Christmas in Florida 2007 Features Holiday Parties, Special Events at Attractions, Boat Parades and More
December 2nd, 2007
Christmas time in Florida is celebrated differently than our neighbors to the north. Since we don’t have snow, we have to be more creative and therefore tend to go overboard with light and holiday displays. We even have Christmas Boat Parades, where captains decorate their vessels with lights and everything from sleighs to small castles.
A spectacular display, The Nights of Lights in St. Augustine, will have millions of tiny white lights glowing along the ancient streets and historic buildings of the Nation’s oldest city. www.nightsoflights.com
Florida Keys are extraordinarily enthusiastic to show their holiday spirit. From Key Largo to Key West, the calendar is packed with events like parades, toy runs and of course, boat parades designed to spread holiday cheer. Read more »
Christmas at the Orlando Attractions
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party comes with a winter-weather forecast that guests can count on - a 100 percent chance of snow flurries on Main Street, USA every night. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade celebrates the many festive moods of the holiday season. Guests can enjoy festive surprises, including an all-new Castle Light Show. Cinderella Castle is adorned with thousands of shimmering white lights, covering the turrets and towers like a glistening blanket of ice. Read more »
How the Grinch Stole Christmas at Universal Studios Orlando will honor the 50th anniversary of the book. The live musical will take place on a brand-new stage in the heart of Seuss Landing and will include seven songs for guests to enjoy. Guests will also have the chance to meet the Grinch and see Whos from Whoville. Read more »
Epcot Presents Candlelight Processional & Holidays Around the World where guests can see holiday traditions and legends as they are observed around the world, with Hanukah and Kwanzaa customs also showcased. At nightfall, Mickey Mouse and his friends host a gala tree-lighting ceremony. Read more »
ICE! At Gaylord Palms Resort in Central Florida may be the coldest spot in the United States this holiday season, where temperatures are predicted to be 9 degrees Fahrenheit all hand-carved from nearly two million pounds of ice. Explore a winter wonderland of larger-than-life, three-dimensional hand-carved ice monuments and sculptures, including fantastic frozen creations, slippery ice slides and memorable holiday scenes. Read more »
Jump aboard The Polar Express Experience at SeaWorld for a magical trip to the North Pole. The Polar Express Experience is based on the film and inspired by the beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. SeaWorld’s Wild Arctic transforms to a thrilling, never-before-experienced expedition to the fabled Santa Town. Read more »
See the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney-MGM Studios and experience “Florida snow” flurries. The building facades, trees and streets dazzle with three-dimensional and motion-based displays — some originally created at the Osborne home in Arkansas by businessman Jennings Osborne. www.disneyworld.com
Christmas Boat Parades
The Winter Park Boat Parade & Festival of Lights will illuminate Lakes Virginia and Osceola as they cruise in the second annual water parade December 8. The boat parade will start at 6 p.m. in the Windsong Cove in Lake Virginia (east side) passing Rollins College and Dinky Dock. www.winterparkboatparade.com
The Destin Boat Parade is family oriented activity for the holidays on December 9. With Santa Claus and reindeer, Christmas trees and bright lights, everyone will enjoy the spectacular decorations used to get boats into the spirit of the holidays during the parade. For more information on the Destin Boat Parade contact the Destin History and Fishing Museum at (850) 837-6611.
Saturday, Dec. 15, 8 p.m. Holiday Boat Parade on Blackwater Sound Decorations, music and animations are to entertain holiday celebrants during the holiday boat parade on Blackwater Sound. Best viewing and libations are to be found at Sundowners, Senior Frijoles, the Marriott Key Largo Bay Resort and Caribbean Club, all near MM 103-104. Contact: (305) 451-4502.
Sunday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m. Key Colony Beach Lighted Boat Parade Christmas lights on outriggers and displays on boat decks are part of the beautiful festivities at the Key Colony Beach Boat Parade, set to begin at the 7th Street canal. The parade route visits canals and cuts, and passes city hall three times. Great viewing spots include Sadowski Causeway at MM 53.5 and the area behind city hall. Contact: (305) 743-7214.
Boot Key Harbor Boat Parade in the Florida Keys on December 9 starts at 6 p.m. with the best viewing along the waterfront of Sombrero Boulevard and the Boot Key Harbor bridge. Contact (305) 743-5417
The St. Lucie County Boat Parade will be held at 6:00pm on December 8. The parade occurs in conjunction with a land-based Winter Festival sponsored by the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce at South Causeway Island Park - This is a fun way for the entire family to view the parade. The festivities are free and will begin at 4:00 pm.
