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Friday, March 29, 2024

25 Holiday Events Happening in Boca Raton & South Florida

Get Your Holiday Event Calendars Out!

#SoooBoca has put together a list of holiday events in South Florida and has updated it for 2023. Holiday events and happenings are in full swing this year so check out our big list of things to do in Boca Raton, around the Palm Beaches, and South Florida!

The Boca Raton
The Boca Raton

Links to the websites for each of the events have been included.  Click on them and confirm the locations and times – you know as well as us, sometimes things change.

Plus scroll down and meet some of my blogger friends who have done a fabulous job putting their fun holiday round-up of events together for you!

New to our area? Check out the #SoooBoca Youtube channel for more things to do, places to go, and events to attend!

You can also check out some of my favorite things on my Amazon store. I have trendy and fun lists of items that you might enjoy for friends and family!


Thanksgiving cocktails

Thankgiving Events

Check out our annual Thanksgiving in South Florida post! At #SoooBoca we love both Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving. We know we are fortunate that we can celebrate at home, dine out or even have a beach Thanksgiving!

Lilly Pulitzer Christmas Presents

South Florida Holiday Events

A great place to find holiday events in South Florida appears to be on Eventbrite. You can click here to see area celebrations for all of the December holidays!

Discover The Palm Beaches has fun information on the latest events throughout Palm Beach County.

Love Football?

ESPN Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl

December 21st – 8:00 pm – FAU Stadium

Boca Raton Events

CP Groups Annual Tree Lighting

BRIC – Boca Raton Innovation Campus )

CP Group Announces Its 8th Annual Community Tree Lighting and Holiday Extravaganza Set for Thursday, November 16 at BRiC

The First Free and Open-To-The-Public Tree Lighting to be Emceed by WPTV’s Steve Weagle
and Benefits Junior League of Boca Raton and Spirit of Giving

The “most wonderful time of the year” will officially kick off in Boca Raton when CP Group lights the 40-foot Christmas tree amongst all who live, work, play, and visit the city at the first free and open-to-the-public Community Tree Lighting & Holiday Extravaganza of the 2023 holiday season.

This year’s event will feature WPTV’s First Alert Chief Meteorologist Steve Weagle as emcee and offers fun for the whole family, complete with a Santa meet and greet and the return of live reindeer.

The popular yuletide tradition is set for Thursday, November 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at its Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC) on Yamato Road at 5000 T-Rex Avenue in Boca Raton with free parking (hundreds of spaces).

Eventgoers will enjoy*:

  • Meet-and-greet with Santa and his live reindeer! Santa’s official photographer will capture the moments and free print out commemorative photos for eventgoers to take home.
  • Festive Countdown to the 2023 Official Christmas Tree Lighting, flipping the switch on
    thousands of twinkling LED lights that showcase hundreds of dazzling ornaments.
  • Santa’s Workshop, a kid-friendly tented area with free holiday-inspired children’s activities led by ArtNEST Studios and letters to Santa organized by Boca Raton Historical Society & The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum.
  • LED Cirque Performers, on-stage and roaming, featuring mesmerizing levels of risk balancing and a Hula Hoop contortionist spinning with over 30 Hula Hoops and juggling.
  • 12-foot-high Holiday Bounce House
  • Family Play at the Farm Animal Petting Zoo features over 20 sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, bunnies, cows, and more.
  • Face Painting 
  • Holiday-themed performances by:
    • West Boca Raton Community High School Choral: CALLIOPE,an auditioned treble ensemble composed of students in grades 10-12 under the direction of Choral Director Catherine Briggs and with support from Nat King Cole Generation Hope, a local nonprofit working to provide access to music education for children with the greatest need.
    • Grandview Preparatory School music students under the direction of Carrie Furman
      • AcaPride, an acapella ensemble of students in grades 6-12 performing holiday pop choir arrangements in three-part harmony.
      • Extensions, an audition-based ensemble consisting of upper school and middle
        school students performing pop, jazz, and classical choir arrangements in
        three- to five-part harmony.
    • Organic Movements Dance School featuringa talented troupe of classically trained ballet students presenting a magical selection from its upcoming seasonal production based on the timeless classic, “The Nutcracker.”
  • Food Truck Lane, offering diverse menu options.
  • Cash and Coffee Bars

*Scheduled programming subject to change

General admission is free with an unwrapped new toy or monetary donation to Spirit of Giving (SOG), collected upon drive-through check-in entry to support the nonprofit’s Annual Holiday Gift Drive, which brings holiday cheer to 6,000+ underprivileged children throughout Palm Beach County. The SOG network creates alliances with nonprofit organizations by sharing resources and providing education to strengthen our communities.

