If you want a beautiful place to spend the holidays without the snow and cold, then South Florida is the ideal location for you. You can still celebrate the season and get in the proper spirit by checking out some truly spectacular holiday light displays.
Pompano Beach
The Holiday Fantasy of Lights returns to Coconut Creek for 2016. Located at Tradewinds Park, 3600 West Sample Road, Coconut Creek (Map), this holiday event is scheduled for Friday, November 18, through Monday, January 2, 2017.
This spectacular holiday celebration is open nightly from 6 to 10 p.m., including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
The events include Drive-Thru the Lights from November 18th through January 2nd, a 5K Run & Fitness Walk ($50 runners, $25 walkers) on November 12th, and Family Bike Night ($8 per person) on November 13th. Admission is $15 per car, $40 for a bus, with a 3D experience for $3 that includes three pairs of custom holiday 3D glasses with which to enjoy this drive-thru holiday lighting event.
This is the 22nd year for this local tradition. The display includes three miles of animated large holiday displays with illuminated trees. Crowds are expected at capacity with a total of more than 150,000 visitors. Bring your family to see this exciting blend of the past with the present, plus new creations to help you create the Christmas spirit with your loved ones.
Santa’s Enchanted Forest
Located at 7900 Bird Road, Miami, Fla., (305-893-0090) Santa’s Enchanted Forest is considered the World’s Largest Christmas Theme Park. This holiday spectacular includes a free carnival with the admission price. The centerpiece of the park is a 92-foot tall Christmas tree. The park features a petting zoo, 100-plus rides, and shows.
There are also pony rides, and you can visit the workshop to see Santa. There are over 3 million lights in the trees above, twinkling over all the holiday sounds and sights you’ll see. This park sets the right mood for festive holiday fun.
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
The Winterfest Boat Parade started in 1971 and has become so popular that more than a million people line up to watch it every year. Located on the Intracoastal Waterway of Fort Lauderdale, this holiday celebration, to be held this year on Dec. 10, consists of a parade of boats and yachts that are festively decorated. The boats’ owners dedicate months of their time to getting everything perfect for this event in order to please and amaze the huge crowds that attend.
Contact information: 512 Northeast 3rd Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 954-767-0686, www.winterfestparade.com.
Zoo Lights
This holiday event happens at Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152 St., Miami, Fla. 305-251-0400, www.miamimetrozoo.com.
Zoo Miami also has special holiday events at night for the holiday season. The zoo will be decorated with bright animal-shaped lights. You can look forward to having some hot chocolate, getting free 3D glasses and hearing holiday songs.
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