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Best Miami Christmas Lights; Fort Lauderdale Too

 

By Kayla Louttit and Yours Truly (updated, November,2016)

Where to see Miami Christmas lights? And how about Fort Lauderdale? Beyond neighborhoods, there are plenty of places  in South Florida to embrace the spirit of the season by enjoying festive decorations and spectacular holiday light displays. The following are five top attractions to consider adding to your “must-see” list this holiday season,  including a Chinese lantern festival, all located in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area.

 

  1. Holiday Fantasy of Lights At Tradewinds Park

For two decades the Holiday Fantasy of Lights has been lighting up Tradewinds Park, one of the Fort Lauderdale area’s largest county parks, in Coconut Creek. This spectacular drive-through holiday lighting event features three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees. A unique aspect of this event is the 3-D experience. Custom holiday 3-D glasses are available for purchase at the entry to the drive-through for $3 for three pairs to make the displays really “pop.” Open from 6-10PM nightly through Jan. 2. Cost is $15 per car.

Tradewinds Park, 3600 W Sample Rd., Coconut Creek, FL, (954) 357-8870

Holiday Fantasy of Lights
Holiday Fantasy of Lights

 

  1. Winterfest Boat Parade

Fort Lauderdale’s renowned holiday boat parade, now called the “Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade,” sails along the New River and travels east along the Intracoastal Waterway and north to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach on December 10. The annual tradition features more than 100 boats from 20 feet long to huge megayachts, all dressed up in extravagant holiday lights and decorations.  This year the theme is “Comics & Cartoons Rock the Night Away”. Winterfest has been held every year in Fort Lauderdale since 1970. It has even been named one of the Top 100 Events in America by Reader’s Digest and has also been named one of the Top 20 Parades in the World by the International Festival and Events Assocation. Free viewing is available along the parade route. There is also an organized grandstand viewing area available for $25 per person. The parade starts in downtown Fort Lauderdale at 6:30PM.

512 Northeast 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33301, (954) 767-0686

Fort Lauderdale Christmas Lights
Winterfest Boat Parade

 

  1. Lantern Festival

Here’s something different — The Lantern Light festival is a six week celebration of Chinese culture featuring massive lanterns,  performances, and food. A tradition that started over 2,000 years ago, the lantern festival is China’s most important celebration, marking the return of spring, with the lighting of Chinese lanterns being symbolic of illuminating the future and the reunion of family. While many people picture lanterns being released into the night sky, these enormous lanterns stay firmly on the ground. Each Chinese lantern is custom-built by Chinese artisans and typically takes four weeks and a team of seven to complete.The lanterns appear to be three-dimensional stained glass, and are handmade from hundreds of pieces of silky cloth. Some are over 30 feet high and others are up to 300 feet long. Besides the lanterns, there are activities including lantern making, mini golf, face painting, train rides and fireworks. The price is $19 for children and seniors; $23 for adults if tickets are purchased online. Place:Miami-Dade County Fair Expo Center, 10901 SW 24 Street. Dates, Nov 30th – Dec 18th , Wednesday thru Sunday;
Dec 21st – Jan 1st , Every day; Jan 2nd – Jan 8th,  Wednesday thru Sunday. Time, 5 pm to 11 pm.

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  1. Deering Estate Holiday Wonderland

Throughout December, the Deering Estate at Cutler in Miami welcomes visitors to tour the estate’s historic houses while they’re decked out with holiday accents and plenty of lights. The “Holiday Wonderland” is an annual tradition and a special project of local garden clubs and community organizations. On Saturday, Dec. 10 & 17, take the family to see Santa Claus as he visits the Estate for story-time and photos in the historic Stone House Ballroom. Guided tours of the estate house and natural areas are available and the cost is included in the price of admission ($12 for adults and $7 for children). Hours of Operation: 10AM to 4PM  Holiday cruise Dec.18 aboard Pelican Bay Island Skipper, 45 foot catamaran, $35.  Closed Christmas Day.

Deering Estate at Cutler, 16701 SW 72 Avenue, Miami, FL, (305) 235-1668

Miami Christmas Lights
Deering Estate Holiday Wonderland

 

  1. Symphony of Lights

For holiday fun for everyone this season, take a trip to The Village at Gulfstream Park to enjoy the Symphony of Lights, a free nightly holiday light show featuring more than 250,000 LED lights synchronized to the music of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The breathtaking show is created using 2,000 watts of sound, 47,000 feet of cable and 10 tons of holiday decorations. On select nights, Santa and Mrs. Claus, stilt walkers, toy soldiers, and jugglers will be on hand to join in the fun. Light shows run every hour on the hour from 6-11PM, through Dec. 31. Special holiday train rides will also be offered from 6-11PM on Nov.26, Dec.16, 17, 23  and 24.

Champions Plaza, 501 S Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach, FL, (954) 454-7000

Miami Christmas Lights
Symphony of Lights
Karen Escalera

Karen Escalera

2 Responses

  1. an interior designer I know uses strings of crystal beads and white Christmas lights as a year round element in homes because he says they make us feel so happy…….
    good bubby does it for me!

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