Sunshine holiday
You won’t need snow boots to enjoy winter fun in Florida.
Celebrating the holidays in Florida is easier than remembering the names of Santa’s reindeer this season, with a multitude of events across the state.
Florida’s theme parks and other attractions won’t disappoint this year. Universal Orlando will feature Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter; Epcot will showcase holidays from around the world in its International Festival of the Holidays; and Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo will host Christmas in the Wild, complete with Santa and real reindeer.
For those with a penchant for history, there are a variety of historic tours, including the Nights of Lights Festival and Celebration in St. Augustine, a tour of historic homes in Sanford, and candlelight tours of Fort Foster.
Other popular events include boat parades along Florida’s waterways, in Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach, Mount Dora, Fort Myers and more.
To end the season, Florida will celebrate the New Year in unique ways — a drag queen will descend on a 6-foot high heel in Fort Myers, and beach balls will rain down in Panama City Beach, to name a couple.
Check out a detailed list of holiday events throughout the state below:
Now through Jan. 6: Universal Orlando holiday events, Orlando. Universal has expanded its holiday celebrations for 2017 to more days than ever before. New for this year will be Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which will feature themed decorations and lighting, holiday-themed food and performances by the Frog Choir and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. At night, projection mapping and lighting will wrap Hogwarts castle. Back for 2017 is the Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s with more than a dozen balloons and 15 floats with characters from films like “Despicable Me,” “Madagascar” and “Shrek” as well as Santa Claus. Also returning is Grinchmas at Seuss Landing with the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular” and extra-cose breakfast with the Grinch and friends. Back in concert will be Mannheim Steamroller on today, Nov. 25, 26 and Dec. 2, 3,9, 10, 16 and 17. On-site hotels will each have holiday-themed activities as well. UniversalOrlando.com
Now through Jan. 31: Nights of Lights Festival and Celebration, St. Augustine. This inspiring display of more than 2 million tiny white lights adorning the palm trees and buildings throughout the city’s historic district is based on a custom by the town’s original Spanish colonists, who placed a white candle in their windows to brighten the nights during the Christmas holidays. Special events include tours of ancient buildings and inns led by storytellers in period clothing, rollicking train and trolley tours through the narrow brick streets, art walks and more. 800-653-2489. floridashistoric--
coast.com
Today through Dec. 30: Epcot International Festival of the Holidays (Formerly Holidays Around the World), Lake Buena
Vista. This Epcot tradition showcases holiday traditions from around the world including music, costumes and cuisine. Children will enjoy helping Chip and Dale gather ornaments, gospel lovers can take in daily performances at the World Fountain Stage and everyone will be thrilled by IllumiNations fireworks, laser and waterworks shows. The annual Candlelight Processional, includes celebrity guest narrators, such as Whoopi Goldberg, Pat Sajak and others accompanied by a massed choir and orchestra for a retelling of the Christmas story. Daily tickets begin at $99. 407-9395277. disneyworld.disney.go.com
Monday-Jan. 1: Space Coast Light Fest, Melbourne. The Space Coast Lightfest is a holiday themed drive-through event featuring shimmering lights and dazzling animated displays drawing more than 15,000 vehicles annually. 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cars $15.25 Parkway Drive. 321-576-7556. spacecoastlightfest.com
Monday: Christmas on Third Tree Lighting & Celebration, Naples. Celebrate the launch of the holiday season as the mayor lights the official Christmas tree. Enjoy music, a visit from Santa and falling snow. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free. Third Street Shopping District, 1300 Third St. 239-649-6707. paradisecoast.com
Tuesday-Jan. 7: ICE! at Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando. With more than 2 million pounds of carved ice, ICE! is back. Kept at 9 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll see hand-carved ice sculptures, ice slides, live ice carving and a celebration of holidays from various cultures. Check website for prices. Gaylord Palms, 6000 W. Osceola Parkway.
