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Holiday Lights in South Florida 2026 (Kid-Friendly)

Dates checked against official sites on Oct 19, 2026. Times change, so confirm before you go.

No snow, no problem. South Florida does the holidays with drive-thru light shows, glowing gardens, beachside tree lightings and Santa arriving by boat. This guide covers Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade, sorted by county and by kind of outing, so you can pick something close to home that fits your little one's bedtime.

A few quick tips before you go:

  • Drive-thrus are the toddler-easy option. Pajamas on, car seat buckled, and the show comes to you.
  • Walk-through gardens and zoos usually need timed tickets. Buy ahead for December weekends.
  • City tree lightings are mostly free and over by 8 or 9 PM. Many have a kids' zone, a Santa visit and food trucks.
  • It's still Florida. Pack bug spray and water, and check the radar. Some events go on rain or shine; others cancel.

Palm Beach County (30)Broward County (32)Miami-Dade County (14)

Palm Beach County (30)

From the Palm Beach Zoo's after-dark lights to a 100-foot tree in downtown Delray and a drive-thru at Okeeheelee Park, Palm Beach County has a holiday night out within a short drive of most neighborhoods.

  • Big displays: Zoo Lights at Palm Beach Zoo (select nights Nov 20–Jan 3; some nights are adults-only, so check the calendar). Lights 4 Hope Drive-Thru at Okeeheelee Park ($25 per car for up to 8 people; set nights Nov 27–Dec 27; closed Christmas Eve). The Delray Beach 100-Ft Christmas Tree is open daily 10 AM–9 PM with a suggested $1 donation.
  • Lanterns and snow: ILUMINA at Mounts Botanical Garden (select nights Nov 18–Jan 17; more than 500 silk lanterns; prices not posted yet). Nightly Snowfall at CityPlace (nightly Nov 14–Dec 31 at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 PM, weather permitting).
  • Free tree lightings: West Palm Beach lights its sand tree, Sandi, on Thu Dec 3 (6–10 PM, Waterfront Commons). Boca, Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington, Jupiter, Lake Worth Beach and Juno Beach all hold their own; see the list below.
  • Parades: Lake Worth Beach, Wellington and Jupiter have street parades, and Palm Beach and Wellington have boat parades. Check start times; earlier ones suit toddlers best.

Light displays & drive-thrus (6)

Tree lightings, menorah lightings & one-night festivals (14)

Parades & boat parades (5)

Santa, brunches, shows & kids parties (5)

West Palm BeachBoca RatonDelray BeachBoynton BeachJupiterWellingtonPalm Beach GardensRoyal Palm BeachLake WorthGreenacresJuno BeachNorth Palm Beach

Broward County (32)

Broward has the region's longest-running drive-thru and a whole series of free Fort Lauderdale "Light Up" nights.

  • Big display: Holiday Fantasy of Lights at Tradewinds Park, Coconut Creek. Nightly Nov 21–Jan 2, 6–10 PM, holidays included. $34 per standard car at the gate (cheaper online) and restrooms midway.
  • Walk-through lights: Winter Wonderland at Flamingo Gardens in Davie (nightly Nov 21–Dec 30, 5:30–9:30 PM; closed Thanksgiving, Dec 24 and Dec 25; $24 ages 12+, $17 ages 3–11, under 3 free; timed tickets).
  • Fort Lauderdale "Light Up" series (all free, City of Fort Lauderdale): Light Up Lauderdale, Thu Nov 5, Esplanade Park; Light Up the Galt, Thu Nov 12; Light Up the Beach, Thu Nov 19, Las Olas Oceanside Park; Light Up Sistrunk, Fri Dec 4; Light Up Carter Park, Fri Dec 11. Most run about 5–8:30 PM with a kids' zone, and the lighting is around 6:30–7 PM, early enough for little ones.
  • More free city nights: Sunrise Light Up the Holidays (Sat Dec 5, 5–9 PM, drone show at 9) and Coral Springs Light Up the Lawn (Sat Dec 5, 5:30–9:30 PM; no lawn chairs). Plus Dania Beach, Hollywood, Hallandale, Pompano, Deerfield, Wilton Manors and more below.
  • Plantation Walk Holiday Nights: select nights Nov 27–Dec 24, 5–9 PM, with Santa on select nights.

