Get Ready for a Fort Lauderdale Holiday Spectacular!
Signature Events Highlight Our Celebration of the Season 

W

e have had a spectacular fall season highlighted by an extraordinary
Boat Show! Congratulations to Show Management, the Marine Industries
Association of South Florida (MIASF), Bahia Mar, exhibitors, and

businesses on what industry experts are calling one of the most successful Boat
Show’s in history. A record $4 billion in yachts, boats, and merchandise were
showcased at seven venues covering 3 million square feet of space, which helped
attract massive crowds and generated millions of dollars in marine commerce,
business development, and capital investment. The awesome event provided a huge
economic boost to local businesses, brought international attention to our City, and
strengthened our position as a world-class destination. Special thanks to all of our
neighbors for their patience and support of this tremendously successful event.

As we now head into the final month of the year, Fort Lauderdale continues to bring
you an outstanding lineup of special events for the entire family!

The holiday excitement kicked-off with three spectacular “Light Up” events. “Light Up
Lauderdale” took place in early November at Esplanade Park. “Light Up the Beach”
took center stage in late November and Light Up Sistrunk,” featuring the Walgreens
Wonderland with Toy Giveaway and Health Fair; and the lighting of a gigantic
holiday tree.

Our holiday celebration hits high gear on Saturday night December 12 with the
Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade featuring Grand Marshal Nick Cannon.
Billed as the “Greatest Show on H2O,” the boat parade draws 1 million spectators to
the shores of our New River for an enchanted evening on the water that symbolizes
the spirit and tradition of the season.

We culminate the holiday season with the Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl Downtown
Countdown, a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration from 4:30 pm – 1 am along
SW 2nd Street. Billed as one of the largest New Year’s Eve celebrations in Florida,
Downtown Countdown draws hundreds of thousands of locals and visitors to our City. 

This holiday season, I offer my sincere thanks and heartfelt appreciation to all of you
for your continued participation, dedication, and involvement in all of our City
programs, activities, and initiatives. You are the heart and soul of our community and
your passion and commitment shine brightly as we continue to work together to
create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable City. 

During this special season, I encourage all of us to rededicate ourselves to helping those
in need. By sharing the gifts of service, friendship, kindness and compassion, we can
spread the true holiday spirit and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

As the New Year approaches, we will build upon our momentum and reach even
greater heights by working together as a diverse community united behind a collective
long-term vision with no neighborhood left behind. By doing so, together, we will
make Fort Lauderdale an even better place to live, work, play, visit and raise a family.

Enjoy the holidays!
John P. ‘Jack’ Seiler
Mayor

LAS OLAS BOULEVARD &ISLES

Mayor’s Message

City of Fort Lauderdale

John P. ‘Jack’ Seiler

Mayor

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