Holiday on the Square
A walk-through light show and video displays create perfect holiday photo ops. Benefits the Children’s Oncology Group.
When: Dec. 5-17
Where: The Center, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs
Cost: $2
Info: 954.344.5990; thecentercs.com
The Colors of Christmas
The 25th anniversary tour celebrates the Christmas spirit. Peabo Bryson, Ruben Studdard, Jody Watley, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. perform Christmas favorites such as “O Holy Night” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
When: Dec. 6, 8 p.m.
Where: Broward Center for Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale
Cost: $49.50-$128.50
Info: browardcenter.org
Holiday Vendor Fair
Bright Horizons hosts shopping, food and more to benefit the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children. Family portraits and photos with Santa Claus available.
When: Dec. 8, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Bright Horizons, 5601 Regency Lakes Blvd., Coconut Creek
Info: 954.481.9500
Handel’s “Messiah”
The Master Chorale of South Florida performs the traditional oratorio.
When: Dec. 8, 8 p.m.
Where: Broward Center for Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale
Cost: $35-$125
Info: browardcenter.org
Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
The annual spectacle billed as “The Greatest Show on H2O,” a Fort Lauderdale tradition for 46 years, presents “Broadway on Parade.” Fully decked boats and yachts will lead an extravagant showcase of music, celebrities, beauty queens and other surprises. The 12-mile parade starts on the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, along the docks west of Stranahan House, then travels east to the Intracoastal Waterway before heading north.
When: Dec. 9, 6:30-11:55 p.m.
Where: 512 NE Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale
Cost: Free
Info: 954.767.0686; winterfestparade.com
Festival of Lights
The Women’s Club of Coconut Creek continues its tradition of selling candle kits to neighbors to decorate their swales. The decades-old concept started in South Creek, but the club is encouraging buyers throughout the city sell kits to neighbors. Kits consist of 12 white bags and 12 votive candles. Proceeds benefit the club’s scholarship fund for Creek students.
When: Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 9-24, 9 a.m.-noon
Where: Community Center, 1100 Lyons Road (Saturdays only); Recreation Complex, 4455 Sol Press Blvd.; Rowe Community Center, 900 NW 43 Ave. (10 a.m.-4 p.m.); Sabal Pines Park, 5005 NW 39th Ave.
Cost: $6 per kit
Info: womensclubcoconutcreek.com
Gingerbread Holiday Concert
Lynn University’s Philharmonia plays the sounds of the season at its 15th annual holiday concert. This year’s event includes an appearance by Elsa from Disney’s “Frozen” as well as music from the film and photos with Santa Claus. Proceeds benefit the Lynn Conservatory of Music’s efforts to provide scholarships to student musicians.
When: Dec. 10; 2 p.m. photos with Santa ; 3 p.m. concert
Where: Great Club at Boca Raton Resort and Club, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton
Cost: $35
Info: events.lynn.edu; 561.237.9000
Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt
Coconut Creek invites children ages 3 to 8 to don their pajamas and find candy canes hidden around the park. Children also decorate a bag and watch a holiday movie. Parent participation is mandatory.
Where: Community Center, 1100 Lyons Road
When: Dec. 11, 6:30-8 p.m.
Cost: $10 for residents; $15 for nonresidents
Registration: Through Dec. 8; first come, first served
Info: 954.545.6670
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
Celebrate the Festival of Lights by enjoying the warm glow of a large menorah.
When: Dec. 12, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Promenade at Coconut Creek, 4443 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek
Cost: Free
Info: promenadeatcoconutcreek.com
Chanukah Dinner and Show
Enjoy the comedic stylings of standup comedian and writer Joel Chasnoff, who has performed at more than 1,000 Jewish events in 10 countries.
Where: Temple Beth Am, 7205 Royal Palm Blvd., Margate
When: Dec. 12, 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Dinner and show, $75 adults and $36 students; dinner-only, $35 adults and $18 students; show-only, $50 adults and $18 students
Info: beth-am.org
Youth Winter Craft Workshop
Children ages 5 to 11 may create winter holiday crafts to take home. Register online at coconutcreek.net/webtrac.
Where: Community Center, 1100 Lyons Road
When: Dec. 14, 5:30-7 p.m.
Cost: $15 residents; $20 nonresidents
Info: 954.545.6631; coconutcreek.net
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
The group has been a favorite for new and classic Christmas music. They present a new take on their classic “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” a rock opera featuring Christmas and fan favorites such as “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Music Box Blues.”
When: Dec. 15, 8 p.m.
Where: BB&T Center, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise
Cost: Starting at $32
Info: thebbtcenter.com
George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker”
After 27 years, Miami City Ballet revives its holiday tradition with brand new sets and costumes designed by Isabel and Ruben Toledo. A live orchestra brings Tchaikovsky’s classic music to life as the company performs the beloved story of a little girl who enters a world of magic, swordfights and sugar plum fairies.
When: Dec. 15-24
Where: Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
Cost: Starting at $40
Info: arshtcenter.org
Winter Wonderland
The city hosts a party for all ages with games, crafts and a holiday movie and activities such as dancing, story time, snow room and an iceless skating rink. Food trucks also will be available.
When: Dec. 15, 5-9 p.m.
Where: Recreation Complex, 4455 Sol Press Blvd.
Cost: $5
Registration: Online through Dec. 13
Info: coconutcreek.net/events
Y100’s Jingle Ball
An annual favorite, Y100 brings hot pop music acts for holiday fun. This year, the lineup includes Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Halsey, Charlie Puth, Camila Cabello, Liam Payne, Julia Michaels, Logic and Why Don’t We.
When: Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Where: BB&T Center, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise
Cost: Starting at $46
Info: thebbtcenter.com
Chanukah Fair on Las Olas
The Downtown Jewish Center Chabad hosts its annual fair featuring rides, food, entertainment and a menorah lighting.
When: Dec. 17, noon-5 p.m.
Where: Huizenga Plaza, 32 E. Las Olas Blvd.
Cost: Fees for food and rides
Info: downtownjewish.com
“A Rockapella Christmas”
Christmas and soothing harmonies go together, and Rockapella delivers during its return to South Florida. Expect cheer and the a capella group’s usual humor to be on full display.
When: Dec. 22, 7 p.m.
Where: The Center, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs
Cost: $30.74-$41.34
Info: thecentercs.com
Holiday Fantasy of Lights
South Floridians drive their cars through 3 miles of dazzling light displays at this annual tradition.
When: Nightly through Jan. 1, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Road
Cost: $16 a car; $11 on value nights (Dec. 5-6 and 12-13); 3-D experience is $3 for three pairs of glasses
Info: holidaylightsdrivethru.com
