Winter in South Florida: 6 Local Happenings

By Alejandra Zamora

Wintertime in South Florida is a special thing; hosting a tropical holiday season is something very few places can brag about! Not only can you partake in classic holiday happenings, but you can also hit the beach, enjoy a gathering with family outdoors, take a pool break at any time of the day, and so much more. Plenty of festive events happen around town, too, so if you’re sticking around for the holidays or have family coming to you, you can enjoy and show off some special events & activities going on in the area. Here are our top 6 event picks throughout December and January. 

1. Boca Raton Holiday Parade

When: Wednesday, December 7, 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Where: Downtown Boca Raton

What: Festive floats, performers, and more are hitting the streets of downtown Boca along Federal Highway in the 49th annual Boca Raton Holiday Parade. More than 70 different sights will pass by throughout the night for spectators to see, coming to an end at the Mizner Park Amphitheater, perfect for grabbing a bite to eat when it’s all over.  

2. North Pole Pajama Party at the Museum of Discovery & Science

When: Saturday, December 10 & 17, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Where: Museum of Discovery & Science in Fort Lauderdale

What: Get playful and spirited in this interactive event happening for two weekends only, where you & the kids can head to the museum in pajamas to write a letter to Santa, indulge in hot chocolate, throw “snowballs,” catch a showing of The Polar Express, and much more! 

3. Winterfest Boat Parade

  When: Saturday, December 10, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Where: Fort Lauderdale’s New River & Intracoastal Waterway

What: Private boats, megayachts, and everything in between will be decked out in holiday lights & decorations in this year’s Winterfest Boat Parade in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Be on the lookout for special celebrity & musical group appearances during the show, too! 

4. The Polar Express Train Ride

When: Throughout December 

Where: West Palm & Fort Lauderdale Brightline stations to Miami Brightline station

What: Ever dreamt of experiencing the Polar Express in real life? With Brighline’s themed Polar Express Ride, you can! Get your golden tickets ready and immerse yourself in the world of this classic Christmas film, from meeting Santa to sipping hot chocolate while watching dancing chefs perform along the aisles. 

5. New Year’s Eve at The Wharf

When: New Year’s Eve, starting at 6 p.m.

Where: The Wharf Fort Lauderdale

What: Ring-in 2023 under the stars and adjacent to the ocean at Fort Lauderdale’s The Wharf, the night’s go-to spot for dancing, live music, food & drink. 

6. South Florida Fair

When: January 13 - 29, 2023

Where: South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach 

What: South Florida’s most iconic fair is back this January! Spanning over 80,000 square feet, fairgoers young and old can enjoy classic carnival rides, musical performances, shop antiques, and much, much more. 

This is just a glimpse into all the winter events happening in South Florida. You’ll never be without an exciting experience to attend to, meaning lots of holiday fun and quality time with family and friends is to come. 

Happy Holidays!