{"id":4928,"date":"2019-11-21T06:38:36","date_gmt":"2019-11-21T11:38:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/?page_id=4928"},"modified":"2019-11-21T06:57:38","modified_gmt":"2019-11-21T11:57:38","slug":"unique-holiday-season-fun-activities-found-at-these-south-florida-locations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/?page_id=4928","title":{"rendered":"Unique holiday season fun, activities found at these South Florida locations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Posted November 20, 2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By CLAUDIA SAFAVI<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both\nlocals and tourists are encouraged to head on down to the American tropical\nparadise of South Florida for a unique holiday experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South\nFlorida\u2019s typical holiday scene is not made up of snowy landscapes and cozy\nfireplaces but offers balmy weather, palm trees and sandy beaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is the\nperfect spot for those seeking a refreshing spin on the traditional holiday\ncelebrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South\nFlorida has an array of fun-filled festivities ranging from annual tree\nlightings to winter boat parades and holiday-themed amusement parks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following list is arranged alphabetically. Here are some of the favorite activities and locations to experience the most wonderful time of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breakfast with Santa at Neiman Marcus in Coral\nGables<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get into the holiday\nspirit by visiting Neiman Marcus in Coral Gables, where families can have a\nsumptuous breakfast with Santa Claus. During breakfast, families are presented\nwith opportunities to take photos with Santa. After breakfast is served, children\ncan participate in cookie decorating and arts and crafts activities. It is a\nwinter wonderland extravaganza that no parent or young one would want to miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gasparilla Inn & Club\u2019s Twelve Days of Christmas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The lobby of Gasparilla Inn & Club decked out in holiday decor for the annual “Twelve Days of Christmas” event (Photo Courtesy of Gasparilla Inn & Club).<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Tis the season at Gasparilla Inn & Club, where visitors can experience the Twelve Days of Christmas. The Twelve Days of Christmas hotel package includes one deluxe room along with a different unique theme of activities for each of the days. A myriad of holiday events offered include Christmas caroling, holiday bingo, gingerbread house decorating and more. The Twelve Days of Christmas is an unforgettable holiday celebration designed for those of all age groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key West\u2019s \u201cHarborWalk of Lights\u201d at HarborWalk\nPlaza<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stroll along Elizabeth\nSt. & Greene St. in Key West to see the iconic \u201cHarborWalk of Lights.\u201d\nDazzling holiday-oriented light displays will capture the eyes of visitors with\nattractions from flamingos to dolphins and sea turtles. The \u201cHarborWalk of\nLights\u201d is also a magnificent spot to do some seasonal shopping, while\nlistening to live Holiday tunes. There will even be a tree lighting ceremony\nwhere the Key West Lobster Trap Tree, a Nautical Christmas Tree and the Fishing\nBuoy Tree are going to be ignited to pay tribute to the \u201cMaritime History of\nKey West.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miami City Ballet\u2019s \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This holiday season,\nMiami City Ballet transports visitors to a mystical winter fantasyland in\nGeorge Balanchine\u2019s rendition of \u201cThe Nutcracker.\u201d During the performance,\nguests are acquainted with traditional holiday characters from dancing Sugarplum\nFairies to Toy Soldiers. Miami City Ballet\u2019s \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d features Cuban\ninspired costumes, giving the show a distinctive geographic touch. Live\norchestras are also set to play at each performance. The showing of \u201cThe\nNutcracker\u201d is a classic holiday tradition made for the entire family to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NightGarden at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore one of Miami\u2019s\nmost beautiful gardens after daylight. Come and watch a festive light show with\nanimated live effects such as holographic butterflies and floating orchids\npermeate throughout the landscape of the garden. With talking trees and\nilluminated mazes, guests are sent to a make-believe dream world. Some of the\nfinest food trucks in South Florida are also invited to heighten the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Polar Express Train Ride in Fort Lauderdale and\nMiami<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All aboard the Polar\nExpress, where the movie comes to life as the experience takes visitors on a\nwhimsical journey to meet Santa Claus. Once guests are seated, dancing hosts\nwill scan their golden tickets. Passengers\u2019 will be served hot cocoa and\ndelicious desserts. As visitors are enjoying their pastries and beverages,\nSanta and his elves will be wishing everyone on board a Merry Christmas. By the\nend of the train ride, guests will be given sleigh bells by Santa to keep as\nmementos of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holiday Sand Tree Lighting at Downtown West Palm Beach Waterfront<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
“Sandi,” West Palm Beach’s iconic sand tree, being lit at the 2015 Tree Lighting Ceremony (Photo Courtesy of The City of West Palm Beach).<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Have a holiday in paradise by paying a visit to the tropical land of West Palm Beach, where visitors can find the planets only 35-foot,700-ton sand tree, \u201cSandi.\u201d At \u201cSandi Land,\u201d visitors are greeted by a capella<\/em> carolers who perform live music weekly throughout the holiday season. Guests can participate in activities such as glow in the dark mini golf and photo taking with Santa. Holiday Gift Boutiques and Flea Market vendors are on-site, allowing visitors to make some highly unique purchases for their loved ones. \u201cSandi Land\u201d is a memorable, authentic South Florida experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Santa\u2019s Enchanted Forest<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The front entrance of Santa’s Enchanted Forest covered with whimsical holiday characters and light displays (Photo Courtesy of Santa’s Enchanted Forest).<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Visit the World\u2019s Largest Holiday-Themed Amusement Park located right in Miami. At Santa\u2019s Enchanted Forest, guests have the opportunity to see South Florida\u2019s tallest Christmas tree, while experiencing more than 100 various rides, games and attractions. Visitors are advised to come on an empty stomach so they can get a taste of the traditional carnival food available from churros to candied apples and fried Oreos. As visitors eat their way through the park, they will come across Instagram-worthy winter wonderland themed displays. Some photo opportunities include attending a meet and greet with Santa Claus, which is accessible nightly with a visitor’s ticket purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Shops at Merrick\nPark<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch the Shops at\nMerrick Park morph into a magical Winter Wonderland at the 16th annual Tree\nLighting Ceremony. Live performances will be delivered from the Miami Royal\nBallet and the Coral Gables High School Choir and Band, along with a remarkable\nappearance from Santa Claus. Pastries and beverages will be available for\npurchase by the mall\u2019s Farmer\u2019s Market Food Vendors. Guests also have an\nopportunity to become involved in a great cause by donating a toy to the\nNicklaus Children\u2019s Hospital in Coral Terrace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winterfest Boat Parade <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience one of the\nmost significant South Florida holiday attractions by attending the Winterfest\nBoat Parade. Residents and tourists from around the world gather to watch more\nthan 100 stunningly decorated boats sail across the New River and Intracoastal\nWaterway in Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach. The Grandstand Viewing Area in\nFort Lauderdale is the most popular location for parade viewing. Guests will be\nentertained by celebrities and live performers making special appearances by\nthe boat as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If You Go<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breakfast\nwith Santa at Mariposa Restaurant,<\/strong> Neiman Marcus in Coral Gables<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n