Santa spends most of his days in the forever winter of the North Pole, so it’s no surprise that he likes to make his way down to Greater Fort Lauderdale during the holiday season! Here are some events you’re sure to see him make an appearance.
Holiday Fantasy of Lights
Kicking off the holiday fun is the drive-through light display at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek. Load up friends and family in the car and follow the lit-up route to see larger-than-life light displays, arches, and characters. Keep a lookout in the sky–you just might see Santa and his reindeer off to make deliveries! The experience is nightly from Nov. 23 to Jan. 4.
Santa & Friends
Santa will make special trips to the Las Olas Oceanside Park (The LOOP) on Fort Lauderdale beach for free photos on Nov. 30, Dec. 8, 20, 21, and 22. His friends—characters from your favorite Christmas movies as well as the Christmas Mermaid—will also be making their own appearances on Dec. 1, 14, 15, and 21; check the schedule for exact times to see Santa and his friends.
Symphony in Lights
Head to Gulfstream Park Village in Hallandale Beach for nightly shows from Nov. 30 through Dec. 31. Holiday magic comes to life with 250,000 LED lights set to holiday music for a 10-minute show on the hour from 6 to 11 p.m. Plus, Santa Claus, a dazzling Christmas tree, light post ornaments, and plenty of shopping.
Cookies With Santa
Santa will spend the day steeped in history at the Historic Stranahan House Museum on Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get photos in time for holiday cards with a five-minute photo session with Santa, then take home a gourmet cookie. Families of four can join in the fun for $45 and $5 for each additional person.
Light Up City Hall
Gather around Plantation City Hall to watch it glow with holiday lights! On Dec. 7 from 5 to 9 p.m., the lighting ceremony will also include selfies with Santa, ice skating, snow, live music, food trucks, crafts, and the winner of the “There’s No Snow Place Like Plantation” contest.
Ocean Way Holiday
Another Greater Fort Lauderdale holiday tradition, Santa and his reindeer will be at the Main Beach parking lot in Deerfield Beach on Dec. 7 from 5 to 9 p.m. Here, they’ll partake in an interactive snow globe, ice skating, treats, and holiday lights along Ocean Way. Stick around for live music, too!
Brunch with Santa
Turns out that Santa is a fan of the greens, too! He’ll be joining diners at Galuppi’s in Pompano Beach the first three Sundays of December (Dec. 8, 15, and 22) for bottomless bloody mary’s, bellinis and mimosas, an omelet and waffle station, seafood, prime rib carving, salmon platters and more. Guests are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to donate to The Lord’s Gift House.
Garden of Lights
The arboretum and Wray Lawn at Flamingo Gardens in Davie will be aglow for the season! The evening affair will leave you in awe with thousands of lights turning the botanical gardens into another world. Santa will also be on-site, and you can also expect snow and live entertainment.
Fun in Tamarac
Santa will be present for the City of Tamarac’s Holiday Tree Lighting on Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Carporella Park, where they’ll be lighting the Christmas tree, Hanukkah menorah, and the Kwanzaa kinara. Then, on Dec. 13, there’s the Winter Wonderland at Tamarac Park for a parade and pictures with Santa. Finally, pups can get in on the fun, too! Paws with Claus on Dec. 14 allows dogs to take photos with Santa Claus at the Gary B. Jones Park for People and Pups.
Santa on the Beach
Jolly Old St. Nick will make a stop at Fort Lauderdale beach on Tuesday, Dec.19, for his annual candy cane giveaway. Starting at 12:30 p.m., you can find Santa and his elves at Fort Lauderdale Beach park, 1100 Seabreeze Blvd., ready to pose for pictures and spread holiday cheer with sweet treats.