Feel the holiday warmth in Sunrise! Our guide will lead you to all the community events. Whether you're deeply rooted in Sunrise or just branching out, this guide maximizes your holiday joy.
Popular events include the Nights of Lights, where beautiful displays illuminate the city, creating a festive atmosphere for all. The Winterfest Boat Parade showcases spectacularly decorated vessels gliding through the waterways, providing a unique waterfront experience. And the timeless Nutcracker is something you definitely don't want to miss, bringing classic ballet to the holiday season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Sunrise
- Nights of Lights (St. Augustine)
- Winterfest Boat Parade (Fort Lauderdale)
- The Nutcracker (Fort Lauderdale)
- The Nutcracker Ballet
- Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade (Hollywood)
- Symphony in Lights (Hallandale Beach)
- Holiday Tree Lighting
- Winter Festival (Margate)
- Christmas Near The Beach (Hollywood)
- Holiday Magic – Whimsical Wonderland (Fort Lauderdale)
See these and even more events listed below!
Sunrise Holiday Light Displays
Symphony in Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular LED light display with holiday music.
Description:
Gulfstream Park Village transforms into a dazzling display of over 250,000 LED lights, set to holiday classics and contemporary music. The event features a new Christmas tree, regal Santa chair, and elegant street light post ornaments. Enjoy shopping and dining at 11 distinct home stores and various dining destinations.
Where: Hallandale Beach | More Info: Symphony in Lights
Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade
What to Expect:
Historic holiday parade with lighted floats and festive atmosphere.
Description:
The Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade is one of the longest-running holiday parades in the country, featuring dozens of lighted floats and vehicles that entertain thousands of spectators along the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk.
Where: Hollywood | More Info: Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade
Lighthouse A’Glow
What to Expect:
Vibrant light display in a picturesque coastal setting.
Description:
Lighthouse A’Glow is a community event featuring a spectacular display of lights and decorations in Lighthouse Point, FL, showcasing the city's festive spirit.
Where: Lighthouse Point | More Info: Lighthouse A’Glow
Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday event with Santa and toy donations.
Description:
The 1st Annual Rusch Park Holiday Tree Lighting features holiday cheer for the whole family, including kids sending letters to the North Pole, enjoying fun activities, and sipping hot cocoa while a beautiful tree is lit. Santa will make a special visit to take photos and spread joy. Toy donations for the NICU and PICU at a local hospital are also accepted.
Where: Sunrise | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting
Nights of Lights
What to Expect:
Dazzling holiday light display in historic downtown St. Augustine.
Description:
St. Augustine's Nights of Lights is a spectacular holiday lights display featuring over three million lights adorning historic downtown buildings, with various tours and entertainment options available.
Where: St. Augustine | More Info: Nights of Lights
Sunrise Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Near The Beach
What to Expect:
Variety show and outdoor market with food trucks and Santa visit.
Description:
Join us for a variety show, Outdoor Market, Food Trucks, and Visit Santa at ArtsPark Young Circle in downtown Hollywood. This event celebrates its 17th year with a vibrant atmosphere perfect for the holiday season.
Where: Hollywood | More Info: Christmas Near The Beach
Sunrise Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Magic – Whimsical Wonderland
What to Expect:
Live entertainment and festive decorations.
Description:
Join us for an evening of live entertainment, scavenger hunt, storybook reading, and holiday family portraits at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. Enjoy the beautifully lit house and gardens, featuring festive decorations and special performances.
Where: Fort Lauderdale | More Info: Holiday Magic – Whimsical Wonderland
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with professional dancers and local children.
Description:
Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida presents "The Nutcracker," a classic ballet featuring Tchaikovsky's iconic score. This critically acclaimed performance showcases the extraordinary talent of professional dancers, complemented by the joyful participation of local children. It is a heartwarming production that captures the spirit of the holiday season and leaves audiences of all ages enchanted.
Where: Fort Lauderdale | More Info: The Nutcracker
Winterfest Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Decorated boats with lights and entertainment along a 12-mile route.
Description:
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade is a spectacular holiday event featuring beautifully decorated boats of all sizes, including private vessels, giant showboats, and corporate megayachts. The parade spans 12 miles along the New River in Fort Lauderdale, showcasing hundreds of thousands of lights, music, entertainment, and celebrity appearances. Over one million spectators are expected to attend this iconic event, which is a traditional kickoff to the South Florida holiday season.
