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Kayaking is one of the many outdoor activities available at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park.
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Line up along the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk and watch lighted floats and vehicles entertain families during the Candy Cane Parade. Photo courtesy of City of Hollywood Florida Government
Line up along the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk and watch lighted floats and vehicles entertain families during the Candy Cane Parade. Photo courtesy of City of Hollywood Florida Government
11/12/23 - By Lindsey Scannell

During the winter months, there is a timeless joy in piling into the family car to enjoy Christmas light shows and holiday lights drive-thrus. We've rounded up the best of South Florida's Christmas lights, drive-thru light shows, boat parades, and legendary holiday light displays. From the annual holiday tradition at Zoo Lights Miami to boat parades like the Holiday Boat Parade in Boynton Beach, we can help point your family car toward the brightest, most sparkling Christmas lights displays in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach!

Whether you spend a whole evening walking around Christmas lights or wear pajamas during a holiday light drive-thru, our holiday lights list is worth viewing. Find more Christmas and holiday events to enjoy with kids in our Christmas and Holiday Activities Guide for South Florida Families!

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Visit a glowing fairyland by heading to NightGarden: A Magical Light Experience.Night Garden. photo courtesy of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Visit a glowing fairyland by heading to NightGarden: A Magical Light Experience.Night Garden. photo courtesy of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Best Christmas Light Displays near Miami

Fairchild's Night at the Garden

Coral Gables
Select nights through January 12, 2025
Walk through Miami’s beautiful Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden at night while exploring a combination of lighting effects, state-of-the-art holographic technology, projection mapping, and music. Marvel at unique sculptures, interact with the talking tree, join a Fairy Quest, and much more. READ MORE

Luminosa: A Festival of Lights

Miami
November 21, 2024 - March 8, 2025
Be transported to Luminosa, a lush jungle illuminated with breathtaking and larger-than-life lanterns. Traverse through hundreds of artistic lanterns highlighting the spirit of Miami with an ambiance and vibe found nowhere else in the world! READ MORE

Zoo Lights Miami

Miami
Select nights, November 29 - December 30, 2024
Walk through more than one million bright and dazzling tree lights, see a 26-foot-tall LED holiday tree, and enjoy animal appearances and visits with Santa at this fun holiday event. READ MORE

Symphony in Lights Holiday Celebration

Hallandale Beach
November 30 - December 31, 2024
Ring in the holidays at Gulfstream Park Village. Families are invited to see the seasonal lights display in the open-air lifestyle center. The property will be illuminated in more than 250,000 LED lights, all set to the sounds of holiday favorites and popular music from yesterday and today. READ MORE

Enchanted Place of North Miami

North Miami
December 6 - 31, 2024
Since the 1980s the homes in this North Miami neighborhood of around 30 houses go all out by putting up thousands of lights and holiday decorations for neighbors near and far to drive by and enjoy. READ MORE

Night of Lights

Pinecrest
Select nights, December 6-29, 2024
Step into a magical world of twinkling lights, festive treats, Santa sightings, a Holiday Bazaar, live performances in the historic Banyan Bowl, and more. READ MORE

Miami Beach Holiday Festival of Lights

Miami Beach
Select nights, December 13-22, 2024
Presented by the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival (MMF) and produced by Artistic Director, Michael Rossi, this dazzling event promises to captivate audiences of all ages with a blend of live musical performances, festive characters, and projection mapping displays to celebrate the holidays. READ MORE
Enjoy Flamingo Gardens in a new, illuminated way during the Garden of Lights event. photo courtesy of Flamingo Gardens
Enjoy Flamingo Gardens in a new, illuminated way during the Garden of Lights event. photo courtesy of Flamingo Gardens

Best Christmas Light Displays near Fort Lauderdale

Winter Wonderland in Plantation

Plantation
Select days, November 19, 2024 - January 4, 2025
Enjoy a holiday display featuring over 40 different themed Christmas trees, a miniature train village, Hanukkah display, holiday gift shop, and more. READ MORE

