Traffic alert: How not to get caught in gridlock at these South Florida events
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade sets sail on a theme called Yacht Rock of Ages this year.
But it’s not all about the water. The 54th annual event also has impact on land.
As the boats wind their way through Fort Lauderdale’s New River starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 13, shut-down roads and bridges in the up position mean a no-go for drivers in cars and trucks.
The Lauderdale boat parade isn’t the only holiday event that will affect traffic in South Florida neighborhoods in December.
- There’s the 63rd Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce Holiday Boat Parade along the Intracoastal on Dec 12.
- The 77th annual Junior Orange Bowl Parade along Miracle Mile in Coral Gables on Dec. 14.
- And Miami Outboard Club’s 26th annual Holiday Boat Parade on Dec. 20.
So, take our advice: If you’re not heading to and from these events, just stay away.
Here’s a rundown to help you plan ahead for the two with the biggest traffic impacts — Winterfest and Junior Orange Bowl parades:
Winterfest Boat Parade
The Winterfest Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 13 is a South Florida tradition drawing more than a million viewers who gather along a 12-mile route along the New River from Stranahan House east to the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale, and north to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach, to watch seasonally decorated boats and yachts sail along the waterways.
Winterfest has been around since 1971, the year holiday perennial “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story” premiered on CBS and introduced America to television’s “The Waltons” family. This year’s version features ‘90s R&B singer Montell Jordan (”This Is How We Do It”) and visual artist Romero Brito as co-grand marshals.
Here are the road and bridge closures:
- 8 a.m.-10 p.m.: Southeast Fourth Street will be closed between Southeast Sixth to Eighth avenues.
- 6 a.m-11:30 p.m.: Las Olas Circle surrounding the Las Olas Promenade Park will be closed for local access only.
- 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.: Seventh Avenue Bridge.
- 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.: FEC Railroad Bridge.
- 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.: Andrews Avenue Bridge.
- 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.: Third Avenue Bridge.
- 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.: Las Olas Boulevard Bridge.
- 7 p.m.-9 p.m.: Sunrise Boulevard Bridge.
- 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.: Oakland Park Boulevard Bridge.
- 8 p.m.-11 p.m.: Commercial Boulevard Bridge.
People gather along the route, but for a good view and several bucks you can watch the procession in the Parade Viewing Area at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park at 80 Las Olas Circle. It’ll cost you $40 for adults and $35 for children ages 12 and younger. Chairs will be provided.
The parade will be also be streamed live via Winterfest’s Facebook and YouTube pages and later broadcast at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 on WSVN-Channel 7. Visit WinterfestParade.com.
Junior Orange Bowl Parade
This year’s Junior Orange Bowl Parade celebrates a tradition begun 77 years ago in 1948.
The route takes over Miracle Mile, the downtown heart of Coral Gables, from LeJeune Road, Southwest 42nd Avenue, to Douglas Road on Southwest 37th Avenue starting at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. But people start taking their spots along the sidewalks on both sides of the Mile about two hours before the parade starts.
Nearby streets including sections of Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Aragon Avenue, and adjacent side streets close earlier in the day to accommodate staging areas for the participants and open after the two-hour parade wraps.
This story was originally published December 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
