Holiday Bucket List

We love the Holidays!!! While it is still over 80 degrees still.  There are so many things to do in South Florida to celebrate the holidays.  Here is our Holiday Bucket List, remember to check back as we will be updating this list. Or connect with us on Facebook for more updates.

Ongoing Events: 

• November 1st-April - Dinosaurs Around the World: The Exhibition - Experience dinosaurs like never before at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium! During this one-of-a-kind adventure, guests will become globe-trotting explorers alongside 13 life-sized roaring, breathing dinosaurs. Visitors will discover the amazing diversity that existed during the Age of the Dinosaurs as they travel from the fierce plains of Africa to the once tropical beaches of Antarctica.  While this is not a holiday event, Bailey and I went last week and she is asking when we can go back.  Blog post is coming soon.
• November 14th-December 31st Snowfall on the CityPlace Plaza nightly
• November 15th-December 24th - Santa at Bass Pro - This is one of our favorite places to go and see Santa.  They give you a free photo and Kurt loves going to Bass Pro.  I love it because they have Christmas crafts and a Winter wonderland.
• November 20th-January 2nd - Holiday Fantasy of Lights at Tradewinds Park - Enjoy the fantasy of color, lights and design this holiday season with 3 miles of giant animated holiday displays.  3600 West Sample Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073.  Drive-thru the lights for $15/car or $40/bus.
• November 21st-22nd - 11:00 am-5:00 pm. each day.  South Florida Parenting’s 23rd Holiday Festival at our new location at Tradewinds Park. This annual family event features a snow tubing hill, igloo snow play area, skating rink, face painting, visits with Santa, holiday crafts, bounce houses, pro sports teams and more.
• November 25th-December 25th - Located at the south end of the center near Lord & Taylor, Mizner Park’s “iTree” consists of more than 32,000 life-like PVC branches, red & gold bows, ornament clusters and 25,000 clear & multi-colored LED lights. There will be 20 minute musical light shows performed nightly at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. starting on Wednesday, November 25 and continuing through the holiday season. The tree will be illuminated for photo opportunities between shows
• November 27th - December 29th - New Symphony Of Lights Returns To Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park's popular holiday tradition, Symphony of Lights, features more than one million lights with new music synchronized to the lights, a 50-foot tree and entertainment with shows on every honor.
• November 27th - December 27th - The Polar Express Train Ride - Inspired by the hit movie, this holiday favorite comes to life  as you and your family take a ride on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride!Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, families are sure to enjoy their trip to the North Pole, complete with hot chocolate and cookies served on board the train. Passengers will then be entertained by a reading of The Polar Express. Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa will greet the children and each child will receive their own sleigh bell, just like in the movie, to those who BELIEVE.
• November 27th, 28th & 19th - The Nutcracker  Thanksgiving weekend.  performed by Boca Ballet.
• November 28th 2015 - December 20th  - Holidays at Ann Norton Museum -  from 10:00 am-4:00 pm.  The Norton Home will be filled with treasures and holiday gifts for all your family and friends. Daily 10 am – 4 pm and during the Festival of Trees, also 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Admissions apply.
• November 29th-December 28th - Sunday - Thursday 6:00 - 10:00 pm | Friday & Saturday 6:00 - 11:00 pm - Hyatt Extreme Christmas Home Display - a 20 year-old tradition, which has been entertaining, inspiring and motivating families from  South Florida. The Hyatt’s take great joy in creating memories for you during this special time of year. Our community can see their display of more than 200,000 lights for FREE. They give back to our community by raising awareness and funds for charitable partners such as Humane Society, Broward Food Bank and Support for the Military working with the Red Cross “Holiday Cards for Heroes”.
• December 3-31, 2015 - Sandi Christmas tree in West Pam Beach.  Holiday in Paradise celebration is located on the beautiful West Palm Beach Waterfront and filled with tons of FREE entertainment and family-friendly holiday activities.  The star of the festivities is “Sandi”, the world’s ONLY holiday sand tree made of 600-tons of sand!  This staggering 35-feet-tall holiday tree will dazzle the crowds nightly with light and music shows.
