Winter Holidays festivals & events in Broward

 Winter festivals, fun with Santa, and dazzling light displays are part of the seasonal festivities in South Florida.

Many events are free. Some are inexpensive, or offered with deals & discounts. Please return to this feature as other events are added.

To keep up with latest news on deals, discounts and other events in South Florida, sign up for the daily Fort Lauderdale on the Cheap newsletter. 

Light Shows & Displays

Symphony of Lights, free

November 13 -December 31 Symphony of Lights display, light show on the hour 6  p.m. – 11 p.m., free,  Gulfstream Park Village, 901 S. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach

Tinsel Town Holiday Drive-Thru, Tamarac

Free drive-thru event 6 p.m. December 10 featuring lights & displays. Tamarac Sports complex, 9901 NW 77th Street, Tamarac

Stranahan House Victorian Holiday in Fort Lauderdale

The historic structure is decked out for the holidays & offering tours of its Victorian-era decor.

Tours are  7 p.m. – 8 p.m. December 18- 23, with fees of $25 &  $30

Purchase tickets online .

Stranahan House museum, 335 SE 6^th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale 33301, 954-524-4736

 

Christmas Lights In The Acres, $10 vehicle

Formerly a free event, tickets are required for popular & impressive light show synchronized to festive tunes. Fee is $10 per vehicle. Purchase tickets on an app. Christmas In The Acres app. Varied dates, weather permitting at Plantation Baptist Church.

Snow Flurries & Snowmen in Dania

Snowfalls, snowman building & entertainment are featured weekends at Dania Pointe shopping, dining & entertainment plaza, 139 S. Compass Way, Dania Beach 33004, website, feature

Holiday Wonderland, Las Olas Oceanside Park, Fort Lauderdale

Holiday Wonderland features  holiday displays, Santa dropping in, entertainment, family-friendly holiday films  & lots of other events in December. 

Events & displays include these & others

• “Nutcrackers & Sweets  display & events December 9-12
• Jingle & Flamingle display & events December 16-19
• “Olas,” a 20-foot beach snowman on display
• outdoor holiday films including “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” 6:45 p.m. December 16, reserve free tickets online. 
• December 24 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Jeff Grainger and The Hoboken 11 Big Band, VIP offered for fee,  regular entry is free
• December 25 Peter Mayer, VIP  offered for fee, regular entry is free
• December 31 New Year’s Eve with Goodnicks, & laser light show

Information about different events & activities is on the website Holiday Wonderland. Las Olas Oceanside Park. Las Olas Oceanside Park is at  3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 33316

 

‘Ignite Your Light’ walk-through attraction, Pembroke Pines, with discount opportunity

Projections, performers and whimsical inflatables are featured in Ignite Your Light outdoor attraction at a regional park in Pembroke Pines.

The interactive walk-thru attraction with hi-tech visuals is in South Florida until January 2, weekends & December 21-25 & December 28-30, read feature

Tickets prices are 

• $34.95 – 38.95  for adults
• $24.95 for $18 & younger 
• $98.95 for family pack  

VIP tickets are offered. Fees are extra.

Discount opportunity: Deal for readers of this website: 10% off discount, use promocode DEAL10. 

The attraction is described a family-friendly “fantastical interactive playground” with state-of-the-art design & visuals.

Entertainment includes

• holographic projections
• lasers
• inflatables
• Tik-Tok photo booths
• interactive performers
• dance performances
• laser light show
• video wall mapping

Venue: CB Smith Park, 900  North Flamingo Road in Pembroke Pines 33028.

Parking is free. Entry to the park is $1.50 weekends and holidays for ages 6 & older.

 

Winter Wonderland, Plantation

Decorated trees are featured at an indoor exhibit in Plantation. The  Winter Wonderland display is open Tuesdays – Saturdays, with some exceptions, November 20-December 30, and entry is free.  Plantation Historical Museum, 511 N. Fig Tree Lane, Plantation 33317, website, 954-797-2722

Water Taxi Holiday Lights

Water Taxi offers holiday lights excursions on The  Intercoastal Waterway. Reservations and payment online are required.  Adult fares are $35. For kids 3 – 11, the price is $15. Order tickets online.

