Local Favorite Holiday Events on Florida’s Treasure Coast

The Port St. Lucie Community Center is taking the lights to the streets for this year’s Winter Wonderland Light Show. Synchronized to holiday music, six leaping arches provide a kaleidoscope of color, while trees are adorned with festive lights.

Explore Fort Pierce’s Heathcote Botanical Gardens in a whole new light this holiday season at their Garden of Lights event. For the entire month of December, Heathcote’s five acres of gardens will be illuminated with thousands of lights handcrafted into colorful seasonal and whimsical garden displays.

Stuart Christmas Parade has been surprising and delighting visitors and locals alike for over 50 years. Head downtown on December 2 to soak in the holiday spirit, with floats designed around this year’s theme, “A Storybook Christmas.”

A holiday tradition for the whole family, over 50 local non-profits have created lighted Christmas displays for this year’s Carnival of Lights. Taking place at the Martin County Fair, guests can enjoy Christmas crafts, food trucks, carnival rides, and festive holiday music provided by local schools and musicians.

Mariners are invited to decorate their boats both big and small with fun holiday decorations to show off in the St. Lucie County Holiday Boat Parade. The parade begins just north of the South Causeway Bridge, travels through the Fort Pierce Inlet, and ends at the Fort Pierce City Marina. Guests can enjoy viewing the boat parade from waterfront restaurants, parks, and other locations along the St. Lucie River route.

Start the holiday season in style at the Mid Florida Credit Union Event Center with their annual Festival of Lights. The event includes a holiday parade, a tree lighting ceremony, live holiday music, fireworks, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and much more.

While Downtown Fort Pierce is already recognized as one of the most beautiful Main Streets in America, the holiday season brings a new type of beauty to the region. The annual Sights & Sounds on Second Parade kicks off a night of holiday celebrations, with floats from local vendors under the theme “Country Christmas.” After the parade, stay downtown to witness the official lighting of Main Street.

Downtown Fort Pierce is also home to the Holiday Lights Spectacular, a dazzling light show that sparkles in the night sky during the holiday season. Over 100,000 lights are synchronized to holiday music, creating a must-see spectacle for both locals and out-of-town guests.

Grab a comfy blanket, a lawn chair, and bring the whole family together to watch the holiday classic The Polar Express at the Mid Florida Event Center. Taking place on the expansive outdoor lawn, guests can enjoy the Florida weather while enjoying free popcorn. Kona Ice will also be at the event with shaved ice cups.

Celebrate Hispanic culture at Veterans Park’s annual Noche Buena festivities. Celebrating the Hispanic version of Christmas Eve, residents are invited to enjoy a night filled with live music by four-time Grammy award-winning musician Tomasito Cruz, dancing, and delicious food.