Last updated: November 11, 2024
Plan your festive adventure in Oakland Park with our detailed event guide. From Oakland Park experts to novices, our guide is your roadmap to seasonal celebrations.
Popular for its dazzling displays, WONDERLAND transforms the local area into a magical holiday spectacle that celebrates the spirit of the season. With unique lights and festive activities, the Winterfest Boat Parade showcases stunningly decorated boats gliding along the waterways. And the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest® Boat Parade is something you definitely don’t want to miss, featuring a variety of themed vessels and vibrant performances. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Oakland Park Holiday Light Displays
Light Up the Beach
- What to Expect
- Large-scale holiday light display with live music and family activities.
- Description
- Light Up the Beach features over 50,000 holiday lights along the picturesque beachfront, a 20-foot beach snowman, and performances by the Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds. The event includes a kids zone with Santa, inflatables, and slides.
- Where
- Fort Lauderdale | More Info : Light Up the Beach
Lighthouse A’Glow
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with festive activities and decorations.
- Description
- Lighthouse A’Glow is a holiday event featuring festive activities and decorations in Lighthouse Point, FL, on December 6, 2023, from 6:30 PM to 3:30 AM.
- Where
- Lighthouse Point | More Info : Lighthouse A’Glow
Symphony in Lights
- What to Expect
- Synchronized light and sound show with festive decorations.
- Description
- Gulfstream Park Village presents Symphony in Lights, a nightly 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, festive decorations, and Santa visits on select dates.
- Where
- Hallandale Beach | More Info : Symphony in Lights
Light Up Sistrunk
- What to Expect
- Illuminated street festivities showcasing local art and culture in a lively community setting.
- Description
- The Light Up Sistrunk event transforms the streets of Fort Lauderdale with vibrant light displays, live entertainment, and local art. Attendees can marvel at the intricately designed holiday decorations while enjoying a variety of food and drinks from local vendors. The atmosphere is filled with community spirit and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the area.
- Where
- Fort Lauderdale | More Info : Light Up Sistrunk
Oakland Park Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Magic – Whimsical Wonderland
- What to Expect
- Live music and character meet-and-greets amidst beautifully lit decorations.
- Description
- Celebrate the holiday season at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens with beautifully lit trees, wreaths, and centerpieces. Enjoy live music and libations while strolling through the enchanting grounds. Meet the delightful characters from "POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance" and experience a special holiday celebration.
- Where
- Fort Lauderdale | More Info : Holiday Magic – Whimsical Wonderland
Winterfest Boat Parade
- What to Expect
- Decorated boats with lights and entertainment along a 12-mile route.
- Description
- The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade is a spectacular holiday event featuring beautifully decorated boats of all sizes, showcasing lights, music, and entertainment along a 12-mile route in Fort Lauderdale. Over one million spectators enjoy this festive celebration, which has a significant economic impact on Broward County.
- Where
- Fort Lauderdale | More Info : Winterfest Boat Parade
Christmas on Las Olas
- What to Expect
- Community-driven holiday celebration with live performances and local business participation.
- Description
- Christmas on Las Olas is a free community event celebrating Fort Lauderdale's urban holiday season with live performances, local businesses, and festive activities.
- Where
- Fort Lauderdale | More Info : Christmas on Las Olas
Namaste Indian Festival
- What to Expect
- Diverse cultural performances and food stalls.
- Description
- Namaste Indian Festival is a celebration of 5,000 years of Indian culture, featuring live music, dance performances, workshops on ancient instruments, diverse food stalls, and a grand bazaar showcasing various Indian states' cultures.
- Where
- Pompano Beach | More Info : Namaste Indian Festival
Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest® Boat Parade
- What to Expect
- Decorated boats with lights and entertainment.
- Description
- The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade is a spectacular holiday event featuring beautifully decorated boats of all sizes, traveling 12 miles along the New River and Intracoastal Waterway. Over one million spectators can expect to see private boats, giant showboats, and corporate megayachts adorned with hundreds of thousands of lights, music, entertainment, decorations, celebrities, and more.
- Where
- Fort Lauderdale | More Info : Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest® Boat Parade
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens Holiday Soirée
- What to Expect
- Live music and festive decorations in a historic estate setting.
- Description
- The Bonnet House Museum & Gardens Holiday Soirée features a beautifully lit and decorated estate with live music, full bar, and catered dining. The event includes a sneak peek of the fantastical characters from "POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance" and the opportunity to view and purchase festive decorations.
- Where
- Fort Lauderdale | More Info : Bonnet House Museum & Gardens Holiday Soirée
Breakfast With Santa
- What to Expect
- Interactive breakfast with Santa and festive activities.
- Description
- Join Santa and his elf for a delightful breakfast buffet, complete with classic Christmas movies, scavenger hunt, and beverage bar.
- Where
- Oakland Park | More Info : Breakfast With Santa
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 professional dancers and local children, set to Tchaikovsky's iconic score. This critically acclaimed performance showcases extraordinary talent and captures the spirit of the holiday season.
- Where
- Fort Lauderdale | More Info : The Nutcracker
Soulful Christmas
- What to Expect
- Community-driven celebration honoring Black Christmas traditions.
- Description
- Soulful Christmas is an intergenerational performance celebrating Black Christmas traditions through music and storytelling, featuring iconic, soulful Christmas songs.
- Where
- Fort Lauderdale | More Info : Soulful Christmas
Oakland Park Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Village
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly holiday event with live entertainment and festive activities.
- Description
- The Annual Oakland Park Holiday Village is a family-friendly weekend event at Jaco Pastorius Park, featuring live entertainment, a Christmas tree decorating competition, visits from Santa, and attractions like the Holiday Village Carousel and Snow Slide. The event includes a Food Court and a cash bar for adults.
- Where
- Oakland Park | More Info : Holiday Village
WONDERLAND
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with diverse activities and entertainment.
- Description
- Las Olas Boulevard transforms into a vibrant holiday hub with holiday markets, strolling characters, live music, dance performances, visits with Santa, and holiday movies.
- Where
- Fort Lauderdale | More Info : WONDERLAND
Riptide Music Festival
- What to Expect
- Multi-day music festival with diverse artist lineup and luxury festival experiences.
- Description
- Riptide Music Festival is a multi-day event in Fort Lauderdale featuring a diverse lineup of artists, including The Black Keys, Jellyroll, Bleachers, and more. The festival offers various experiences such as the Ford Beach House, Spirit Airlines' two-story container lounge, and interactive activations like Recovery Unplugged.
- Where
- Fort Lauderdale | More Info : Riptide Music Festival
Kwanzaa Ujamaa
- What to Expect
- Cultural celebration of cooperative economics.
- Description
- Celebrate Kwanzaa Ujamaa at Bass Park with Afrocentric entertainment and cultural activities focusing on cooperative economics, the fourth principle of Kwanzaa.
- Where
- Fort Lauderdale | More Info : Kwanzaa Ujamaa
Margate Winter Festival
- What to Expect
- Florida-style snow and local group performances.
- Description
- The Margate Winter Festival is a family-friendly event featuring Florida-style snow, kiddie rides, local group performances, food, and arts and crafts. It's a great opportunity to capture memories with pictures of Santa.
- Where
- Margate | More Info : Margate Winter Festival
Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown
- What to Expect
- Largest New Year's Eve celebration in the Southeast with a free street festival.
- Description
- The Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown is a premier New Year's Eve celebration in South Florida, featuring a free street festival with activities for both children and adults, including food trucks, live music, and the dropping of a lit-up anchor at midnight.
- Where
- Fort Lauderdale | More Info : Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown