South Florida has its own traditions for the holidays — from a 700-ton Christmas tree made of sand to a 12-mile holiday boat parade — that give Christmastime a unique vibe. Below, in chronological order, are the best of those sunny South Florida traditions and events to make your holidays merry and bright.
Santa's Enchanted Forest
The self-proclaimed "World's Largest Holiday Theme Park" — now in its 40th year — is as much a Christmas tradition in Miami as coquito and the "Mi Burrito Sabanero" remix. Sure, the location changes in recent years weren't ideal, but it appears that Santa's Enchanted Forest has for now settled on the Medley area, its home for the second year in a row. 5 p.m. to midnight daily through Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 7400 NW 87th Ave., Miami; 305-892-9997; santasenchantedforest.com. Tickets cost $36.45 to $44.86.
The NightGarden
Remember when Kanye West made headlines for talking to a tree (AKA Archie) in Miami? That convo took place at the NightGarden at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. You can get in your one-on-one time with Archie and experience an interactive light display, which includes holograms and rainbow-colored pathways. Also back this year: the FairyScope augmented-reality app allows you to find hidden fairies. 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, and 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables; 305-667-1651; thenightgarden.com. Tickets cost $25 to $46.Christmas Wonderland
A Christmas festival is coming to Tropical Park, but it’s not the same one that occupied Tropical Park for 37 years. Confused? The long and short is that Christmas Wonderland is a brand new event from Loud and Live that, like its predecessor, Santa’s Enchanted Forest, will offer holiday fun in the form of carnival rides, shows, and holiday displays. Highlights include the immersive IG’loo 360-Dome and the half-mile of holiday displays. 5 p.m. to midnight daily through Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40th St., miamiwonderland.com. Tickets cost $29 to $39 via showclix.com.
Luminosa: A Festival of Lights
Okay, so there isn't a strong Christmas connection here. But if you're looking for lit-up decor this holiday season, Luminosa's 40 LED lantern scenes — which highlight lost civilizations such as the Mayans and the lost city of Atlantis — should scratch that itch. Luminosa last came to Miami in 2019. 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trl., Miami; 305-400-7000; luminosamiami.com. Tickets are $25.42 to $37.90 via feverup.com.
Snow Carnival is one of the few places with snow activities in South Florida.
Photo courtesy of Snow Carnival
Snow Carnival
Do you want to build a snowman? You can at this indoor event at Aventura Mall, which organizers say will include 350 tons of real snow. Besides building your very own Frosty, Snow Carnival invites you to race down the Mini Matterhorn snow tubing slide, toss snowballs at designated targets, and make snow angels. But before you dust off your winter coat and scarf, know that temperatures will be around 60 to 70 degrees. Noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday Thursday, November 23, through Monday, January 8, 2024, at Aventura Mall, 19501 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura; snowcarnival.com. Tickets cost $34.99 to $39.99 via feverup.com.
Deering Estate's holiday theme this year is Holidays in Wonderland.
Photo courtesy of Deering Estate
Historic Holiday Décor: Holidays in Wonderland
Once again, Charles Deering's old digs turn back the clock for its annual holiday decorations. This year's theme? The fantasy world of Lewis Carroll, the author behind Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Expect a table set for a mad tea party and an imagined re-creation of Carroll’s literary studio. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, November 24, through Sunday, January 7, 2024, at the Deering Estate, 16701 SW 72nd Ave., Miami; 305-235-1668; deeringestate.org. Tickets cost $7 to $15.
Zoo Lights
The animals at Zoo Miami take a back seat to the holiday lights displays, said to be made up of more than a million lights. The popular Snowman's River Boat Rides and holiday photo spots return, as will the appearances of the cuddly-as-a-cactus Grinch. Theme nights include ugly sweater night and holiday pajama night. 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, November 24, through Saturday, December 30, at Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St., Miami; 305-251-0400; zoomiami.org. Tickets cost $16.95 to $24.50; boat rides cost an additional $5.
Dania Pointe is one of the few places where you'll see snow in South Florida.
Photo courtesy of Dania Pointe
Let it Snow Experience
The weekend forecast at Dania Pointe calls for light snow with a strong chance of TikTok. Each scheduled snowfall at the outdoor mall will last around 15 minutes, giving you plenty of time to get in that perfect video or photo. And what's a snowfall without a snowman? Dania Pointe will build snowmen on the lawn every Saturday and Sunday. 7 and 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday Friday, November 24, through Sunday, December 24, at Dania Pointe, 139 S. Compass Way, Fort Lauderdale; 833-800-4343; daniapointe.com. Admission is free.
Delray Beach Christmas Tree
The towering tree located in Delray Beach's Holiday Village is one of the tallest Christmas trees in the state. Is it real? No, but neither is the Santa at your local mall. The tree has an aluminum frame and a hollow center that you can walk through. Other Holiday Village activities include a carousel, skating rink, and mini golf. Tuesday, November 28, through Sunday, December 31, at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 561-243-7250; 100footchristmastree.com. Admission is free; the carousel, skating rink, and mini golf experiences cost $5 each.
Holiday in Paradise
Who needs a balsam fir or white spruce when you can have a Christmas tree made out of sand? "Sandi" — located at West Palm Beach's Holiday in Paradise — comes in at a whopping 700 tons. A music and light show accompanies Sandi every night on the quarter-hour. This year’s Holiday in Paradise features a pirate theme and new characters such as Captain Pauly the Parrot. 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, November 30, through Sunday, December 31, at 100 N. Clematis St., West Palm Beach; 561-822-1515; wpb.org. Admission is free; the Ferris wheel costs $5.
The lights show will be projected onto the facade of three Miami Beach buildings.
Photo courtesy of Miami Beach Classical Music Festival
Miami Beach Festival of Lights
This brand new projection-mapping light and music show will take place on the façade of three different Miami Beach buildings three times a night over a span of three weekends in December. To put that in Disney World terms, it’s like a smaller-scale version of the Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After show, only with Miami Beach's iconic architecture instead of Cinderella's castle. 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Friday, December 1, and Saturday, December 2, at Euclid Oval, 700 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach; Friday, December 15, and Saturday, December 16, at the Gabriel South Beach, 640 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach; and Friday, December 22, and Saturday, December 23, at the Betsy Hotel, 1440 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach; miamimusicfestival.com. Admission is free.Nights of Lights
There are plenty of light displays around Miami come Christmas time. Hell, there's probably a gaudy one or two in your neighborhood. But few are as impressive as the ones you'll find strolling around Nights of Lights at Pinecrest Gardens. The annual event invites you to stroll around a fairytale-like forest and take in a variety of holiday performances — from The Nutcracker to mariachi music — on select nights. 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, December 9, through Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Pinecrest Gardens, 11000 Red Rd., Pinecrest; 305-669-6990; pinecrestgardens.org. Tickets cost $18 to $23 via eventbrite.com.Winterfest Boat Parade
There might not be a bigger holiday event in the area than this 12-mile boat parade in South Florida, which is said to draw around a million spectators each year. Billed as the "Greatest Show on H2O," Winterfest Boat Parade features private boats, showboats, and mega yachts decorated with lights and Christmas decor. Some of the more prime viewing points are available via tickets or hotel and restaurant packages, but you can still score a good spot for free if you're willing to show up early. Boyz II Men will serve as this year's grand marshals. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, December 16, from the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale; 954-767-0686; winterfestparade.com. Admission is free; tickets for the grandstand viewing area cost $25 to $30.
The Nutcracker is coming to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach.
Photo by Alexander Iziliaev