Where: Fort Lauderdale | More Info: Winterfest Boat Parade
The Nutcracker Ballet
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Join Clara on her adventures in The Nutcracker, featuring a battle with the Rat King, the Land of Snow, and a visit with the Sugar Plum Fairy. This classic ballet is a perfect winter evening spent with family and friends, showcasing students, pre-professionals, and professional dancers.
Where: Sunrise | More Info: The Nutcracker Ballet
Sunrise Other Holiday Activities
Menorah Lighting Celebration
What to Expect:
Traditional menorah lighting and live music.
Description:
Join the Menorah Lighting Celebration at Las Olas Oceanside Park to honor the first night of Hanukkah. Enjoy traditional menorah lighting, live music, and delicious customary treats.
Where: Fort Lauderdale | More Info: Menorah Lighting Celebration
Kwanzaa Ujamaa
What to Expect:
Cultural celebration honoring cooperative economics.
Description:
Celebrate the fourth principle of Kwanzaa, cooperative economics, with Afrocentric entertainment and cultural activities at Bass Park.
Where: Fort Lauderdale | More Info: Kwanzaa Ujamaa
Christmas-by-the-Sea
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with local business ribbon-cuttings and festivities.
Description:
Christmas-by-the-Sea is a festive holiday event in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand re-opening of the downtown area, a Thanksgiving pie giveaway, and other community activities.
Where: Lauderdale-By-The-Sea | More Info: Christmas-by-the-Sea
Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Real Florida-style snow and local group performances.
Description:
The Winter Festival in Margate, FL, features Florida-style snow, kiddie rides, local group performances, food vendors, and arts and crafts activities. It also includes opportunities for pictures with Santa.
Where: Margate | More Info: Winter Festival
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Fort Lauderdale (2 miles)
- Oakland Park (3 miles)
- Dania Beach (6 miles)
- Lauderhill (6 miles)
- Lauderdale Lakes (6 miles)
- Pompano Beach (7 miles)
- Plantation (7 miles)
- Hollywood (9 miles)
- Davie (9 miles)
- West Hollywood (9 miles)
- North Lauderdale (9 miles)
- Coconut Creek (9 miles)
- Margate (10 miles)
- Tamarac (10 miles)
- Hallandale Beach (11 miles)
- Cooper City (11 miles)
- Pembroke Pines (11 miles)
- Aventura (12 miles)
- Miramar (13 miles)
- Sunny Isles Beach (13 miles)
- Deerfield Beach (13 miles)
- Coral Springs (14 miles)
- Norland (14 miles)
- North Miami Beach (14 miles)
- Parkland (14 miles)
- Boca Del Mar (15 miles)
- Miami Gardens (16 miles)
- Carol City (16 miles)
- Golden Glades (16 miles)
- North Miami (17 miles)
- Weston (18 miles)
- Country Club (18 miles)
- Miami Lakes (20 miles)
- West Little River (21 miles)
- Hialeah (22 miles)
- Hialeah Gardens (23 miles)
- Delray Beach (23 miles)
- Allapattah (23 miles)
- Miami Beach (24 miles)
- Miami (25 miles)
- Doral (26 miles)
- Boynton Beach (27 miles)
- Flagami (29 miles)
- Fountainebleau (29 miles)
- Coral Terrace (29 miles)
- Westchester (29 miles)
- Coral Gables (30 miles)
- Sweetwater (30 miles)
- Coconut Grove (30 miles)
- University Park (31 miles)
- Tamiami (31 miles)
- Lake Worth Corridor (33 miles)
- Lake Worth Beach (33 miles)
- Greenacres City (34 miles)
- Kendall (34 miles)
- Kendale Lakes (35 miles)
- Palm Springs (35 miles)
- Kendall West (36 miles)
- The Crossings (37 miles)
- Wellington (37 miles)
- Palmetto Bay (38 miles)
- The Hammocks (38 miles)
- West Palm Beach (40 miles)
- Royal Palm Beach (40 miles)
- South Miami Heights (41 miles)
- Cutler Bay (41 miles)
- Cutler Ridge (41 miles)
- Richmond West (41 miles)
- Riviera Beach (44 miles)