Miamians love to celebrate and, when it comes to the Winter holiday season, we like to infuse our celebration with a unique flair. We decorate palm trees this time of year, after all!
We’ve prepared an updated list of fantastic locations and events throughout Southern Florida where you and yours can celebrate the season while enjoying Christmas lights near you.
We’re not ranking these events and, honestly, think you should check all of them out. You’re in Florida, after all, it’s not like you need to worry about a snowfall ruining your plans!
20+ Places To See Christmas Lights Near Miami
LIGHTING OF THE GREENS FESTIVAL IN DAVIEThe Town of Davie kicks off the holiday season from 6 – 9 PM at Bamford Sports Complex on December 2, 2023. The park will be lit up, town dignitaries will be in attendance, you can watch the Jingle Bell Horse Parade, enjoy other live entertainment, visit Santa Claus, and much more. Food will be available for purchase – we hope they have cocoa!
Here’s something a bit different for your holiday explorations: why not celebrate Holidays in Wonderland, a Lewis Carroll Story with the fine folks at the Deering Estate? Designer-in-Residence Alfredo Brito has whimsically brought to life your favorite Wonderland characters. Come see the White Rabbit, Alice, the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter, and several hand-decorated holiday trees featured throughout several historic rooms. This event runs from Friday, November 24, 2023, to Sunday, January 7, 2024, and you can purchase tickets here.
Dadeland Mall is lighting their tree on Thursday, November 30th, 2023 from 6 – 8 PM, but you’ll have the entire shopping season to see it in person. (Click Here to reserve your spot at this busy event in the Fashion Wing of the mall) The mall also has numerous Christmas events scheduled, including a Caring Santa Photo Experience for children with special needs on December 3rd. Learn more and reserve your spot here.
ANNIE ADDERLY GILLIS PARK IN POMPANO BEACH
The city of Pompano Beach plans is excited to illuminate Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard a bit before Thanksgiving this year, and their “Light Up MLK” event takes place from 5 – 8 PM on November 18th. (The tree will light up at 7 PM!) The event is technically sold out as of 11/14/2023, but you probably get a great view of the lights anyway.
The city of Sunrise will host their annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony in 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on December 1st. Guests can listen to carolers, participate in games and activities, take photos, and watch the Civic Center come to life as thousands of bright LED lights turn on.
Can't make it for the ceremony? It’s OK, the holiday season gets awfully busy. The Civic Center Campus will accommodate, as they plan to keep the lights on through the New Year.
This South Florida favorite is celebrating 40 years of bringing holiday fun and excitement to our area! Not only can you see some dazzling holiday lights at Santa's Enchanted Forest, but you'll also be able to nosh on delicious carnival food, play carnival games, watch acrobats and magicians in various live shows, log some quality Santa time, and try a variety of rides. There's a reason why this is one of the most popular South Florida destinations around Christmas.
ENCHANTED PLACE OF NORTH MIAMI
No longer Miami's best kept holiday secret, Enchanted Place has grown into a behemoth. Every year since 1988, when their thousands and thousands of lights first went up, this South Florida neighborhood has embraced the challenge of going brighter and bigger. We know from Facebook that their lift arrived to start putting up lights back on November 10th, but what will the 2023 holiday season bring? Even larger inflatable Santas? More snowmen? A platinum Menorah? We can’t wait to find out!
The Miami Zoo is THE place to be come Christmastime and their Opening Night / Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place on November 24, 2023. The entire zoo is decorated with more than one million tree lights for the holidays – that’s just crazy lights – and you can even take photos with Santa, the Grinch, or the Zoo Squad. The Zoo has several holiday events lined up for 2023, including a new high energy show with rescue dogs on select nights, so get your tickets early. (There’s limited capacity each night.)
Take a pleasant stroll through Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens at night, and enjoy their illuminated magical fairyland as part of their NightGarden experience. The entire 23-acre Coral Gables park is aglow from November 10th, 2023, through January 7th, 2024. It’s truly an unmissable experience.
NIGHTS OF LIGHTS AT PINECREST GARDENS
Running from December 9, 2023, to January 6, 2024, Pinecrest Gardens is hosting their annual Nights of Lights event. The entire park and garden transforms into a holiday paradise, complete with tens of thousands of lights, treats, Santa, and a new holiday-themed maze. This year adds select nights with a pajama party in paradise, live holiday performance, and shopping at their seasonal gift bazaar.
