The Holiday Season has arrived in South Florida! 🎄✨ There is a special magic in the air as the festive season descends upon the Sunshine State. From late November through early January, South Florida transforms into a twinkling wonderland, boasting larger-than-life light installations, festive music, and enchanting drive-thru Christmas lights that will fill your heart with holiday cheer. Let me show you 11 of the best places to visit this holiday season!
1. Santa's Enchanted Forest
Address: 7400 NW 87th Ave, Miami, FL 33166
Santa's Enchanted Forest is a magical Christmas oasis filled with family-friendly festivities and holiday delights! It proudly holds the title of the world's largest holiday park, adorned with over 100 rides, games, and seasonal shows across 40 acres. This event runs from November 9th to January 7th, offering captivating shows, including acrobatics and magic, holiday displays, and interactive fun scattered throughout. With 50 food stands offering delightful treats, it is the perfect place to enjoy sweet and savory flavors.
Do not miss the chance to capture the holiday spirit with Santa Claus, who graces the park every night for memorable photos and heartfelt Christmas wishes. Immerse yourself in some of the best holiday lights, providing countless picture-perfect moments throughout this festive extravaganza.
2. Zoo Lights at Zoo Miami
Address: 12400 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL
Experience the enchantment of Zoo Lights at Zoo Miami on select dates from November 24th to December 30th, featuring a breathtaking display of over one million dazzling tree lights that illuminate the park. The festivities kick off on November 24th with a magical Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7 p.m., accompanied by yuletide carolers. Every evening promises whimsical delights, including appearances by Santa (until 12/23) and the Grinch from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., animal appearances, Zoo Squad engagements, stilt walkers, and themed photo spots.
Check out the Canine Champions for Conservation presentations at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., an exhilarating dog show showcasing rescue dogs and their role in wildlife conservation. For an extra touch of holiday cheer, indulge in arts and crafts, pen letters to Santa, savor hot chocolate and cookies, and/or embark on Snowman's River Boat Rides!
3. Sea of Lights at Miami Seaquarium
Address: 4400, Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, FL 33149
Dive into the holiday spirit with Sea of Lights at Miami Seaquarium, a captivating celebration illuminating the season with over 300 enchanting light displays. Running from November 24th to December 30th, this magical event unveils whimsical exhibits like surfing Santas, prancing reindeer, and a colossal gingerbread house. Enjoy holiday-themed shows, capture memorable photos with Reef Santa, and do not forget to drop off your letters to Santa in his special mailbox. Indulge in the delicious treat of S'mores for an extra dash of festive delight amidst joyful activities awaiting your exploration.
4. Water Taxi Holiday Lights Cruise
Address: 335 SE 6th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Embark on an extraordinary light-seeing adventure with the Water Taxi's Holiday Lights Cruise, commencing on December 1st. Prepare to be amazed as you cruise along "Millionaire's Row," where waterfront mansions transform into dazzling displays adorned with holiday lights and decorations, creating a breathtaking seasonal spectacle. Enjoy live music and savor festive holiday cocktails aboard, promising a delightful journey igniting your holiday spirits.
5. Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
Address: 80 Las Olas Cir, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Prepare for the grand spectacle of the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade on December 16th, commencing at 6:30 PM from downtown Fort Lauderdale. With a pre-show starting at 6 PM featuring non-motorized vessels, the parade will traverse a captivating 12-mile route along the New River, Intracoastal Waterway, and Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach.
To witness the parade's magic, head to Winterfest’s Parade Viewing Area at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park, offering a festival ambiance complete with live entertainment for the whole family before and after the parade. Adult tickets are priced at $30, while children aged 10 and under can join in the excitement for $25, promising a night filled with holiday cheer and captivating entertainment.
Alternatively, various other prime viewing spots including the Riverside Hotel, the Downtowner Saloon, and other locations along the parade route will ensure an unforgettable experience for all attendees!
6. Pinecrest Gardens Nights of Lights
Address: 11000 Red Road, Pinecrest, Florida 33156
From December 9th - January 6th, immerse yourself in a mesmerizing wonderland at Pinecrest Gardens Nights of Lights, where thousands of twinkling lights transform the gardens into an enchanted paradise. This magical experience includes activities from pajama parties to live holiday performances and a charming seasonal gift bazaar.
Children can revel in the joy of holiday rhythms amidst a sparkling tree, meet Santa, or listen to captivating stories, while adults can savor festive cocktails and join beer-tasting nights. With delightful treats for everyone, this enchanting experience, running from December 9th to January 6th on select evenings, promises to be a radiant family affair that will infuse the holiday season with joy and wonder.