407-586-4423. ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com
Nov. 27-Jan. 2: A December to Remember, Daytona Beach. Enjoy numerous family friendly activities throughout the holiday season with visits from Santa, a craft village, tribute bands and even a pet weekend. At the Daytona Beach Bandshell, 70 Boardwalk. daytonabeach.com
Dec. 1: Tampa’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, Tampa. The annual event will include a countdown to light the tree with the mayor and a free movie in the park. Blankets, low-back chairs, coolers and dogs on leashes are allowed. 6 p.m. Free. At Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive. tampagov.net
Dec. 1-2: Luminary Festival, Sanibel and
Captiva. More than 3 miles of luminary candles line the main roads on Sanibel creating a glowing way to usher in the holidays. Businesses decorate their stores, sponsor entertainment and provide free refreshments. There will be a tree lighting ceremony, complementary trolley service, Santa visits, photos with Santa, a live nativity scene, music and activities for the entire family. 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free. sanibelcaptiva.org
Dec. 1: Florida Keys Holiday Festival, Islamorda. Holiday parade and festival featuring a 35-foot, snow-blowing community tree and 20 tons of snow for fun on snow mountain. Also includes a holiday gift bazaar, food and fun for the entire family. 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. At Founder’s Park, 87000 Overseas Highway. 305-664-4503. islamoradachamber.com
Dec. 2: New Smyrna Beach Christmas Parade, New Smyrna Beach. The theme for this year’s annual parade is “A Riverfront Christmas.” The parade gets under way at 4 p.m. with floats, traditional marching bands, dance teams and, of course, Santa. It will travel west along Flagler Avenue and the North Causeway, south on Riverside Drive and will
turn west on Canal Street and will end at Orange Street. 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Free. 386-410-2890. cityofnsb.com
Dec. 2: Santa Fest & Christmas Parade, Tampa. Santa, crafts, games and activities will be on hand at this annual event. The parade will begin at Morgan Street and Madison Street at 11 a.m. and travel west on Madison Street to Ashley Drive, turn north and end at Ashley Drive and Cass Street at 4 p.m. Noon to 4 p.m. Free. At Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive. tampagov.net Dec. 2: Snowfest,
Naples. More than 100 tons of snow is the star of this annual community event in southwest Florida. There will be snow mountains to climb, tobaggan and snow skiing hills as well as an ice skating rink, full-scale carnival, arts and crafts, petting zoo, pony rides and more. More than 15,000 people attend the event each year. Snow is cold, so remember to bring gloves or mittens, even if it’s 80 degrees out. 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. $2 per person. 3 and under are free. At the Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Parkway. 239-252-4180. colliercountyparks.com
Dec. 2: Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade, Fort Myers Beach. Come enjoy some Christmas spirit at the 29th Annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade. The parade will pass though Matanzas Harbor and the first two canals of Siesta Isles, passing by such establishments as Bootleggers Waterfront Barbeque, Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, Matanzas, Nervous Nellies, Doc Fords and Bonita Bills where you can kick back and enjoy the fun. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 239-454-7500. fortmyersbeach.org Dec. 2: Winter Festival, Tallahassee. As always, the Winter Festival will have much to offer and something for everyone to enjoy throughout a fun-filled, action-packed evening. Enjoy live entertainment on five stages, arts, crafts
and more in the Downtown Chain of Parks and Kleman Plaza. Thousands of runners wearing bells will sprint through downtown for the Jingle Bell Run before the Holiday Parade starts at 7:15 p.m. on the corner of Monroe and Tennessee Street. 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. 850-891-3860. talgov.com
Dec. 3: Christmas Tree Lighting at Whitehall, Palm Beach. During the holiday season, the first floor of Whitehall, the beautiful residence that is the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, is decorated in traditional Gilded Age magnificence. The 16-foot Grand Hall Christmas tree is the center of Whitehall’s holiday celebrations. Festivities include holiday music played on its original 1,249-pipe organ, choir performances and holiday refreshments. The event culminates with Henry Flagler’s youngest descendants lighting the Grand Hall Christmas tree. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free with museum admission. One Whitehall Way. 561-655-2833. flaglermuseum.us
