It is often said that the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year and that is no exception in the Palm Beaches. Although it hardly ever snows, residents and visitors alike will find a variety of different things to do during the holiday season throughout Palm Beach County, Florida.
From Jupiter to Boca Raton, here are some of our favorite things to do during Christmas and the holiday season.
Lights 4 Hope Holiday Light Show
Lights 4 Hope, Inc. non-profit organization that works with local area hospitals as well as community partners to help struggling families not only during the holiday season, but also throughout the year.
As an annual fundraising event, they host the Lights 4 Hope Holiday Light Show at Okeehelee Park in West Palm Beach. This drive-through holiday display features over one mile of animated and musical holiday themed light displays. And the best part about it is that you never have to leave your car.
It’s easy to get to Okeehelee Park as it is located just east of the Florida Turnpike, north of Forest Hill Boulevard. The park is approximately 15 to 20 minutes west of downtown West Palm Beach the nearest Turnpike exit is at Southern Boulevard.
The 2021 version of this amazing event extends from November 19th to January 2, 2022. The cost to visit the Lights 4 Hope Holiday Light Show is nominal and all proceeds benefit local families in need. A standard 8-passenger vehicle costs $15.00 and just 1 ticket per vehicle is needed. Larger vehicles holding 9 to 12 passengers are $25.00 per vehicle and any vehicle with 13 or more passengers costs $35.00.
Click here to purchase tickets for the Lights 4 Hope Holiday Light Show.
The Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade
Hosted by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc., the 27th annual “Merry and Bright” Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade will take place on December 4, 2021 at 6:00PM. The parade runs along the Intracoastal Waterway from North Palm Beach to the Jupiter Lighthouse (near the Jupiter Inlet).
Those watching the parade will not only see dozens of holiday themed boats, but also a fl0ating Zambelli fireworks display that travels the length of the parade route. Boats compete for more cash prizes in a number of different categories including Best of Parade and Fan Favorite.
The parade partners with the U.S. Marine Reserves Toys for Tots charity and Little Smiles. According to the Marine Industries Association web site, 11,273 toys were collected last year. So if you are interested in being having a toy collection box at your business, click here for more information.
If you don’t live on the water (or have a friend that does), there are a number of public parks along the route which are great places to watch the parade. These include:
- Sawfish Bay Park
- Bert Winters Park
- Juno Park
- Lighthouse Park
- Waterway Park
- Riverwalk
There are a number of restaurants along the route as well which include:
- The Waterway Café’
- Seasons 52
- The Riverhouse
- Square Group
- Jetty’s
- 1001 North
- Charlie & Joes
Holiday in Paradise (Sandi) – West Palm Beach
The 10th year anniversary of the City of West Palm Beach’s “Holiday in Paradise” is this year and crews are hard at work bring “Sandi” to life. Sandi is a 35-foot, 700-holiday tree constructed entirely of sand. Located at the intersection of Clematis Street and Flagler Drive, Holiday in Paradise features a number of activities and events which include:
- Holiday Tree Lighting: To be held on December 1st from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Sandi will be officially lit for the holiday season.
- Nightly Light Shows: From December 1st to December 31st, Sandi will features a dazzling light show which is set to music. This show takes place every 15 minutes starting at 6:00 PM and ending at 10:PM.
- Santa at Sandi: Kids can visit Santa.
- TEE-ki Time Mini Golf: Starting in December on Thursday’s to Sunday’s from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, visitors can play a game of mini golf on the north side of the Great Lawn at the north Clematis Trellis.
There are a number of additional events and activities taking place in West Palm Beach – click here to learn more.
Boca Raton Holiday Street Parade
Celebrating it’s 50th year, the Boca Raton Holiday Street Parade will feature more than 50 floats plus a number of entertainment groups that will help usher in the holiday season. This year’s parade them is “Groovy 70’s” to celebrate the 50th anniversary.
The parade takes place on December 7th at 7:30 PM and will run along Federal Highway starting at Southeast 5th Street and travel north to the Mizner Park Amphitheater.
In addition to the holiday parade, Boca Raton hosts a number of other amazing holiday events which include:
- Light the Lights
- Merry in Mizner
- FAU’s Tuba Christmas
- Holiday Boat Parade
Click here for more information about Boca Raton’s holiday events and activities.
Kravis Center – Holiday Concerts & Shows
Located in the heart of the Palm Beaches in d0wntown West Palm Beach, The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts offers holiday themed concerts and shows.
- Ballet Palm Beach Presents The Nutcracker – December 3rd and 4th.
Click here to learn more about the concerts and shows at the Kravis Center.
Hoffman’s Chocolates 30th Annual Winter Wonderland
Every year Hoffman’s Chocolates in central Palm Beach County puts on an outstanding holiday display and for their 29th year, it gets even better. From 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, starting November 17 and extending until December 30th, Hoffman’s 29th Annual Winter Wonderland will feature more than 100,000 LED lights, numerous holiday displays, a giant Christmas Tree and a chocolate factor tour.
In addition, Hoffman’s hosts the Florida Panthers Hockey Holidays Ice Rinks. This 2,400 square foot outdoor ice skating rink offers South Florida guests of all ages a real outdoor skating experience. General admission tickets costs $15.00 per person for a 60 minute skating session which includes the cost of the skate rental. Hours for the rink are Monday to Friday from 3:00 Pm to 10:00 PM and weekends from Noon to 10:00 PM.
Hoffman’s Chocolates is located along Lake Worth Road, just west of Haverhill Road, at 5190 Lake Worth Road, Greenacres, Florida.
Best Palm Beach County Hotels to Stay During the Holidays
Palm Beach County is home to some of the finest hotels not only in South Florida, but throughout all of North America. Many of these amazing properties go all out for the holiday season. Following are some of our favorites:
