Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
With eyes all aglow
Pack up the gang and take a drive to one of South Florida’s holiday light displays.
Here in sunny South Florida, we won’t be dashing through the snow (thankfully!), but we will be laughing all the way as we get in the mood of the season by visiting these once-a-year holiday displays.
Holiday Fantasy of Lights at Tradewinds Park
Take a 3-mile drive through elaborate displays at the 23rd annual Holiday Fantasy of Lights in Tradewinds Park. The Coconut Creek park hosts more than 150,000 visitors each year. There’s also an optional 3-D experience: Purchase glasses at the entry gate ($3 for two pairs). Details: 6-10 p.m. nightly through Jan. 1 (including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) at 3600 W. Sample Road. Cost is $16 per car and $11 on Monday and Tuesday. Info: 954-956-7266; holidaylightsdrivethru.com
Holiday River Tour at Stranahan House Museum
Take a docent-led, Victorian Christmas-themed tour at Fort Lauderdale’s most historic address, followed by a one-hour chartered cruise along the New River to admire spectacular decorations along the waterfront.
Details: 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 18-23 at 335 SE Sixth Ave. Cost is $30, and reservations are required.
Info: 954-524-4736; StranahanHouse.org
Holiday Magic tours at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
Take a self-guided tour of the 35-acre estate built in 1920 on a secluded spot just off Fort Lauderdale beach. It’s a true South Florida treasure. Nighty entertainment is scheduled, including a concert by the Yuletide Carolers on Dec. 14.
Details: Tours are at 5:30-8:30 p.m. through Dec. 14 at 900 N. Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale. Cost is $20 for adults, $5 for ages 6-12 and free for kids younger than 6.
Info: 954-563-5393; BonnetHouse.org Holidays at Whitehall at Henry Morrison Flagler Museum Once a year, the 100,000-square-foot mansion built in 1902 by the Florida East Coast Railway magnate opens for evening tours. Enjoy the 16-foot Christmas tree in the Grand Hall as holiday tunes play on the massive pipe organ, and learn about Gilded-Age Christmas traditions on the docent-led tour.
Details: Evening tours will be at 6:50, 7:05, 7:15 and 7:25 p.m. Dec. 19-23 at 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach. Cost is $25 for adults, $15 for kids younger than 18; advanced purchase is required.
Info: 561-655-2833; FlaglerMuseum.us
Holiday Evening at Vizcaya Village
The halls are decked as Vizcaya throws open its doors on Dec. 13 to celebrate the season. Listen to the custom 1917 pipe organ playing holiday music and wander the 24 rooms of the Italian-inspired masterpiece built by industrialist James Deering, who coincidentally moved in more than a century ago, on Dec. 25, 1916.
Details: 6 p.m. Dec. 13 at 3251 S. Miami Ave., Miami. Cost is $20 for adults and $15 for ages 6-12 and free for kids younger than 6; advanced purchase is required.
Info: 305-860-8423; Vizcaya.org