While it may not snow or get very cold in South Florida, there are still plenty of holiday fun filled events popping up all around! I gathered up some of my favorites in the tri-county area. So let’s get holly and jolly!
Broward County
It's A Wonderful Life in Plantation Holiday Parade - Saturday November 23rd
Join the City of Plantation for their annual holiday parade! The parade route is from State Rd 7 & Broward Blvd to NW 69th Ave, concluding at Plantation City Hall.
Light Up the Beach - Tuesday Nov 26th
Join the City of Fort Lauderdale from 5:30p - 8:30p with the illumination of more than 50,000 holiday lights along the beach and the return of “Olas” the 20ft snowman.
Weston Town Center Christmas Tree Lighting on Monday, December 1st
From 4pm-8pm, Weston City Officials will be Lighting the Tree. They will have Snow, Live Shows, Disney Characters, the Famous Choo Choo Train, Bounce Houses, Face Painting and Balloon Forms.
Christmas on Las Olas - Tuesday, December 3rd at 5pm
Snow will fall again on Las Olas Boulevard, transforming the area into a magical winter wonderland as locals and visitors return to the beloved 57th Annual Christmas on Las Olas. The fun-filled event will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 5-10 p.m. between SE 6th Avenue and SE 11th Avenue. It is free and open to the public.
Tree Lighting (City of Miramar) - Saturday, December 7th
The tree lighting will start at 6pm at the Miramar Town Center
Candy Cane Parade on Hollywood Beach - December 7th
Get ready to get your share of peppermints and candy canes at South Florida's premier holiday celebration, the 64th Annual Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade. An estimated 40,000 people will line the Broadwalk at 7p to watch the parade make its way from Scott Street south to Harrison Street. What a wonderful way to usher in the holiday season with a 100-entry festive parade along Hollywood's gorgeous oceanfront Broadwalk bordered on one side with holiday decorated restaurants, cafes and small lodgings on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Expect a multitude of lighted floats, colorful entries, marching bands, baton twirlers and costumed characters. Besides the floats and the seemingly endless supply of candy canes and peppermints, local talent fills the parade ranks.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Friday December 13th
BB&T Center in Sunrise
This beloved holiday extravaganza puts a unique spin on traditional holiday favorites with a sound heavily influenced by bands like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin - for many, a multi-generational, holiday tradition. This year, TSO will perform an all-new production of their iconic “Christmas Eve and Other Stories.”
12 Bars of Christmas FTL - Dec 14th
Get Your Santa, Elf, Reindeer, & Crazy Holiday Costumes Ready To Party! Get 2 Complementary Drinks/Shots & 🍻 Drink Specials Exclusive To Our Crawlers with Food Specials At Select Locations. Check in at 6pm, specials until 2am.
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade - Dec 14th at 6:30pm
The Parade starts at Stranahan House traveling East along the New River in Fort Lauderdale to the Intracoastal Waterway as it continues North to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. It’s 12 Miles of the “Greatest Show on H20.” The parade takes approximately 2 and 1/2 hours to view from one location. Private boats to the giant showboats and corporate megayachts will be adorned with hundreds of thousands of lights, music, entertainment, decorations, celebrities, musical groups, beauty queens and many other exciting entries expected to be viewed by over one million spectators.
Holiday Social at The Wharf - Thursday Dec 19th
Celebrate the holiday season with Emerge Broward from 6pm - 8pm! Join them for a night of networking and mingling at The Wharf Fort Lauderdale. And don't forget your festive holiday sweaters!
SantaCon - Saturday, December 21st
SantaCon is BACK in Fort Lauderdale! will turn Las Olas into a river of Santas and holiday mayhem!
Come to Las Olas dressed in your holiday bests. That means Santa suits, elf ears, reindeer horns and holiday costumes. Start or end at any location of your choice. Charity Raffle at Township 7pm-10pm benefiting Jack & Jill Children's Center.
Broward Ongoing
Symphony of Lights - Friday November 22 - December 30th
‘Tis the season! Celebrate Christmas a little earlier this year at Village at Gulfstream Park, which will come alive with more than 250,000 lights, a giant Christmas tree lighting, live performances, over 2,000 attendees and an appearance by “the man” himself: Santa Claus. Visitors revel in the lights and holiday spirit nightly from 6pm - 11pm.