• December 4th, 5th, 6th, 10th, 11th, 12th & 13th - Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant from the street corner to the city square, the sights and sounds of Christmas surround us during this wonderful season. It features a festive opening scene with familiar carols in a turn-of-the-century setting, a concert of inspirational contemporary songs, and a musical drama of the nativity and life of Christ. This year’s Pageant includes a spectacular snow-filled winter wonderland (watch for the falling snowflakes, not just on stage, but in the audience as well!) and an elegant cityscape.
• December 5-6th - Christkindlmarkt at the American-German Club of the Palm Beaches shares the holiday cheer and excitement of an authentic German outdoor Christmas market. Visitors have plenty of opportunity pick up some German language essentials and learn more about German culture without having to travel to Europe.
• December 11-15th - Bethlehem Revisited is a re-creation of the city of Bethlehem the night that Jesus was born.   A tradition of First United Methodist Church of Coral Springs for 24 years.  More than 10,000 visitors per year experience the first Christmas in a profoundly personal way.
• December 11th-13th - Back to Bethlehem is an outdoor, walk-through experience.  Enter a walled city constructed to look like Bethlehem as it appeared 2,000 years ago - telling the story of Jesus Christ's birth.  A free event.
• December 13-15th - The Nutcracker - Presented by Dance Theater of Florida in the Crest Theater; Friday & Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets $20 (students/seniors) and $24 (regular) Purchase Tickets Here

One Day Events in November:

• Wednesday, November 11th 7:00-9:00 pm at Mizner - Veteran's Day Concert - A Veterans Day evening concert will feature the Florida Wind Symphony. It will be “An American Tribute.”  For more information call 561.393.7995
• Friday, November 13th at 7:30pm - Downtown Delray Free Friday Concert, 7:30 p.m., Outdoor Pavilion, 51 N. Swinton Ave. Delray Beach, Florida 33444. The Motowners is a tribute band that offers classic performances of music by The Temptations, Four Tops, and other legends of Motown.Weather permitting; bring your lawn chairs, and bring the family, but PLEASE, no pets or outside food or beverages. Food trucks and cash bar available.
• Saturday, November 14th at 6pm - Tree lighting at CityPlace.
• Saturday, November 14th - Lagoonfest fest -  in West Palm
• Sunday, November 15th at 4:00pm in West Palm on the Waterfront.  This FREE family-friendly concert series is held year round on the 3rd Sunday of each month, and features a variety of national and regional recording artists.
• Friday, November 20th  at 7:30pm. Free Friday Concerts. B Street Band, is the ORIGINAL Springsteen tribute band.  Delray Beach Center for the Arts / Outdoor Pavilion. delrayarts.org  Weather permitting; bring your lawn chairs, and bring the family, but PLEASE, no pets or outside food or beverages. Food trucks and cash bar available. For more information visit www.delrayarts.org.
• Sunday, November 22nd at 7pm at Mizner - FAU BAND-O-RAMA! 
• Tuesday, November 24th 5:30-10:00 pm - City of Fort Lauderdale Light up the Beach
• Wednesday, November 25th at 5:30pm - City of Boca Raton's HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY at Mizner Park Amphitheater.  Come kick-off the Holiday season with our annual tree lighting ceremony on "Thanksgiving Eve".  There will be the traditional holiday tree lighting, stage show, rides, games, snow and pictures with Santa( for a fee). For more information call 561.393.7995.
• Friday, November 27th at 6pm at the Christmas Tree Lighting and Concert at The Boca Raton Resort and Club - The holiday weekend continues at the Resort & Club with the official lighting of the 30-foot Christmas Tree in the front courtyard for members and their guests. The celebration includes: Live Music and holiday concert.  Family fun this year’s parade includes Molly’s Trolley, veterans on Harleys, the Paul Anderson Circus Troupe, classic cars, golf carts, the Miami Heat Marching Band joined by the Miami Heat Dancers, a special performance by our own Hannah Shope and of course, the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.
