Christmas Attractions in Florida
- Site of the Winterfest Boat ParadeFlorida waterway image by EDawg from Fotolia.com
With its warm climate, Florida hardly conjures images of Christmas. However, its year-round popularity with tourists, particularly in December, prompted the erection of many Christmas attractions. Consequently, Florida's are some of the nation's largest and most visited. - Fort Lauderdale hosts the Winterfest Boat Parade each December on the Intercoastal Waterway. Each boat is decorated with Christmas lights coinciding with the year's theme. The 12-mile parade began in 1971 and consistently receives more spectators than any other boat parade on earth, according to the Florida Festival and Events Association. It is free to the public, except for grandstand seating.
Winterfest, Inc.
512 NE 3rd Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-767-0686
winterfestparade.com - The Gaylord Palms Hotel in Kissimmee is a popular family destination due to its winter wonderland known as ICE. With the price of admission you receive a parka, then enter a room chilled to nine degrees. There you will view hand-carved ice sculptures that require two million pounds of ice to create. All feature winter or Christmas themes and one of the main exhibits is a life-size Nativity scene. There is also a miniature castle featuring a large slide for children and an ice skating rink just outside the exhibit.
Gaylord Palms Hotel
6000 West Osceola Parkway
Kissimmee, FL 34746-4414
407-586-2000
gaylordhotels.com - Santa's Enchanted Forest in Miami is the self-proclaimed largest Christmas theme park and carnival in the world, featuring more than 100 rides, a 92-foot-tall Christmas tree, pony rides and a petting zoo. Unlike traditional carnivals, all rides, shows and games are included with the price of admission. More than three million Christmas lights are on display, encompassing a half-mile area. Santa's Enchanted Forest has 50 unique food stands providing many international meals. It is open from November 5 to January 10.
Santa's Enchanted Forest
7900 S.W. 40th Street
Miami, FL 33155
305-559-9689
santasenchantedforest.com
