Festivals & Events
Don’t spend your holidays in the snow and sleet - spend them in Florida, in the sand and sun! Florida has everything you’ll need to celebrate the holidays, from enchanted forests and chalk festivals to medieval fairs, sand sculpting contests, and even snow!
Santa’s Enchanted Forest
October 31 - January 5, 2019
Miami
Celebrate Christmas in paradise! Ranking among the world’s largest holiday theme parks, Santa’s Enchanted Forest features over 100 rides, shows, games, and attractions all held at the Tropical Park in Miami. Experience the Christmas tree light show, festive holiday music, delectable foods from around the world, live shows, and carnival rides to delight all ages that range from slow-going carousels for little tykes to roller coasters and other thrill rides for older children and adults. Go back again and again with a season pass, and skip lines with the Santa’s Express Pass!
santasenchantedforest.com
Sarasota Medieval Fair
November 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, & 30-Dec 1
Sarasota
Sarasota Medieval Fair has has grown from three thrilling weekends in past iterations to now offering four weekends of exciting tournaments, scrumptious feasts, and pure family fun! Gather at the Ringling Woods behind the Sarasota Fairgrounds for favorites such as the Washing Well Wenches, Cast in Bronze, the Human Combat Chess Match, and our returning favorite full-armored full-contact jousting troupe, the Knights of Valour, with tournaments held three times daily! There are also live entertainment acts that change each weekend, so each week offers something different.
sarasotamedievalfair.com
Chalk Festival
November 15 - 18
Venice
View some of the most stunning pieces of art created in a temporary medium at the Chalk Festival. The festival is an annual tradition for art lovers who live in, and regularly visit, Florida. Artists from all over gather on a huge stretch of concrete to draw beautiful pieces in chalk, some of which even look 3D (which is great for photo ops). Not only is each piece unique and fun to see, but some are specifically created to make great selfies. Each year, the festival has a theme, with this year’s being “Garden of Wonders” - celebrating the marvels of the natural world and human imagination. Food and beverage vendors will also be on site.
chalkfestival.org
Siesta Key Crystal Classic
November 15 - 18
Siesta Key
The pure crystal sands of Siesta Key Beach are what make it America’s #1 beach - they’re also what make up the sculptures of the Siesta Key Crystal Classic! Professional sand sculptures from across the globe gather to create magical art pieces out of sand, some over 10 feet tall. This is a professional art competition, with an amateur competition gallery adjacent View the incredible sculptures, take photos, and visit local food and drink vendors right on the beautiful beach.
siestakeycrystalclassic.com
Key West Film Festival
November 20 - 24
Key West
Imagine viewing the passion projects of some of the film world’s greatest minds as you enjoy the tropical beauty of Key West! The Key West Film Festival showcases films that capture the essence of Key West: creativity, diversity, sustainability, and beauty. Through films created by Florida filmmakers, as well as through workshops for visiting and aspiring filmmakers and scholarships for student filmmakers, the Key West Film Festival celebrates the creativity of the human soul.
kwfilmfest.com
Busch Gardens Christmas Town
Select dates November 16 - January 6, 2020
Tampa
The most thrilling Christmas adventure is at the beloved Busch Gardens theme park. Each year it is transformed into a magical Christmas kingdom of twinkling lights, lively music, special holiday shows, and visits to Santa’s House. Children will love visiting the characters from the classic television special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to play games and take photos. The event is included with park admission on select nights. Visit buschgardens.com/tampa to see which dates to visit.
