The Best Holiday-Themed Events Happening This Weekend In Broward

With the Thanksgiving holiday mile-marker in your rear-view mirror, it's time to face the cold harsh reality that you've been trying to avoid up until today: Christmas and Hanukkah are fast-approaching, and it's time to get yourself in a holiday mood — if not for you, for your family, because the only thing worse than the holidays is a big ol' Scrooge.

It can be hard — especially living in balmy South Florida — to get those holiday juices flowing. If you're finding it tough to get in the holiday spirit, here are a slew of events happening this week that are sure to light a yule-log fire under your ass.

Friday, December 2nd

Light Up Sistrunk
5 to 9 p.m. Northwest Ninth to Northwest 11th Avenues, Fort Lauderdale.
This free holiday celebration will include lots of food, fun, and entertainment for all ages, including a tree lighting, health fair, kids' zone, snow, photos with Santa, bounce houses, game trucks, and more. Every hour, a new musical act will be featured on the main stage.

Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant
First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, 301 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
Get in the mood for the holiday with the Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant, which will include their annual festive opening, classic carols, and famous holiday songs. Later in the night, a group will put on a musical drama of the nativity and life of Christ. Tickets for this special event are $17.

Holiday Lighting — Miramar
6 to 7 p.m. 2300 Civic Center Pl., Miramar.
If you're looking for a tree lighting, Miramar has you covered this weekend. The annual tree lighting takes place this Friday at Town Center and is open to public looking to kickoff their Christmas season a tad early. Guests will be greeted by Christmas carolers and a special Christmas performance by Glades Middle School's Chorus and Band along with a Miramar Church Choir. Kids can take photos with Santa and his elvish friends at this event as well. Food and hot drinks will be served for a small fee.


Light Up Cooper City
6 to 9 p.m. Memorial Park between City Hall and the Community Center on 90th Avenue, Cooper City.
This free event features the lighting of holiday lights, candles, and wreaths. Activities available at this family-friendly event include youth performances, children’s activities, Santa visits, and a craft show.

Holiday Movie Fest
8 p.m. ArtsPark at Young Circle, Hollywood Boulevard and Federal Highway, Hollywood.
Looking for something more laid back and less like what your parents used to drag you to around this time of year? The ArtsPark in Hollywood is holding a holiday-themed movie night on December 2nd (and the two Fridays to follow). On December 2nd the Will Ferrell holiday classic Elf will be shown beneath the starry skies, on December 9th How the Grinch Stole Christmas will be shown, and on December 16th Home Alone is the holiday movie being offered. This is a free event.


Saturday, December 3rd

Snowfest
2 to 6 p.m. Pines Recreation Center, 7400 Pines Blvd., Hollywood.
Seventy-five tons of snow will be delivered to the event's snow area, where kids can walk in their own winter wonderland for just $2. Festivities will include visits with Santa, face painting, rides, games, arts and crafts, lots of holiday performances, musical entertainment, lots of food trucks, and lots more holiday fun.

Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade
7 p.m. Hollywood Beach Broadwalk & A1A
The 61st-annual Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade is back, and it's planned to be bigger than ever. The parade is scheduled to roll down the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 3. There will be dozens of lighted floats and vehicles plus parade participants that will be tossing out candy canes and starlight mints all along the parade route to the thousands of spectators who line the Broadwalk. Complimentary bleacher seating will be available at various locations along the parade route.

Holiday Celebration
Young at Art Museum, 751 SW 121 Ave., Davie.
The Young at Art Museum has a special day planned for Broward residents this Saturday, December 3. Residents in the holiday mood can make edible marshmallow coral, pop-up holiday cards, and many more holiday arts and crafts. The event is only available to Broward residents at a $12 charge per person.

Christmas Celebration
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flamingo Road Nursery, 1655 Flamingo Rd., Davie.
The Flamingo Road Nursery is holding a holiday party December 3, 4, 10, and 11 with activities the entire family can enjoy, including photos with Santa, crafts, music, off-road sleigh rides, and sweets and treats in the Farmers Market. This event is the perfect time to pick out your Christmas tree, as Flamingo specializes in selling farm-fresh Christmas trees that will be on sale during this holiday celebration.

Cookies With Santa
Stranahan House, 335 SE Sixth Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
The historic Stranahan House is holding its annual Cookies With Santa event on Saturday, December 2nd. For $10, each kid can take a picture with Santa, do arts and crafts with Mrs. Claus, and enjoy story time with the Claus family afterward. Santa's helpers will be offering assistance to those putting the finishing touches on their letter to Santa. It's by appointment only, so make sure you call 954-524-4736.

Lighting of the Greens & Music Under the Stars
6 to 8 p.m. Davie Town Hall 6591 Orange Dr., Davie.
This free event features the lighting of over 200,000 lights that will glitter in a truly multicultural celebration including Christmas trees, Kwanzaa kinaras, and Hanukkah menorahs at Davie Town Hall. The Florida Youth Orchestra will provide music for the night. Santa arrives at 6:30 p.m. by firetruck, followed by the lighting of town hall at 6:45 p.m.