Packed with holiday happiness, Palm Beach County is once again overflowing with events celebrating the season.
From boat parades, to magnificent tree lightings (and one very South Florida specific tree), to outdoor ice skating — on real ice — our area has no shortage of events.
There’s no way to attend them all, but you really can’t miss — they’ll all be fun and filled with holiday cheer. Maybe one day we’ll have jet packs and/or time machines and can attend them all, until then here are 10 events definitely worth checking out:
Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade and Toy Drive
This water spectacle is in its third decade and bigger and better than ever. Led by a Zambelli traveling fireworks display, dozens of decorated watercraft will make their way along the Intracoastal Waterway from North Palm Beach up to the Jupiter Lighthouse. Festooned with lights and other decorations, this flotilla is not to be missed and can be viewed from many locations along the route. There will be prizes for the top three decorated boats in categories including: Lights, Enthusiasm and Themed Decor. The best boat of the parade will win $500 and Fan Favorite will win $500.
Toy donations: Sponsor Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County collected toy donations by land in early November, but if you missed that opportunity, a “toy fleet” of boats will travel along the parade route offering dockside pickup for your donations. Simply wave a flashlight when you see a boat with toy drive signage, and uniformed Marines and volunteers will pull right up to your dock to collect your donations. Last year, the group collected more than 15,000 toys.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. North Palm Beach to Jupiter along the Intracoastal Water, Palm Beach County. Free. Information: marinepbc.org/boat-parade
A Flagler Christmas at Whitehall Tree Lighting
The annual tree lighting at Whitehall in Palm Beach will be held Friday, Dec. 1.
Henry Flagler’s historic Palm Beach mansion will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland featuring the lighting of the 16-foot-tall Christmas tree. The evening will include dance and musical performances featuring dancers from Ballet Palm Beach. Guests can join company dancers during this special, yule-time tradition.
The event is noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. The Flagler Museum, One Whitehall Way, Palm Beach. Members $10; nonmember adults $40; nonmember age 6 to 12 $20; 5 and under free. Information: flaglermuseum.us
Ice skating at The Ben
For the quintessential winter activity, not much comes closer than outdoor ice skating. Sound impossible with our 80-degree days and ample sunshine? Grab some skates and get ready for some winter wonderland goodness at The Ben hotel in downtown West Palm Beach. They have turned some of their outdoor space into an ice-filled festive escape, complete with Aspen-inspired chalets along with themed food and beverage offerings. Using state-of-the-art technology from Ice America, the rink promises a true winter experience. Families, couples, and friends can enjoy 90-minute skating sessions. The rink can accommodate 70 skaters, ticket price includes skate rental.
The rink will be in operation through March 1. 251 N. Narcissus Ave., West Palm Beach. Adults $20, ages 4 to 11 $10, 3 and under free. Information: thebenevents.com
Holiday in Paradise-West Palm Beach
Once again featuring Sandi, the world’s only 35-foot tall, 700-ton holiday tree, this year’s Holiday in Paradise is presented by Florida Power & Light with the theme “Sandi Shares Harmony.” In addition to Sandi, there will be other sand sculptures. It seems that in the off-season “Sandi met Harmony, the leader of a happy herd of llamas.” Harmony will be there along with the herd of eight additional llamas. The harmonious crew will be sculpted at the base of Sandi and along the Waterfront. The entire event kicks off with the tree lighting on Thursday, Dec. 5. and runs through New Year’s Eve. The month will be filled with one holiday-themed event after another including Sandi and Santa’s Annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, Dec. 8; the Aloha Dancers during Sunday on the Waterfront on Sunday, Dec. 15 and much more.
Sandi, the world’s only 700-ton holiday sand tree is lit to begin Holiday in Paradise in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida on November 30, 2023. .
The event kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5. Downtown West Palm Beach on the great lawn and along the waterfront, 100 N. Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Free. Information: wpb.org
Zoo Lights at Palm Beach Zoo
What’s better than visiting the zoo? Visiting the zoo at night when it’s filled with nearly a million lights. Going bigger and brighter than ever for 2024-25, this event is presented in conjunction with FPL SolarNow. Love the light tunnel? It’s nearly twice as big this year. In addition, there are events within the event including visits with Santa, a snowy DJ dance party, 21 and older nights, and the Zoo Year’s Celebration to ring in 2025. The light shows and New Year’s celebration are timed, ticketed events. Please see palmbeachzoo.org for more information.
Zoo Lights at the Palm Beach Zoo will feature nearly a million lights and runs from Nov. 23 to Jan. 5 at the popular West Palm Beach attraction.