• Friday, November 27th at 7:30pm.  Free Friday Concerts - Simply Tina is a world class Tina Turner tribute show. Delray Beach Center for the Arts / Outdoor Pavilion.   Weather permitting; bring your lawn chairs, and bring the family, but PLEASE, no pets or outside food or beverages. Food trucks and cash bar available.
• Saturday, November 28th at 8:00 - 9:00 pm - Official lighting of Delray Marketplace's holiday decor. Enjoy holiday shopping and dining as we light the trees and celebrate the holidays.
• Saturday, November 28th from 6:00-9:00pm - Light Up Your Holiday Kick-off the Holidays at Harbourside Place’s inaugural tree lighting event! Performances by local groups, snow flurries, holiday games, arts and crafts and more.

One Day Events in December

• Tuesday, December 1st from 5:00-10:00pm - Christmas on Las Olas Fort Lauderdale tradition and a wonderful kick-off to the holiday season that can be enjoyed by all ages.  Local choirs from schools and churches fill the air with the sounds of the holidays from 3 stages while crowds who filled their bellies with sips and sweets!  The event is in Fort Lauderdale between S.E. 6th Avenue and S.E. 11th Avenue, and is free and open to the public.
• Wednesday, December 2nd City of Boca Raton Street Parade - Join us for our 44th annual holiday street parade. This year's parade theme will be "A Holiday Wish." Parade route begins at Federal Hwy & SE 8th Street, traveling North to Mizner Park Amphitheater.
• Thursday, December 3rd - Sandi lights up the Waterfront! Join us for the annual City of West Palm Beach Holiday Tree Lighting featuring “Sandi,” the world’s ONLY 35-ft-tall holiday tree made from 600 tons of sand that will illuminate downtown West Palm Beach during Clematis by Night. Santa will visit the event from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.Come for the tree lighting and stay for a spectacular night of country music!
• Friday, December 4th, 5:30 pm- 10 pm - Boynton Beach 45th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Concert.  The public is invited to come out and enjoy the lighting of Boynton’s 50-foot holiday tree and Menorah displays at the Ocean Avenue Amphitheatre. 129 East Ocean Ave.
• Friday, December 4th at 7:30pm - Free Friday Concerts - An unforgettable night of Americana Blues, Rock ‘N Roll and Soul with  Joel Dasilva & The Midnight Howl, Delray Beach Center for the Arts / Outdoor Pavilion. delrayarts.org  Weather permitting; bring your lawn chairs, and bring the family, but PLEASE, no pets or outside food or beverages. Food trucks and cash bar available. For more information visit www.delrayarts.org.
• Friday, December 4th at 8:00pm -  Home Alone Movie Viewing at ArtsPark at Young Circle is a FREE family friendly flick each week.  *Lawn seating. Bring a blanket or a beach chair.
• Saturday, December 5th - Boynton Beach 45th Annual Holiday Parade - The City’s 45th annual holiday parade begins at 3pm, traveling north on Federal Highway from SE 12th Ave to Ocean Avenue. Come cheer on our local schools and organizations as they celebrate the holiday and this great annual tradition.
• Saturday, December 5th The Winter Faire at Sea Star Initiative a day of holiday crafts, foods, shopping, and entertainment. The Faire’s highlight is a variety of crafting opportunities for children and their parents – materials and instruction are provided. Entertainment includes storytelling, puppet shows, a gallery of student work, and live music. Vendors offer a wide variety of unique quality gifts including handmade toys and dolls. The “Children’s Store” is stocked with treasures designed for the young shopper and to fit a child’s budget. Homemade baked goods and warm beverages are available.