46th Annual Daytona Turkey Run
November 30 - December 1
Daytona Beach
Gentleman, start your engines! A Thanksgiving tradition for more than 40 years, this event at the Daytona International Speedway lets event-goers see over 6,000 vintage, classic, muscle and race cars and trucks for show and for sale. Dance along to a rockabilly band or hit the “Artisan Alley” arts and fashion bazaar for a special gift or memento.
turkeyrun.com
Beach Home for the Holidays
November 29 - 30
Panama City Beach
You’ve heard of being home for the holidays, but you know what’s better” A Beach Home for the Holidays! Hosted in Aaron Bessant Park, this event serves as the site of carol-themed concerts, s'mores, an appearance by Santa and activities for the kids. Friday night will bring an evening full of Christmas cheer featuring the Panama City POPS Orchestra and the lighting of the 100-foot Christmas tree. The festivities will continue Saturday with long-running country music favorites Restless Heart as they perform their holiday themed Seasons of Harmony show.
visitpanamacitybeach.com/holidays
Holidays at LEGOLAND, presented by the Hallmark Channel
Select dates throughout December
Winter Haven
Visit the LEGOLAND Resort to experience a “bricktacular” holiday celebration that every family can enjoy. This jolly time of year features a combination of seasonal shows, special treats, twinkling lights and more. Holidays at LEGOLAND, presented by the Hallmark Channel, is included in general admission to the park. Visit legoland.com to see all event dates.
Art Basel Miami Beach
December 5 - 8
Miami Beach
Art lovers from around the world unite to experience the most inspirational and completely eclectic art anywhere, with leading galleries from all over the world showcasing everything from historical pieces by the masters to modern and contemporary art. Paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and films will all be on display, playing to every art taste. Those who plan to stay a while in Miami Beach should know that Art Basel has spawned many satellite festivals that go on before, during, and after Art Basel.
artbasel.com
Holiday Festival
Islamorada
December 7
Did you know that it snows in the Florida Keys? It does in Islamorada, anyway! The Holiday Festival in Islamorada’s most popular attraction is the Snow Mountain: made out of 30 tons of real, powdery white snow! Children and adults alike are encouraged to climb around the mountain and play. You can also enjoy the parade, special pet parade, cookie contests, a gift bazaar with arts and crafts, live entertainment, and food and drink.
islamoradachamber.com/holiday-fest
Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
December 14
Fort Lauderdale
The “Greatest Show on H20” is the Winterfest Boat Parade, hosted by Seminole Hard Rock. The event offers a fun and festive lighted boat parade that takes place on the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Private boats to the giant showboats and corporate mega-yachts will be adorned with hundreds of thousands of lights, music, entertainment, decorations, celebrities, musical groups, beauty queens and many other exciting entries expected to be viewed by over one million spectators.
winterfestparade.com
Wine and Chocolate Festival
Clermont
December 13 - 15
Two of the culinary world’s greatest loves, wine and chocolate, are celebrated each year at the Lakeridge Winery in Clermont. Gather here to experience the fruits of local chocolatiers, as well as Lakeridge wine and beer, along with winery tours. Enjoy live entertainment and plenty of non-chocolate foods to purchase, as well as arts and crafts by local artisans.
lakeridgewinery.com
Holiday Boat-A-Long
Cape Coral
December 21
Spend a magical evening in Cape Coral as you watch lighted and extravagantly decorated boats parade along the beach of Four Freedoms Park. Enjoy food, music, and even a visit from Santa himself! Starting at dusk, a movie will be shown on the big screen in the park - providing a FREE family night out. Get into the holiday spirit!
capecoralchamber.com
Miccosukee Indian Arts and Crafts Festival
Miami
December 26 - January 1, 2020
Since 1974, the Miccosukee Indian tribe has offered an exceptional Arts and Crafts Festival that celebrates the indigenous culture. Experience the magical color and pageantry of costumed Native Americans from all over the country as they gather at Miami’s Miccosukee Indian Village for a celebration. Enjoy arts, crafts, music, and the vibrant paintings and clothing designed by Native American artisans. The experience is culturally rich, features nonstop entertainment and fun-filled activities for adults and children.
miccosukee.com
Beach Blast Off
December 31 - January 1, 2019
St. Augustine
Ring in the New Year in the Nation’s Oldest City when you celebrate the holiday in St. Augustine. The Beach Blast Off takes place at St. Augustine Beach Pier Park with live music, food and drinks, a kids' zone, and a spectacular fireworks show. The Comfort Zone offers over 30 food vendors and a beer, champagne and wine tent, as local bands provide music and entertainment. Admission to the event is FREE!
sabevents.com/beach-blast-off
