Family-friendly things to do December 24-27
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24
Miami Children’s Museum: Tropical Christmas Eve Event
’Twas the day before Christmas, and MCM is providing magical moments and fun for the little ones. Create seashell ornaments and Christmas leis, meet a sun-kissed Santa, sing along with Christmas carolers and much more.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday at the Miami Children’s Museum, 980 MacArthur Cswy., Watson Island, Miami; www.miamichildrensmuseum.org; $18, $14 for Florida residents, free for kids under 12 months.
Jungle Island: Wild Holidays
Go wild during the two-week Christmas vacation from school with festive activities such as holiday parades with the park’s wild animal friends, arts & crafts, scavenger hunts through the jungle and much more.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, running through Jan. 3, at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami; 305-400-7000 or www.jungleisland.com; $39.95 adults, $37.95 seniors, $32.95 kids 3-10.
Great Balls Of Fire! Comets, Asteroids And Meteors
Kids will have a blast at this interactive exhibit (open Christmas Day!) learning about these mysterious celestial bodies: Where do they come from, and what are the risks of an eventual impact with Earth? Plus, your little astronaut can climb into a “spaceship” and blast off to Jupiter on a mission to gather data. Add to your out-of-this-world adventure with IMAX 3D: “Hubble 3D,” which takes a close-up look at the famous Hubble Space Telescope; or “Space Station 3D,” about the construction of the International Space Station.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, running through Jan. 3, at the Museum of Discovery and Science, 401 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale; 954-467-6637 or www.mods.org; $14, $12 kids 2-12.
You’re A Foul One: How The Grinch Stole Christmas – The Musical
Last weekend to enjoy this Dr. Seuss classic, which was a big hit on Broadway, inspiring the New York Times to deem it “100 times better than any bedside story.” The tale of the Grinch, whose heart was two sizes too small, and how his plan to steal Christmas from Whoville was thwarted by the townspeople’s utter lack of commercial greed comes to life onstage.
Details: 2 p.m. Thursday; 2, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday; at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Au-Rene Theater, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954-462-0222 or www.browardcenter.org; $35-$85.
Those Lights! Santa’s Enchanted Forest
The world’s largest Christmas theme park is a must-see for kids of all ages, with its millions upon millions of dazzling lights, more than 100 rides, festive music, great food, and South Florida’s tallest Christmas tree.
Details: 5 p.m.-midnight daily, running through Jan. 3, at Santa’s Enchanted Forest (Tropical Park), 7900 SW 40th St., Miami; www.santasenchantedforest.com; $30.84, $21.49 for seniors and kids 3-9.
Live Like Bella: Nights Of Lights
See the magical Pinecrest Gardens transformed into a holiday wonderland illuminated by thousands of sparkling holiday lights in this event presented by Live Like Bella, a foundation for childhood cancer. Enjoy pictures with Santa every night, plus Christmas music, story telling, mechanical rides, pony rides and much more, plus tasty treats available for purchase.
Details: 6-9 p.m. daily, running through Jan. 2, at Pinecrest Gardens, 11000 SW 57th Ave., Pinecrest; www.pinecrestgardens.org; $5, free for 2 and under.
Gold Coast Railroad Museum: The Polar Express
All aboard! Final weekend for this magical, 60-minute train ride that departs the Gold Coast Railroad depot and ventures through the quiet wilderness for a special visit to the North Pole and a meeting with Santa Claus. Guests on board, who are encouraged to wear their PJs, will enjoy warm cocoa and other treats while listening to and reading along with the enchanting classic children’s story.
Details: 6:45 p.m. Thursday; 6:15, 7:45 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday; and 6:15 and 7:45 p.m. Sunday; at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum, 12450 SW 152nd St., Miami; www.gcrm.org; $35; VIP tables also available.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26
Celebrate The Tradition: Miccosukee Indian Arts & Crafts Festival
Learn about Native American entertainment and culture at the 41st-annual gathering that features ceremonial and competitive dancing by multiple tribes, Hoop-Dancer Jasmine Bell, Buffalo Dancers, Snake Dancers, fashion shows, live art painting demonstrations, alligator wrestling, handmade Native American crafts and textiles for sale, and delicious food.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, running daily through Jan. 3, at the Miccosukee Indian Village, Mile Marker 35 (headed west from Miami) on U.S. Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail); www.miccosukee.com/events; $10, $6 seniors and kids 7-12; 6 and under free.
Beyond “Frozen”: Miami International Children’s Film Festival
Third-annual event features Miami premieres of new feature and short films from around the world, plus parties, hands-on workshops for children of all ages, meet-the-filmmakers events, and Family Fun on the Plaza (10:30 a.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. Sunday).
Details: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday through Thursday at the Coral Gables Art Cinema, 260 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables; www.gablescinema.com; check website for titles, show times and prices ($50 pass allows one entry per showing).
Old-Fashioned Fun: Winterland At The Farm
Enjoy the illuminated forest, petting zoo, paddleboat and hay rides, bounce houses, snow, hot chocolate and treats, pony rides and face-painting, plus meet Santa Claus and his magical friends as they stop by every two hours.
Details: 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, running through Jan. 11, at Pinto’s Farm, 14890 SW 216th St., Miami; www.pintofarm.com; $14.
Holiday Laughs: Elf The Musical
This stage adaptation of the 2003 Christmas comedy film starring Will Ferrell as the fish-out-of-water elf Buddy who embarks on a journey to New York City to find the true meaning of Christmas will delight children of all ages.
Details: 4 p.m. Saturday, running through Jan. 16, at the Showtime Performing Arts Theatre, 503 SE Mizner Blvd., Royal Palm Plaza, Boca Raton; www.showtimeboca.com; $14, $10 kids under 12.
Zoo Miami: Zoo Lights
See the Zoo at night like you’ve never seen it before, as half a million animal-shaped lights create a spectacular, festive atmosphere, enhanced by free 3D glasses, hot chocolate and cookies, yuletide carolers and carousel rides.
Details: 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, running through Dec. 30, at Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St., Miami; www.zoomiami.org; $6.95 per person.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27
The Madness Continues: King Mango Strut
The 34th-annual edition of this beloved and infamous parade of the absurd gives 2015 a highly improper and suitably hilarious send-off, highlighting all the crazy shenanigans of the past year. Think of something wacky and outrageous that happened, and you’re almost guaranteed to see it represented.
Details: 2 p.m. Sunday in downtown Coconut Grove, beginning at the corner of Commodore Plaza and Main Highway; www.kingmangostrut.org; free.
Magical Music From The Movies: Disney In Concert
You and your kids love the Disney classics as much for the music as for the iconic characters and classic stories – enjoy a gathering of video clips and four vocalists and an orchestra performing the best selections from films such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “The Lion King,” “Frozen,” plus a “Mary Poppins” medley and the “Yo ho, yo ho” chant from “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
Details: 7 p.m. Sunday at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Knight Concert Hall, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 305-949-6722 or www.arshtcenter.org; $45-$105.
FREE FOR ALL
Plantation Historical Museum: Winter Wonderland
Holiday family event features more than 40 festively adorned trees, Christmas scenes, snowflakes hanging from the ceiling, beloved characters, live music and visits with Santa.
Details: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, running through Jan. 9, at Plantation Historical Museum, 511 N. Fig Tree Ln., Plantation; 954-797-2722 or www.artscalendar.com; free.
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This story was originally published December 23, 2015 at 2:30 AM with the headline "Family-friendly things to do December 24-27."