Festive & free places in South Florida for photo ops

If you appreciate taking your own interesting holiday photos, South Florida offers some wonderful, whimsical, and festive displays. Adorable selfies. Pose with pals.

Broward, Dade and greater Palm Beach offer lots of opportunities in 2023 for impressive Instagramable pictures. Plenty of places and events are free.

Photo/Dania Pointe

Snow and Snowmen

Dania

Dania Pointe plaza offers free outdoor activities with a winter vibe. Snow flurries with holiday tunes and snowmen formed from Florida-style snow. Free entry and free parking. 

Miami-Dade

Snowfalls are offered at various venues including  Dadeland mall and Dolphin mall. Free entry.

West Palm

The Square in West Palm Beach hosts a holiday attraction that includes snowfalls and a lights show. The Square is a shopping, dining and residential neighborhood at 700 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm. Light shows and snowfalls are 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., with extra entertainment and events occasionally. Free entry. Feature: Holiday snowfalls & lights at The Square in West Palm

Photos/Patti Roth

Plantation

Photo-worthy holiday lights and decorations are outside City Hall, 400 NW 73rd Avenue, Plantation 33317.  The displays include a sleigh with an area to sit inside, presents, a snowman, Hanukkah décor, a nativity scene, and a tree.

Photo: city of West Palm Beach

Sandi sand sculpture

Holiday in Paradise on the waterfront in West Palm features lots of distinctive features, including an impressive 35-foot sand sculpture shaped as a tree. attraction includes a lighted ferris wheel, fountain with dancing waters and array of photo ops, including other sand sculptures and decor. Free entry. Holiday in Paradise is at 127 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. 

Tropical Snowman

Photo/Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation

Olas a dashing 40-foot beach snowman is available for pictures on A1A and Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Free entry.

 Las Olas Oceanside Park is decked out for the holidays and includes decorative displays for  photo ops, including a golden arch in the shape of an ornament, 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 33316.  Free entry.

Photo/Las Olas Oceanside Park

Manatee friends

Photo/Manatee Lagoon an FPL facility

Manatees offer a Florida flavor for holiday photos or anytime photos. An indoor replica of the delightful animals is featured at Manatee Lagoon, 6000 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach 33407. Free entry.

Feature: Manatee Lagoon in Riviera Beach offers interactive exhibits & it’s free

Lovely bridge in Japanese garden

A petite red bridge poised in a Japanese garden is a lovely place for photos. It's at Miami Beach Botanical Garden, with lots of other picturesque places. 2000 Convention Center Drive. Entry is free.

Photo/Broward Library

Free Holiday Photo Shoots

Various Broward library branches are offering free photo shoots for family and friends.  The backdrop is a digital image on a green screen. Bring props if you'd like.

Photo/Coral Springs

Coral Springs

Whimsical lights displays and a decorated tree are featured 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. to December 31 on the lawn at Coral Springs city hall, 9500 West Sample Road, Coral Springs 33065

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Lots of other  holiday events and decorative exhibits offer wonderful Photo Ops, including selfies with Santa, Rudolph and other personalities;  Hanukkah displays and Kwanzaa displays.