• Saturday, December 5th at 7:00pm - 60th Annual Candy Cane Parade is headed to Hollywood Beach.  In its 60th year, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts is proud to present the candy Cane Parade. This year’s parade theme “SEA of Lights” and is sure to light up the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk with holiday colors and festivities.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair for top-notch viewing along the parade route or reserve a table at one of the many seaside restaurants for a complete alfresco experience. Complimentary bleacher seating will be available at various locations along the parade route, from Garfield to Polk street with parade emcees located in Charnow Park at Garfield Street and at the Hollywood Beach Theatre on the Broadwalk at Johnson Street.  
• Saturday, December 5th 5:00-9:00pm - Annual Deerfield Beach Ocean Way Holiday Celebration presented at the International Fishing Pier (200 NE 21st Ave).  Come out for a family night of fun while walking the parade of lights display, taking your photo with Santa, enjoying a miniature pony petting zoo, snow flurries, kid’s activities, live reindeer, an ice skating rink and live entertainment throughout the event! Be sure not to miss the special Holiday Character Show from 7:00pm – 8:30pm followed by a character meet and greet as well as our NEW live reindeer and ice skating rink.  Arts and crafts, refreshments and food will be available for purchase.
• Monday, December 7th from 6-8pm.  Drop off day for Toy delivery to your home by Santa on a fire truck.  On either December 19th or 20th Santa will personally deliver a pre-wrapped gift to your child and pose for pictures before moving on to spread cheer to more boys and girls in the Boca Raton Area. This wonderful program generates funds to send Holiday Care Packages to our troops overseas as well as provide College Scholarships for eligible students within the community. This was Bailey's favorite holiday event last year.  I highly recommend it.
• Wednesday, December 9th at 7:00pm - The City or Coral Springs annual Holiday Parade.  The parade will feature marching bands, decorated floats and other entries along Sample Road from Coral Springs Drive to City Hall.  Before the holiday parade, individuals and families will participate in the Coral Springs Holiday Mile along Sample Road near Coral Springs Drive at 6:15 p.m. This will be a timed one-mile event, with awards for the top three male and female participants in each age category.
• Thursday, December 10th (Note date change due to weather) - 100ft. Christmas Lighting – The Delray Beach 100ft Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is one of the largest and most celebrated holiday events in Palm Beach County. Festivities begin at 5pm. A month long celebration kicks off with Santa landing in a helicopter to light the 100ft Christmas Tree at 7:15pm. Old School Square Park. 561-278- 0424.
• Thursday, December 10th - Pop songstress and YouTube sensation, Macy Kate returns to celebrate the holidays in West Palm Beach after her rained-out summer concert. While she became known for her covers of popular songs, Macy Kate has appeared on ABC’s Rising Star television show and has released her first original single “iH8 That.” She is well on her way to superstardom
• Friday, December 11th at 7:30pm. Free Friday Concerts. String Theory Band brings Rock, Reggae, Classic, Pop, and everything in between!  Delray Beach Center for the Arts / Outdoor Pavilion.  Weather permitting; bring your lawn chairs, and bring the family, but PLEASE, no pets or outside food or beverages. Food trucks and cash bar available.
• Friday, December 11th - Delray Holiday Boat Parade The event at the Boynton Harbor Marina starts at 5:30 pm with live music from Route Bleu setting the stage for the parade to start at 7:00 pm.  Other viewing areas are located at Intracoastal Park and along the parade route. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Free community event. No pets please.
• Friday, December 11th - Delray Beach Holiday Parade - 6:00pm – Beginning east of the Intracoastal and continuing west to the Fire Dept. with over 70 entries to help you celebrate the holidays! Through a special connection to the North Pole, The Delray Beach Fire Department will have Santa riding along on their Fire Truck. 561-243-7277, [email protected]
• Friday, December 11th from 5:30-11:00pm Screen on the Green, featuring Jack Frost and The Santa Clause at the Waterfront Commons in West Palm Beach.
