Around this time of year, I usually write about all the winter holiday parades, but with cities canceling events that encourage crowds, I too, had to scrap that part of my annual blog. However, without looking very hard, I did come across a few interesting holiday themed events which I thought I would pass along.
First, off, if you’re looking for a place to walk around for a couple of hours, be sure to visit Sandi the Christmas Tree. I came across it when I visited Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach on Thanksgiving Eve. It’s a well-lit street to walk down to the intracoastal along Flagler Ave, with various restaurants lining the street, the largest of which might be E.R. Bradley’s Saloon at 104 N Clematis St. Sandi’s world-famous light shows runs daily throughout the month, and New this year will be a synchronized show with the City’s Centennial Square Fountain where the water will ‘dance’ and light up in time with Sandi’s show. Light shows begin every 15 minutes between the hours of 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. [More info…]
Wellington Boat Parade
Special thanks to the Town-Crier for covering this update. This Saturday, December 12th, head over to the Wellington Community Center located at 12150 Forest Hill Blvd. and watch a flotilla of approximately 45 holiday decorated motorized boats cruise along Lake Wellington as you watch from the new promenade. Showtime 6:30pm.
The 6th Annual Lake Osborne Holiday Boat Parade
The 6th Annual Lake Osborne Holiday Boat Parade will take place Saturday, December 19th at 7:30 featuring holiday themed vessels looping around the perimeter of the lake. The free-to-enter parade is sponsored by the Osborne Yacht Club. Unwrapped toys will be collected at the Eastside Dock across from Lakeside Anchor Inn (2412 Floral Road, Lantana). Best viewing is anywhere along Lake Osborne Dr. More info can be found on their Facebook page.
Meanwhile in Broward….
Please be aware that since this is the first year for most of these events to be organized to discourage crowds and encourage social distancing, it’s impossible for organizers to predict exactly how many cars will show up. One such example was last night’s drive-through holiday experience in Coral Springs where so many cars lined up that an hour before closing, many families had to be turned away, making it a different kind of experience for those who were looking forward to it. The city apologized and reminded residents that the annual holiday parade will return next year and the Fire Department’s Santa Express will be making its’ way through the city for families to enjoy on Tuesday, December 15 and Thursday, December 17. Mapping, times and additional details will be posted to the Coral Springs Fire Department Facebook page.
Nearby in Coconut Creek, The annual Holiday Fantasy of Lights at Tradewinds Park is a naturally social distanced activity that’s fun for the whole family. Enjoy 3 miles of holiday lights and animated display from the safety and comfort of your own vehicle! Tickets start at $20/vehicle with a $5 early bird special if you hurry. Opens Friday Nov 20 from 6-10pm and every night until January 2nd, 2021 including holidays. more details at http://www.holidaylightsdrivethru.com
Also in Coconut Creek, the city has invited both residents and businesses to show off their exterior holiday light displays with a contest and online tour map which will be made public on December 12th and run through Christmas, December 25th. More details at https://www.coconutcreek.net/parks/events-programs-activities/holiday-light-tour. You’ll find a similar online map for the City of Coral Springs “Deck the Halls 2020” resident holiday lights at http://coralsprin.gs/34f1COg
On Friday, December 11th from 5:30 – 8:30 pm, The City of Tamarac presents Tinsel Town Holiday Drive-Thru. Celebrate the holiday season with lights and themed décor during a festive drive-thru of Tamarac’s Tinseltown, located at Tamarac Sports Complex, 9901 NW 77 St. Attendees are encouraged to bring letters to drop off for Santa. For more information, call (954) 597-3674.
Further south in Hallandale, don’t miss the nightly Symphony in Lights at Gulfstream Park. A nightly light show features more than 250,000 LED lights dancing to the sounds of the Trans Siberian Orchestra for 15 minutes each hour from 6 – 11pm until December 31st. [More info…]
41st annual South Florida Chanukah Festival
Chabad of South Broward presents its annual Hanukkah celebration this year as a socially distanced, drive-in experience, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chabad center’s Chanukah Festival will take place at 7 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the parking lot of the Big Easy Casino, 831 North Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach. The celebration will feature a live concert with Jewish musical artist Mordechai Shapiro and a giant menorah lighting. For more information, visit Chanukahfestival.com.
New this year…
The magic of Santa’s Village comes to life in an adventure the whole family can enjoy. Hop in your car and head over to Santa’s Drive-Thru Village, a very merry drive-thru Christmas attraction located at Miramar Regional Park (16801 Miramar Parkway) in Miramar, FL from Thursday, December 3 through Wednesday, December 23. Tickets are priced at $48.99 per car. [Read more…]
Boat parade in Pompano Beach
The 58th Annual Greater Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade will take place Friday, December 11th at 7 p.m. along the Intracoastal waterway from Lake Santa Barbara to the Hillsboro Bridge. This year’s parade theme is “Salute to America’s Everyday Heroes” in recognition of all of the Healthcare, Frontline, Emergency, Essential and Everyday Workers who helped us through this most difficult time. The event is hosted by the Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce, and will showcase an array of luxury boats, decorated for the holiday season and expected to fill the air with holiday themed music. [Read more…]
These are just a few of the many Holiday themed events happening around town. We will update this blog from time to time with more exciting holiday events for the whole family to enjoy.
You might also like to visit our Local Events Listings , Comedy, Karaoke and Live Music Calendars for more exciting holiday season events near you.
