Popular holiday events in Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and other towns in South Florida include lighting & light-up festivities. Events often feature extra fun like live entertainment, activities for kids, face painting, vendors and Santa. Some events in Fort Lauderdale feature Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds. An event in Dania includes skating and a drone show. Davie features a horse parade.
Usually lighting festivities are free. For some events, parking fees apply.
Please return to this feature as other events are added.
Light up events in 2024
Fort Lauderdale
Light Up Lauderdale is 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. November 7 at Esplanade Park, Esplanade Park, 400 SW 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale on scenic Riverwalk.
Light up Lauderdale – Get Lit. The event includes Kids Zone, Santa, and entertainment at 7 p.m. with Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds.
Dania Beach
Light Up Dania 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. November 16, 100 W. Dania Beach Blvd., Dania Beach 33004. The event includes photos ops, skating rink and a drone show.
Fort Lauderdale
Light Up Fort Lauderdale Beach
Over 50,000 holiday lights & Olas, a 20-foot beach snowman ring in festivities 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. November 18 at A1A and Las Olas Boulevard.
Entertainment at 7 p.m. includes Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds. The event includes a kids' zone with Santa, inflatables and slides. Parking is usually $4 an hour.
Fort Lauderdale
Light Up Festivities 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Thursday, November 21 on Galt Ocean Mile at North Beach Restaurants and Shoppes at A1A and Oakland Park Boulevard and Northeast 32 Street and Northeast 33rd Street and A1A include entertainment, food and drinks for purchase, and kids zone. The event is at 3351 NE 33rd Ave., Fort Lauderdale 33308. Entertainment includes a performance at 7 p.m. featuring Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds.
Parking
$2 an hour at meters, $1 an hour for Fort Lauderdale residents registered with the parking program
garage, 3020 NE 32nd Avenue, $4 an hour, $1.50 an hour for Fort Lauderdale residents registered with the parking program
ArtsPark in Hollywood
Tree lighting at ArtsPark is 7 p.m. November 22 with Santa and and an outdoor film at 8 p.m. “The Grinch.” ArtsPark is at Hollywood Boulevard and Federal Highway, Hollywood 33020
Single-use plastic items like plastic water bottles are prohibited in Hollywood parks.
Street parking is $1.50 per hour. Garage Parking is $1 per hour.
Garage locations are:
- 251 S. 20th Ave., between Harrison and Van Buren streets
- 251 N. 19th Ave., between Tyler and Polk streets
Parking information is online.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
The event includes vendors, letters to Santa, and lighting 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. December 4 at the downtown district, 1 Commercial Boulevard 33308.
Sunrise
Light Up The Holidays is 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. December 5, and entry is free.
The festivities are at Civic Center, 10610 W. Oakland Park Boulevard.
Tamarac
Tamarac lighting festivities are 6:30 p.m. December 5, with entertainment and Santa. The event includes tree lighting, menorah and kinara.
The event is at Caporella Park, 5200 Prospect Road, Tamarac.
Parking and free shuttles are offered at Redeeming Word, 2800 Prospect Road.
Wilton Manors
Holiday lighting is 6:30 p.m. Thursday, December 5 at Flippen Park, 2109 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors 33305. The event features lighting a tree, menorah and kinara. Live music and food vendors are included.
Light Up Sistrunk
Light up Sistrunk in Fort Lauderdale
Light Up Sistrunk festivities are 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, December 6 on Sistrunk Boulevard between Northwest Ninth and 11th Avenues. The event includes:
- entertainment
- kids zone
- toy giveaway
- teen area
- bounce houses
- food trucks
- health fair
Davie
Holiday Lighting festival is 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. December 7 at Bamford Park, 3801 S. Pine Island Road, Davie. The event includes jingle bell horse parade, live entertainment, Santa, kids activities and food vendors. For information, 954-797-1181
Plantation
Light Up event in Plantation is 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. December 7 featuring photo ops with Santa, entertainment, food trucks, ice skating and snow. The venue is City Hall, 400 NW 73rd Avenue 33317.
Pompano Beach
Light Up MLK Jr. Boulevard is 5 p.m. with lighting festivities at 7 p.m. December 7 at the park, 601 MLK Blvd., Pompano Beach 33069. Performances, activities and food & drinks for purchase are featured.
Coral Springs
Festivities for Light Up include a snow zone, snack vendors, and free treats while supplies last. The event is 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday, December 7 at the City Hall lawn, and entry is free. The address is 9500 West Sample Road, Coral Springs 33065. Friendly leashed pets are permitted. Parking is free at the garage.
Parkland
Light Up in Parkland with live entertainment is 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. December 13 at the Amphitheatre at Pine Trails Park, 10561 Trails End, Parkland 33076. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.
Fort Lauderdale
Light Up event 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Friday, December 13 includes live entertainment, bounce houses and face painting. Train rides are featured. Carter Park, 954-828-5411, is at 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 33311,
Fort Lauderdale
Menorah lighting with entertainment and food for purchase 6 p.m. December 26 at Las Olas Oceanside Park. Las Olas Oceanside Park is at 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 33316.
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