Santa Sightings in Greater Fort Lauderdale

For a memorable take on a timeless tradition, the oldest house in Fort Lauderdale — and the epicenter of the city’s storied history — Historic Stranahan House Museum is treating visitors to a tasty event, Cookies With Santa, presented by Amazon, on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Get decked in your December best and snap some new family photos with Santa Claus inside this local landmark. Then, it’s time to delight in cookie indulgence. Photo sessions for families of four cost $45, plus an additional $5 for each person. Make sure to book your appointment ahead of time, and please leave Fido at home (with some treats!) for this shoot — unfortunately, pets are not permitted. 

If you’d like to spend more holiday time at Historic Stranahan House Museum, bookmark the Victorian Christmas Tours, presented by Amazon, Tuesday, Dec. 16 through Saturday, Dec. 20, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. each evening.

Even if you’re all grown up, that’s no reason to leave your Santa traditions behind. On Saturday, Dec. 20, famed Las Olas Boulevard will come alive for SantaCon 2025, the ultimate holiday bar crawl, starting at 6 p.m. Hundreds of spirited Santa enthusiasts will deck downtown with iconic Santa hats for the free event, which spans four different venues for guests age 21 and over. If you’re outfitted in holiday attire, you’ll be granted access to drink specials at each location.

First, kick things off at YOLO, where you can admire the sparkling, larger-than-life Christmas tree and order up one of our favorite Instagrammable cocktails, and then visit neighboring O Lounge. Next, make your way over to Rooftop @ 1WLO for posh vibes, before rounding out the night at The Wharf Fort Lauderdale, surrounded by a sea of Santa hats bobbing to the beats.  

When you think of Santa sightings, one of the first destinations that comes to mind is the mall. But Galleria Fort Lauderdale is going the extra mile this year to cater to everyone who wants to spend time with Chris Kringle. First, there’s traditional Photos With Santa, located on the upper level near Dillard’s from Friday, Dec. 5 through Wednesday, Dec. 24, and you can pre-purchase a photo package and make a reservation in advance. (Walk-ups are welcome too.)  Then, there’s Santa Paws, where pets are invited to the festivities on both Monday, Dec. 8, and Monday, Dec. 15. Finally, on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Sensory Santa invites those with sensory processing issues to a specially scheduled quiet time at the mall, which will include a special gift from Santa himself. 

Each December, Santa brings his holiday magic straight to the shoreline in Greater Fort Lauderdale. With the ocean as his backdrop and his elves by his side, he spreads cheer along Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, handing out candy canes and brightening the day of everyone he meets. Twinkling eyes, sandy footprints, and plenty of smiles make this a holiday moment you won’t want to miss.

Catch Santa and his crew on Tuesday, December 9 at 12:30 p.m. as they make their merry way along the beach.

Celebrate the season at Christmas Near the Beach, a free holiday festival taking place on Saturday, December 13, 2025, in downtown Hollywood. What started as a small community gathering has grown into a five-hour celebration filled with festive music, dancing, and holiday cheer.

At ArtsPark, a dazzling 40-foot Christmas tree sets the scene for an evening of live performances from local and national artists, choirs, dance groups, and Christian bands. Families can enjoy a live nativity, the crowd-pleasing arrival of St. Nick, and free photos with Santa at his Beach House.

Expect giveaways throughout the night, plus a lively marketplace featuring local vendors offering holiday treats, handmade goods, and unique gifts. It’s a joyful, spirited celebration that brings the magic of Christmas to sunny Greater Fort Lauderdale.

Cookies are all the rage, but how about a full breakfast spread with St. Nick? On Saturday, Dec. 6, at 9 a.m., Seasons 52 is hosting an unforgettable Breakfast With Santa. Enjoy festive eats, holiday entertainment, kid-friendly arts and crafts, and of course, snapshots with Santa. Tickets are $30, and children under age 2 can attend for free. 

