Tis the season to be merry. With the holiday season right around the corner, many people are excited for winter break and a month full of festive activities. While swaying palm trees and warm sunny weather may not be everyone’s typical idea of the winter holidays, there are various events throughout December that will keep the holiday spirit alive in South Florida.
Santa’s Enchanted Forest
When: Nightly until Jan. 5, 5 p.m. to midnight
Where: Tropical Park, Miami
Website: santasenchantedforest.com
If you’re looking to step into a magical winter wonderland, then Santa’s Enchanted Forest is the place for you. It is known to be the world’s largest Christmas theme park with tons of exciting attractions. This huge theme park has thousands of dazzling lights, numerous Christmas-themed displays, cheerful music, delicious food, live entertainment and many Carnival rides that are suited for all ages. In addition to all the carnival rides, there are also activities for younger children and any older Scrouges who don’t like carnival rides. Visitors can walk through North Pole themed mazes, visit animals at the petting zoo and watch live shows.
Admission is $28.97 for adults and $19.63 for children under 9.
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
When: Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m.
Where: The New River, Fort Lauderdale
Website: winterfestparade.com
The 42nd-annual Winterfest Boat Parade sets sail on the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, with hundreds of dazzling boats and yachts decked out in holiday decor. Kick off the holiday season by watching gorgeous, giant boats float down the Intercostal. Make sure to arrive there early to get a good spot with friends and family to watch a night full of creatively decorated vessels traveling down the waterway.
Christmas on Las Olas
When: Dec. 3, 5 to 10 p.m.
Where: Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale
Website: facebook.com/ChristmasOnLasOlas
The boulevard is alive with the sound of music — holiday music, to be exact. Musicians, carolers and choirs from local schools and churches fill the air with joyful holiday tunes. People from all over Fort Lauderdale come out to celebrate the kickoff to the winter season. With fake snow showering down on visitors, in addition to a snow mountain and an ice-skating rink, how could anyone think it of this event as anything less than a winter wonderland?
Holiday Fantasy of Lights
When: Nightly until Jan. 4, 6 to 10 p.m.
Where: Tradewinds Park, Coconut Creek
Website: holidaylightsdrivethru.com/index.html
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to drive through a park filled with millions of twinkling lights? Well, here’s your chance to take part in a fun little adventure that Tradewinds Park has set up for the holiday season. The 3-mile park road is transformed into a fantasy of color, glittering lights and giant displays. Cars may start lining up just before the park opens the gates at 6 p.m. Admission is $14 per car.
Donny & Marie: Christmas in South Florida
When: Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m.
Where: BB&T Center in Sunrise
Website: thebbtcenter.com
Donny and Marie Osmond will bring holiday cheer to South Florida with their Christmas music. The two siblings bring back music from their early television series and mix it together with popular holiday music. Make sure to purchase tickets before it’s to late. Tickets start at $64. For more information, contact the BB&T Center 954-835-7000.
