2015 Holiday Events In The Florida Keys

FLORIDA KEYS -- The spirit of the holiday season comes alive in the Florida Keys & Key West with festive events and functions spreading cheer in the island chain's subtropical climate. From Key Largo to Key West, the calendar is packed with events designed to celebrate the holiday spirit. 

Listed here are some highlights, all spiced with a traditional Keys flair.

Nov. 25 – Dec. 20: Key West Holiday Fest. Key West. A wide range of seasonal celebrations include the Nov. 25 lighting of the Harbor Walk of Lights along the Historic Seaport at the Key West Bight, tours of historic decorated inns, a lighted parade and more. Events are to be hosted by the Lodging Association of the Florida Keys & Key West. For a complete schedule of events, visitwww.keywestholidayfest.com. 

Nov. 28: Big Pine & the Lower Keys Island Art Festival. Big Pine & the Lower Keys. Highlights of this holiday event include live music by local entertainers, food, exhibits and booths featuring locally produced arts and crafts. Festivities traditionally take place on the grounds of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, mile marker (MM) 31 oceanside. Visit www.lowerkeyschamber.com or call 305-872-2411.

Nov. 28: Light Up Key Largo. Key Largo. Sponsored by the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, holiday happenings with live music, decorations, food and drinks are to spark the seasonal spirit. The annual tree lighting is to be held at the Murray E. Nelson Government Center and Key Largo Cultural Center, MM 102. Eggnog, caroling and an appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus are virtually guaranteed to put everyone in a festive mood. The event starts at 6 p.m. Visitwww.keylargochamber.com or call 305-451-1414. 

Dec. 3-6: Hot Pink Holidays. Key West. Sponsored by the Key West Business Guild, this LGBT holiday event is full of festive activities as well as special retail opportunities on the island. Events include holiday lights tours, a hometown holiday parade experience and Christmas caroling. Visit www.hotpinkholidays.org or call 305-294-4603. 

Dec. 4: Florida Keys Holiday Festival. Islamorada. This extravaganza begins with a tree-lighting ceremony at Founders Park, MM 87. Attractions include food, live performances and kids activities including the crowd favorite 30-ton mountain of snow. Visit www.islamoradachamber.com or call 305-664-4503.

Dec. 5: Key West Holiday Parade. Key West. The island city shows its holiday spirit with this annual hometown parade. Featuring marching groups and floats, the festive procession traditionally draws entries from churches, civic organizations, businesses and neighborhood and school groups. Visit www.keywestcity.com or call 305-809-3881.

Dec. 12: Pops in the Park Jingle Bells Rock Concert. Islamorada. A special holiday concert is to be held at the ICE amphitheater at Founders Park, MM 87 bayside. The family-friendly concert features traditional music of the season. Presented by Keys Community Concert Band, the event starts at 4 p.m. and admission is free. All seats are outdoors and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Visitwww.keyscommunityconcertband.org or call Donna Heiner at 305-853-7294.

Dec. 12, 13 & 19: Lighted Boat Parades. Throughout the Florida Keys. Decorated and lighted boats are to cruise through Keys waters Dec. 12 on Key Largo's Blackwater Sound and in Key West Harbor and Marathon's Boot Key Harbor; Dec. 13 at Key Colony Beach and Dec. 19 at the Lower Keys' Pine Channel Causeway. For the Key Largo Holiday Boat Parade, visit www.keylargoboatparade.com or call 305-394-3736; for the Key West Lighted Boat Parade, visit www.schoonerwharf.com or call 305-292-3302; for the Key Colony Beach lighted Boat Parade, visitwww.kcbca.org or call 305-743-7214; for the Boot Key Harbor Lighted Boat Parade, visit www.bootkeyharbor.com/christmas_parade.htm or call 305-849-0285; and for the Lower Keys Lighted Boat Parade, call 305-923-5370.