Eventgoers may also celebrate within a ticketed VIP hospitality tent with refreshments and a special Kid’s Zone. VIP tickets are available at $50 per adult and $15 per child (16 years and younger), which includes hospitality tent access; open bar; catered hors d’oeuvres, and other special activations.
A “Kids Corner” within the tent will serve children’s treats and beverages, face painting, and more. One hundred percent of VIP ticket sales will benefit the Junior League of Boca Raton, an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Owned and operated by CP Group, the largest office landlord in the state, BRiC is the largest single-facility office building in Florida at 1.7 million square feet. Designed by iconic Brutalist architect Marcel Breuer, the campus was originally built in 1969 for IBM and is home to the invention of the first personal computer. CP Group acquired the campus in 2018 with the vision of transforming BRiC into a technology and life sciences hub for the Southeastern United States with unparalleled amenities, including two coffee shops, event space seating up to 1,000, an autonomous grab and go, art exhibitions, and more. Tenants include Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Kroger, Modernizing Medicine, and Canon.​

For event updates and to RSVP for general admission or purchase VIP Tent tickets, visit https://CPGrouptreelighting2023.eventbrite.com

Holiday Lights Boca Raton

City of Boca Raton

MERRY IN MIZNER | Nov 18 – Jan 1 | Nightly – Mizner Park has fun happenings including the holiday tree, virtual visits with Santa Clause and holiday decorations!

MIZNER IN MIZNER | Nov 18 – Jan 1 | Nightly

Mizner Park
Take a stroll through Mizner Park and take in the beauty of our holiday light displays. Frolic with vibrant flamingos or venture under the sea in the heart of Downtown Boca Raton

MERRY IN MIZNER’S MUSIC SERIES | Various dates 

 7 – 9pm

Mizner Park
Get into the holiday spirit with live music by outstanding local performing artists around the Mizner Park Tree! 
Fri, Dec 8: Morgan Minsk
Fri, Dec 15: Holden Amory
Fri, Dec 22: Teddy Sings
Fri, Dec 29: Gratitude Steel Band 

MERRY IN MIZNER’S STUFF-A-PLUSH | Sun, Dec 10  

6 – 8 pm

Mizner Park, South Gazebo
Stop by Mizner Park to make your own plush winter critter complete with birth certificate and wishing star. Limited to the first 200 attendees. 

MERRY IN MIZNER’S MEET THE GRINCH 

Tues, Dec 12 | 6 – 8pm

Mizner Park, North Gazebo
“He’s as cuddly as a cactus and as charming as an eel,” Don’t miss out on a free photo with the green legend in Mizner Park!

Additional Holiday Fun In Boca Raton

FAU’s Tuba Christmas

Enjoy traditional holiday music performed by tubas and euphoniums in this worldwide tradition.

  • Sunday, December 3, 5pm – 6pm

Visit the FAU’S Tuba Christmas page for details.

Boca Raton Holiday Street Parade

The Boca Raton holiday street parade is happening too! Wednesday, December 6th from 7:30 pm – 9 pm. The City of Boca Raton shares the following

The 51st Annual Holiday Street Parade will feature decorated floats and community groups which will entertain viewers as they bring dancing, lighting, and music to Federal Highway in Downtown Boca. 

The parade will start at Federal Highway and SE 5th Street, and travel north to the Mizner Park Amphitheater.  This year’s theme will be “Holidays on the Silver Screen.”

As a reminder, traffic will be congested in the area as Federal Highway will be closed. Parking for attendees at the City lots listed below is free, ample and highly recommended:  

  • City Hall – 201 W. Palmetto Park Road
  • Downtown Library – 400 NW 2nd Avenue
  • Building Administration – 200 NW 2nd Avenue

And BEFORE the parade, participate in a family-friendly 1 mile “Boca Holiday Mile Run” with the Boca Raton Police Athletic League. Details coming soon…

See the Holiday Street Parade Rules here.

Holiday Street Participation Application

Application Due: November 10, 2023

Boat Parades In Boca Raton and South Florida

Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade

Saturday, December 16, 2023

6:30PM – 8:30PM | Intracoastal Waterway

IMPORTANT NOTICE ❗ 
As the City gears up for our annual Holiday Boat Paradewe’re facing a shortage of parade participants. To ensure the boat parade’s success this year, we’re reaching out to you for support!

If you, your friends, or your family have a boat that you’d like to decorate and be a part of this year’s parade – be sure to SIGN UP and register BEFORE November 21 at 5pm. Entry is free.

– – – – 

The City of Boca Raton Annual Holiday Boat Parade lights up the waterways of the Intracoastal beginning at C-15 Canal, traveling south to Hillsboro Blvd. Bridge. 

$1000 awards will be presented for Winners in each category below:

  • Under 25′
  • 26′ to 34′
  • Over 35′

Holiday Boat Participation Application    DEADLINE to apply: November 21, 2023 at 5pm

Parks and Rec

Sugar Sand Park Events for all ages during the holiday season!

