Check out our calendar of events to discover holiday happenings in Florida.

Visit these former (and current) residences to experience the spirit of Christmas.

The Christmas Mansion, DeLand

The 12th annual tour, Nov. 1, 2023–Jan. 20, 2024, of this three-story Victorian—once famed hatmaker John B. Stetson’s grand winter retreat— continues to captivate visitors. This year’s tour includes 10 new very elaborate designer decorated room displays and how they relate the meaning of Christmas. 

Christmas Tour of Homes, St. Augustine

Kick off the season Dec. 10 with a festive walking tour of six historic homes, sponsored by the Garden Club of St. Augustine in the nation’s oldest city. This 52nd annual event showcases some of St. Augustine’s most splendid homes, some dating back to the 1800s, adorned with fresh lavish trees and floral arrangements, fresh wreaths and garlands. 

Victorian Christmas Tours, Fort Lauderdale

Discover the charm of a Victorian-era Christmas at the Historic Stranahan House Museum, Dec. 14–15 and Dec. 21–23. The home, which features wide porches overlooking the New River, was built in 1901 by Frank Stranahan, Fort Lauderdale’s founding father. Learn about the family’s past Christmas traditions as well as Stranahan’s life and legacy. 

Nov. 15–April 14 
Smoke and Mirrors: Magical Thinking in Contemporary Art

This exhibit at the Boca Raton Museum of Art explores the impact of performative magic as well as magical thinking in modern life. Inspired by the late Amazing Randi, a legendary Florida stage magician dedicated to debunking fraudsters, this illuminating show features artists confronting the prevalence of conspiracies and hoaxes in today’s culture. 

Nov. 16–18 
An Olde Fashioned Holiday

Local crafters and artists offer unique works of art, including holiday items along with jewelry, cards, shell art, woodworking and more at this art and craft show at The Fieldhouse at Old School Square in Delray Beach.

Nov. 17–Jan. 6 
Dazzling Nights

This immersive holiday experience at Orlando’s Harry P. Leu Gardens is the perfect family outing. The 50-acre botanical garden comes to brilliant life with a million lights, a winding candy cane path, a fanciful forest with giant neon flowers and a new laser light show featuring live singers. 

Nov. 18–19
42nd Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show

Gainesville’s downtown art fest transforms the streets around Bo Diddley Plaza into an oasis of fine and performing arts. The two-day celebration includes live music, kids’ activities and unique culinary experiences. 

Nov. 18–19
ArtWorks of Eau Gallie Fine Arts Festival

This 27th annual festival, staged in Melbourne’s Eau Gallie Arts District, is the place to be the weekend before Thanksgiving. Taking over a portion of Highland Avenue, this event will feature 80 juried artists who will create new works at their booths and display original art for sale. 

Nov. 18–19
Yankeetown Arts, Crafts, & Seafood Festival

This small coastal village celebrates its rich fishing heritage with arts and crafts, live entertainment and, of course, fresh seafood straight from the Gulf of Mexico. 

Nov. 30–Dec. 4
North Shore Birding Festival

Head to Lake Apopka for Orange Audubon Society’s eighth annual festival. Birders and bird enthusiasts will enjoy field trips, lectures and evening owl walks. 

Dec. 2
Honeymoon Island Bluegrass Festival 2023

The festival kicks off at—you guessed it—Honeymoon Island State Park. Enjoy six hours of traditional bluegrass along with food vendors and children’s activities at this dog-friendly event. 

Dec. 7–10 
Dickens on Centre

Historical Fernandina Beach becomes Victorian London at this festival. Enjoy Victorian-era carolers, dance ensembles and musicians; visit St. Nick; explore Tiny Tim’s Kid Zone; and browse shops and vendors in a holiday market-like atmosphere. 

Dec. 8–10 
Art Basel

Head to Miami Beach to survey, study, discuss and celebrate modern and contemporary art shown by more than 250 galleries from five continents. 

Dec. 9 
Stargazing at the Blackwater River

Relax under the stars at Collier-Seminole State Park in Naples where members of the Everglades Astronomical Society will be on hand 30 minutes after sunset. The event starts with an interpretive presentation followed by constellation viewing using telescopes. 

Dec. 16
Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade

Get your jingle on at this boat parade in Fort Lauderdale. Boats of all sizes decorated with hundreds of thousands of lights will travel the New River to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. 

Jan. 3
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine brings the timeless fairy tale to life at Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach. The production features 50 dancers wearing more than 200 hand-sewn costumes. 

Jan. 13–14
Florida Manatee Festival

Celebrate the lovable, endangered sea cow at this festival in downtown Crystal River. Take guided boat and kayak tours to see manatees up close.