Beach for the Holidays: Why Greater Fort Lauderdale Is the Sunny Alternative to Snow

Whether you’re in town for a quick weekend or planning an extended holiday in Greater Fort Lauderdale, there’s no shortage of opportunities to soak up the sun. You can immediately get to work supplementing with our natural brand of vitamin D before heading back to your snowy abode. With our year-round average temperature at 77 degrees, you’ll forget all about sleigh rides and hot cocoa. Here are eight of our iconic beaches to add to your to-do list.

Our southernmost area is Hallandale Beach, known for two notable beach parks: South City (for volleyball and a kid-friendly playground) and North City (home to the Instagram-friendly Beach Ball Water Tower). 

Slightly north is Hollywood Beach, with its 2.5-mile Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, which ends along Hollywood North Beach Park, great for scenic walks and bike rides. Hollywood is also home to the oceanfront Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, Curio Collection by Hilton, and Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. 

Next sits Dania Beach, known by locals for its Dania Beach Fishing Pier, beachside dining at Quarterdeck Dania Beach Pier, and nearby Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, a fantastic option for paddling and picnicking. 

Fort Lauderdale is home to the Fort Lauderdale Beach Promenade, where you can stroll a lengthy row of posh hotels like The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale and W Fort Lauderdale, and a slew of vibrant oceanfront restaurants, bars, and shops. 

Just north of Fort Lauderdale sits Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, known for its shipwreck snorkel trail and nearby, three-tiered coral reef system — just 100 yards offshore. 

Pompano Beach is outstanding for snorkeling and scuba diving with easily reachable coral reefs, and is known for its sportfishing access. Cast a line from the iconic Fisher Family Pier or dive into even more underwater action at Shipwreck Park — a unique artificial reef system dedicated to preserving the natural coral reef habitat.

A quaint, three-mile stretch situated on a peninsula between the Intracoastal Waterway and the ocean, Hillsboro Beach features tours to the historic Hillsboro Lighthouse. You may also spot sea turtle nests here during turtle hatching season, but that, unfortunately, does not overlap with the holiday season. 

Collect seashells on Deerfield Beach, or get in the water for some surfing or paddling. This destination is yet another great option for fishing enthusiasts who flock to its crown jewel: the 1,000-foot-long International Fishing Pier.

If it’s not obvious already, the best way to experience Greater Fort Lauderdale, FL is to get outside. Lucky for you, the holiday season is chock full of festive markets where local artisans, makers, and vendors gather to share their gifts with the masses. A great way to enjoy the beautiful, balmy breezes and endless rays of sunshine, stroll through our happening bazaars slated this season. 

Each weekend, Las Olas Oceanside Park, aka The LOOP, curates a weekend marketplace that locals and visitors alike look forward to every Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The MKT features the perfect backdrop with its breathtaking ocean views and active scenery — dog walkers, rollerbladers, cyclists, and runners really bring the ambiance to life. And we promise you won’t miss chestnuts roasting on an open fire as you gulp down a freshly squeezed glass of Florida orange juice and indulge in all things strawberry, guava, and passion fruit while you shop for jewelry, crafts, homemade products, and more. Plus, you can stop pining after your bulky ski gear, because each Saturday at 9:45 a.m., you can simply grab your lightweight mat for an hour of yoga al fresco. 

The holiday season also brings with it a slew of festive markets geared specifically to holiday-themed goods. From sugar cookie-scented soy wax candles to peppermint bath bombs, and gingerbread bark to homemade coquitos (a coconut-based, rum-infused Puerto Rican eggnog-style holiday drink), you’ll find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list. Bookmark various happenings from Flamingo Flea, a sustainability-forward, progressive-minded network of local markets, with Merry Markets taking place throughout the holiday season. Taking place from Sunday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 21, we especially love the events scheduled at Marina Village, a waterfront food hall set along the intracoastal in Bahia Mar, with its neighboring bar aboard a (docked) floating ferry, The Shorely.  

Trust us, you won’t be salty about missing the snowy Christmastime cheer with so much merriment in Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Why sit cooped up with the heat cranked high when you can get outside and enjoy the abundance of fresh air? We put a lot of heart, soul, and holiday spirit into our holiday roster to guarantee there’s wintry FOMO no mo’. 

And speaking of unforgettable moments, our 20-foot holiday star, OLAS the Snowman, brings the magic to the shoreline all season long. He shines brightly on the sands of Fort Lauderdale beach, delivering festive cheer with every wave. Stop by to snap a holiday selfie with OLAS.

On Saturday, Dec. 13, our highly anticipated 54th Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade returns to the Venice of America, where a captivating parade of decked-for-the-season yachts and boats will join the floating, 12-mile Intracoastal promenade for a unique and memorable evening — snag a spot anywhere from New River to the Intracoastal to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach to see the awe-inspiring cruising action. This year’s theme, “Yacht Rock of Ages,” promises to be a lively spectacle with plenty of added jubilation from Brazilian-born international art superstar (and South Florida local) Romero Britto, alongside R&B crooner Montell Jordan curating as the 2025 Grand Marshals. 

Then, on Sunday, Dec. 14, on the first night of Hanukkah, the City of Fort Lauderdale Menorah Lighting Celebration is back at The LOOP, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a candlelighting ceremony, live music, and treats commemorating the Festival of Lights.

Greater Fort Lauderdale is known to throw a good party, and what better place to say farewell to 2025 and make room for the new year? Whether you’re looking for a laid-back beach scene in shorts, a tuxedo T-shirt, and flip-flops or would rather get dressed to the nines, one thing’s for sure: you’ll definitely want to lose those extra layers. 

How about welcoming 2026 seaside, with fireworks over the ocean? Along A1A, B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale offers a great viewing space for a booming show. Plus, rooftop parties are all the rage, and Nubé Rooftop, nestled on the 26th floor of Beach House Fort Lauderdale, a Hilton Resort, has a 12-hour “Ascend to the Stars” New Year’s Eve 2026 bash planned from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., with a “cosmic countdown” slated for midnight. At Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, you can enjoy dinner at Evelyn’s, followed by a celebration under the stars on the Ocean Sun Deck with champagne toasts, fireworks, and live entertainment. 

One of our favorite relaxed waterside outposts, Shooters Waterfront, will kick things up a notch for a family-friendly bash starting at 8 p.m. along the Intracoastal Waterway. Expect a four-course meal, party favors, a DJ, samba dancers, LED robots, and of course, more fireworks. 

Up the way, Oceanic at Pompano Beach Pier has the ultimate party on the beach from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., in the second-floor event space, complete with a rooftop bar, a DJ curating the tunes, party favorites, and champagne.