Santa Claus

‘Tis the Season for Photos with Santa

Santa is back at Town Center Mall in Boca Raton on November 16th! Make sure to check out the website for times and to make a reservation!

Holiday Shopping Ideas

Did you know the Boca Raton Historical Society has a store? They do and have wonderful Boca Raton-based items including Christmas ornaments that showcase locations and history of Boca!

Nutcracker Performances in South Florida

Starting with all the amazing  The Nutcracker performances in South Florida which start in November and go through December. From Miami to the Palm Beaches there is a performance waiting for you! Many are doing “socially distanced” performances so way to get creative during this difficult time!

Sandi the Tree In West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach

The City of West Palm Beach Save the date for the City of West Palm Beach’s holiday tree lighting on Thursday, November 30th, 2023! Sandi, the 35-foot star of the City’s annual Holiday in Paradise campaign will celebrate her 11th birthday with her famed light shows and a cast of supporting characters. Sandi’s Pancake Breakfast with Santa & Ferris, Saturday, December 16th.

Zoo Lights

The Palm Beach Zoo –Zoo Lights presented by Florida Power & Light Company is sure to become a Florida holiday tradition for families and friends. For the first time, the Palm Beach Zoo will be illuminated for the holidays with over one million eco-friendly lights. Each evening from 6 – 10pm the Zoo will be aglow with unique themed displays from the entrance through the Florida Wetlands and Tropics of the Americas. The festive holiday fun features photos with Santa, special animal encounters and Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen featuring cookie decorating sponsored by Florida Crystals®.

Lion Country Safari – Please check for holiday happenings and hours. Lion Country Safari is situated on nearly 600 acres of natural area and home to over 1,000 animals.

Have you subscribed to #SoooBoca Yet? Click here for insider info!

santa boca raton

Delray Beach

Happy Hours and Pop Ups

If you love visiting Christmas pop up bars and themed restaurants and more holiday events check out MiamiOnTheCheap and FortLauderdaleOnTheCheap for some great ideas!

Don’t forget to buzz by the community calendar section we have set up that will have holiday events in South Florida on them! Click here!

100" Tree Delray Beach
Credit: DowntownDelrayBeach.com

Delray Beach has several events including the Delray Beach 100 Ft. Christmas Tree is one of the largest and most celebrated holiday events in Palm Beach County. 100 NW 1st Avenue Delray Beach Florida 33444

Boynton Beach

Annual Holiday Boat Parade in Boynton Beach Beautifully decorated boats with travel from the Lantana Bridge to the C-15 Canal in Delray.  The festive parade can be viewed from multiple points along the route. If you are going to watch, please bring an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.

Broward County & Greater Fort Lauderdale

Fantasy of Lights: This drive through holiday light display is always a favorite.  Pile the kids in the car, grab some cocoa, crank up the holiday music and head on over to Tradewinds Park.  Visit their website for complete details.

Fort Lauderdale is a ton of fun during the holidays! Check out Sunny.Org for all the holiday activities and fun happening just to the south of beautiful Boca Raton!

Winterfest Boat Parade

As always, one of the best events of the holiday season is The Seminole Hardrock Winterfest Boat Parade on the Intracoastal in Fort Lauderdale! There are plenty of places to watch this spectacular holiday event so check out the deets right here!

Kwanzaa

For Kwanzaa events around South Florida check out Fort Lauderdale on The Cheap and Eventbrite for scheduled activities!

Miami Holiday Celebrations

One of my favorite bloggers, Florida Trippers, has a great list of things happening in the Miami area so check out these festively fun events!

Happy Hanukkah

Happy Hanukkah

Hanukkah Events

Jewish Federation Calendar of Events – Check in with the Jewish Federation for local Hanukkah events around our community.

Do You Have Updates For Us?

If you have any updates for holiday events in South Florida, especially “local” to Boca and the Palm Beaches, please email us directly so we can update this post!

The #SoooBoca Squad wishes you very Happy and Healthy Holidays! 

PS…

Give Your Holiday Tree a “Second Chance”

Holiday Trees laying in lot to be recycled
Recycle Your Tree

Help give your tree a second chance with the City of Boca Raton Holiday Tree Recycling program from December 26 through the 3rd Sunday in January!

With this program, residents can drop off their “clean” holiday trees at 751 Banyan Trail (east parking lot located adjacent to Mizner Bark Dog Park). The City’s Recreation Services Department will pick up the trees and chip them into mulch to be used at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. ***Please make sure to remove ALL decorations including lights and tinsel from the tree.***

For single-family residents who are not able to drop off trees for recycling, please be sure to remove all decorations and place trees in the swale for regular vegetation collection. For additional information please call 561-393-7810.

 As always please confirm all information in this post with the event coordinators.

Boca Raton Podcast

About Michele Bellisari

Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home?

Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate!

You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca.

Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida.

Information in posts should be verified independently. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.

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