Most years, Christmas decorations in towns across Florida are out before the Thanksgiving turkey has even been carved.
Some towns may hang some tinsel and call it being festive, but other cities go all out and turn the holidays into a monthlong celebration that sometimes spans into the next year.
During these holiday-themed events the whole city celebrates for weeks straight with caroling, eggnog, snow, appearances from Santa and more in the local parks and downtown areas.
If you want to get holly jolly this December, the celebrations below are the best bet for you:
Nov. 25- Dec. 20: Key West Holiday Fest, Key West. Live holiday music, games for the kids, free cookies and eggnog, holiday cheer and a chance for photos with Santa highlight this event. Created as a gift to the community, the gala is produced by the Key West Bight Preservation Association and tenants of the Key West Bight. 305-304-2633. www.keywestchristmas.org
Nov. 16 – Jan. 1: Space Coast Light Fest, Melbourne. The Space Coast Lightfest is a holiday themed drive-through event held at Wickham Park. It is a family-oriented celebration featuring shimmering lights and dazzling animated displays drawing more than 15,000 vehicles annually. 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne. 321-576-7556. www.spacecoastlightfest.com
Nov. 28 – Dec. 31: Now Snowing Nightly, Celebration. Celebration Town Center hosts nightly snow falls at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m., along with photos with Santa, strolling holiday carolers, an ice rink, horse-drawn carriages and special events. 407-566-4007. celebrationtowncenter.com
Nov. 15 – Dec. 31: Festival of Lights at Fishermen’s Village, Punta Gorda. Festival of Lights at Fishermen’s Village, Punta Gorda. Lighting of the Village kicks off on Nov. 15. View more than one million lights and themed decorations through the Village daily through Dec. 31. Music, food and vists with Santa. 941-639-8721. www.fishville.com
Dec. 3 – 31: Visit the Famous 100 ft Christmas Tree, Boynton Beach. Open daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tree opens at 1 p.m. Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. $1 donation suggested. Ice skating rink $7 per 45-minute session. Visit Santa $12 for commemorative photo, $20 for a fast pass to see Santa. www.100ftchristmastree.com
Nov. 21 – Jan. 31: Nights of Lights Festival and Celebration, St. Augustine. This inspiring display of more than two million tiny white lights adorning the palm trees and buildings throughout the city’s historic district is based on a custom by the town’s original Spanish colonists, who placed a white candle in their windows to brighten the nights during the Christmas holidays. Among special events and activities awaiting visitors: nighttime tours of ancient buildings and inns led by storytellers in period clothing, rollicking train and trolley tours through the narrow brick streets, art walks, a dazzling regatta, Florida ice skating, luminaries in the town plaza, holiday concerts and a Christmas parade. 800-653-2489. www.NightsofLights.com
Dec. 4 – 31: Festival of Lights, White Springs. At Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, the state park holiday celebration features more than four million lights throughout the park, open each evening until 8:30 p.m., except Christmas Night, Dec. 25. Visitors can enjoy award-winning holiday sights and sounds throughout the park. Unique holiday light displays include majestic oak trees decorated with thousands of lights, an antebellum Museum dressed in full holiday splendor, a gingerbread village, a candy cane forest, Santa’s runway and much more. Entrance fee: $3 per person. Children under 3 are free. 877-635-3655. http://www.floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster
Dec. 4-31: Annual Christmas Light Canal Tours, Punta Gorda. In this picturesque area on Florida’s Southwest Gulf Coast, residents deck the decks, docks, seawalls, ship’s masts, palm trees, anything and everything that can be festooned with holiday lights, and then rejoice in the kaleidoscope of colorful displays. By lighted boat, or by bicycle, tours take in 50-foot Christmas trees, snowmen, Santa’s sleighs, and even more elaborate holiday vignettes as residents revel in this holiday tradition with brilliant light displays on decks, lanais and along the waterways. Cruise the canals of Punta Gorda to experience this family tradition with spectacular illumination of community holiday spirit. King Fisher Fleet at Fishermen’s Village. Adults $17, children 3-11 $8.50. Call for reservations. 941-639-0969. www.kingfisherfleet.com/cruises-christmas
