Fort Lauderdale Florida and the greater Fort Lauderdale area has a number of interesting and eclectic events coming up, including boat parades, light displays and festivals along its iconic beaches, waterways and parks.
This year’s highlight will be the 42nd Annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, one of the top 20 parades in the world and the seventh largest one day spectator event in the country taking place December 14. This festive event features a light show extravaganza with hundreds of brightly lit and decorated boats and yachts as they cruise from the downtown New River on a 12-mile route along the Intracoastal Waterway.
A perennial favorite for more than 50 years, Christmas on Las Olas Boulevard will see the Winter Wonderland return to the chic shopping street on December 3. Festivities include snow showers, a Snow Mountain, carolers, and decorated shops, boutiques and restaurants. Plus Skate Las Olas brings the magic of ice skating to Las Olas Boulevard, from November 29, 2013 through January 5, 2014.
Other Greater Fort Lauderdale holiday happenings include:
Holiday Fantasy of Lights
Nov. 22 – Jan. 4, 2014
Throughout the holiday season, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek will feature three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees, blending favorites of the past and exciting new creations.
The Book of Mormon
Nov. 26 – Dec. 22
The Book of Mormon, winner of nine Tony Awards® including Best Musical. From the creators of South Park, this fish-out-of-water tale, starring two eager Mormon missionaries on a trip to Africa.
Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant
Nov. 30 – Dec. 15
First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale celebrates its annual Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant with a lavish and colorful production.
Bonnie Raitt with Paul Brady November 30
Nov. 30
Rock and Roll hall of famer, and Grammy-winning singer, Bonnie Raitt comes to Hard Rock Live this winter during non-stop tour schedule following her long awaited album debut of her latest album “Slipstream,” last spring.
Garden of Lights at Flamingo Gardens
Dec. 6-8, 15, 21-22
Every Saturday and Sunday in December, Flamingo Gardens will be decked out with thousands of lights, decor and music for the Garden of Lights display. Holiday concerts and performances, visits by Santa, kids crafts and other holiday fun fill the air from 5pm to 7pm.
Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights
December
Throughout December, view an amazing spectacle of holiday lights along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River with the Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights. Board any Water Taxi vessel after 5pm and see the lights all night for only $13. Water Taxis also stop at popular shopping and restaurant locations for a fun, festive and convenient night (or day) out.
Lauderdale Live
Don’t miss the debut of Lauderdale Live, De 6-8, along the scenic waterfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Headliners Lyle Lovett, Huey Lewis & The News, are joined by Jason Isbell, Indigo Girls, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Shovels & Rope, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, The Wild Feathers, Holly Williams, Lee DeWyze, Jillette Johnson, and more. Plus, a lavish VIP event onboard three luxury yachts docked along the New River on Dec. 6. “Yacht Discovery Experience,” ships are supplied by super yacht charter company.
Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade
Dec.7
The Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade at the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk is celebrating its 58th year with a “Jingle Bell Jamboree” theme, marching bands, floats and more.
Donny & Marie Christmas in South Florida
Dec. 7
Donny & Marie Christmas will be on tap this holiday season with holiday songs and a nostalgic look back at their storied career in a dynamic stage show showcasing fan favorites including “A Little Bit of Country, A Little Bit Rock ‘n Roll,” “Paper Roses,” “Puppy Love” and “It Takes Two.”
The 51st Annual Pompano Beach Boat Parade
Dec. 8
The Annual Pompano Beach Boat Parade along the Intracoastal Waterway in Pompano Beach is one of the oldest holiday boat parades in the country. Dozens of glittering yachts and vessels sail along the parade route from Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach north to Deerfield Beach. The parade culminates with the Captain’s Party, with up to 75 decorated boats illuminating the waterway.
The Nutcracker
Dec.13-15, 18, 21-22
The Arts Ballet Theatre presents George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, featuring lavish sets and scenery, colorful costuming, and delightful theatrical effects.
Trace Adkins, The Christmas Show
Dec. 17, Hard Rock Live
Adkins first-ever Christmas album, ‘The King’s Gift,’ released on Oct. 29, features Celtic carols that marry American folk music while utilizing unique traditional instruments including weissenborn, mandolin, uilleann pipe, penny whistle, violin, viola, cello, harp and organ.
Orange Bowl Downtown
Dec. 31
Ring in the New Year in Downtown Fort Lauderdale at the Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown. One of the largest New Year’s Eve celebrations in Florida, this free 11-hour street festival features 10,000 lights, and a variety of activities for the whole family including bounce houses, face painting and games, contests and line dancing.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