Miracle on Las Olas -Wednesday November 26th - January 2nd
Miracle the Christmas themed pop up cocktail bar is coming to Las Olas with Christmas decor and lots of holiday cheer! It will take over Java & Jam with a new J&J dinner dinner menu with inspired dishes like the Diner Burger, Meatloaf, Reuben, Roast Chicken, Salads and more! Reservations are not available, walk-ins only.
Holiday Fantasy Lights Drive Through at Tradewinds Park - November 27th - December 31, 2019
Tradewinds Park will again be a fantasy of color, lights and design this holiday season. Through the generous efforts of Brandano Displays with Broward County Parks Department and the city of Coconut Creek.
WaterTaxi Light Cruise - November 30 - December 24
Come see the beautiful mansions of Fort Lauderdale all dressed up for the holidays while you enjoy live holiday music and a cash bar with specialty cocktails aboard the festively decorated Double Decker Water Taxi!
Garden of Lights at Flamingo Gardens -
Enjoy tens of thousands of lights decorating the Arboretum and Wray Home on December 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, & 29, 2019. This special night time viewing event features decorations and holiday scenes adorning the garden pathways, Santa’s Snow Mound, interactive life-sized snow globe, and holiday crafts to make & take.
Polar Express on GoBrightline
All aboard! Relive the magic of the classic story and be whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a magical one-hour trip to meet Santa. Santa and his elves board the train to greet passengers with the first gift of Christmas. During the trip, characters on each car lead passengers in an immersive onboard experience – just like in the film! In addition to the wonderful memories made on this magical trip, each guest will take home a keepsake sleigh bell and souvenir golden ticket. Passengers are required to arrive approximately one hour before their listed departure time in order to park, pass through security, and check in at Brightline Fort Lauderdale Station at 101 NW 2nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311.
Miami Dade
CityPlace Doral Tree Lighting Ceremony - Saturday, November 23rd
At 6 p.m. the holiday cheer kicks off at CityPlace Doral's entertainment plaza with live music, food, performances and more.
Luminosa Miami Chinese Lantern Festival - October 5 - November 25
Luminosa is the 2019 Chinese Lantern Festival at Jungle Island. Opening October 5, 2019, guaranteed to be the most extraordinary LED exhibition in Miami. South Florida has a big suprise this year, teaming up with Jungle Island & Zigong Lantern Group,
Bayfront Holiday Village Nov 28 - Dec 25
Santa is coming to Downtown Miami's iconic Bayfront Park to transform it into the magical Bayfront Holiday Village offering free, family-friendly programming all season long. Guests of all ages will enjoy daily 50 ft. Christmas tree LED light shows, waterfront roller-skating by Bayskate, over 50 local vendors, festive music and al fresco food and drinks.
Miracle in Miami -November 25 - December 30
The pop up Christmas themed pop up bar is finally coming to Miami!
Palm Beach
Jingle Jam Dec 7th at Mizner Park
Join hundreds of your favorite friends dressed as Santa, Hanukkah Harry, and Mrs. Claus this holiday season. Located at Mizner Park Amphitheater for the 1st Annual Jingle Jam Fest. Enjoy live entertainment and food trucks. 18 to jingle and 21 to jam.
Wine & Wreath Workshop December 7th
WineHouseSocial is starting the holidays with a wreath decorating afternoon! One glass of house wine and lite bites included. From 2p - 4p, $65 per person.
100 foot Christmas Tree
The tree is open daily, with a $1 suggested donation. You can walk inside and look up and see the tree internally. There are also little windows with displays inside and music playing. In the courtyard you can meet Santa, ride the carousel, ice skate or play mini golf.
Miracle at Delray Christmas Pop up in Death or Glory
Christmas decorations, lights and fun surprises adorn each location. There is also a special festive menu and glassware. Drinks like a Christmapolitan, Snowball Old Fashioned and Bad Santa. One of my favorites is the Run Run Rudolph which has gin, mulled wine puree, lemon and prosecco. Great mix of classic and bubbles with a holiday twist! A unique bonus is a festive food menu as well! We went with Bah Hamburger which is also available with a vegan patty. The tomato aioli is such a great touch with the seasoned patty. It also comes with rosemary fries which are amazing!
Winter Wonderland at Hoffman’s Chocolate - Friday November 22nd - December 30
A FREE family-friendly event. Colorful holiday lights and festive ornaments adorning the trees throughout the garden with a magnificent 12-foot Christmas tree sponsored by LaCroix Water. Special Menorah Lighting Ceremony and Santa Claus is in the gardens every night starting November 29th thru December 23rd from 6–10pm.
