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The Holiday season is here and that means fun and festive events are happening. To keep up to date on what is scheduled, I have the Christmas events on the Treasure Coast: a 2024 guide. Mark your calendars and take part in all the area has to offer!
Tree Lightings
Is there anything better than a traditional Christmas tree lighting? Thanks to Hallmark movies, I now want to see all the tree lightings that are near me. I mean, hot chocolate (or chilled, it is Florida after all), Christmas trees and twinkly lights, what else could one want?
Let’s take a look at what is scheduled.
Fort Pierce
The annual Sights & Sounds Tree Lighting will take place on December 8th from 1:00-9:00. Join in the fun on 2nd Street in downtown Fort Pierce. There will be local vendors and entertainment with the tree lighting immediately following the parade. Make sure to stay after the lighting to see the stunning light display, it’s 100,000 twinkling lights synchronized to music– A must see!
Port St. Lucie
The Festival of Lights is scheduled for December 7th from 2:00-10:00. Fun for the entire family, there will be a midway carnival and food trucks. The Parade of Lights starts at 6:00, so make sure to get a good spot and watch the tree lighting immediately following.
Location: MIDFLORIDA Event Center, 9221 SE Event Center Place
Melbourne
Head to Ryckman Park on December 6th for Melbourne’s annual tree lighting. Make sure to save your appetite for the food and dessert trucks! Kids will have fun playing in the snow and bubbles.
Location: 509 Ocean Avenue, Melbourne
Christmas Parades
I LOVE that all the Treasure Coast towns have Christmas parades and because it’s Florida, you can watch a regular parade and a boat parade. After living in the Midwest my entire life, I particularly enjoy the boat parades.
Vero Beach
Head to Ocean Drive on December 7th for their annual Christmas parade, complete with Santa. Make sure to get there early to stake out a spot as the parade is popular and brings in a festive crowd. This website has all the information on parking at street closures.
If you haven’t had enough Christmas spirit, you can watch the Vero Beach boat parade on December 14th at 6:00. The route starts at the Barber Street Bridge and ends at the Vero Marina. Try the marina or Royal Palm Pointe for excellent viewing spots.
Stuart
You can watch the Stuart Christmas parade on December 6th at 7:00. The parade route will run along Southeast Ocean Blvd. between Monterey and Georgia.
The boat parade is December 14th at 5:30. The route starts at Sandsprit Park, runs through Manatee Pocket with the grand finale in downtown Stuart. For additional information, check here.
Fort Pierce
The Sights and Sounds parade will be on December 8th at 4:00. The route begins at Tickle Tummy Hill on Second Street heading south and concluding at the River Walk Center. Make sure to visit the local vendors and restaurants that will be staying open during the festivities.
The boat parade is December 14th at 6:00. The parade route begins at the Fort Pierce Marina and makes its way to Turning Basin for the end. Check this website for the exact route.
Light Displays
Maybe it’s my inner Clark Griswold, but I LOVE a good Christmas light display. The more lights, the better! Here is a list of some of the best places to get your fill of Christmas lights along the Treasure Coast.
McKee Botanical Gardens
Jungle Lights are back! You can walk through the acres of tropical foliage, but with Christmas lights. This annual light show is a local favorite and for good reason. There are paths with gorgeous lights and displays waiting for you to discover.
The lights will be glowing on December 10-15, December 17-22 and December 26-29 from 6:00-9:00. Admission is required. $20.00 for nonmembers and $10.00 for child/youth. Visit McKee’s website for more information.
Location: 350 US-1, Vero Beach
Wintergreen Night Lights
The Environmental Learning Center in Vero Beach offers a unique holiday experience for the whole family. Wintergreen Night Lights will be happening again this year on December 5th and 6th.
There will be holiday lit trails, smores by the campfire, holiday crafts and the Mangrove Magic Encounter. Paddle through the holiday lit mangroves and experience Christmas in a totally new way. I suggest checking the website for costs involved with the kayaking and any extra activities.
Location: 255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach
Gardens of Light
Another botanical garden is lighting up for the 2024 Christmas season. Heathcote Botanical Gardens in Fort Pierce will have 5 acres of light displays complete with photo ops. Along with the lights, there is a lineup of food trucks and musicians. You also want to make sure to see Santa while you are there to make sure you get your last gift requests in.
Gardens of Light is open on Friday and Saturday from November 29th-January 4th. Admission is $15 for nonmembers and $5 for children 6-12. You can find more information at their website.
Location: 210 Savannah Road, Fort Pierce
Christmas at Tara
The Grall Law Group has a drive through light display that is one of the largest in Vero Beach. This free light show is synchronized to music and great way to get a quick hit of holiday cheer while you are out and about.
The lights will be on from November 29th-December 31st from dusk to 10:00 through the week and until 11:00 on Friday and Saturday.
Location: 7555 20th Street, Vero Beach
Conclusion
I am so excited for the holiday season, and I hope you are too! I hope the Christmas events on the Treasure Coast: a 2024 guide helps you to plan some of your holiday festivities.
For a Christmas gift guide for Floridians, you can read my latest post on fun gifts that anyone would love.
Looking for more fun ways to spend time on the Treasure Coast? Here are some ideas for Vero Beach and Fort Pierce.