Dec. 13: Christmas on the Sheriff's Animal Farm. Stock Island. Kids and adults can visit the furry, fluffy and feathered residents of the animal farm and petting zoo and get a photo taken with Santa. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office Animal Farm is located at the county's detention center at 5501 College Road. Admission is free and the farm is open to the public the second and fourth Sundays of each month. Visit www.keysso.net/miscellaneous/animal_park.htm or call 305-293-7300.

Dec. 19: A Holiday Concert at Marathon Community Theater. Marathon. Shows are slated to ring in the holiday cheer at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children. Visit www.marathontheater.org or call 305-743-0994. 

Dec. 20: Monthly Artisan Market, A Holiday "Shop Local" Edition. Key West. Browse the vibrant open-air bazaar filled with Keys artists, authors, chef-made cuisine, craftspeople and performers. Admission is free and the market is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first Sunday of each month. Visitwww.facebook.com/KeyWestArtisanMarket. 

Dec. 26-27: 56th Annual Key West House & Garden Tours. Key West. Presented by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, the annual self-guided tours showcase festively dressed Key West homes and gardens. Advance tickets are $30 and proceeds benefit the Old Island Restoration Foundation's museums, collection and education, grant and scholarship programs. Visit www.oirf.org or call 305-294-9501. 

Dec. 27: Florida Keys Craft Beer & Bubbly Fest. Marathon. From noon to 7 p.m., enjoy tastings of craft beers, wines and champagnes along with live entertainment and delicious food at Marathon Community Park, MM 49 oceanside. Admission is free. Visit www.keysbeerandbubblyfest.com/. 

Dec. 31: Annual Key West Dachshund Walk. Key West. Frost-free Key West becomes a "wiener wonderland" when about 200 dachshunds and their owners take a noontime New Year's Eve stroll through the island's picturesque downtown. Spectators can watch the fun and meet the canine participants on Fleming Street between Whitehead and Duval streets. Email keywestdachshundwalk@gmail.com. 

Dec. 31: New Year's Eve Fireworks on Blackwater Sound. Key Largo. The backcountry bay is the setting for the annual New Year's Eve fireworks extravaganza hosted by Sundowners, Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill, Señor Frijoles, Cactus Jack's, Gus's Grille at the Marriott Key Largo Beach Resort and the Caribbean Club, all located around MMs 103-104. Visit www.keylargofireworks.com. 

Dec 31: New Year's Eve Midnight Fireworks in Islamorada. Cheeca Lodge & Spa, MM 82 oceanside, is to offer a gourmet dinner, live music, dancing on the beach and a midnight fireworks display. Visit www.cheeca.com or call 305-517-4580. Morada Bay Beach Café at MM 81.6 bayside is to host a large beach party with live music, a specially planned beach barbecue, signature cocktails, performers and fireworks. Visit www.moradabay.com/full-moon-party/. 

Dec. 31: New Year's Eve Celebrations in the Southernmost City. Key West. The Southernmost City typically celebrates with a "conch shell drop" at Sloppy Joe's Bar, 201 Duval St.; the descent of a super-sized red high-heel shoe carrying drag queen Sushi at the Bourbon St. Pub/New Orleans House complex, 724 Duval St.; the lowering of a pirate wench from atop a tall ship's mast at the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St.; and at the Ocean Key Resort & Spa, at 0 Duval St., plans call for a huge replica of a Key lime wedge to splash down into a larger-than-life margarita glass on the property's Sunset Pier. For more information on the respective events, visit www.sloppyjoes.com, www.bourbonstpub.com or www.schoonerwharf.com or call Ocean Key Resort at 305-295-7005.

Ten ways to celebrate the holidays in Kissimmee, Florida
It’s beginning to look (and feel) a lot like Christmas here in Kissimmee from festive parties at our world-famous theme parks to nightly snow fall in downtown Celebration.  Feel the wonder and magic all around as you create new family traditions or spend quality time with friends at our one-of-a-kind holiday events.  Here are 10 spectacular holiday delights to check out this season.   

