{"id":2595,"date":"2017-12-14T16:45:32","date_gmt":"2017-12-14T16:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lifestyle.acqualinaresort.com\/?p=2595"},"modified":"2025-09-26T15:06:19","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T20:06:19","slug":"south-florida-holiday-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.acqualinaresort.com\/blog\/sports-culture\/south-florida-holiday-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Holiday Season in South Florida: 6 Ways to Celebrate"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Jennifer Agress<\/em><\/p>\n

South Floridians celebrate the holidays<\/a> with cultural festivities, time-honored foods, and, naturally, a healthy dose of sunshine. Here are six activities to give you the quintessential experience\u2014a very merry Miami<\/em> holiday season\u2014while staying at Acqualina Resort & Spa.<\/p>\n

See The Nutcracker<\/h2>\n

\"Nutcracker

While this Russian classic has long been a holiday tradition all over the world, the Adrienne Arsht Center<\/a> and Kravis Center<\/a> are giving it a Miami twist. In honor of the 27th anniversary of George Balanchine\u2019s famed ballet, The Nutcracker<\/a>\u2019s Miami sets and costumes are being redesigned by none other than Cuban-American artists Isabel and Ruben Toledo. Performed by the Miami City Ballet, the show will fuse its enchanting new additions with the same, iconic choreography and Tchaikovsky tunes Nutcracker lovers worldwide have come to love.<\/p>\n

The show will run through December 30th at both locations. The Adrienne Arsht Center is located at 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132. The Kravis Center is located at 701 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Photo: The Adrienne Arsht Center<\/em><\/p>\n

Go ice-skating in Palm Beach Gardens<\/h2>\n

Every November and December, Hoffman\u2019s Chocolate Factory<\/a>, a chocolate and ice cream shop in Palm Beach Gardens, hosts a Winter Wonderland<\/a>\u2014now in its 27th year\u2014that comes alive with 125,000 LED lights, jaw-dropping holiday displays, a giant Christmas tree, live music, the 2nd Annual Circle of Celebration Holiday Wreath Display and Contest, and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Thanks to a partnership with the Florida Panthers, this year it\u2019s also adding a 2,400 square-foot \u201cPanthers in The Park<\/a>\u201d ice-skating rink. Open nightly, it invites everyone to rent some skates and do their best Michelle Kwan impression on the ice. And after a few \u201cfigure eights,\u201d they can head inside Hoffman\u2019s for a chocolate-making class and behind-the-scenes factory tour with Santa Claus himself.<\/p>\n

Hoffman\u2019s Chocolate is located at 10957 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. The \u201cPanthers in the Park\u201d Ice-Skating Rink will be open Monday through Friday, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 10 p.m. Winter Wonderland and the ice skating rink will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and will close at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Go to a holiday boat parade<\/h2>\n

\"Boat

Would you expect anything else from a yacht-friendly city on the water? On Saturday, December 16th, don\u2019t miss The 20th Annual Miami Outboard Club Holiday Parade<\/a>. Taking place at Bayfront Park, this classic South Florida Christmas event will bring together food stands, a bounce house, a live DJ, fireworks, and, of course, around 60 boats sailing through Biscayne Bay, completely adorned in holiday lights. Throughout the night, toy donations will be collected for children in the Miami community.<\/p>\n

Bayfront Park is located at 301 North Biscayne Boulevard. The parade starts at 7 p.m., and the firework show starts at 9 p.m.<\/em><\/p>\n

Bring the kids to see a Christmas-themed, acrobatic extravaganza<\/h2>\n

Playing nightly between December 26th and December 30th, Cirque Dreams Holidaze\u2014The Family Holiday Spectacular<\/a> is a jaw-dropping holiday performance that\u2019s perfect for the whole family. An imaginative, two-hour show, this multi-million-dollar stage production will fuse holiday music with soaring acrobatics, gravity defying feats, and elaborate illusions you won\u2019t soon forget. All performances will take place at Fort Lauderdale\u2019s Au-Rene Theater<\/a> at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.<\/p>\n

The Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312.<\/em><\/p>\n

Visit historic Deering Estate<\/h2>\n

\"Deering

This holiday season, wander through the lush, elegant grounds of Deering Estate<\/a> and admire its beautiful \u201cFestival of Trees\u201d holiday decorations. Through January 5th, this historic Miami property, once the home of famed American businessman Charles Deering, will have everything from signature holiday decorating collaborations and a seasonal, expanded museum furnishing collection, to a new holiday gift shop from Alor\u00e8 Event Firm, and of course, Deering Estate\u2019s unbeatable Biscayne Bay views. Decorations are an annual tradition at Deering Estate, and they\u2019re put up by a combination of local garden clubs and community organizations.<\/p>\n

Deering Estate is located at 16701 SW 72 Avenue, Miami, FL 33157. Visitors can enjoy these decorations daily, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gift shop is open Thursday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. <\/em><\/p>\n

Light up Miami<\/h2>\n

\"Miami

South Florida\u2019s over-the-top holiday lights are a sight to see. From Zoo Miami<\/a> and Fort Lauderdale water taxis, to New Year’s Eve fireworks, historic houses, and, of course, private residences, adopt this Miami tradition and see the Magic City in all its glowing holiday glory.<\/p>\n

Photo: Luis Arroyave<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

About the Contributor<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jennifer Agress is a freelance writer covering food, drink, and culture. When she’s not combing the streets of Miami for a bagel and a latte, she’s likely covering luxury travel and dining for\u00a0Dining Out Magazine<\/em>,\u00a0Private Air Luxury Homes Magazine<\/em>,\u00a0Haute Living Miami<\/em>,\u00a0Upscale Living Magazine<\/em>, and\u00a0Epicurean Charlotte<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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