Dec. 3: Cookies, Carols and Crafts Workshop,
Tampa Bay. This is a family-friendly holiday event filled with interactive activities including decorating gingerbread cookies with Sur La Table, creating Lego ornaments and a holiday mosaic with Bricks 4 Kidz and designing your own stocking. Santa will make an appearance with his elves, along with Queen Elsa for photo ops. DJ Aiden Sherlock will spin holiday hits along with traditional carols. Snacks included are cookies and milk, a chocolate fountain and mini sandwiches. 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. $64.30 per person over 2 years old. At David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 North Macinnes Place. eventbrite.com
Dec. 8: Boynton and Delray Beach Holiday Boat Parade, Boynton Beach. This 45th annual parade begins at the Boynton Beach Inlet and proceeds south to the C-15 Canal in Delray Beach. 6
p.m. Free. 561-600-9097. catchboynton.com
Dec. 9: The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, Fort Lauderdale. This 46th annual parade stages along the New River and travels east to the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale and north to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. The best way to see the parade is viewing from the Grandstand Viewing Area ( just north of Sunrise Boulevard). 6:30 p.m. Free. 954-767-0686. winterfestparade.com Dec. 9: Holiday Boat Parade, Key Largo. Blackwater Sound shimmers as decorated boats parade along the shoreline in celebration of the holiday season. Top spots for viewing and libations include Sundowners, Senor Frijoles, the Marriott Key Largo Bay Resort and Caribbean Club. 7:30 p.m. 305-451-4502. keylargoboatparade.com
Dec. 12, 14-16: Holiday Pops Concerts, Fort Myers. Jim Martinez’s the Music from A Charlie Brown Christmas; music from the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas featuring Steinway Artist Jim Martinez and his jazz quartet along with the Symphonic Chorale of Southwest Florida under the direction of Dr. Trent Brown. 7:30 p.m. Venues vary. Groups of 10+ receive a 20% discount off the regular ticket price. Students: $5 with student ID. 239-418-0996. swflso.org Dec. 16-17: Holiday of the Arts, St. Petersburg.
The 4th Annual Holiday of the Arts is a juried, fine arts event displaying original handcrafted work by some 90 artists. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. At South Straub Park at 198 Beach Drive Northeast. paragonartevents.com
Dec. 19-23: Flagler Museum Holiday Evening Tours, Palm Beach. During this beloved annual event, families tour Whitehall after hours and discover the origins of American Christmas traditions. Guests will have a rare opportunity to see Whitehall by the glow of the original 1902 light fixtures.
Every visitor will receive a traditional Flagler Museum Christmas cracker following the tour. A choral group will sing carols, and holiday refreshments will be served. The Museum Store will remain open for holiday shopping. Dec 18-19: Tours begin at 7:05 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 7:25 p.m. Dec. 20-23: Tours begin at 6:50 p.m., 7:05 p.m., 7:15p.m. and 7:25p.m. $25 for adults, $15 for children under age 18. Advance purchase required. One Whitehall Way. 561-655-2833. flaglermuseum.us
Dec. 21-23: Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker,
Tampa. Get ready for the Tampa Bay area’s standout production of Clara’s great dream in The Land of the Sweets. Next Generation Ballet’s inventive Nutcracker has become a tradition of the holiday performance season. This production features internationally-renowned principal dancers from Miami City Ballet and New York City Ballet onstage with NGB’s award-winning young dancers. Dec. 21, 22, 23 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $30. Carol Morsani Hall at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes. 800-955-1045. strazcenter.org Dec. 27–28: Key West Home Tours, Key West.
Presented by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, the annual self-guided tours showcase festively dressed Key West homes and gardens. Ticket proceeds benefit the Old Island Restoration Foundation’s museums, collection and education, grant and scholarship programs. $30. 305-294-9501. oirf.org
Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Drop Celebrations, Key West. The Southernmost City celebrates with a conch shell drop at Sloppy Joe’s Bar; a descending 6-foot red high heel shoe carrying a drag queen at the Bourbon Street Pub/New Orleans House complex; and a pirate wench descending from a tall ship mast in the island city’s Historic Seaport. 305-294-5717. fla-keys.com