Fun for the family
Boca’s boat parade tops a bustling holiday weekend schedule.
The cold won’t keep the holiday spirit away in South Florida this weekend. The Holiday Fantasy of Lights and Garden of Lights shows continue in Broward County, and Boca Raton is preparing for its Piles of Smiles Snow Day and annual Boat Parade on Saturday.
Here’s our list of the top events for families in South Florida this weekend:
Holiday Fantasy of Lights, through Jan. 1. Drive through 3 miles of holiday displays and illuminated trees from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly at Tradewinds Park & Stables, 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek. $16 per car; $40 per bus (15 or more passengers). holidaylightsdrivethru.com
Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant, through Sunday. Broadway-style Christmas show features a cast of over 300 performers at First Baptist Church Fort Lauderdale, 301 E. Broward Blvd. Fort Lauderdale. Children under 4 not admitted. $18-$59. christmastickets.com
Garden Of Lights Show, through Sunday. Decorations, a light show set to music and other festivities from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 15-17, 22-23, 29-30 at Flamingo Gardens, 3750 S. Flamingo Road, Davie. $9.95; ages 3-11, $6.45. flamingogardens.org
The Nutcracker Educational Performance, Saturday. Ballet Etudes of South Florida presents the classic with a cast of more than 100 dancers for grades 4-12 at the Miramar Cultural Center Theater, 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar. $6. Miramarculturalcenter.org
Live Nativity, Saturday. Walk through the Bethlehem marketplace and witness the story of Christmas with live animals, actors and a concession stand with coffee and cookies from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Calvary Chapel West Boca, 10660 SW Sandalfoot Blvd., Boca Raton. 561-904-1755
Arts Ballet Theatre Of Florida Presents The Nutcracker at Parker Playhouse, through Sunday. Enjoy the classic Christmas story, choreographed and directed by Ballet Master Vladimir Issaev. Tickets from $16.50; lap tickets available for children 12 months and younger. Smart Stage Matinee Series performance Dec. 14, 10:30 a.m., $7.20. Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale. openworlddancefoundation.com
Breakfast With Santa, through Sunday. Enjoy a hot breakfast buffet, animal encounters, photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus, face painting, a take-home gift, and complimentary rides on the Wildlife Carousel. 8:30 a.m. Palm Beach Zoo, 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach. palmbeachzoo.org/ breakfast-with-santa-2017
Breakfast with Santa, Saturday. Enjoy breakfast compliments of Applebee’s along with goodies, raffle tickets for door prizes and photos with Santa Claus from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. The fundraiser supports the U.S. Marines Corps Toys for Tots program. Tickets $10; kids under 2 free. RSVP required by calling or visiting Applebee’s of Boynton Beach, Coral Springs, Cutler Bay, West Delray, Doral, Hialeah, Margate, Pembroke Pines or Sawgrass in Sunrise. applebees.com
Piles Of Smiles Snow Day, Saturday. Tons of snow, giant slides, bounce houses, winter games, make and takes, winter characters, sock skating rink, food trucks and more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton. RSVP for snow play for children ages 5-12. $15; one free adult included with each paid child’s wristband, $5 for each additional adult. sugarsandpark.org/piles-of-smiles
Sundaes With Santa, Saturday. Make your own ice cream sundae, musical entertainment, and arts and crafts from 2 to 4 p.m. at Southwest Focal Point Community Center, 301 NW 103rd Ave., Pembroke Pines. $6-$8. ppines.com
Holiday Boat Parade, Saturday. The “Light Up Boca” parade floats along the Intracoastal Waterway starting at the C-15 canal, traveling south to Hillsboro Bridge from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Free. myboca.us