Holiday events in South Florida

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than drinking hot cocoa, looking at lights and decorating a Christmas tree?

And as we inch closer to the holidays, there are plenty of chances for you to get your Santa and snow fix.

We’ve rounded up all the local events for you in one big holiday guide. Check back often to see all the newly added events.

Note: Before heading out to an event, call or visit the event website listed to verify information. Event info is subject to change without notice and cancellations may occur due to weather.

Palm Beach County

■ Kid’s Corner Holiday Shop, through Dec. 24. The Gardens Mall has set up a place where only kids can shop. A team of Santa’s helpers will help little ones shop for a gift to surprise their parents. For $5, kids will receive shiny coins from Santa’s bank to spend on gifts. (All proceeds get donated to The Arc of Palm Beach County.) Throughout December, kids will also have the chance to make crafts. 3101 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. For more information, call

561-775-7750.

■ Lights 4 Hope Drivethru Holiday Light Display, Fridays through Sundays through Dec. 29. Families can enjoy over one mile of holiday cheer as they drive through this spectacular light display. Proceeds from the show go toward providing holiday gifts and decorations to children in local hospitals and families in need. Event pricing is $12 for cars/trucks with up to eight people; $20 for large vans or buses with up to 15 people; $30 for large buses with 15 or more people. Show hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 6 - 10 p.m. and Sundays from 6 - 9 p.m. Okeeheelee Park, 7715 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach. For more information, visit lights4hope.org.

■ Zoo Lights, Select night through Dec. 29. For the first time, the Palm Beach Zoo will be illuminated for the holidays with over one million eco-friendly lights. Decorate cookies at Mrs. Claus’ kitchen, take photos with Santa and enjoy a s’more station, face painting and more. The event runs from 6 - 10 p.m. Tickers range in price from $7.95 to

$14.95. Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach. For more information, visit palmbeachzoo.org or call 561-547-9453.

■ Hoffman’s Chocolates Winter Wonderland, through Dec. 30. This event features captivating holiday light displays and archways, a 12-foot Christmas tree, life-sized nutcrackers, food trucks, ice skating and more. Guests can take their photos with Santa (Nov. 29 - Dec. 23) and enjoy the Hanukkah display with a 9-foot dreidel. The event runs from 6 - 10 p.m.

5190 Lake Worth Road, Greenacres. For more information, visit hoffmans.com.

Broward County

■ North Pole Pajama Party, weekends through Dec. 22. Enjoy a holiday science show, sip hot chocolate, concoct elf slime and decorate holiday crafts. Don’t forget to dress in your pajamas or elf costumes.

$20-$30. Museum of Discovery and Science, 401 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit mods.org or call

954-713-0930.

■ Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops, through Dec. 24. Families are invited to enjoy this enchanting Christmas village inside Bass Pro Shops with a free photo with Santa and family holiday activities, including fun crafts and games. Visit the store and pick up a Bass Pass for your time slot. Bass Pro Shops, 200 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach. Times and activities vary so visit basspro.com to check the schedule.

■ The Polar Express Train Ride: Fort Lauderdale, through Dec. 29. Passengers are whisked away on Brightline’s Polar Express for a magical onehour trip to meet Santa. Enjoy sing-a-longs, hot chocolate and cookies all served by dancing chefs. Each guest will take home a keepsake sleigh bell and souvenir golden ticket. The holiday trains run out of Fort Lauderdale on select dates though Dec. 29. Tickets start at $55 per adult and

$50 per child ages 2-11, and can go up to $75/$70 for the most popular trains. Children younger than 2 are free. For tickets, visit FTLThePolarExpressRide.com.

Miami-Dade County

■ “A Christmas Carol, the Musical,” through Dec. 22. This timeless tale follows Tiny Tim and the entire Cratchit family, as they join three unearthly spirits in trying to convince Ebenezer Scrooge to change his “BahHumbug” ways. Performances will be on Saturdays at 2 p.m. Special holiday performances will be held on Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. and Dec.

22 at 4 p.m. An “All Kids Included” sensory-friendly performance will take place on Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. Tickets are $25. Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. For more information, visit actorsplayhouse.org or call

305-444-9293.

■ Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops, through Dec. 24. Families are invited to enjoy this enchanting Christmas village inside Bass Pro Shops with a free photo with Santa and family holiday activities, including fun crafts and games. Visit the store and pick up a Bass Pass for your time slot. Bass Pro Shops, 11551 NW 12th St., Miami. Times and activities vary so visit basspro.com to check the schedule.

■ Bayfront Holiday Village, through Dec. 25. Downtown Miami’s Bayfront Park will transform into a magical holiday village offering familyfriendly activities. There will be a 50-foot Christmas tree, skating, scavenger hunt, North Pole post office and more. There’s even a Christmas-themed dog park for the furrbabies. The event is free and runs from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Bayfront Park,

301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. For more information, visit bayfrontholidayvillage.com.

■ Santa’s Cabana, through Dec. 25. Those hoping to snap an Instagrammable selfie with Santa this year will be in luck as he’s trading in his sleigh for a cabana - in true Miami Beach fashion. Santa’s Cabana will take temporary residence on the Road through Dec. 25. 660 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. For directions and information on the mall, visit lincolnroadmall.com.