Read Water Taxi offers scenic excursions & deals

Garden of Lights, Flamingo Gardens

Walkways of the attraction in Davie are decorated with lighted displays.

Garden of Lights events are 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. December 17-23 & December 26-30 @ Flamingo Gardens.

Entry fees apply. Evening event is included with regular entry during the day. For the evening event only, fee is $12.95 for ages 12 & older, $9.95 for ages 3-11, & free for 2 & younger. Free for members. Online purchase recommended.  Read Flamingo Gardens in Davie.

 

 

 

 

Fun with Santa

Free photo ops with Santa @ Festival in Pompano

Santa is posing 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.  Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays until December 25 at Festival Marketplace, 2900 West Sample Road, 
Pompano Beach 33073, 954-979-4555   

December 11, Santa’s on site 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

 

 

Santa & Breakfast

• Feel free to wear PJs for breakfast with Santa 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. December 11, Volunteer Park, 12050 W. Sunrise Boulevard, Plantation 33324. Fee is $7, free 2 & younger. Registration required, 954-452-2558
• Breakfast with Santa is 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. December 11 in Pompano Beach, $7 fee, website

Santa on his floating sleigh

Peek in as Santa rides a water sleigh on Middle River in Wilton Manors, about 5 p.m. December 15, free entry

Santa at Library

Soulful Santa is at African American Research Library and Cultural Center, 1 p.m. December 18, website

African American Research Library and Cultural Center 2650 Sistrunk Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale 33311, 954-357-6282

Holiday films

• “Grinch,” 7 p.m. December 10, Middle School Athletic complex, 501 SE Sixth Avenue, Deerfield 33441, website
• Polar Express Family movie night outdoors, 5:30 p.m. December 16,  Southwest Regional Library, 7300 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024, 954-201-8825, free entry, registration required, Register 
• “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” 6:30 p.m. December  Las Olas Oceanside Park, Reserve free tickets online
• “Grinch” December 17, opens @ 5:30 p.m. Volunteer Park, 12050 W. Sunrise Blvd., Plantation 33324, 954-452-2558
• “Jingle Jangle” 7 p.m. December 18, 1700 NE 8th St., Pompano Beach, refreshments for sale, website

 

Festivals & events

 

Paws Holiday Extravaganza

Entry is $40 for shopping event 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. December 6 with a portion of proceeds for Humane Society of Broward.

Venue: Coral Ridge Country Club 3801 Bayview Drive, Fort Lauderdale 33308

Information is online

Holiday market

Art and wares from local artists and artisans are featured December 10 & 11 at Pine & Palm Holiday Market at Museum of Art in Coral Springs, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs 33065.

• 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. December 10, $10 entry if purchased early online, $15 at  event. Features extra amenities & cash bar.
  
• 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. December 11, open to public, free entry, donations accepted

Mini workshops for extra fee include

• ornament decorating
• gift wrapping
• wreath making

Light Up Carter Park, Fort Lauderdale

Tree lighting, train rides and other fun for youngsters & live entertainment are featured 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. December 11 at Carter Park in Fort Lauderdale, event flyer

Christmas Near The beach, Hollywood, free

Festivities include a variety show, vendors and food trucks. Snag a photo with Santa. At his beach house. 