• Friday, December 11th at 8:00pm -  How the Grinch Stole Christmas Viewing at ArtsPark at Young Circle is a FREE family friendly flick each week.  *Lawn seating. Bring a blanket or a beach chair.
• Saturday, December 12th from 8:30am-noon - Boca Raton Children's Museum Holiday Extavaganza.  Games, Crafts, Face Painting, Pictures with Santa, Holiday Food and Drink.  Tickets are $10/person.  Boca Raton Children's Museum on Crawford Blvd.  Call the Museum for your tickets today (561) 368-6875 or email [email protected].
• Saturday, December 12th Fort Lauderdale's Winterfest Boat Parade - More than 1,000,000 cheering spectators along the 12 mile route have transformed the this event into not only the largest, one-day, live audience of any event in Florida, but also the seventh largest one-day spectator event in the country! Winterfest was just named by Readers Digest as “100 Best in America” which lists the top events in the United States. They are a nonprofit and their mission is to enhance the community’s image by producing wholesome, unique, internationally recognized events that reflect the diversity and culture of South Florida.
• December 12th from 9:00 -11:00 am - Breakfast with Santa in Pompano - For $7.00 you could have breakfast with Santa at the Emma Lou Olson Civic Center on Saturday, for ages 5 - 12. Tickets are limited so call today, 954.786.4111
• Saturday, December 12th -  Celebrity Sand Sculpting Competition Local celebrities will compete with Mayor Jeri Muoio in a fun sand sculpting competition to accompany “Sandi,” the holiday sand tree. Celebrity teams will create their best sand sculptures to win money for their charity of choice.
• Saturday, December 12th - 4:00-9:00pm - Christmas Near the Beach at Arts at Park at Young Circle.  Christmas Near the Beach brings South Florida communities together to celebrate the wonder of Christmas. The variety show features up-and-coming local singers, dancers, and bands, who bring the beauty of Christmas to the stage. Christmas Near the Beach has become a holiday tradition for many families. Free admission. Lawn seating. Bring a beach chair or blanket.
• Sunday, December 13th at 5:00pm at Mizner - FAU presents: TUBA CHRISTMAS 2015  Enjoy the tradition of holiday music performed by tubas and euphoniums, started by Indiana University Professor Harvey G. Phillips. FAU’s Sean Murray brings this tradition to the Boca Raton community for its fifth annual presentation. Outdoor event, bring chairs or blankets. Free event.
• Sunday, December 13th - Gingerbread Concert -Now in its thirteenth year of spreading cheer throughout the community, the annual Gingerbread Holiday Concert attracts parents, grandparents and kids of all ages to the Boca Raton Resort & Hotel’s Great Hall to enjoy seasonal classics performed by the Lynn University Philharmonia Orchestra.
• Sunday, December 13th from 1-4pm at CityPlace Winter Wonderland - Meet your favorite winter land princess.  Santa's arrival and holiday performances.
• Wednesday, December 16th at 6:00- 9:00pm - Holiday Evening at Vizcaya - Take a night to get away from the craziness of the holidays with an evening at Vizcaya, decorated for the holidays as it would have been 100 years ago.  Evening includes historic holiday music on our pipe organ, a glorious old-world Christmas tree and the Courtyard decked out with wreaths and garland.
• Thursday, December 17th - The Bobby Rodriquez Orchestra is South Florida’s premier big band playing everything from swing and bebop to jazz, pop, and Latin.  This 19-piece orchestra is sure to liven up the holidays with classics from the Great American Songbook and holiday favorites.
  Santa will visit the event from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m
• Friday, December 18th at 5:00pm for train rides and 6:30pm for movie at Mizner - The Polar Express Movie and Activities - All aboard! Come in your pajamas for free train rides and activities, followed by a screening under the stars of The Polar Express. for a fee). Pizza, popcorn, hot chocolate and other concessions will be available for purchase. Bring blankets and chairs, or rent one for $5.