Holiday Fantasy of Lights

Coconut Creek
November 23, 2024 - January 4, 2025
Running nightly, this local holiday tradition in Tradewinds Park is a 2½-mile drive-thru route, featuring dozens of static and animated light displays and illuminated trees. READ MORE

Christmas Lights in the Acres

Plantation Acres
Select nights, November 29 - December 28, 2024
This drive-thru holiday lights show entertains each year with a dazzling display of Christmas lights to tour through. READ MORE

Water Taxi Holiday Light Cruises

Fort Lauderdale
December 5, 2024 - January 4, 2025
Set sail on a magical evening with Fort Lauderdale’s Water Taxi Holiday Lights Cruise. This festive cruise highlights the beauty of Fort Lauderdale’s famous waterways with holiday lights and live music. Bring friends and family to enjoy the illuminated sights, seasonal cheer and jolly atmosphere. READ MORE

Candy Cane Parade

Hollywood
Saturday, December 7, 2024
The Candy Cane Parade on Hollywood Beach is one of the longest running holiday parades in the country. It started back in the mid-1950’s by a group of Hollywood merchants as a way to draw patrons to their shops and businesses. Today it features dozens of lighted floats and vehicles along the parade route entertaining the thousands of spectators who line the Broadwalk. READ MORE

Holiday Lighting of the Greens Festival

Davie
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Enjoy lighting up the holiday season with thousands of sparkling lights and holiday decorations and activities such as a Jingle Bell Lighted Horse Parade, live entertainment, children's activities and games, and a visit with Santa. READ MORE

Ocean Way Holiday

Deerfield Beach
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Light up Ocean Way with live entertainment, Santa and his Reindeer, a giant interactive snow globe, ice skating, treats, and more. READ MORE

Flamingo Gardens’ Garden of Lights

Davie
Select nights, December 13-30, 2024
Thousands of lights and holiday decor fill the Arboretum and Wray Lawn at Flamingo Gardens. This annual holiday event features an after-hours, self-guided walk through the botanical gardens adorned with thousands of lights and decorations. Enjoy visits with Santa and some of his friends along with snow and nightly live musical performances. READ MORE

Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade

Fort Lauderdale
Saturday, December 14, 2024
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade is the traditional kickoff to the South Florida Holiday Season. Bringing together the community and visitors from around the world, this one-of-a-kind parade of beautifully decorated boats of all sizes is a can’t miss extravaganza. READ MORE
Light up the water during the Holiday Boat Parade in Boynton Beach! Official photo courtesy of the event
Light up the water during the Holiday Boat Parade in Boynton Beach! Official photo courtesy of the event

Best Christmas Light Displays near West Palm Beach

Lights 4 Hope Holiday Light Show

West Palm Beach
Select nights, November 22 - December 29, 2024
Load family and friends into the car and get in the holiday spirit at this drive-thru holiday light show. READ MORE

Zoo Lights at Palm Beach Zoo

West Palm Beach
Select nights, November 23, 2024 - January 5, 2025
This magical event transforms the Zoo into a winter wonderland of twinkling lights and seasonal delights. Take photos with Santa, decorate cookies, and roast s’mores. Enjoy hourly light shows, music and “snow” in the fountain. READ MORE

Winter Wonderland Laser Lights & Bites

West Palm Beach
Fridays, December 6-27, 2024
Friday evenings in December are for singing, dancing along to holiday favorites, and an outdoor laser show spectacular. This year features a brand new show. Guests can also explore the outdoor exhibits, dazzling lights throughout the Science Trail, science-themed activities, s'mores, and food trucks. READ MORE

Holiday Boat Parade in Boynton Beach

Boynton Beach
Friday, December 13, 2024
The Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade is hosted annually on the second Friday of December. The event features a variety of festively decorated boats and is a premier holiday attraction for the Boynton Harbor Marina. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Enchanted Place of North Miami
Plantation Historical Society
Hollywood Beach Boardwalk