After spending all year in the frigid North Pole, it only makes sense that the jolly fellow would want to make a special appearance or two in Greater Fort Lauderdale!

The LOOP Holiday Market Bazaar

Las Olas Oceanside Park

The green space at Las Olas Oceanside Park comes alive the holidays with holiday markets every weekend, perfect to shop for everyone on your nice list. On Dec. 17, Santa will be joining the festivities for photos from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Santa Con

Santa on Fort Lauderdale Beach

Now’s your chance to tap into your Santa cosplay. The 21-and-up event on Dec. 17 draws hoards of pub crawlers down Las Olas Boulevard dressed in Santa hats and costumes, which grants them drink specials at bars down the Style Mile. The best part? The event benefits the Jack & Jill Children’s Center.

Garden of Lights

Flamingo Gardens long shot of female

Flamingo Gardens’ annual holiday event features an after-hours, self-guided walk through the botanical gardens adorned with thousands of lights and decorations. Enjoy visits with Santa and some of his friends along with nightly musical performances. Stop by the Flamingo Pond Snack Bar for holiday treats and beverages available for purchase. The special event runs Dec. 16-23 and 26-30. 

Symphony in Lights at Gulfstream Park

Now through Dec. 31, enjoy a nightly light show at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach. With more than 250,000 LED lights, the 10-minute light show runs at the top of the hour from 6 to 11 p.m. every evening. The show is so impressive that even Santa Claus makes a point of showing up each night.

Winter Wonderland

Each year, the Plantation Historical Museum closes for over a month to transform the space into a Winter Wonderland, with plenty of Santa sightings to behold! The property will be filled with more than 40 different themed Christmas trees, a miniature train village, holiday gift shop, Hanukkah celebrations, and more. The Winter Wonderland is going on now through Dec. 31.

Holiday Fantasy of Lights

Get in your car, because we’re driving through a light display that’s come to Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek for almost 30 years. The 3-mile drive through the park is filled with illuminated sights as well as animated displays. More than 125,000 visitors come every year, and you’ll become a repeat customer for this holiday tradition. The display is going on now through Jan. 1, 2023.

Malls

Santa never misses an opportunity to hit the mall during Christmas time. For photo ops, check out the calendars at Coral Ridge Mall and The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale, the Broward Mall in Plantation, Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise, Pembroke Lakes Mall in Pembroke Pines, Coral Square in Coral Springs, and more. Some malls also have special sensory friendly sessions set up throughout the season.