• Friday, December 18th at 7:30pm - Free Friday Concerts. The Wildfire Band is the loving “refiring” of the beloved BlueFire Band, playing rock, blues and jazz and featuring Randi Fishenfeld on her electrifying violin! Delray Beach Center for the Arts / Outdoor Pavilion. 561-243-7922, delrayarts.org
• Friday, December 18th at 8:00pm -  ElfViewing at ArtsPark at Young Circle is a FREE family friendly flick each week.  *Lawn seating. Bring a blanket or a beach chair.
• Saturday, December 19th at 10am-4pm - 5th annual Piles of Smiles “Snow Day"at Sugar Sand Park Community Center invites your family to experience a South Florida rarity…SNOW!  Children ages 4 to 12 will enjoy playing in 25 tons of real snow.  Advance reservations are $12 ($15 day of event) and include the snow play, plus wristband access to all the other “cool” winter activities. Reservations can be booked in advance online or at the Willow Theatre Box Office. Space is limited. Adult admission is included with paid child(ren).
• Saturday, December 19th at 6:30pm Boca Holiday Boat Parade - Fireworks will be at viewing areas: Red Reef Park & Silver Palm Park.  Boat Route: Intracoastal waterway starting at the C-15 canal (Boca Raton-Delray Beach city limits) traveling south to Hillsboro Bridge.Bridge Opening (estimated): Spanish River Blvd Bridge – Beginning at 6:50 pm, Palmetto Park Bridge – Beginning at 7:20 pm, Camino Real Bridge – Beginning at 7:30 pm, Bridges will be held in the “Up” position for approximately 30 minutes
• Sunday, December 20th at 4-7pm - Aloha Islanders Tropical Holiday Spectacular present an authentic, high-energy Polynesian entertainment for audiences of all ages. Admissionis free. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to this outdoor event. West Palm Free for all ages.
• Sunday, December 20th from 11:00am-2:00pm at Waterstone-  Manatee Celebration on the Boca Landing patio for family-fun. Activities will include manatee cookie decorating, games & prizes, kids buffet luncheon, and more to celebrate their new mascot the manatee.
• Monday, December 21st time TBD - Prep rally for Boca Bowl at Mizner.  Come get in the spirit in anticipation of the 2nd annual ESPN Boca Raton Bowl taking place December 22nd at The FAU Stadium. We will be hosting the pep rally with one of the marching bands TBD.
• Tuesday, December 22nd - Boca Bowl - The bowl game will be played at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla., on the campus of Florida Atlantic University and nationally televised on ESPN or ESPN2. The open-air stadium opened in 2011 and seats just under 30,000 fans.  Started at 3:00pm the Ford Fan Fest will be offering music, food and activities for kids and much more.
• Wednesday, December 23rd  - Make Your Own Gingerbread House at 11:00am and 2pm.  Make your gingerbread house out of graham crackers and lots of chewy gooey and colorful candy to decorate at Sugar Sand Park.  Adult supervision required.  $10.00 for residents of Boca.  $12.50 for Non-residents.  Ages 4+ (pre-registration required)
• Thursday, December 24th - Crafts, Cartoons and Cookies  from 10am- 12pm, drop in and make an assortment of crafts and enjoy cartoons and refreshments.  $5.00 at the door, while supplies last; ages 4+ (No registration required)
• Friday, December 25th at 7:30pm. Free Friday Concerts. Pangea is South Florida’s premier live band offering the perfect mix of pop, rock, R&B, and Latin music for over 20 years! Delray Beach Center for the Arts / Outdoor Pavilion. 561-243-7922, delrayarts.org
• Tuesday, December 29th - Winter Children's Fair  Enjoy the Winter break from school! Free entrance into the park, entertainment, and arts and crafts. Individual ride tickets $3 each or purchase a bracelet for $15 and enjoy unlimited rides all day. Lots of fun for children ages 2-12 years old.  For more information please call (561)367-7035

Do you have any recommendations for events we missed?  Add a comment or connect with us on Facebook .