Tucker Degraw Memorial Christmas Boat Parade
Christmas lights on outriggers, Santa’s elves and brightly lit deck displays highlight the beautiful festivities during the Key Colony Beach Boat Parade on Sunday, December 8, beginning at dusk. The parade starts at the 7th Street canal, making its way through canals and cuts, passing city hall three times. The parade is open to all boats, with winners selected for best boat overall, best boat under 30 feet and best boat over 30 feet. Great viewing spots include Sadowski Causeway at MM 53.5, and the dock area behind
city hall and the post office. The event is sponsored by the Key Colony Beach Fishing & Boating Club. For more information, visit www.kcba.org or call 305-394-2480.
Through December 7, Marathon
“A Great Tuna”
Marathon Community Theater presents a tour-de-farce as two actors recreate the entire population of Tuna, Texas, portraying 20 characters as they travel across the stage, donning costume after costume. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25.
www.marathontheater.org; 305-743-0994
December 6, Islamorada
15th annual Holiday Fest
Visit Founders Park, MM 87, from 4 to 10 p.m. for holiday goodies, a snow mountain, holiday parade, community tree lighting, caroling, gift shopping, kids’ activities and a visit from Santa.
www.islamoradachamber.com; 305-664-4503
December 6, Marathon
Lighted Bike Ride
Decorate your bike and contribute an unwrapped toy or money for Holiday Helpers of the Florida Keys, which gathers toys for struggling working families in Marathon. Free photos with Santa, milk and cookies are available from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Marathon Airport. The ride begins at 7 p.m. at Frontage Road. Register online.
www.wesleyhouse.org; Claire Hiller, 305-809-5000
December 7, Duette
Christmas Festival
The Duette Community Association hosts its annual fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with fun, food, games, live and silent auctions, craft tables and Boss Hawg Band. Proceeds benefit the Historic Duette School site for maintenance and displays in the museum.
941-742-8110
December 7, Port St. Joe
Christmas in the Garden
The Port St. Joe Garden Club hosts its annual celebration from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the garden center, 216 8th St., with handcrafted gifts, home decor items and baked goods. Local photographer Reggie Smith takes photos of families and pets for a nominal fee, no appointments necessary. Three presentations are scheduled: Jessica Swindall, director of the Florida Coastal Conservancy, talks about Gulf County’s sea turtles; Linda White, 2008 National Audubon Educator of the Year, talks about Florida’s eagles; and Jeanne Schlicting and Linda Hamilton demonstrate how herbs can enhance your holiday cooking. Admission is free. Refreshments are available for purchase all day.
www.facebook.com/Port-St-Joe-Garden-Club
December 7, Marathon
Second annual Lighting of the Lighthouse & Boat Parade
Enjoy food, music, performances, holiday shopping, Santa Claus and a boat parade centered around the lighting of the iconic lighthouse at Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club, 1996 Overseas Highway, from 4 to
9 p.m. The boat parade is at 7 p.m.
akeeney@spottswood.com; 305-434-9035
December 7, Pensacola
Santa’s Lego Building Party
Children younger than 12 are invited to be an elf in Santa’s workshop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and build a Lego creation in the Christmas courtyard at 223 Palafox Place, or bring their own masterpiece from home. The top three creators receive special prizes from Santa.
www.pensacolawinterfest.org; 850-583-1365
December 7, Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach Marathon
Run alongside award-winning beaches in a Boston qualifier marathon, half-marathon, 5K or kids’ fun run. The start and finish are at Pier Park. A portion of the proceeds benefits Haney Technical Center to provide educational opportunities for students.
www.pcbmarathon.com
December 7, Lake Placid
Ninth annual Holiday Home & Garden Tour
Several beautifully decorated homes and a meticulously maintained garden are featured during the Lake Placid Garden Club event from noon to 4 p.m. A $15 donation is requested, with proceeds benefiting Highland County youth scholarships, camperships and sponsorships. The Holiday Café at the Women’s Club, 10 N. Main Ave., offers refreshments and gift items. If you bring an ornament for the café’s giving tree, it will be donated to a needy family in time for Christmas.
www.lpgc.us; Karen, 317-395-4912; Paula, 863-835-2419
December 7, Sebring
Cookiefest
Decorate holiday cookies, write letters to Santa, and participate in holiday art and craft projects from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Highlands Art League, 1971 Lakeview Drive.
www.highlandsartleague.org; 863-385-5312
December 7, Palmetto
Christmas in the Park
The Manatee County Agricultural Museum and Palmetto Historical Park invite you to enjoy reindeer games, buy baked goods and visit the decorated buildings from
3 to 8 p.m. Santa arrives at 4 p.m.
