‘Tis the season for holiday lights—and lots of them! During winter, Greater Fort Lauderdale bursts with epic displays, glowing wonderlands, boat parades, and historic homes decked out like Victorian Christmas cards. Whether you plan your trip around the biggest and brightest or simply want to experience festive fun between beach days, there’s plenty here for everyone. Here’s what’s happening this holiday season that you won’t want to miss.
Signature Holiday Events
Some events are just too good to enjoy once, which is exactly why these long-running favorites continue to draw crowds year after year. Start with Christmas on Las Olas (Dec. 2), a free street festival now in its 63rd year, where the iconic boulevard transforms into a block party with dozens of live performances, local food from vendors, a sledding hill on Snow Mountain, and “snowfall” for one night only.
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea’s downtown becomes a coastal holiday village during Christmas By-The-Sea on Dec. 3. Highlights include seaside-inspired gift shopping, letter-writing to Santa, and an annual tree lighting under the ocean breeze.
If you’re staying south in Hollywood, don’t miss the Hollywood Candy Cane Parade on Dec. 6. This 69th annual tradition features dozens of illuminated floats along the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, drawing thousands of spectators for a classic holiday parade experience.
SantaCon invites you to wear your most festive costumes and sample drink specials across downtown Fort Lauderdale. The evening kicks off Dec. 20 at YOLO, then travels to local watering holes like The Wharf and Rooftop, creating a moving holiday celebration.
If you’re chasing that larger-than-life holiday magic, Holiday Fantasy of Lights is the place to go. Enjoy 3 miles of glowing tunnels, animated scenes, and oversized illuminated displays at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek. Experience the magic by the classic drive-through experience from November 22, 2025 through January 3, 2026.
If you’re chasing that larger-than-life holiday magic, Holiday Fantasy of Lights is the place to go. Enjoy 3 miles of glowing tunnels, animated scenes, and oversized illuminated displays at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek. Experience the magic by the classic drive-through experience from November 22, 2025 through January 3, 2026.
Step inside 10 acres of twinkling lights and festive displays at Hoffman's Chocolates Winter Wonderland at Flamingo Gardens. Wander past themed light installations, listen to live music performances on the Wray Lawn, visit Santa’s Village on select nights, and savor s’mores and sweet treats from local vendors along the way, Nov. 22-Dec. 30.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood brings Hard Rock the Holidays, a 35-day light spectacular featuring over 2 million LEDs. Explore glowing trails, take photos with large displays, catch the signature Guitar Hotel Light & Music Show, and enjoy treats and specialty cocktails from Nov. 29 to Jan. 3.
If you’re looking for a more intimate setting, join Bonnet House Museum & Gardens for its Holiday Magic on select nights from Dec. 5. Stroll the festively decorated estate’s seasonal displays and purchase decorated trees and wreaths to benefit the museum. Guests can attend on Dec. 5, 6, 10, 11, and 12.
In mid-December, The Historic Stranahan House will host Victorian Christmas Tours running Dec. 16–20, offering the chance to step back in time and see how Fort Lauderdale’s early settlers celebrated the holidays. Join a group or wander at your own pace, then wrap up the evening with a little Christmas shopping.
Community Celebrations
The Annual Oakland Park Holiday Village transforms Jaco Pastorius Park into a full-scale winter playground (Dec. 5-6), featuring lights, music, food, and festivities all weekend. Enjoy the lighting of Oakland Park’s 40-foot Christmas tree, Santa and holiday character visits, an artisans market, a snow slide, carousel, artificial ice-skating rink, live entertainment, and the area's best bites.
Margate Winter Festival returns Dec. 19. Don’t forget to grab a photo with Santa then experience Florida-style sledding, kids’ activities, and various vendors—some even make for great last-minute holiday gifts!
Merry Moments in Pompano Beach runs now–Dec. 21 with festive parades, light displays, community celebrations, live entertainment, and seasonal treats for the whole family.
Head north to Deerfield Beach for Ocean Way Holiday on Dec. 6, where the Main Beach Parking Lot transforms into a festive celebration featuring Santa visits, live entertainment, and kids' activities. The shoreline lighting ceremony kicks off a month-long display that keeps Ocean Way glowing through the season.
Holiday on the Water
Ready to take the festivities offshore? Greater Fort Lauderdale's scenic waterways come alive with floating holiday magic.
If you’ve never seen a holiday parade on water, the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade is the one to start with. On Dec. 13, a dazzling flotilla of illuminated boats and yachts will glide down 12 miles of the Intracoastal, all synced to this year’s theme, “Yacht Rock of Ages.” Grand Marshals Romero Britto and Montell Jordan will lead the spectacle as thousands gather along the shoreline to watch the floating stages, music, and over-the-top holiday décor cruise from the New River to Lake Santa Barbara.
Fort Lauderdale’s Holiday Lights Cruise is back Dec. 4–Jan. 3, offering a front-row seat to the city’s most stunning illuminated waterways via the famous Water Taxi. Set sail at night to live music as the canals sparkle with festive décor and waterfront homes dressed in their holiday best.
No matter how you decide to celebrate, Greater Fort Lauderdale will keep you entertained all season long!