Top 2014 Holiday Events In South Florida
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
Intracoastal Waterways along A1A in Fort Lauderdale
512 N.E. 3rd Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 767-0686
www.winterfestparde.com
Date: Dec. 13, 2014
After 43 years of dazzling lights adorning sea behemoths, The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade is back for another year of spectacular displays. This one-of-a-kind parade takes place on the intracoastal waterway along A1A and features yachts and personal boats decorated in Christmas lights. This year's theme is "TV's Greatest Hits" and you can watch the entire show for free, dine at a restaurant along the parade route or pay to sit in the grandstand area. For just $35, you can even enter your own boat and be apart of the festivities. It's going to be a luminescent light show that will light up the night and your smiles!
Christmas On Las Olas
Las Olas Blvd.
E. Las Olas Blvd From 6th Ave to 11th Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 258-8382
www.lasolasboulevard.com
Date: Dec. 2, 2014
If you've ever viewed the Rockefeller skating rink in New York and wished you could get a little of that at home without traveling hundreds of miles, you're in luck. Fort Lauderdale is hosting its annual Christmas On Las Olas for the 52nd year and attendance is expected to attract over 40,000 attendees. The event is totally free and guests can partake in the holiday spirit by listening to carolers, sledding down a snow-covered slope, watching a Christmas film or ice skating. That's not bad for a town that usually has Christmas activities like swimming and tanning at the beach.
Deering Holiday Wonderland
Deering Estate
16701 S.W. 72nd Ave.
Miami, FL 33157
(305) 235-1668
www.deeringestate.org
Date: Dec. 1-31, 2014
Winter wonderlands are nice but they are also extremely cold. Take a stroll through the palatial Deering Estate and transport yourself into a Christmas fantasy with 600 yards of ribbon, 900 feet of garland and handcrafted wreaths that will take your breath away. Guided tours of the estate house and natural areas are available and the cost is included in the price of admission ($12 for adults, $7 for children). It's a great way to enjoy a quiet escape from everyday life.
(Source: http://www.arshtcenter.org/)
Colors of Christmas
Adrienne Arsht Center - Knight Concert Hall
1300 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33132
(305) 949-6722
www.arshtcenter.org
Date: Dec. 11, 2014
The Adrienne Arsht Center hosts some of R&B's greats in a night full of christmas carols and soulful favorites. Peabo Bryson, Rubben Studdard, Jennifer Holliday and Taylor Dane take the stage to serenade you with crossover powerhouse ballads like "And I Am Telling You" from "Dreamgirls" and "If Ever You're In My Arms Again." Tickets start at $39 and demand is expected to be high. This is one event where it's perfectly okay to leave the kids at home.
George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker"
Adrienne Arsht Center
1300 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33132
(305) 949-6722
www.miamicityballet.org
Date: Dec. 12-30, 2014
George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker" is a timeless classic that crosses all age barriers to delight and inspire wonder. Now you have several opportunities to watch this ballet treasure over and over again. The Miami City Ballet will be performing at the Adrienne Arsht Center, the Broward Center and the Kravis Center all throughout the month of December. Tickets start at $25 and afternoon shows are available. It's a small price to pay to watch sugarplums dancing in your little girl's eyes.
Niema Hulin was born in Newark, NJ but raised in Lexington, South Carolina for the bulk of her formative years. In 2002, she moved to Miami after graduating from the University of Florida. Since then, Niema has worked in film, television and commercials as a Production Assistant and Production Coordinator. Some of her films have included Bad Boys II and I Am Number IV. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