www.manateecountyagmuseum.com; 941-721-2034
December 11, Islamorada
Lecture Series
Brad Bertelli, curator/historian for the Keys History & Discovery Center, speaks about “True Pirate Tales of the Florida Keys” at 6 p.m. at the center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are recommended.
info@keysdiscovery.com; 305-922-2237
December 13-14 and 20-21, Fort Meade
Christmas in the Village
Ride around the Florida Flywheelers park on a tram pulled by an antique tractor, browse through the lighted antique village decorated as a winter wonderland and take photos with Santa from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is canned goods, toys, a monetary donation or all three.
www.floridaflywheelers.org
December 14, Islamorada
Pops in the Park
Join Santa, the Burton Bell Ringers and the Florida Keys Community Concert Band for the free Holiday Suite Dreams concert and sing-along from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Founders Park Amphitheater. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.
www.keyscommunityconcertband.org; 305-451-4530
December 14, Pensacola
Cox Christmas Parade
Join the fun beginning at 5:15 p.m. as nearly 90 entries and eight bands from Escambia County, New Orleans and Mississippi entertain more than 50,000 people. The route begins at Spring and Garden streets. A 1.2-mile run precedes the parade.
www.coxpensacolachristmasparade.org
December 14, Port St. Joe
Christmas on the Coast
Sleigh bells ring on historic downtown Reid Avenue for this traditional family-fun parade. Enter your float, boat, car, truck, golf cart, walking unit or band. Lineup and judging start at 5 p.m. ET. The parade begins at 6 p.m.
www.visitgulf.com; 850-229-8261
December 14, Milton
Santa Rosa Farmers Market Winterfest
Take a picture with Country Santa and Mrs. Claus at 6451 Park Ave. Shop for handcrafted holiday gifts, baked goods and food from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
850-390-0991
December 14, Avon Park
Lawnmower Racing
Races are at 6 p.m. at the Avon Park Mower-Plex, 2155 W. Herrick Road. Admission is $7, or $12 for a pit pass. Kids get in free.
www.nasgrassinc.com; 863-241-6930
December 18, Marathon
Paint Holiday Ornaments
Follow step-by-step instructions to paint a mermaid and starfish ornament or choose from several stencils and create your own. The event is at 5:30 p.m. at the Overseas Pub & Grill. Online registration is required. The cost is $35 per person. A $5 donation per painter benefits the Florida Keys SPCA of Marathon.
www.paintingthekeys.com
December 18, Islamorada
Immerse Yourself!
Corey Malcom of the Mel Fisher Museum speaks about marine archaeology at 7 p.m. at the History of Diving Museum, MM83.
www.divingmuseum.org; 305-664-9737
December 18-19, Bradenton
Star of Bethlehem
Staff astronomers at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature lead you on a journey to Jerusalem some 2,000 years ago using the planetarium’s ability to travel through time and space. What did the Magi see? Was the star a comet, a supernova or something else? The event is at 7 p.m. Admission is $8 for members of the Discovery Society and $10 for all others.
www.realizebradenton.com
December 23, Port St. Joe
Christmas Carols at the Lighthouse
The Forgotten Coast Ukulele Orchestra leads classic Christmas carols at the Cape San Blas Lighthouse at 4:30 p.m.
www.visitgulf.com; 850-229-7800
December 31, Panama City Beach
New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop
Say goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020 with a family-friendly celebration. The streets of Pier Park are closed off to traffic as thousands of revelers enjoy free live music, entertainment and good cheer beginning at 5:30 p.m.
www.visitpanamacitybeach.com
December 31, Key Largo
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
The back bay is the setting for the annual extravaganza hosted by Sundowners, Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill, Senor Frijoles, Cactus Jacks, Gus’ Grille at the Marriott Key Largo Beach Resort and the Caribbean Club, MM 103-104.
www.keylargofireworks.com; 305-451-5566
December 31, Key West
Dachshund Walk
About 200 dachshunds and their owners take a noontime stroll through downtown.
www.facebook.com/Key-West-Dachshund-Walk
December 31, Port St. Joe
New Year’s Eve Firework Show
Kick off the new year with fireworks at Frank Pate Park, 10 p.m. Eastern.
www.visitgulf.com
December 31, Islamorada
New Year’s Eve Celebration
Ring in the new year with midnight fireworks on the beach at Morada Bay Beach Café, MM 81.6, with live music, a beach barbecue, signature cocktails, performers and fireworks.
www.moradabay.com; 305-664-0604
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