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Best Holiday Lights, Drive-Thru Light Shows, and Christmas Light Displays in Miami & South Florida

Photo courtesy of Holiday Fantasy of Lights
Photo courtesy of Holiday Fantasy of Lights
12/4/22 - By Lindsey Scannell

Whether your holiday of choice is Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, or Kwanzaa there is a timeless joy in piling the family in the car to take in the holiday light displays. We've rounded up the best of South Florida's Christmas lights, drive-thru light shows, boat parades, and magnificent holiday light displays. From the epic annual holiday tradition at Santa's Enchanted Forest to community efforts by festive neighbors like the neighborhood of Enchanted Place, we can help you point the family car toward the brightest, most sparkling displays in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. Whether you make a day of it, drive through in your pajamas, or shop and enjoy lights among stores, we have a holiday light list worth viewing.

Find more fun Christmas and Hanukkah events to enjoy with kids in our Christmas and Holiday Activities Guide for South Florida Families.

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Photo courtesy of Santa's Enchanted Forest
Photo courtesy of Santa's Enchanted Forest

Best Christmas Light Displays near Miami

Zoo Lights Miami

Miami - November 25, 2022 - December 30, 2022
Walk through more than one million bright and dazzling tree lights, see a 26-foot-tall LED holiday tree, and enjoy animal appearances and appearances by Santa at this fun holiday event. READ MORE

Nights of Lights

Pinecrest - December 11, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Enter a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights, a holiday-themed maze, and sparkling lights that are bigger than ever before. READ MORE

NightGarden: A Magical Light Experience

Coral Gables - November 11, 2022 - January 8, 2023
Walk through gardens transformed into an illuminated magical fairyland with technicolor flowers and unique sculptures. The magic includes lighting effects, outdoor holograms, motion sensing technology, projection mapping, and music. READ MORE

Magic of Lights - Homestead

Homestead - November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023
A dazzling drive-thru holiday lights experience offers more than a mile of light displays that bring to life favorite holiday scenes and characters. READ MORE

Symphony in Lights Festival

Hallandale Beach - November 12, 2022 - December 31, 2023
FREE
Illuminated with more than 250,000 LED lights and set to the sounds of holiday favorites from yesterday and today, a 10-minute light show begins at the top of every hour in this outdoor center. READ MORE

Santa’s Enchanted Forest

Miami - November 10, 2022 - January 8, 2023
Miami's seasonal theme park opens only for the holidays with more than 100 rides, shows, and attractions, plus Santa Claus visits, Christmas karaoke, and plenty of holiday lights. READ MORE

Enchanted Place of North Miami

North Miami - December 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
FREE
Since the 1980s the homes in this North Miami neighborhood of around 30 houses go all out by putting up thousands of lights and holiday decorations for neighbors near and far to drive by and enjoy. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Winterfest Boat Parade
Photo courtesy of Winterfest Boat Parade

Best Christmas Light Displays near Fort Lauderdale

Ocean Way Holiday

Deerfield Beach - December 3. 2022
FREE
A night of family fun includes walking the parade of lights display, taking a photo with Santa, seeing the snow flurries, and enjoying live entertainment like the Mickey and Minnie show. READ MORE

The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade

Fort Lauderdale - December 10, 2022
FREE
Vessels from private boats to giant showboats to corporate megayachts are all adorned with  thousands of lights, music, entertainment, decorations, celebrities, musical groups, beauty queens, and many other exciting features along the 12-mile parade route. READ MORE

Flamingo Gardens’ Garden of Lights

Davie - December 16, 2022 - December 30, 2022
Thousands of lights and holiday decor fill the Arboretum and Wray Lawn at this annual holiday event featuring an after-hours, self-guided walk through the botanical gardens adorned with thousands of lights and decorations. READ MORE

Candy Cane Parade

Hollywood - December 3, 2022
FREE
Line up along the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk and watch as dozens of lighted floats and vehicles drive along the parade route entertaining families. READ MORE

Holiday Lighting of the Greens Festival

Davie - December 3, 2022
FREE
Enjoy lighting up the holiday season with thousands of sparkling lights and holiday decorations and activities such as a Jingle Bell Lighted Horse Parade, live entertainment, children's activities and rides, and a visit with Santa and his friends. READ MORE

Winter Wonderland in Plantation

Plantation - November 19, 2022 - December 31, 2022
FREE
This event is a holiday display featuring over 40 different themed Christmas trees, a miniature train village, Hanukkah display, holiday gift shop and more. READ MORE

Holiday Fantasy of Lights

Coconut Creek - November 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Running nightly, this local holiday tradition in Tradewinds Park is a three-mile drive-thru route including dozens of static and animated light displays and illuminated trees. READ MORE

Christmas Lights in the Acres

Plantation Acres - November 25, 2022 - December 30, 2022
This drive-thru holiday lights show lights up the night each year with a dazzling display of Christmas lights to tour through. READ MORE

Water Taxi Holiday Light Crusises

Fort Lauderdale - December 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Take a boat ride down the mansion-lined waterway and have a front row seat to see the spectacular seasonal show of lights and decorations—all while listening to live music and enjoying holiday themed beverages.  READ MORE

Drive Thru Nativity

Weston - December 4, 2022
FREE
Families are invited to experience the joy of the Christmas story without leaving their cars at the second annual, one-night-only, live action Drive-Thru Nativity. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Zoo Lights at Palm Beach Zoo
Photo courtesy of Zoo Lights at Palm Beach Zoo

Best Christmas Light Displays near West Palm Beach

Drive-Thru Light Show

West Palm Beach - November 18, 2022 - December 30, 2022
The lights are almost out; grab one last chance to load family and friends into the car and get in the holiday spirit at this drive-thru holiday light show. READ MORE

Zoo Lights at Palm Beach Zoo

West Palm Beach - November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023
There are just a few evenings left to catch the Zoo illuminated for the holidays with more than one million eco-friendly lights, in uniquely themed displays, over its 23 acres. READ MORE

Winter Wonderland Laser Lights & Bites

West Palm Beach - November 25, 2022 - December 30, 2022
Friday evenings in December are for singing, dancing, and mini-golf along with festive music favorites at an outdoor laser show spectacular. READ MORE

Holiday Boat Parade

Boynton Beach - December 9, 2022
FREE
A festive flotilla lights up the Intracoastal waterways of Boynton Beach for the Holiday Boat Parade, an event which includes festive music, children’s activities, and a special visit from Santa. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Enchanted Place of North Miami
Hollywood Beach Boardwalk
Plantation Historical Society
St Paul Lutheran Church At Weston