Holiday festivities are 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. December 11 in Hollywood. Venue is ArtsPark Amphitheater, on Hollywood Boulevard at Federal Highway, entry is free,  website

 

 

Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade

Parade is 7 p.m. December 10, with dozens of bedazzled boats lighting up Intracoastal Waterway. Route is from Lake Santa Barbara north to Sullivan Park in Deerfield, feature or online

Coral Ridge Holiday Spectacular

Live entertainment 7:30 p.m. December 10 & 4 p.m. December 11 featuring GENTRI, Coral Ridge concert choir & orchestra, youth choirs, dancers & others. Entry fees are $5 – $25 for 18 & younger and $10 – $50  for adults.  5555 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale 33308, 954-771-8840, website

Winterfest Boat Parade

Iconic Winterfest event 6 p.m. December 11 features elaborately decorated watercraft in a parade on New River & Intercoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale.  Tickets are sold for designated watch areas, or watch the event watch it on TV or livestreamed  online, feature

Jingle Bells @ Library

Jingle Bells In The Breezeway features live holiday music 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. December 11 at Pompano Library, Register

Santa on his floating sleigh

Peek in as Santa rides a water sleigh on Middle River in Wilton Manors, about 5 p.m. December 15, free entry

Holiday Parade

Holiday Parade in Coral Springs is 7 p.m. December 15 on Sample Road, between Coral Springs Drive and City Hall, 9500 West Sample Road, Coral Springs 33065. Bring lawn chairs or blankets &  relax. Free parking at City Hall garage. Information online. 

Margate Winter Festival

Snow Florida style , artisan vendors, food vendors, rides for kids  & photo ops with Santa are featured  the Winter Festival 6 p .m. – 10 p.m. December 17, with free entry. 

Margate Winter Festival is on lawn on State Road 7 & Margate Boulevard.

Kwanzaa event

African-American Research Library in Fort Lauderdale is presenting Kwanzaa festivities online 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. December 31, Register

Friday Night Sound Waves New Year’s Eve

December 31 6:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m., free festivities at Las Olas Oceanside Park featuring Goodnicks, harmony pop, rock and dance music, watch ball drop in New York on screens & laser light show. Las Olas Oceanside Park,  3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 33316. Fees for parking apply 

 

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Previous events

Light Up Lauderdale, Get Lit, Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, Train rides, face painting & live holiday performances are included at 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. November 11 @ Esplanade Park, 400 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale. Santa is likely dropping in

Light Up Galt, Festivities on Galt Ocean Mile from North Beach Restaurants and Shoppes and City of Fort Lauderdale include  live music, entertainment, food, and family-friendly fun.  The event is 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. November 18 on Northeast 32nd and Northeast 33rd Streets from A1A to Northeast 33rd Avenue

ArtsPark, Hollywood, Tree lighting festivities & Santa are featured @ 7 p.m. November 19 at ArtsPark on Hollywood Boulevard and Federal Highway. 

Light Up MLK Jr. Boulevard, Fun, Santa & local live entertainment are 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. November 20 in Pompano Beach.

Venue for festivities is 520 MLK Jr. Boulevard, Pompano 33060, website 

Winterfest Family Fun Day, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. November 21 includes photo opps with Santa, slides, and face painting. Venue is Huizenga Plaza, 32 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale.

Light Up Fort Lauderdale Beach  Over 50,000 holiday lights &  “Olas,” a 20-foot beach snowman ring in festivities at A1A and Las Olas Boulevard. Entertainment includes  Yuletide Carolers, jazz saxophonist Randy Corinthian, Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds, kids zone with Santa, inflatables, slides & pony rides. Event is 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. November 23 in Las Olas Oceanside Park. Las Olas Oceanside Park is at  3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 33316

Parade in Plantation Holiday Parade is 9 a.m. November 20, with route from Broward Boulevard & Northwest 46th Avenue, west on Broward Boulevard, north on 69th Avenue to City Hall, 400  NW 73rd Avenue, Plantation  33317  954-452-2510

Menorah Lighting

6 p.m. November 29, Las Olas Oceanside Park. Las Olas Oceanside Park is at  3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 33316, event flyer

Holiday festivities in L-B-T-S

Santa, lighting festivities and fun for kids. Holiday festivities in Anglin Square are 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. December 1, and include a request for kids to drop off gently read books for Action For Literacy.  0 Commercial Boulevard, Lauderdale-by-The-Sea, website 