The display will open for viewing Nov. 23 and be on for ticketed days through Jan. 5. 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach. See website for times and tickets. Information: palmbeachzoo.org
Cox Science Center and Aquarium Winter Wonderland Laser Lights & Bites
Sing along to holiday classics during a laser light show, meet Santa, enjoy s’mores, food trucks and more at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium’s Winter Wonderland Laser Lights & Bites that will be held every Friday night in December.
This annual event invites guests to sing and dance to their favorite holiday songs during a spectacular outdoor laser concert. There will be DIY s’mores stations, holiday photo ops with Santa, winter-themed crafts and food trucks including La Guarida Cubana, Kobschies Ice Rolls, Uptown Deli, Earls BBQ, Tina’s Treats and Gimme Grillin’.
Sing along to holiday classics during a laser light show, meet Santa, enjoy s’mores, food trucks and more at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium’s Winter Wonderland Laser Lights & Bites that will be held every Friday night in December.
The event is 6 to 9 p.m. every Friday in December. 4801 Dreher Trail N., West Palm Beach. Adults $24; ages 3 to 12 $20; seniors $22; under 3 free. Information: coxsciencecenter.org/Winter-Wonderland
Lights 4 Hope, 2024 Holiday Light Show
The non-profit Lights 4 Hope 2024 Holiday Light Show will be held from Nov. 24 through Dec. 29 on select days at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach.
This drive-through wonderland features approximately two miles of light sculptures created using thousands of LED lights in the back of Okeeheelee Park near the Micanopy Pavilion. Lights 4 Hope is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to spread joy and to help local families with children suffering from terminal illness or from a life-changing physical change.
The display will be open for viewing on Sunday, Nov. 24; Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Nov. 29 to Dec. 1; Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Dec. 6 to 8; open nightly Dec. 13 to 23; closed Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24; open Christmas Day, Dec. 25; open Dec. 26 to 29. Show hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays; 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays. 7715 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach. Standard car or truck (up to six people) $20, large van or small bus (seven to 12 people) $30, large bus (13 people or more) $40; bike night on Dec. 29 $15. Information: lights4hope.org/upcoming-events.html
Winterfest with Vanilla Ice
Rapper Vanilla Ice performs on the mainstage alongside fans invited to the stage during Winterfest in Wellington, FL, on Friday, December 10, 2021. Hundreds of Palm Beach County residents attended a night time event under the holiday lights, featuring live music, holiday-themed attractions and a performance by rapper Vanilla Ice.
This massive, annual holiday party features performer, music icon, philanthropist, actor, and TV star “Vanilla Ice.” There will be additional live musical and dance performances, exhibitors, pet adoptions, retail and holiday shopping, food vendors, lounge(s) for adult attendees, kids and teen activities, and more.
Children play under the lights and powder of synthetic snow during Winterfest in Wellington recently. Hundreds of Palm Beach County residents attended a night time event under the holiday lights, featuring live music, holiday-themed attractions and a performance by rapper Vanilla Ice.
The event is Friday, Dec. 6. Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington. Free admission. wellingtonfl.gov
Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade
Boats line up for the start of the 2015 Boynton Beach Boat Parade Friday December 11, 2015 in Lantana. Close to 40 boats took part in the event that travel from Lantana to Delray Beach.
It’s officially called the “Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade,” but this long-running event is held in partnership with the Town of Hypoluxo, the Town of Lantana, and the City of Delray Beach. The parade features a combination of privately-owned and commercial vessels decked out with dazzling lights, holiday décor, and costumed captains, this festive flotilla will light up the Intracoastal Waterway from the Ocean Avenue Bridge in Lantana (near Old Key Lime House) and travel south to the C-15 Canal in Delray Beach (south of Linton Boulevard). There are multiple restaurants and parks along the route for viewing. There will be first-, second- and third-place prizes for the best-decorated boats in three categories based on boat size.
Brightly decorated boats, motored south on the Intracoastal Waterway for the 48th Annual Boynton Beach & Delray Beach Holiday Boat Parade.
The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. Lantana through Delray Beach along the Intracoastal Waterway. Free. Information: boyntonbeachcra.com
Lighting of Delray Beach’s 100-foot Christmas tree
The lighting of the 100-foot Christmas Tree at Old School Square in Delray Beach will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The event will also feature food trucks, vendors, mini golf, ice skating and more.
This longstanding Delray Beach tradition brings Santa to town to light the city’s 100-foot tree. Once the tree is lit and you’ve basked in its glow, check out Santa’s Holiday Village with ice skating, a carousel, mini golf and Santa himself. Swinton Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from North First Street to NE/SE Fifth Avenue to better facilitate holiday happiness. There will be food trucks and over 60 vendors along Atlantic Avenue.
The event is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3. 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. Free. Information: downtowndelraybeach.co
Bonus: Itching for a more exhaustive list of ways to crank up the seasonal fun? Check out TGIF on Nov. 29.
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Top 10 holiday things to do in Palm Beach County
