Best time to go to Fort Lauderdale, FL

Christmas Lights in Fort Lauderdale 2024-2025

Holiday lights in Fort Lauderdale tantalize and astonish its citizens and tourists

Dates: mid-November–early January

Christmas Lights in Fort Lauderdale
Christmas Lights in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, a city on Florida's southeastern coast, is famous for its beaches and boating canals. During the holiday season, it's especially beautiful and bright—its citizens definitely know how to celebrate Christmas. We've put together the best Christmas lights in Fort Lauderdale that impress and excite. Check them out!

Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade (December 16, 2023)

This exquisite Christmas lights show in Fort Lauderdale kick-starts South Florida's holiday season. It features all kinds of festively decorated boats and is claimed to be one of the world's most-watched boat parades. Starting at 6:30 pm in downtown Fort Lauderdale, it moves along the New River to the intercostal waterway, north to Pompano Beach, and finishes at 8:30 pm at Lake Santa Barbara. The best places to watch Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade are Bridges, the Riverside Hotel, Downtowner Saloon, and other locations along the 12-mile (19-km) parade route. If you want to join the parade, the entry fees start at $35.

Symphony in Lights (November–December, unconfirmed in 2023)

Symphony in Lights is a wonderful display in the open-air lifestyle center held by Gulfstream Park near Fort Lauderdale. You have a chance to experience over 250,000 LED lights set to the holiday music, enjoy shopping, dining, and exciting entertainment at Gulfstream Park Village's open-air location. A 10-minute light show begins every hour from 6 pm to 11 pm. The Symphony in Lights kick-off event is open to the public on Saturday, November 13, from 7 pm to 10 pm.

CHRISTmas Lights in the Acres (late November–late December, unconfirmed in 2023)

Another Christmas light show near Fort Lauderdale is one of the best holiday light displays in South Florida you can see for free. CHRISTmas Lights in the Acres occupies two main areas of Plantation Baptist Church. The first features a few kid-oriented light shows, while the second has a light show synchronized with the festive music. This Fort Lauderdale holiday lights extravaganza is open from 6 pm to 10 pm on different days from November to December.

Drive-Thru Christmas Lights in Fort Lauderdale (November 22, 2023–January 1, 2024)

This holiday lights drive-thru event is about to brighten up your year and help you immerse yourself into a wonderful holiday atmosphere. The 3-mile (5-km) route features numerous static and animated light displays and irradiated trees you can enjoy right from your car. The Holiday Fantasy of Lights takes place at Tradewinds Park and is open from 6 pm to 10 pm nightly. The ticket prices start from $20 per vehicle.

Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin