Fort Lauderdale does the holidays its own way: palm trees wrapped in lights, a 20-foot snowman on the beach and a parade of boats on the water. If you are looking for things to do in Fort Lauderdale in December, the hard part is the calendar. Each neighborhood lights up on a different night, and lists from last year are full of old dates.
We checked every date below on the official City of Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Association, Winterfest and Broward County pages (linked at the bottom). If a 2026 date has not been announced yet, we say so instead of guessing.
Key takeaways
- City light-ups (2026): Light Up Lauderdale on Nov 5 kicks off the city's 10-week light celebration along the New River, then Light Up the Galt Nov 12, Light Up the Galt Nov 12, Light Up the Beach Nov 19, Light Up Sistrunk Dec 3, Menorah Lighting Dec 4, Light Up Carter Park Dec 11.
- Christmas on Las Olas: Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 5–10 p.m. The Las Olas Association calls it Broward County's largest free holiday event.
- Winterfest Boat Parade: Saturday, December 12, 2026, starting at 6:00 p.m.
- Holiday Fantasy of Lights (drive-thru, Tradewinds Park): 2026 dates not announced yet. Last season ran November 22, 2025 to January 3, 2026.
- With kids: most city events open at 5:00–5:30 p.m. (the Menorah lighting is at 6:00 p.m.), so you can be home by bedtime.
A holiday tree in downtown Fort Lauderdale near the Riverwalk, December 2020. Photo: Rob Olivera, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
What are the Fort Lauderdale holiday light-up dates for 2026?
These are the City of Fort Lauderdale's "Light Up the Holidays" events, plus the two big signature nights. Times and places are from the official pages.
| Date (2026) | Event | Time | Where | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | Light Up Lauderdale | 5:30–8:30 p.m. (lighting 6:30) | Esplanade Park | Kicks off the city's 10-week light celebration along the New River; kids zone, a visit by Santa |
| Thu, Nov 12 | Light Up the Galt | 5:30–8:30 p.m. (tree lighting 6:30) | NE 33rd Ave & NE 33rd St (North Beach) | Letters to Santa station, holiday characters, live music |
| Thu, Nov 19 | Light Up the Beach | 5:30–8:30 p.m. (lighting 6:30) | Las Olas Oceanside Park | More than 50,000 lights, kids zone with Santa, "Olas" the 20-foot beach snowman at A1A and Las Olas |
| Tue, Dec 1 | Christmas on Las Olas (64th) | 5–10 p.m. | East Las Olas Boulevard | Several stages, vendors, Santa; billed as Broward County's largest free holiday event |
| Thu, Dec 3 | Light Up Sistrunk | 5–8 p.m. (tree lighting 7:00) | Sistrunk Blvd, NW 9th–11th Ave | Giant holiday tree, kids zone with Santa, free toy giveaway |
| Fri, Dec 4 | Menorah Lighting Celebration | 6 p.m. | Las Olas Oceanside Park | Menorah lighting, music, traditional treats |
| Fri, Dec 11 | Light Up Carter Park | 5–8 p.m. | Carter Park | Holiday tree lighting, live performances, bounce houses, train rides; the city calls it a free celebration |
| Sat, Dec 12 | Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade | Pre-show 5:30, parade 6:00 p.m. | New River → Intracoastal → Pompano Beach | About 12 miles of lighted boats; ticketed viewing area or free public spots |
Is it free? The Las Olas Association says Christmas on Las Olas is free, and the city calls Light Up Carter Park a free celebration. For the other city light-ups, the official pages don't mention admission, so check the city's page before you go.
Where can you see "Olas," the beach snowman?
The city lists "Olas," a 20-foot beach snowman, at A1A and Las Olas Boulevard as part of Light Up the Beach. It is one of the most photographed spots of the season: go on a weekday evening for fewer crowds.
The Riverwalk downtown, home to Esplanade Park (photo: Cardoso Luxury Stays).
What about the Winterfest Boat Parade?
The 55th Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade is on Saturday, December 12, 2026. The pre-show starts at 5:30 p.m. and the parade at 6:00 p.m., running about 12 miles from the New River to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. The official viewing area at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park is ticketed. We cover times, ten places to watch, parking and the livestream in our Winterfest Boat Parade 2026 guide.
Is there a drive-thru light show near Fort Lauderdale?
Broward County's Holiday Fantasy of Lights is a drive-thru show at Tradewinds Park & Stables in Coconut Creek, north of Fort Lauderdale (3600 W Sample Road, per Visit Lauderdale). The county has not posted 2026 dates yet. For reference, the last season ran nightly (including holidays) from November 22, 2025 to January 3, 2026, 6–10 p.m., at $28 per car plus a processing fee, with tickets sold online only. Check the county page for the 2026 season before you plan; we will update this guide when the county posts it.
Where can you see Christmas lights beyond the official events?
