One of the most magical times of the year is the holidays, and Greater Fort Lauderdale offers up seasonal festivities with a decidedly unique flare befitting its American Riviera reputation and image.
Starting with the “Rockin’ Boats and Holiday Floats” theme of the annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade which celebrates its 40th Anniversary on December 10, the Parade will feature a light show extravaganza with hundreds of brightly lit boats and yachts as they cruise from the downtown New River and 10 miles up the Intracoastal Waterway.
Light Up Lauderdale showcases the Riverwalk and Arts & Entertainment District, featuring the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, historic Stranahan House and New River promenade, with thousands of lighted displays and festive décor. Light Up Lauderdale will run through January 14, 2012.
For those who like their holiday celebrations with a chance to shop, dine and stroll, Las Olas Boulevard is the place to be. LOB’s fashionable boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, sidewalk cafes and trendy lounges will be decked out in holiday décor with the tree-lined thoroughfare featuring an ice staking rink, open through January 1, and Snow Mountain, an interactive children’s attraction and the only mountain of snow in South Florida.
Other Greater Fort Lauderdale holiday happenings include:
- The Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade on December 3 at the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk.
- The Pompano Beach Boat Paradeon on December 11 along the Intracoastal Waterway in Pompano Beach
- Sounds of the Season: A Holiday Extravaganza is a classical holiday concert at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on December 12.
- Those visitors wishing to bring in the holidays with a spiritually staged event, First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale hosts the iconic annual Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant through to December 18.
For more information on the above events and a complete list of holiday events in Greater Fort Lauderdale, please visit www.sunny.org.
For more information about top events in Florida take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Florida.