With Thanksgiving behind us, the holiday season is officially in full swing. And there's no shortage of celebrations in South Florida.
Here's our guide to seeing the lights:
Miami Zoo:
The Miami Zoo welcomes you to their Zoo Lights holiday event. Every Friday and Saturday in December, take in more than half a million animal-shaped and tree lights. Guests will also enjoy holiday movies, light shows, special performances and will be able to meet Santa Claus. Zoo Lights will kick off with a tree lighting ceremony Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade:
The catch phrase for Seminole Hard Rock Cafe and Casino’s 46th annual Winterfest Boat Parade is “the greatest show on H2O.” Watch small private boats to grandiose corporate mega-yachts adorned with lights, decorations, and music take center stage in downtown Fort Lauderdale’s New River on Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Broadway on Parade.” Get there early for the best views.
Festival of Trees Deering Estate:
Throughout the whole month of December, visitors of the Deering Estate will be able to enjoy its Festival of Trees. The exhibit is an annual tradition in which the historic homes on the estate come alive with holiday decorations. This season’s kickoff will be Dec. 1 at 7 p.m., where guests will be able to enjoy Christmas carols, hot chocolate and holiday cookies.
City of Coral Gables Tree Lighting:
Don’t miss out on Coral Gables’ annual tree lighting ceremony, also on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. Not only will Santa make an appearance, but there will be food, carnival rides, face painting, and live music.
Christmas tree lighting party Little Haiti Cultural Complex:
Little Haiti Cultural Complex will be celebrating its 3rd annual Christmas Tree Lighting Party with music, roller skating, and Santa (who is obviously in very high demand this season). It's Dec. 1, starting at 5 p.m.
Coconut Grove tree lighting:
Coconut Grove will also have its own tree lighting ceremony! On Dec. 2, starting at 4 p.m., enjoy chocolates and sweets from local restaurants, a pop-up holiday market, live music, crafts, and, of course, Santa.
Enchanted Place of North Miami:
If big lighting displays are more your thing, then you should definitely drive to 137th Terrace just off Northeast 16th Avenue in North Miami. Since 1988, residents have been decorating their street with thousands of lights, creating a twinkling canopy. The street is lit up every night from Dec. 1 through Jan. 6. Santa will visiting on the nights leading up to the holiday and during a Christmas day event.
Holiday Fantasy of Light:
Through Jan. 1, make sure you visit Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek for a full-blown light spectacular. During the 23rd-annual event, this 3-mile drive is filled with animated holiday displays and illuminated trees.
Hoffman’s Chocolates Winter Wonderland:
On its 27th annual Winter Wonderland you will be able to enjoy colorful holiday lights, live entertainment, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a giant Christmas tree. It's open every night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Dec. 30.
Key West ‘Bight’ Before Christmas:
Key West’s ‘Bight’ Before Christmas events are going on through Dec. 17. Take pictures of your pets with Santa, take in the 27th annual Key West Lighted Boat Parade, check out the harbor walk of lights and much more.
Key West Holiday Fest:
The ‘Bight’ Before Christmas complements the Key West Holiday Fest. Enjoy lighted bike rides, old town trolley holiday light tours, a visit to the sheriff’s animal farm, among many other events until the end of the year.
When making your holiday plans, take note of some lighting displays that will not be returning:
Kendall Christmas Castle:
The Christmas Castle in Kendall will not be returning for its sixth year. “We love seeing the joy this display has brought to everyone who has seen it, but putting a 40-foot structure in the air is no easy task,” they wrote on their Facebook page. The Christmas Castle boasted its 40-foot tall structure, including a 30-inch working clock and over 70,000 lights, all synchronized to varying holiday songs. The Christmas Castle also collected money for autism awareness; each year, the Dan Marino foundation received $8,500 in donations.
Nick’s Starlight Spectacular:
For six years, Nick Caine in North Miami Beach turned his family’s home into a Christmas lights extravaganza. What started out at his house spread through his whole block, and every night until Jan. 1, he would sell popcorn, funnel cakes, and mini-doughnuts to raise money for the Make-A-Wish-Foundation. Last year, he held a holiday block party armed with carnival rides, music, food, and Christmas lights. All proceeds of the block party went on to the Make-A-Wish-Foundation. But that was his final year hosting the Christmas celebration; it won't be back in 2017.
