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Mayors Message

City of Fort Lauderdale

Get Ready for a Fort Lauderdale Holiday Spectacular!

Signature Events Highlight Our Celebration of the Season
s we head into the final month of the year, Fort Lauderdale brings you an
Aoutstanding lineup of special events taking place in every corner of our City that
the entire family can enjoy!
On Saturday, December 9, celebrate the holidays with us as we Light Up Carter Park
from 3 to 7 p.m. This free event takes place at 1450 West Sunrise Boulevard and
features live bands, performances from top local artists, and a huge kids zone with
bounce houses, train rides, face painters, holiday crafts, prizes, and more. The festivities
culminate with the traditional lighting of the gigantic Carter Park Holiday Tree!
Fort Lauderdale’s holiday celebration hits high gear on Saturday night December 9
with the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade. For over four decades, the
“Greatest Show on H2O,” has thrilled audiences with spectacular illumination, colorful

John P. ‘Jack’ Seiler pageantry and magnificently decorated vessels. As Fort Lauderdale’s signature holiday
Mayor spectacular, the Winterfest Boat Parade draws 1 million spectators to the shores of our
New River to enjoy an enchanted evening on the water. The event brings us
international attention, showcases our City to a global audience, and generates
millions for our local economy. It is a one-of-a-kind, fun-filled celebration that truly
symbolizes the spirit and tradition of the holiday season. For details about the best
spots to view the Boat Parade, visit www.winterfestparade.com.

On Wednesday, December 20, Fort Lauderdale will host the annual Santa on the
Beach event. This holiday favorite is fun for children and adults of all ages. Santa will
depart at noon from our Parks and Recreation Department at Broward Boulevard and
S.W. 14 Avenue aboard an antique fire truck. With sirens blaring, he will head toward
downtown, travel along Las Olas Boulevard, and arrive at the beach at 600 Seabreeze
Boulevard at 12:45 pm. From there, Santa will make his traditional walk up the beach
greeting locals and tourists, handing our candy, and spreading holiday cheer.
We culminate the holiday season in grand fashion with the Fort Lauderdale Orange
Bowl Downtown Countdown, a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration that will take
place from 4:30 pm to 1:00 am along S.W. 2 Street in the heart of downtown Fort

CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE

LAS OLAS BOULEVARD & ISLES
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