Experience the heart of the holidays in Fort Lauderdale! Let our guide lead you to all the community events and activities. For those who call Fort Lauderdale home and those who wish they did, our guide is your holiday lifeline.
Popular Events: One highlight of the season is the Winterfest Boat Parade, where beautifully decorated vessels sail along the Intracoastal Waterway, creating a stunning display. Holiday Magic – Whimsical Wonderland transforms the area's parks into enchanting holiday landscapes, featuring interactive exhibits and colorful light displays. And the Menorah Lighting Celebration is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it showcases the vibrant traditions of the season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Fort Lauderdale
- Winterfest Boat Parade
- Holiday Magic – Whimsical Wonderland
- The Nutcracker
- Menorah Lighting Celebration
- Jingle Bell Jog
- Kwanzaa Ujamaa
- Christmas Near The Beach (Hollywood)
- Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade (Hollywood)
- Symphony in Lights (Hallandale Beach)
- The Nutcracker Ballet (Sunrise)
See these and even more events listed below!
Fort Lauderdale Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Community tree lighting with Santa visit and toy donations.
Description:
Join us at Rusch Community Park for the 1st Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, sponsored by SacTown Real Estate and Precision Orthodontics. Enjoy holiday cheer with your family, send letters to the North Pole, participate in fun activities, and sip hot cocoa while the beautiful tree is lit. Santa will make a special visit for photos and to spread joy. Toy donations for the NICU and PICU at a local hospital are also accepted.
Where: Sunrise | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting
Symphony in Lights
What to Expect:
Seasonal lights display with live music and festive decorations.
Description:
Gulfstream Park Village presents a spectacular holiday lights display featuring over 250,000 LED lights set to holiday classics and popular music. The event includes a 10-minute light show every hour from 6-11 PM, festive decorations, and shopping and dining options.
Where: Hallandale Beach | More Info: Symphony in Lights
Fort Lauderdale Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Winterfest Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Decorated boats of all sizes in a festive holiday display.
Description:
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade is a spectacular event featuring beautifully decorated boats of all sizes, bringing together the community and visitors from around the world. With over a million viewers along the 12-mile parade route, it is a significant economic impact to Broward County, showcasing the "Best Show on H2O."
Where: Fort Lauderdale | More Info: Winterfest Boat Parade
Holiday Magic – Whimsical Wonderland
What to Expect:
Live entertainment and holiday activities in a historic estate setting.
Description:
Join us for an evening of live entertainment, a scavenger hunt, letter to Santa, and book reading at the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the house, lit up and sparkling with beautifully designed trees, wreaths, and centerpieces.
Where: Fort Lauderdale | More Info: Holiday Magic – Whimsical Wonderland
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with professional dancers and local children.
Description:
Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida presents The Nutcracker, a timeless ballet featuring Tchaikovsky's iconic score and masterful choreography by Vladimir Issaev. This critically acclaimed performance showcases the extraordinary talent of professional dancers and joyful participation of local children, making it a true holiday masterpiece.
Where: Fort Lauderdale | More Info: The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker Ballet
What to Expect:
Elaborate ballet performance with professional dancers.
Description:
St. Lucie Ballet presents The Nutcracker, a classic ballet featuring Clara's adventures with the Rat King, Land of Snow, and Land of Sweets, culminating in a visit to the Sugar Plum Fairy. This event showcases students, pre-professionals, and professional dancers in a spectacular holiday performance.
Where: Sunrise | More Info: The Nutcracker Ballet
Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade
What to Expect:
Longest running holiday parade in the country with lighted floats and vehicles.
Description:
The Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade is a long-running holiday event featuring dozens of lighted floats and vehicles along the parade route, entertaining thousands of spectators who line the Broadwalk. It began in the mid-1950s as a way for Hollywood merchants to draw patrons to their shops and businesses.
Where: Hollywood | More Info: Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade
Christmas Near The Beach
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with live performances and local vendors.
Description:
Christmas Near The Beach is a free family-friendly festival featuring a variety show, local artists, bands, an outdoor market, food trucks, and a visit with Santa.
Where: Hollywood | More Info: Christmas Near The Beach
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with synchronized light displays and live shows.
Description:
SeaWorld Orlando transforms into a vibrant holiday setting with millions of sparkling lights, festive decorations, and holiday-themed activities including live shows, ice-skating, and meet-and-greets with Santa and Rudolph. The event features a variety of holiday foods and shopping opportunities, making it a memorable experience for families.
