Twinkling palms & coastal parades: Unwrap your Florida holiday road map
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Florida stages major holiday attractions: theme parks, parades, garden light shows.
- Orlando and Miami offer expanded ice rinks, holiday parks and nightly fireworks.
- Historic towns prioritize walking tours, carriage rides and park-and-ride shuttles.
Sure, you could head somewhere cold for the holidays, but who says you need snow to feel the magic?
In Florida, twinkling lights wrap around palm trees, boat parades glide across the water, and historic towns and luxe resorts transform into winter wonderlands. From festive beach towns to Victorian holiday festivals, Florida delivers serious seasonal spirit — with way better weather. Head further north, and you’ll even get a taste of cooler temps to round out the wintry vibe.
Skate into the season in Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a cherished holiday haven for Disney fans who look forward to the over-the-top holiday celebrations at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, which include fireworks, parades, festive events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, which highlights Christmas traditions around the world.
But if you want silent nights away from the crowds — yet still relish all the festive feels — the 500-acre Grande Lakes Orlando is home to two properties that offer a tranquil oasis and are also primed for holiday adventures: The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes.
This season, they’re launching a new ice rink on The Ritz-Carlton’s Da Vinci Lawn — the only resort ice rink in Orlando. When you’re done skating, huddle by the firepit near the rink to enjoy gourmet bites.
The ice rink is open from Nov. 27 – Jan. 3, 2025, from 5–9 p.m.
The biggest holiday show on the water in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is famous for its boating and yachting lifestyle, so it only makes sense that the city goes all out for holidays on the waterways with The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade. In its 54th year, the boat parade starts in the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale and weaves a 12-mile path to Pompano Beach. You’ll see yachts and boats decked out in themes, lights and even musical performances — every year the boat show outdoes itself with over-the-top floats and celebrity sightings. Crowds gather along the parade route (for free), reserve tables at waterside restaurants, or buy tickets for the Winterfest Parade Viewing Area. Another tip is to stay at waterside hotels like the Riverside Hotel or the Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale, where you can watch the parade go by from your balcony.
The Winterfest Boat Parade is 6 p.m. Dec. 13, 2025
Get a glow up in historic St. Augustine, Florida
The nation’s oldest city of St. Augustine, Florida, is a glow-getter during the holidays with its annual Nights of Lights, where almost every square inch of the historic town is aglow in millions of tiny white lights. There are many ways to see the light show, from simply walking around (free and no tickets required), to cuddling up in a romantic carriage ride, to hopping on the Old Town Trolley’s Famous Nights of Lights Tour. Another way to peep at the lights is from the water on a boat tour. We suggest Florida Water Tours, which offers different tours and boats, including their new custom-built Great Blue Heron catamaran that’s great for families. Nights of Lights is a popular event that draws thousands of people each year, and the area gets extremely congested. We suggest downloading the Nights of Lights app for event details and maps and using the free Park & Ride shuttle.
Nights of Lights runs Nov. 15, 2025 – Jan. 11, 2026
Embrace the circus spirit & seasonal lights in Sarasota, Florida
Known as the “Circus Capital of the World,” Sarasota feels like a big top of excitement at the holidays. The season kicks off on Nov. 8, 2025, when famous daredevil Nik Wallenda walks a highwire to light a 50-foot Christmas tree at University Town Center — and Santa arrives to great fanfare in a parade. Enjoy light shows, carriage rides, ice skating and more through Jan. 4, 2026.
Dramatically set along Sarasota’s bayfront, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is always a natural looker — but the gardens truly transform into a gorgeous spectacle during the annual Lights in Bloom celebration. The gardens are draped in more than two million lights, featuring everything from glowing butterflies and flowers and illuminated animals like flamingos. Visitors can enjoy festive entertainment, photo ops and the beloved Wishing Tree tradition.
Lights in Bloom runs Dec. 6, 2025 – Jan. 3, 2026.
Victorian beauty in Amelia Island, Florida
Another serene Florida city worthy of a magical vacation steeped in holiday traditions is Amelia Island. You’ll feel as if you’ve been transported into a dreamy fairytale as soon as you pass under the moss-draped trees and smell the salt air. The most notable holiday event is the Dickens on Centre Festival, where downtown Fernandina Beach is transformed into a Victorian backdrop inspired by “A Christmas Carol.” Everyone gets in on the literary act, with costumed characters and immersive theater. Peruse the open-air Christmas market for gifts, and don’t miss the Illuminated Lantern Procession, where you’ll stroll the historic district with some kind of glowing or twinkling light. There’s also the new Enchanted Village Snow Globe Experience where you can huddle up in a decked-out snow globe for 75 minutes to eat, drink, and be merry.
Dickens on Centre Festival runs Dec. 11–14, 2025.
Holiday hangs in West Palm Beach, Florida
When The Ben, Autograph Collection hotel in West Palm debuted its ice-skating rink last year, it was a hit, drawing more than 30,000 skaters. This year, they’re going even bigger with an expanded ice rink and a grove of decorated trees — perfect for photo opps. Look for themed weekends like Live Music Saturdays, Santa Sundays, and special days to wear your best ugly sweater. You can also wander through Aspen-style chalets with retail shops and hit up the holiday bar for hot chocolate, s’mores and seasonal treats. The hotel is also across the street from Sandi, the world’s largest holiday tree made entirely of sand.
Skating rink runs daily from Nov. 1, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026.
Shine bright in tropical Miami, Florida
Yes, even Miami can feel like the holidays — though the temperatures may feel more like summer or fall (and no one’s complaining about that). If you’re looking for a family-friendly extravaganza, put Christmas Wonderland on your holiday bucket list. It’s the largest holiday attraction in the U.S.
You’ll enter through an LED archway called The Wonder Portal, which leads to a half-mile of synchronized light displays and six immersive holiday worlds. There’s everything from a nostalgic Town Square — straight out of a classic holiday movie, complete with a tree farm and vintage truck displays — to Toy Town, filled with oversized toys, rides, and entertainment for kids. Expect winter surprises like snow in Miami, and Santa’s Village with reindeer stables, elf workshops, and photos with the big man of the season.
All eyes will be on the sky for a fireworks display every Friday at 10 p.m., and one of the most popular attractions is the carnival, featuring more than 50 rides and the largest traveling Ferris wheel in North America, offering panoramic views of the park.
Christmas Wonderland runs Nov. 13, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026.
Another beloved Miami holiday tradition is NightGarden at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, where you can wander the garden’s 83 acres after dark to gawk at glowing art installations sprouting from trees and water, synchronized laser shows, and take part in whimsical, immersive experiences. Even adults will be in awe of a talking tree that comes to life and a hidden path where playful fairies flit about. Have your cameras ready — there are plenty of photo-worthy moments.
NightGarden runs Nov. 7, 2025 – Jan. 11, 2026.
This story was originally published November 5, 2025 at 1:33 PM.