If the outlet shops are calling, plan a holiday shopping day at Sawgrass Mills (one of our top Black Friday shopping picks), around Breakfast With Santa at Rainforest Cafe, which takes place Saturday, Dec. 20, and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 9:30 a.m. In addition to a buffet breakfast, kids can write letters to Santa, get their photos taken, and enjoy holiday activities, raffles, and prizes. Take home goodie bags to boot. Tickets cost $40.50 for adults, $25.50 for kids age 4 to 10, and kids age 3 and under are free. 

On the three Saturdays leading up to Christmas (Dec. 6, Dec. 12, and Dec 20), The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, Curio Collection by Hilton will host its Breakfast With Santa series at Point Royal, from 7 a.m. to noon — Santa makes his cameo from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The impressive breakfast buffet includes omelets, pancakes, pastries, fresh fruits, charcuterie, applewood-smoked bacon, and gluten-free options, along with coffee, tea, and juice. Tickets are $39 per person, and reservations can be made on OpenTable. You can also return on Christmas Eve for Cookies & Cocoa with Santa from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for any last-minute wish list shares and photo opportunities.

Once you shop for all the sporting goods possible for the active someone in your life, get fully immersed in Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops in Dania Beach, which is underway through Christmas Eve. Your visit with Santa includes one complimentary 4-by-6-inch photo print and a free shareable video (bookings are available up to seven days in advance, but spots are limited). Photo packages range from $20 to $25 and include digital downloads, Christmas card packages, and traditional photo prints, and shoots can also accommodate those with special needs. Plus, kids can enjoy two additional events with Santa: Christmas Tales on Thursdays and a very special Yuletide Breakfast on Sunday, Nov. 22. 

Make it a magical holiday season on Fort Lauderdale Beach with Santa & Friends at The LOOP (Las Olas Oceanside Park) with the five-date series. You can catch Santa every Saturday (and drop off letters to him directly) on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 20, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 21, from 10 a.m to 1 p.m.;  and Sunday, Dec 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Plus, holiday characters will be on hand to spread more holiday cheer. Visit with The Grinch and Cindy Lou on Sunday, Dec. 1, from noon to 2 p.m.; Nutcracker balloon artists and stilt walkers on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Elf and Jovi on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and The Christmas Mermaid on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The City of Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue and the Local 2292 are back with an exciting tradition: the 29th Annual Santa’s Express Program, where Santa’s “sleigh” is a firetruck that visits Pembroke Pines’ residential neighborhoods with scheduled stops from Monday, Dec. 1 through Thursday, Dec. 4, and Monday, Dec. 8 through Thursday, Dec. 11. Registration per child costs $15.

On Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Christmas By-The-Sea invites you to stroll for both holiday and seaside-themed crafts and gifts. Kids can write letters to Santa and watch in awe as the annual tree lighting illuminates the start of the season. 

Now through Sunday, Dec. 21, you have various opportunities to visit Santa with family and friends in Pompano Beach, thanks to its fully loaded Merry Moments calendar. On Tuesday, Dec, 9, Santa at the Seahives takes place at Wahoo Bay Conservation Center, where kids can take a boat ride with Santa, participate in festive crafts, and sip cozy hot cocoa. 

On Saturday, Dec. 13, at 9 a.m. Donuts With Santa offers a sweet morning visit with freshly baked donuts and mingling with St. Nick to share holiday wishes, snap photos, and more (tickets are $7). On the same day, Santa will pop over for a visit at Green Market Holiday Edition from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., and his final appearance is scheduled on Friday, Dec. 19, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a free Movie Night With Santa at Herb Sklonik Center.

Wilton Manors welcomes back the unique annual tradition, Santa by Sea, on Wednesday, Dec. 10, where Santa and his elves cruise the Island City Canals departing from the Colohatchee Park Boat Ramp at 5:30 p.m. Snap photos and say hello at the boat ramp before Santa sets sail.