Light displays & drive-thrus (3)

Tree lightings, menorah lightings & one-night festivals (18)

Parades & boat parades (2)

Santa, brunches, shows & kids parties (9)

Fort LauderdaleCoconut CreekCoral SpringsSunrisePlantationHollywoodPompano BeachDeerfield BeachDania BeachWilton ManorsTamaracWestonDavie

Miami-Dade County (14)

Miami-Dade goes big, with zoo lights, a botanical-garden night walk and a full Christmas carnival.

  • Zoo Lights at Zoo Miami: select nights Nov 27–Dec 30, 6:30–10 PM, tree lighting on opening night. Separate ticket sold online only, and it's expected to sell out.
  • NightGarden at Fairchild: select evenings Nov 7–Jan 11. Fairchild's daytime A Very Merry Garden (Dec 1–Jan 4) has Santa on Dec 6, 13, 20 and 22, which is easier for nap schedules.
  • Luminosa at Jungle Island: Nov 13–Jan 10, from 5:30 PM nightly (until 9:30 PM Sun–Thu, 10:30 PM Fri–Sat). Tickets from $25.90 adults / $17.90 kids, sold on Fever.
  • Christmas Wonderland at Tropical Park: Nov 12–Jan 4, evenings, with free parking and a trolley.
  • Nights of Lights at Pinecrest Gardens: select nights Dec 4–27, 6:30–10 PM, rain or shine.
  • The Berry Farm Winter Festival in the Redland: Nov 27–Jan 3, tickets $14–$23 by date, parking included.
  • Free: Miami Beach Holiday Festival of Lights (light projections on Ocean Drive, Dec 12, 13, 19 and 20) and tree lightings in Hialeah, Doral and Coral Gables.

Light displays & drive-thrus (7)

Tree lightings, menorah lightings & one-night festivals (4)

Parades & boat parades (1)

Santa, brunches, shows & kids parties (2)

MiamiCoral GablesPinecrestMiami BeachDoralHialeahHomestead

Frequently asked questions

What are the best free holiday lights in South Florida?

City tree lightings are free and family-focused. Highlights include Fort Lauderdale's Light Up series (Nov 5, 12 and 19, Dec 4 and 11), West Palm Beach's Sandi lighting (Dec 3), Sunrise and Coral Springs (both Dec 5), and Miami Beach's Festival of Lights on Ocean Drive. The Delray Beach 100-foot tree asks only a suggested $1 donation. Paid options generally cost more but run many nights: drive-thrus are priced per car (Lights 4 Hope $25, Holiday Fantasy of Lights $34 at the gate), and zoos and gardens sell timed tickets per person.

Which holiday lights are stroller-friendly?

Walk-through gardens and zoos on paved paths (Palm Beach Zoo, Zoo Miami, Pinecrest Gardens, Flamingo Gardens, which explicitly allows strollers and wagons) and outdoor city events like tree lightings all work well with a stroller. Drive-thrus skip the stroller entirely. Crowded parade routes are the hardest, so arrive early and stake out a curb spot near the start.

What's best for toddlers?

Drive-thrus (they can stay buckled in pajamas), early city tree lightings (lighting around 6:30–7 PM), daytime Santa visits, and earlier-starting parades. Bigger walk-throughs are fun but can mean a late night, so go on opening weekdays when it's less crowded.

What happens if it rains, or it's still hot?

Rain policies vary: Pinecrest Gardens' Nights of Lights runs rain or shine, drive-thrus are naturally rain-friendly, and outdoor city lightings may postpone, so check the event's official page or social feed the day of. Early-season evenings (November) can still be warm and buggy, so bring water and bug spray.

How do I time it around naps and bedtime?

Pick events that start at 5–6:30 PM and go at opening time. Lighting moments are usually around 6:30–7 PM, so you can be home by bedtime. Daytime options (A Very Merry Garden at Fairchild, Santa breakfasts) keep the evening routine intact. For drive-thrus, go right at opening on a weeknight and let them doze on the way home.

Do I need tickets in advance?

For zoo and garden light shows, usually yes: Zoo Miami sells online only, and Flamingo Gardens uses timed tickets. Drive-thrus sell at the gate, though Holiday Fantasy of Lights is cheaper online. City tree lightings don't need tickets.

Hours, admission and conditions change — always verify before you head out. Activities are suggestions only; you know your child best, and supervision around water is essential.

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