Fort Lauderdale is a city of canals, and in December many waterfront homes, docks and boats get their own lights. You can enjoy them from public streets, bridges and the water: an evening Water Taxi ride along the New River and the Intracoastal is an easy way to see decorated homes and boats without driving. If you walk or drive through residential streets, stay on public roads, go slowly and respect private property. Downtown, Light Up Lauderdale keeps the Riverwalk lit for about ten weeks after the November 5 kickoff, so it works any night of the season.
How do you do holiday lights with kids without a late night?
- Arrive at the start. The city events open between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. and the lightings happen around 6:30 p.m. (7:00 p.m. at Sistrunk). Kids zones are calmer in the first hour.
- Plan parking or skip it. Las Olas and the beach fill up on event nights. Rideshare, or park once and walk.
- Use the water. The free LauderGO! Water Trolley runs daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. along the New River, with a stop at Esplanade Park (handy for Light Up Lauderdale); the city notes it is not wheelchair accessible. The paid Water Taxi connects downtown, Las Olas and the beach; see our Water Taxi guide.
- Bring a light layer. The sun sets around 5:30 p.m. in early December, and evenings by the ocean can feel cool.
- Eat early. Restaurants near Las Olas and the beach are busiest after the lightings.
- Check before you go. Outdoor events can change for weather. The city and organizers update their pages first.
Which holiday event is best for your group?
| If you want… | Go to |
|---|---|
| The biggest street celebration | Christmas on Las Olas (Dec 1) |
| Beach, lights and the giant snowman | Light Up the Beach (Nov 19) |
| Something only Fort Lauderdale does | Winterfest Boat Parade (Dec 12) |
| Rides and activities for young kids | Light Up Carter Park (Dec 11) |
| Downtown by the river | Light Up Lauderdale at Esplanade Park (Nov 5) |
| To stay in the car | Holiday Fantasy of Lights (2026 dates pending) |
What is a good 3-night holiday lights plan with kids?
If you are here for several weeks this season, or planning separate trips, these three nights cover the best of it without late nights.
- Thursday, November 19 — Light Up the Beach. Arrive at Las Olas Oceanside Park by 5:30 p.m., visit the kids zone and Santa, watch the 6:30 lighting, then take photos with Olas the snowman at A1A and Las Olas.
- Tuesday, December 1 — Christmas on Las Olas. Walk East Las Olas Boulevard from 5 p.m., pick a stage and an early dinner. Ideas for the rest of the street are in our Las Olas guide.
- Saturday, December 12 — Winterfest Boat Parade. Choose the ticketed viewing area (gates at 4 p.m.) or a free public spot along the water, and see the boats from 6 p.m.
Planning the days in between? Our family vacation guide fills the gaps, and the Local Guide has restaurants.
Year-round string lights over the seaside promenade in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, just north of Fort Lauderdale (photo: Cardoso Luxury Stays).
From our family: Cardoso Realty
Want the holidays in Fort Lauderdale every year?
Many families who come for a December week start asking what it would be like to own a home here. Our family also operates Cardoso Realty, a Fort Lauderdale real estate brokerage led by broker Martius Cardoso. We help buyers compare neighborhoods, from walkable Las Olas to quiet canal streets, and understand flood zones, insurance and the January 1 homestead date before they make an offer.
Visiting for the holidays with family?
Our canal home in northeast Fort Lauderdale sleeps 12, with a heated pool, private dock with kayaks, a game room, Floranada Park across the street and the beach about 10 minutes away. Stays of 30 nights or longer welcome.
Frequently asked questions
When is Light Up the Beach 2026?
Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Las Olas Oceanside Park, with the lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m.
When is Christmas on Las Olas 2026?
Tuesday, December 1, 2026, from 5 to 10 p.m. on East Las Olas Boulevard. The Las Olas Association says admission is free.
Are the Fort Lauderdale holiday light-ups free?
Christmas on Las Olas and Light Up Carter Park are described as free by their organizers. For the other city events, the official pages don't mention admission, so check before you go.
When are the 2026 dates for Holiday Fantasy of Lights?
Broward County has not posted them yet. Last season ran November 22, 2025 to January 3, 2026, nightly from 6 to 10 p.m., at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek.
Is the Water Trolley free?
Yes. The city's LauderGO! Water Trolley is free and runs daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. along the New River, with a stop at Esplanade Park.
When is the Winterfest Boat Parade 2026?
Saturday, December 12, 2026. The pre-show starts at 5:30 p.m. and the parade at 6:00 p.m.
Sources
Last checked November 2, 2026.
- City of Fort Lauderdale Parks & Recreation, Light Up the Holidays: parks.fortlauderdale.gov
- Las Olas Association, 64th Annual Christmas on Las Olas: lasolasboulevard.com
- Winterfest, The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade: winterfestparade.com
- Broward County Parks, Holiday Fantasy of Lights: broward.org
- Visit Lauderdale, Tradewinds Park listing (address): visitlauderdale.com
- City of Fort Lauderdale, LauderGO! Water Trolley: fortlauderdale.gov/watertrolley
- Photo credit: Rob Olivera, "Fort Lauderdale Night Life - After Hours - 7 of 11", CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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