7. Christmas Wonderland at Tropical Park
Address: 7900 SW 40th St, Miami, FL, 33155
Experience the enchantment of Christmas Wonderland at Tropical Park, a dazzling celebration running from November 17th to January 7th that combines thrilling rides at the Magnificent Midway with captivating shows, dazzling displays, and exciting games. Explore HoliDade's vibrant streets and Arctic Delight's snowy wonderland, featuring an Ice Bar and a plethora of immersive activities that encapsulate the spirit of Miami during the holiday season.
Meet Santa and his reindeer at Santa's Village, capture memorable moments in commemorative photos, and stroll through the Tinsel Trail, a mesmerizing half-mile adorned with holiday displays and immersive light shows, promising an unforgettable holiday experience for the entire family.
8. NightGarden Miami
Address: 10901 Old Cutler Road, Miami, Florida 33156
Experience the mesmerizing NightGarden Miami, a magical light spectacular that transforms Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden into a dazzling wonderland filled with over twelve immersive experience stations, including five brand-new illuminated zones.
On select nights from November 17th - January 7th, explore the enchanting 23-acre gardens adorned with thousands of lights, technicolor flowers, and intricate sculptures, creating a fairyland straight out of a dream. Engage with state-of-the-art technology blending lighting effects, holograms, motion sensors, and music, while the FairyScope™ app offers an augmented reality adventure.
Delight in an array of activities from a Fairy Quest to encountering a talking wise old tree along rainbow-colored pathways, complemented by delectable offerings from Miami's popular food trucks, making this extraordinary light show a perfect delight for visitors of all ages. However, it is not your typical Christmas lights display as the others are.
9. Holiday Fantasy of Lights
Address: 3600 W Sample Rd, Coconut Creek, FL 33073
Experience the epitome of holiday cheer at Holiday Fantasy of Lights, South Florida's beloved drive-thru extravaganza running from November 22nd to January 1st from 6 - 10 pm. With a mesmerizing 3.5-mile route adorned with enchanting displays, it is the perfect family-friendly event to dive into the holiday spirit.
You can purchase your tickets online or upon arrival. It is $26 per car or $45 for larger vehicles with (12+ passengers). Enhance the magic by grabbing special-effect glasses for only $2 a pair, and make this drive-thru experience even more enchanting!
10. Lights 4 Hope 6th Annual Drive-Through Light Show
Address: 7715 Forest Hill Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33413
Step into the enchanting world of Lights 4 Hope's 6th Annual Drive-Through Light Show, boasting an impressive two-mile showcase of animated, musical holiday displays. This heartwarming family event, open on select nights from November 18th - December 30th, not only celebrates the season but also supports the Lights 4 Hope nonprofit's noble cause.
For just $20, standard cars and trucks with up to 8 passengers can enjoy this festive drive, while larger vans and small buses carrying 9-12 passengers can join in for $30, and larger buses with 13+ passengers for $40. Experience the magic of the season while contributing to a charitable effort dedicated to bringing joy to families facing challenging circumstances.
11. The Magic of Lights at the Collier Fairgrounds
Address: 751 39th Ave NE, Naples, FL 34120
Experience the enchantment of The Magic of Lights at the Collier Fairgrounds, an enthralling drive-through holiday spectacle featuring over 2 million twinkling lights and stunning displays spanning six miles from November 17th - December 31st. Explore the holiday village offering a chance for pictures with Santa, mega trees, and present boxes that add to the festive cheer.
Witness towering scenes, including the animated Mattel’s Waving Christmas Barbie reaching heights of 32 feet and stretching several hundred feet, alongside other captivating displays like the iconic Bigfoot Monster Truck and a Prehistoric Christmas dinosaur scene, bringing holiday magic to life along over a mile of illuminated pathways.
Experience the mesmerizing Magic of Lights at the Collier Fairgrounds - gate prices range from $30 on weekdays (Monday through Thursday) to $35 on weekends (Friday through Sunday). However, plan ahead and secure the Advanced Standard online tickets priced at $22.50, offering a more affordable option to enjoy this breathtaking drive-through holiday extravaganza.
Happy Holidays!
It is the most wonderful time of the year, and South Florida is ready to welcome you with its festive decorations, holiday music, and palm trees this Christmas season! From the mesmerizing displays at Santa's Enchanted Forest to the magical journeys through Zoo Miami and the Seaquarium, these holiday events and Christmas light displays offer a perfect blend of magic and tradition. Grab your loved ones and embark on an unforgettable Christmas adventure as you create a new annual holiday tradition!
Have you been to any of these Christmas events in South Florida? If so, let us know in the comments below - we want to know about your favorite one! If you have not gone, are they on your bucket list of places to visit now? Let us know in the comments below, and share this article with the person or people you want to go with! Either way, SUBSCRIBE below to learn about other places you should add to your "To Visit" List! Ready? Okay, vamos. Time to have fun!
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