THE 100 FOOT CHRISTMAS TREE IN DELRAY BEACH
Delray Beach's famous 100 Foot Christmas Tree, which was named the "Best Tree in the State of Florida," is plugged in on November 28, 2023 with a party from 6 – 9 PM, but you can bring the family to the Old School Square all season long. On select dates, they'll be hosting other Holiday Village activities, including the First Friday Art Walk, the Delray/Boynton Holiday Boat Parade, and Cocoa, Cookies, and Craft.
Looking for Christmas lights in Hialeah? Head to Triangle Park (Veterans Park) on Friday the 17th, 2023, or throughout the holiday season to experience their winter wonderland with over 20,000 lights! The tree lighting on the 17th will give kids the chance to chill with Rudolph and Frosty while they wait for Mr. and Mrs. Claus to slide into town on their Firetruck/Sleigh combo.
SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS AT GULFSTREAM PARK
The tree has been lit since November 11th, but you can experience the Symphony in Lights from 6 – 11PM every night until December 31st! Over 250,000 LED lights are strung up throughout Gulfstream Park, which makes it one of the largest, if not the largest, Christmas light shows in Hallandale Beach. Santa is making appearances throughout the holiday season, and his next visit is scheduled for November 25th!
WATER TAXI HOLIDAY LIGHTS CRUISES
Taking a Ft. Lauderdale Christmas light tour on the water is just one big benefit of living in South Florida. Starting Friday, December 1st, 2023, take a cruise out to see all the illuminated waterfront mansions on Millionaire's Row, sip some cocktails, take photos, and catch up on your R&R. They depart from 335 SE 6th Ave in Fort Lauderdale, and you’ll want to arrive 15 minutes before your boarding time. Don’t forget to prebuy your tickets!
Like Zoo Miami, the Palm Beach Zoo is hosting its own Zoo Lights event this year from November 17, 2023, to January 7, 2024. Zoo Miami is a local South Florida favorite, but if you live closer to WPB, their holiday event is certainly a great alternative.
HOLIDAY FANTASY OF LIGHTS DRIVE-THRU DISPLAY
Coconut Creek's Tradewinds Park is a favorite spot for hiking, disc golf, and fishing, and it's also known to get into the holiday spirit every December. That's because the park hosts Holiday Fantasy Lights, the drive-thru Christmas light show on everyone's list. The drive-through experience is available from November 22, 2023, to January 1, 2024. It's been a South Florida tradition for nearly 3 decades, and this year you can Bike through the park on November 18th and 19th
HOLIDAY IN PARADISE IN WEST PALM BEACH
Head to Sandi Land for one of the best holiday events in West Palm Beach – they’re lighting their Sandi Tree from 6 – 10 PM on Thursday, November 30th, 2023. All December, Holiday in Paradise will offer Christmas lights, Ferris wheel rides, entertainment, and lots of other activities for kids and adults alike.
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING IN DANIA BEACH
Dania Beach's City Hall gets the full Christmas treatment on November 30th, 2023. Guests can ice skate (magic!), make crafts, take pictures with Santa, join the Ugly Sweater Competition, enjoy various food vendors, and enjoy a traditional tree lighting. Decorations will remain throughout the month of December.
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS IN MIAMI LAKES
Main Street: The hub for fun in Miami Lakes. Every November and December, it's home to Festival of Lights, the city's biggest and best holiday event. They’re kicking off their 38th annual Main Street Festival of Lights from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM on Saturday, November 18th, 2023 and the Main Street Merchants can’t wait to see you!
The Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony (Saturday, November 18th, 2023) at Bayfront Park Miami is always a great time. Can't attend? No sweat. You can hit up the park throughout the month of December and witness its splendor. (We suggest visiting at dusk when the lights are most impressive.)
ABOUT BRAMAN GENESIS
We may not have the biggest and best Christmas lights in South Florida, but we have some of the biggest and best selections of affordable luxury vehicles for sale in Miami. Whether you're shopping for yourself or someone else, visit our Genesis dealership to browse our inventory. Call our Genesis sales team at (786) 574-3093 to get a price quote or ask us about our current car deals and lease offers.
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