Light Up Sistrunk

Tree lighting, live entertainment, free toy giveaway, health fair,  kid’s zone &  photos with Santa are part of festivities 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. December 3 on Sistrunk Boulevard between NW 9th and 11th Avenues, Light Up Sistrunk Flyer

Lighting festivities, Santa & fireworks

Holiday festivities & fireworks  are featured at Old Town Untapped free street festival 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. December 3, NE 1st Street and North Flagler Avenue &  Bailey Contemporary Arts, 41 NE First Street, Pompano 33060, 954-786-4655, website

Holiday Lighting & Festival, Davie

Lighting Festivities & a holiday festival are 6  p.m. – 9 p.m. December 4, Bamford Sports complex, 3801 S. Pine Island Road, Davie. Event includes live entertainment, Santa, horse parade, activities, fun for kids, food vendors,  954-797-1181, website

Holiday lighting in Tamarac

Santa, live entertainment, & interactive fun for youngsters are featured in Tamarac 6:30 p.m. December 2, including lighting festivities.

Light-up displays

• Tree
• Kinara
• menorah

Caporella Park, 5200 Prospect Road, website

Candy Cane Parade, Hollywood

7 p.m. December 4 on Hollywood Broadwalk between Missouri & Harrison streets. Free seating along the route.

Coral Springs holiday festivities

Festivities 5 p.m. – 9  p.m. December 4  include

• Holiday dance party
• Tree Lighting @ 7 p.m.
• Train rides
• Ice skating
• Snow

Event is on City Hall lawn, 9500  W. Sample Road, Coral Springs 33065. Bring lawn chairs & blankets. Free parking in City Hall garage, website

Chanukah Fair On Las Olas

Food vendors & rides are featured at Chanukah Fair 12 p.m. –  5 p.m. November 28 at Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 33316. Entry is free. Fee for unlimited rides is $20 if purchased prior to November 24, or $25 at the event. Information online. 

 Christmas on Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale

Popular event described as an “urban Winter Wonderland” 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. November 30 on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Entry is free. Parking fees apply.

Festivities include fun winter activities and performances from local schools and religious organizations.  900 E. Las Olas Boulevard, website

Menorah lighting & entertainment

Hanukkah festivities 6 p.m. November 30 at ArtsPark in Hollywood, with kosher food for sale. Entertainment features Cirque Adventure Family Circus Show. Free event. ArtsPark is on Hollywood Boulevard and Federal Highway 33020.

Yuletide Parade

Floats, dancers & Santa are featured in Yuletide Parade 6:30 p.m. December 2 in Pompano. The parade is on Atlantic Boulevard from Riverside Drive to Southeast 24th Avenue. A watch area is at Harbor Drive & Atlantic Boulevard

Ocean Way, Deerfield Beach

Photo ops with Santa, fun for kids &  live entertainment are featured at Ocean Way festivities in Deerfield Beach. The festivities are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. December 4 at beach parking lot, 149 S.E. 2nd Avenue, Deerfield Beach 33441. Entry is fee. Parking fees apply. website &  feature.

Hanukkah celebration

Decorate a dreidel and other art fun are offered while supplies last 10 a.m. December 5 at Festival Marketplace, 2900 W. Sample Road, Pompano Beach 33073, website. Event is free.

Mrs. Claus @ Old Davie School

Tours of Old Davie School are offered 10 a.m., 11 a.m. 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. December 4 with Santa’s wife. $5 for non-members. Write a letter with an old-fashioned dip ink pen. Tickets online. 6650 Griffin Road, Davie, 954-797-1044

Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus

Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus entertains with holiday favorites 7 p.m. December 5, United Church of Christ, 2501 NE 30^th Street in Fort Lauderdale. $25 for general entry, $40 for VIP in first five rows with priority seating. Service fee is extra. Purchase online or 954-832-0060