1. Join Mickey and friends at Magic Kingdom during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a winter celebration for live entertainment, spectacular fireworks and an oh-so-jolly holiday parade. Select Nights November 8 - December 18, 2015
2. See Ma in her kerchief, Pa in his cap and more as the classic holiday poem, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, is brought to life using two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures, including two-story tall ice slides at ICE! at Gaylord Palms.  This year’s Christmas at the Gaylord Palms will also feature Alpine Rush Snow Tubing, Breakfast with Mrs. Claus, Gingerbread Decorating Corner, The Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt and more. November 24, 2015 – January 3, 2016
3. Grinchmas at Universal's Islands of Adventure transforms Seuss Landing into the whimsical world of the Grinch. See characters come to life, as Whos down in Who-ville stroll through Seuss Landing, ready to say hello and spread good cheer. Get the Grinch's autograph, shake his hand and have a photo taken with the mean, green one for a one-of-a-kind holiday memento.  December 5, 2015 – January 2, 2016
4. It’s the final year to take in the dazzling sight of buildings blanketed in sheets of multi-colored lights, twirling carousels, heavenly angels and even Santa and his reindeer at The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios. This breathtaking display features millions of glittering lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music.  November 6, 2015 - January 3, 2016
5. Now Snowing, Central Florida's original and premier "Snowing" event, offers a schedule filled with surprises. Now Snowing is a month long Winter Wonderland Spectacular featuring an ice rink, strolling Charles Dickens Carolers, community performers, photos with Santa, horse drawn carriage rides, the Celebration Express train, and nightly snowfall at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. November 28 – December 31, 2015
6. Macy's Holiday Parade at Universal Studios will make the streets come alive with balloons and floats beyond imagination! There are plenty of delicious treats to eat and drink plus festive music everyone will enjoy! Adding to the celebration is the return of a holiday favorite, Mannheim Steamroller. Don't miss their live performances on select Saturday and Sunday nights!  December 5, 2015 – January 2, 2016
7. Waves of holiday spirit splash over the park during SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration, creating a wintery, watery wonderland. Journey to the North Pole on THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience, then share a smile with a playful penguin in Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin! With everything from Santa to Shamu, presents to penguins, and elves to Elmo, this Christmas Celebration is where the season meets the sea. November 21- December 31, 2015
8. A joyous and inspiring telling of the Christmas Story at Epcot's Candlelight Processional, narrated by a variety of celebrity guests accompanied by a choir of hundreds and an orchestra. November 27 - December 30, 2015
9. Christmas Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Florida brings in the holiday season with a 30-foot tall LEGO Christmas tree made of 270,000 LEGO bricks. Every night a family will be chosen to help light the Bricktacular tree and visitors will also have an amazing photo opportunity with a life-size LEGO Santa Claus. Christmas Bricktacular festivities take place every Saturday and Sunday in December.
10. Celebrate the season with the annual festival of lights parade in Historic Downtown Kissimmee.  The event features holiday carolers, strolling entertainers, marching bands, seasonal food and beverages and a special appearance from Santa!

Surfing Santas 
A Cocoa Beach Holiday Charity Tradition
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Who could ever foresee that a simple phone call from a Mom and Dad inviting their son and daughter-in-law out to surf some waves would become a tradition that would spread around the world and bring much-needed help to those battling cancer? Surfing Santas in Cocoa Beach, Florida has become a local and international tradition that everyone should support and enjoy. <MORE> ​

Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa
The Ponte Vedra Beach Resort that has it all
Close your eyes for just a moment and imagine your dream vacation. Does it include a beautiful beach with all the amenities, a spa with services to pamper you, beautiful natural surroundings where eagles soar overhead, refreshing swimming pools, relaxing hot tubs, delicious dining, beautifully spacious guest rooms and even a world-famous golf course? You don’t have to imagine any longer because your dream vacation destination is real and it’s called the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in sunny Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.<MORE> 

Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa
The perfect leisure travel resort on Florida’s Gold Coast
Located between Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, the city of Pompano Beach offers a more leisurely vibe and excellent tourist amenities within minutes of the bigger cities. When planning a Pompano Beach getaway, we highly recommend the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa. <MORE>

Tarpon Lodge
The perfect location for a relaxing vacation
 Imagine yourself walking barefoot across a vibrant green lawn, sitting down for a rest at a waterside bench and staring off across the rolling waves to the islands in the distance. If this is your idea of the perfect vacation, then you will love the Tarpon Lodge & Restaurant on Pine Island in Pineland, Florida. <MORE> 

Cypress Cove Nudist Resort
The Orlando area's most peaceful, welcoming and natural resort
A record 62 million people visited the Orlando, Florida area in 2014. Why? Central Florida has year-round ideal weather, world-class entertainment, professional sporting events, beautiful scenery, theme parks galore and the most peaceful, welcoming and natural resort you will find anywhere - Cypress Cove Nudist Resort. <MORE> 

​White Sands Buddhist Center
The three largest granite Buddhist statues in the entire state of Florida
Mims, Florida
The White Sands Buddhist Center in Mims, Florida is truly a unique and little-known treasure on Florida's Space Coast just north of Titusville. From the moment you begin to follow the winding sand driveway through lush Florida foliage until you reach the meditation center with the three huge Buddha statues, everything about this property exudes peacefulness. <MORE> 

Five Things You Must See In Cedar Key
Cedar Key, Florida
Located on a small island on Florida’s Gulf Coast about an hour southwest of Gainesville, you will find one of Florida’s best vacation treasures. The tiny seaside fishing village of Cedar Key offers visitors a glimpse of Old Florida that few get to experience these days. If a relaxing atmosphere, beautiful sunsets and friendly people are what you’re looking for in a vacation location, Cedar Key is the place. <MORE> 

Experience Kissimmee Launches Holiday Campaign to Reach Florida Residents
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (NOVEMBER 18, 2015)—Experience Kissimmee is partnering with International Plaza mall in Tampa for its annual holiday campaign, following the success of last year’s partnership.  Extending its reach to Florida residents this holiday season, the program encourages travel to the Kissimmee destination during the off-peak-time between Thanksgiving and the week before Christmas.  The campaign will also promote special offers from Experience Kissimmee Industry Partners, providing savings for families in search of a winter wonderland where they least expect it. 

Ad placements, wall clings and rack cards, listing Kissimmee holiday events, will be displayed in the mall, primarily surrounding the area where Santa and the Ice Palace will be featured.  The International Plaza is a highly trafficked mall, with an estimated 18 million visitors per year, primarily attracting affluent shoppers with families.  Ads will run through the holiday season, bringing awareness to Kissimmee as a one-of-a-kind holiday destination. 

As a supplement to the media buys at International Plaza, Experience Kissimmee will run a 7-week “text to win” sweepstakes.   

Consumers will have a chance to enter to win a prize package for two which includes tickets to holiday events in Kissimmee such as ICE! at Gaylord Palms featuring ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Now Snowing at Celebration and theme park admission. To enter, text “SNOW” to 313131 or visit the official campaign website, www.snowyholiday.com, and fill out the entry form.  Weekly prizes will be given away throughout a 7-week period.  One entry per day, per person to be eligible.   
Special deals at the theme parks and local attractions help spread additional cheer.  Find these special savings at www.snowyholiday.com/holidayoffers.
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Kissimmee is the ideal destination for creating new family traditions, spending quality time with friends and playing at the attractions.  With nearly 50,000 accommodation options available, it is the best place to stay to visit the theme parks, as well as a wide array of outdoor attractions that showcase Central Florida’s natural side. Zipline through the trees, skim across the headwaters of the Everglades in an airboat, soar above it all in a hot air balloon and enjoy quality time at the pool or on the golf course. Start planning today at www.ExperienceKissimmee.com.