Where: Orlando | More Info: SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
Holiday Jazz Festival
What to Expect:
Celebrating 45 years of jazz with legendary and contemporary performers.
Description:
The Clearwater Jazz Holiday is a 45th-anniversary celebration featuring a diverse lineup of jazz legends and contemporary stars. The event takes place in Coachman Park, Clearwater, Florida, offering a blend of classic and modern jazz under the Floridian sky. It includes daily pre-parties, multiple stages, and educational initiatives that support year-round community outreach programs.
Where: Clearwater Beach | More Info: Holiday Jazz Festival
Winter Jam
What to Expect:
Dynamic lineup of Christian music artists.
Description:
Winter Jam is a high-energy Christian music festival featuring performances by Crowder, Lecrae, Cain, Katy Nichole, Seventh Day Slumber, Newsong, and special guest Joseph O'Brien. The event includes pre-jam performances by SEU Worship, John Wesley, and LIN D, with Zane Black serving as the tour pastor.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Winter Jam
Fort Lauderdale Other Holiday Activities
Menorah Lighting Celebration
What to Expect:
Traditional menorah lighting and customary treats.
Description:
Join us for the Menorah Lighting Celebration on Las Olas Boulevard, featuring traditional menorah lighting, music, and delicious customary treats.
Where: Fort Lauderdale | More Info: Menorah Lighting Celebration
Kwanzaa Ujamaa
What to Expect:
Cultural celebration of cooperative economics with Afrocentric entertainment.
Description:
Celebrate Kwanzaa Ujamaa at Bass Park with Afrocentric entertainment and cultural activities, honoring cooperative economics.
Where: Fort Lauderdale | More Info: Kwanzaa Ujamaa
Jingle Bell Jog
What to Expect:
Participants receive Santa suits and Jingle Bells.
Description:
The Jingle Bell Jog Fort Lauderdale is an annual running event celebrating festive winter holidays with Santa suits, Jingle Bells, and holiday-themed medals.
Where: Fort Lauderdale | More Info: Jingle Bell Jog
Christmas-by-the-Sea
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with local business participation.
Description:
Christmas-by-the-Sea is a festive holiday event in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea featuring local businesses, community activities, and seasonal celebrations.
Where: Lauderdale-By-The-Sea | More Info: Christmas-by-the-Sea
Riverwalk Sunday Jazz Brunch
What to Expect:
Live jazz music on multiple stages along a historic walkway.
Description:
The Riverwalk Sunday Jazz Brunch is a free, live outdoor concert series featuring local jazz artists on three stages along Fort Lauderdale's scenic Riverwalk. Attendees can enjoy the music while strolling along the historic brick-lined walkway, browsing local merchants, and savoring food from area restaurants. Well-behaved leashed pets are also welcome.
Where: Fort Lauderdale | More Info: Riverwalk Sunday Jazz Brunch
Sunset Music Cruise with Water Taxi
What to Expect:
Live music and open bar on a waterfront cruise.
Description:
Embark on a Sunset Music Cruise with Water Taxi, featuring live music, a 2-hour open bar, and delectable bar bites from Shooters Waterfront, all while enjoying breathtaking views of Fort Lauderdale's skyline.
Where: Fort Lauderdale | More Info: Sunset Music Cruise with Water Taxi
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Sunrise (2 miles)
- Lauderhill (5 miles)
- Plantation (6 miles)
- Davie (7 miles)
- West Hollywood (7 miles)
- Hollywood (8 miles)
- Pompano Beach (8 miles)
- Tamarac (9 miles)
- Coconut Creek (9 miles)
- Margate (9 miles)
- Pembroke Pines (10 miles)
- Miramar (11 miles)
- Coral Springs (13 miles)
- Deerfield Beach (14 miles)
- Miami Gardens (14 miles)
- Carol City (14 miles)
- Weston (16 miles)
- Country Club (16 miles)
- North Miami (16 miles)
- Hialeah (20 miles)
- Allapattah (22 miles)
- Miami Beach (23 miles)
- Delray Beach (24 miles)
- Miami (24 miles)
- Doral (25 miles)
- Flagami (27 miles)
- Fountainebleau (27 miles)
- Boynton Beach (28 miles)
- Coral Gables (29 miles)
- Tamiami (30 miles)
- Kendall (32 miles)
- Kendale Lakes (33 miles)
- The Hammocks (36 miles)
- Wellington (38 miles)
- West Palm Beach (41 miles)