates Holiday Extravaganza returns to its headquarters at 5190 Lake Worth Road from Nov. 24-Dec. 30. The festivities will kick off at 6 p.m. Nov. 24 with a tree-lighting ceremony featuring a 40-foot holiday tree with 15,000 lights, over 800 ornaments and a 5-foot 3D tree topper. Visitors can also take photos with Santa, enjoy face painting and holiday music. The first 100 guests to make a purchase at Hoffman’s Chocolates that night will receive a free 12-inch gold or silver nutcracker. Photos with Santa will be available from 6-9 p.m. on select Fridays and Saturdays in December. Free admission. Visit facebook.com/hoffmanschocolate.
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.
