Who is OLAS the Snowman?
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Once upon a time — in 2007, to be exact — the City of Fort Lauderdale decided to bring added sparkle to Fort Lauderdale Beach. That’s when the Beach Improvement District (BID) was created to help bring more events, enhancements, and special touches to the area. And a typical holiday season beach day (or night) could start to feel a bit more magical.
A few years later, in 2014, a new idea began to take shape. What if the holidays in Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida could be celebrated with an annual show-stopping attraction? With millions of visitors flocking to Fort Lauderdale Beach each year, why not introduce a fun, family-friendly landmark mascot to brighten up the shoreline?
The idea took off, and by November 2015, the beach was ripe and ready to welcome its brand-new holiday star. With creative help from a team of spirited South Florida creatives and vendors, our larger-than-life, sand-hued snowman made his official debut.
To include locals and visitors in the excitement, the city held a social media contest to name the holiday headliner. On November 23, 2015, he was officially coined OLAS the Snowman—a cozy nod to Olaf from Frozen, but with a signature Fort Lauderdale twist. His namesake, of course, honors Las Olas Boulevard, where he lives each season, along A1A. With his surfboard in hand, OLAS quickly became the 2015 holiday season’s shining star, greeting and posing with locals and visitors, both day and night.
Following his successful premiere, OLAS received approval to return as Fort Lauderdale Beach’s holiday icon, with one caveat — he would make an annual cameo sporting a new theme, which would give locals and visitors a new wow moment each year and a reason to visit OLAS.
And so, a new Greater Fort Lauderdale tradition was born.
Where can you see OLAS the Snowman in 2025?
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Staying true to his tropical theme, OLAS the Snowman has been known to enjoy Greater Fort Lauderdale’s great weather and South Florida’s abundance of outdoor beach-friendly activities, from stand-up paddleboarding to windsurfing and jetskiing to fishing.
But part of the seasonal draw and Greater Fort Lauderdale, FL tradition has become the mystery surrounding OLAS’s big November reveal.
This year, the project was under the creative direction of Fort Lauderdale’s own Christmas Palace. Celebrating his 11th holiday season, OLAS the Snowman will be revealed at the annual Light Up the Beach event on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at The LOOP (Las Olas Oceanside Park) from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The event will illuminate more than 50,000 holiday lights (at 6:30 p.m.) along the picture-perfect beachfront, and visitors will get a first look at OLAS the Snowman in his 2025 attire. The merriment will include performances by the Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds (from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.), along with a kids zone with Santa, inflatable slides, and more.
OLAS the Snowman will also join the festivities at the annual City of Fort Lauderdale Menorah Lighting Celebration at Las Olas Oceanside Park on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Taking place on the first night of Hanukkah, the event will feature a traditional menorah lighting ceremony, accompanied by music and holiday treats.
Things to Do Near OLAS the Snowman
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If you can’t attend OLAS’s official holiday festivities, you’ll still have ample time to enjoy plenty of glee in his path. Here are a few things to do near OLAS at The LOOP, or within a short walk or leisurely stroll, during the 2025 holiday season.
As you know, OLAS lives in The LOOP, and there’s nothing more convenient than visiting him while you’re at The MKT on weekends. Shop for local produce, flowers, food, and lots of crafts from local vendors (go sooner than later to make a dent in your holiday shopping list) every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Plus, there’s live music, free fitness classes, and specialty programming slated.
At night, music lovers can head to see OLAS at The LOOP during the Friday Night Sound Waves tribute series. Bookmark Fleetwood Mac on Friday, Nov. 21, Taylor Swift on Friday, Nov. 28, Blondie and No Doubt on Friday, Dec. 5, Bon Jovi on Friday, Dec. 12, and Michael Jackson on Friday, Dec. 19.
Just a five-minute walk from OLAS sits famed beach bar Elbo Room, where you can watch a football game, catch a live band, and grab a cold one, or two (it’s also pretty lively late-night if you want to say hello to OLAS after-hours). Or, watch a game at Blondies Sports Bar (just around the corner from Elbo Room), where you can grab pub grub and a round before you shoot some pool.
Visit open-air Beach Place, a 10-minute walk from OLAS, home to several boutiques with local knick-knacks, accessories, T-shirts, surf attire, and Fort Lauderdale-themed gifts. You can also grab some food and drinks at Lulu’s Bait Shack, Con Murphy’s Ocean Bar & Grill, and Dick’s Last Resort.
A festive brunch fits right in with the holiday season, and Sun Surf Sand (S3) has solidified itself as a weekend brunch place to be. Enjoy sweet and savory dishes, sushi rolls, and two-hour bottomless champagne, mimosas, bellinis, or bloody Marys every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (the bubbly bevvies cut off at 3 p.m.), and then take a leisurely 20-minute stroll to visit our main (snow)man.
Selfie Ideas With OLAS the Snowman
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While some families and friends get fully decked in their holiday attire to stop and pose for real-deal holiday portraits with OLAS the Snowman, others like a good ol’ selfie (or ussie). If the DIY approach is more your speed, here are a few Instagram-friendly selfie ideas and fun props to integrate for the 2025 holiday season:
- In your Santa hat: You don’t have to wait for SantaCon (Saturday, Dec. 20) to rock your Santa hat. Strike a pose with OLAS in your holiday headwear anytime, day or night.
- In a snowman onesie: Twinning for the win! Throw on your best snowman onesie on a chilly day, and you’ll be OLAS fam official.
- With a peppermint mocha: Starbies fans, grab your holiday java — or swing by the Circle House Coffee drive-thru to see which seasonal sips are brewing — to capture the moment.
- In your ugly sweater: Why not get another wear after your ugly sweater holiday party?
- Alongside your pup: Don’t leave Fido out of the photo! Show your furry pal some love by including them in this year’s camera roll.
- In Florida Panthers gear: Show your hometown spirit for our hockey champs as they go after a hat trick in 2026.
- With a bottle of bubbly: Pose with your favorite bottle of champers to ring in the new year. (Remember, open containers are prohibited on Fort Lauderdale Beach, so if you want to pop something for the shoot, it’ll have to be sparkling cider.)
- On your next jog: Add a little fitspo into the mix with a new year, new you motivational pic.
Whatever you decide to do, don’t forget to tag @visitlauderdale and use hashtag #visitlauderdale so we can share in your OLAS revelry. We hope he brings you lots of joy, new memories, and also becomes a part of your Greater Fort Lauderdale annual holiday traditions — if he isn’t already!