December Holiday Events 2020| Boca, Delray & South Florida

#SoooBoca has put together a list of holiday events in South Florida and has updated it for 2020. Because we know you like to celebrate as much as us, we’ve included holiday happenings held beyond the Boca Raton city limits.

This year, due to Covid-19, certain events will not be happening or have been scaled back. Please click the various links here to see what has been updated.

Events below begin in November and running through the end of December. We attend different things all month long so for in the moment updates make sure to follow the #SoooBoca Instagram account for stories, lives and posts!

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!

Holiday Events and Happenings!

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 great information on the latest events throughout Palm Beach County.

Mizner Park has fun happenings including the holiday tree, virtual visits with Santa Clause and holiday decorations!

The City of West Palm Beach is bringing back Sandi and Holiday in Paradise the world’s only 35-foot, 700-ton holiday sand tree. She will return to the waterfront on Saturday, December 5, 2020, for her 9th season. As in years past, there will be 100-tons of other sand sculptures to visit as well. New this year will be a synchronized show with the City’s soon-to-be-completed Centennial Square Fountain, where the water will ‘dance’ to the music. Sandi will be on display and host nightly music and light shows through New Year’s Eve, Thursday, December 31, 2020. The light shows run between 6 – 10 p.m.

My friend Michelle Olsen-Rogers also known as Modern Boca Mom has a great piece for you in Boca Mag in regard to your kids and this year’s holiday season so check out “How Are the Holidays Going To Work for Kids This Year?”

Shops at Boca Center has a holiday photo booth and holiday happy hours you can enjoy click holiday events for more information!

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!

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

Hoffman’s Chocolates Winter Wonderland (cancelled for 2020 but will be back in 2021). The retail store is still open so please make sure to support local! If you have never visited this awesome display of lights, make sure you do — and bring your camera.  This walk through wonderland is simply beautiful. And, don’t forget to grab some yummy chocolate or ice cream on the way out! Visit their website for information on Santa’s visits, classes and more!

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.

Miracle on Delray Beach, Death or Glory Bar  This “Pop-up-Bar” (located inside Death or Glory at the Falcon House) is open 4:00pm to 2:00am daily during the holiday season.  If you are looking for a spot to enjoy a an adult beverage (we are) in the most fun location, this is it. Try one of their specialty cocktails amid some fabulous holiday decor.

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!

Delray Beach has several events including the 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

The City of Boca Raton has cancelled all events including the parade, the tree lighting and the boat parade. Lights will be up all around the city and Sanborn Square will still play host to our traditional holiday display of a 25’ artificial holiday tree with more than 7,500 lights from Saturday, November 21st, through the New Year.

Mounts Botanical Garden (please check directly with Mounts in regard to 2020 light displays) Mounts Botanical will once again be all a-twinkle on 12 sparkling evenings during the holiday season. Visitors will discover the magic of Mounts at night as thousands of jewel-toned lights illuminate and amplify the lush tropical foliage, majestic trees and signature structures along an easy-to-follow route throughout various garden areas.

48th Annual Holiday Boat Parade in Boynton Beach (Cancelled for 2020) 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.

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

The Palm Beach Zoo (Please check for details and updates)–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 – Drive-Through ONLY now open! 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. A recent study has shown that people can experience measurable benefits to both their mental and physical health by spending time in immersive, naturalistic areas with and around animals. Lion Country Safari’s drive-through safari park fulfills these criteria and is an outdoor recreation activity consistent with social distancing guidelines. With no contact admissions, daily capacity limits, mobile preserve audio tour and guide, and additional protocols for providing a healthy and safe environment for our staff, guests and animals, we are excited to open.

Happy Hanukkah

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

So although this year will be different there will be some attempt at holiday cheer and happenings around Boca Raton and South Florida.

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 Holidays! 

PS…

Give Your Holiday Tree a “Second Chance”

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.

Michele Bellisari is the founder of #SoooBoca® Lifestyle & Media based in Boca Raton and a full time Realtor with RE/MAX Services. She writes on what is happening around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, South Florida and Beyond. If you are thinking of making a move here or moving within the area “One Call Handles It All” when you work with Michele. You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca.