Wonderland
11/23–12/31
Where: Las Olas Oceanside Park
When: Times vary, typically through the day
How much: Free
More information: theloopflb.com
The beachside park is transformed into a sub-tropical holiday town with different themed events including The Grinch Who Rocked Christmas (December 2 through 5), Nutcracker & Sweets (December 9 through 12) and Let’s Jingle and Flamingle (December 16 through 19.) There will be children’s activities, live music and dance, games and contests, strolling characters and holiday markets. There’s also a toy drive December 16 through 19.
12/1
Handel’s Messiah
Where: The Parker
When: 7:30pm
How much: $15–$95
More information: parkerplayhouse.com
The South Florida Symphony Orchestra presents the holiday masterpiece.
Dave Koz
Where: The Broward Center
When: 8pm
How much: $49–$199
More information: browardcenter.org
The jazz saxophonist brings his Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour to town.
12/2
Movies by Moonlight: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Where: Las Olas Oceanfront Park
When: 6:30pm
How much: Free
More information: theloopflb.com
Bring blankets and a picnic to watch the Jim Carrey live-action version of the Dr. Seuss classic.
12/3
Holiday Magic Soirée
Where: The Bonnet House
When: 7pm
How much: $85 (general admission), $125 (VIP)
More information: bonnethouse.org
Kick off the holidays at the Bonnet House with a dinner and party catered by A Alexander Events and featuring a live performance by the Rockettes, holiday music and lots of festive fun.
12/3–4
Symphony of the Americas: Holidays of the Americas
Where: The Broward Center
When: 7:45pm (12/3–4), 2pm (12/4)
How much: $35–$75
More information: browardcenter.org
Guest conductor William Garfield Walker leads the symphony, the Girl Choir of South Florida and the Florida Singing Sons on a musical holiday tour.
12/4
Holiday Magic Whimsical Wonderland
Where: The Bonnet House
When: 5:30pm–8pm
How much: Adult $30 (includes 2 drink tickets), ages 13–17 $15, ages 6–12 $5, ages 5 & younger free
More information: bonnethouse.org
A scavenger hunt, characters from new holiday book Pomp, Snow and Cirqueumstance, family holiday portraits and letters to Santa are some of the family-friendly fun on offer.
12/8–10
Holiday Magic Evening Experiences
Where: The Bonnet House
When: 6pm–8pm
How much: Adult $30 (includes 2 drink tickets), ages 13–17 $15, ages 6–12 $5, ages 5 and under free
More information: bonnethouse.org
There’s different festival musical entertainment each night as well as drinks and self-guided tours of the festively decorated landmark.
12/9
Movies by Moonlight: Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Where: Las Olas Oceanfront Park
When: 6:30pm
How much: Free
More information: theloopflb.com
Pack a picnic and watch the film fairy tale based on the ballet.
12/10-12
Miami City Ballet: George Ballanchine’s Nutcracker
Where: The Broward Center
When: 7pm (12/10–11), 2pm (12/11), 1pm (12/12)
How much: $34-$145
More information: browardcenter.org
Miami City Ballet’s interpretation of the Christmas classic has become a South Florida tradition.
12/10–11
Elf the Musical
Where: The Broward Center
When: 7:30pm (12/10–11), 2pm (12/11)
How much: $20
More information: browardcenter.org
The Performance Project Theater Company and School of the Arts stages the musical version of the popular Christmas film.
12/11
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
Where: Along the New River and Intracoastal
When: 6:30pm–8:30pm
How much: Free, although various paid VIP seating is available along the route
More information: winterfestparade.com
The granddaddy of Fort Lauderdale holiday events is back for a 50th year. Running from the Stranahan House in downtown to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach, the parade will feature everything from mega-yachts to family boats, all decked out for the season. There’s also a downtown pre-show featuring non-motorized vessels at 6pm.
Holly Dolly Christmas
Where: The Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center on the Nova Southeastern University campus
When: 8pm
How much: $30–$45
More information: browardcenter.org
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers tribute artists Becca Braxxon and Tim Sells lead a holiday show full of well-known hits, holiday favorites and surprises.
12/12
Darlene Love
Where: The Parker
When: 7pm
How much: $37.50–$67.50
More information: parkerplayhouse.com
The Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame member sings her hits and holiday classics in her Love for the Holidays tour.
12/16
Movies by Moonlight: Believe
Where: Las Olas Oceanfront Park
When: 6:30pm
How much: Free
More information: theloopflb.com
Pack snacks and picnic blankets to watch the tale of Matthew, who’s not making any friends running the local Christmas pageant, and Clarence, the boy who might just make him understand what’s really important.
12/17-19
Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida: The Nutcracker
Where: The Parker
When: 7:30pm (12/17), 7pm (12/18), 3pm (12/19)
How much: $26.75-$46.75
More information: parkerplayhouse.com
Ballet Master Vladimir Issaev choreographs and directs the classic.
12/21
Jonathan Antoine’s Christmasland Live
Where: The Parker
When: 7:30pm
How much: $35.50–$148
More information: parkerplayhouse.com
The tenor, who first gained fame on Britain’s Got Talent, brings a diverse selection of festive music.
12/22
Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer: The Musical
Where: The Broward Center
When: 7pm
How much: $29.50-$109.50
More information: browardcenter.org
The annual TV classic gets new life as a stage musical.
Bee Gees Christmas
Where: The Parker
When: 8pm
How much: $39.50–$67.50
More information: parkerplayhouse.com
Get funky with a seasonal tribute act to the brothers Gibb.
12/24
Friday Night Sound Waves Christmas Eve Concert
Where: Las Olas Oceanfront Park
When: 6:30pm
How much: Free; VIP experience for 4 is $100
More information: theloopflb.com
Ring in Christmas with salt, sand and Sinatra courtesy of Frank Sinatra tribute act Jeff Grainger and the Hoboken 11. In addition to classic Old Blue Eyes hits, the band will perform holiday classics.
12/25
Peter Mayer’s Stars and Promises
Where: Las Olas Oceanfront Park
When: 7pm
How much: free (general admission), $10 (child reserved seating), $25 (adult reserved seating), $80 (VIP). Tickets required for all, including free general admission
More information: theloopflb.com
Jimmy Buffett’s longtime lead guitarist is also an accomplished singer-songwriter, and his holiday-themed Stars and Promises tour is lively holiday fun.
12/26–27
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Where: The Broward Center
When: 7pm (12/26), 2pm and 8pm (12/27)
How much: $29–$69
More information: browardcenter.org
Circus artistry meets musical theater fun in a holiday-themed spectacle.
12/26
A Very Countess Christmas
Where: The Parker
When: 8pm
More information: parkerplayhouse.com
Real Housewives of New York star Luann de Lesseps, aka Countess Luann, gets seasonal.
12/28
A Drag Queen Christmas: The Naughty Tour
Where: The Parker
When: 8pm
How much: $57.59–$168.87
More information: parkerplayhouse.com
Reality show drag stars hit the stage for an evening of over-the-top fun.
12/31
Friday Night Sound Waves with the Goodnicks
Where: Las Olas Oceanfront Park
When: 6:30pm–12:30am
How much: Free
More information: theloopflb.com
Enjoy live genre-crossing music from the Goodnicks, a laser light show and midnight ball drop sponsored by the Elbo Room and watch New York’s Times Square festivities on big screens.
