Christmas Festivals & Tree Lightings
Kick off the holidays with parades, music, and glowing trees—these events capture the joy of the season on the Treasure Coast.Fairgrounds Festival of Lights – A New St. Lucie Tradition
Date: November 27–December 28, 2025 (6–9 p.m. Wed–Thu/Sun; 6–10 p.m. Fri–Sat) Location: St. Lucie County Fairgrounds, 15601 W. Midway Road, Fort Pierce Details: Drive-thru mile of lights with Santa's Village, petting zoo, real reindeer, live Nativity, and photo ops. Food trucks on-site; camel/pony rides $10. Price: $10/person in advance, $12 at gate Why Go: Perfect for a cozy car adventure—stay warm and wow the kids!
Downtown Vero Beach Tree Lighting Festival
Date: November Location: Pocahontas Park, Vero Beach Details: Photos with Santa, bubble "snow," music, food trucks, and a holiday movie on the green. Co-hosted by Main Street Vero Beach, Vero Heritage Center, and Indian River County Chamber. Price: Free Why Go: Charming, low-key vibes in a historic park—pack chairs for movie night!
Sights & Sounds Parade
Date: December 7, 2025 (parade at 4 p.m.; lights 6–9 p.m. nightly through January) Location: Downtown Fort Pierce (starts at Avenue A) Details: 37th annual parade themed "Fort Pierce Through the Decades," followed by tree lighting and 100,000+ synchronized lights with music. Includes Dancing Palm Trees show every 30 minutes. Price: Free Why Go: A must-do tradition—lights dance to tunes while you stroll the waterfront.
Christmas on Main Street
Date: Nov 28th, 2025 Location: Downtown Stuart Details: Annual tree lighting with music, vendors, and local charm. Price: Free Why Go: Quaint downtown stroll—hit your favorite spots for dinner after.
Festival of Lights
Date: December 6, 2025 (2–10 p.m.) Location: MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center, Port St. Lucie Details: Parade of lights at 6 p.m., tree lighting, fireworks, live music, food trucks, and crafts. Price: Free entry; parking fees may apply Why Go: Epic fireworks finale—family photo gold!
Christmas on the Farm
Whimsical Wonderland
Date: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in December
Location: Diamond D Ranch in Indiantown
Details: Walk through lights, dance floor, vendors, Santa, Grinch and Whoville, Hot cocoa, Bounce Castle, Igloo, and so much more. Price: ticketed event. Why Go: so much festive fun!
- Eastside Acres Ranch
Date: December 20th and December 21st
Time: 10:30 am- 12:30 pm Location: 6740 Ideal Holding Rd, Port Saint Lucie, FL, US Details:
Admission includes:
Parking
Entrance to the ranch
Access to all the animals
Animal feed for petting & feeding
Holiday photo ops
Play area & outdoor games
Special Guests!
Santa Claus — December 20th
The Grinch — December 21st Price: ($18) per person
- Christmas Fest at Blue Ridge Farms
Date: December 7th, 2025
Time: 10:30 am- 12:30 pm Location: 17190 Jupiter Farms Rd Details: Festival of Lights, decorated trees, live music, food trucks , crafters & vendors, kids games and much more
- After Hours Christmas at Hobe Sound Farms
Date: November 28, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Location: 1425 SE Bridge Rd. Hobe Sound,FL34997 Details: Experience Hobe Sound Farms After Hours!
A lively night on the farm featuring live music by local band Tom Jackson Band, The Grinch sling shot at the Bouquet Bunker, food trucks, animal encounters, photo ops, and nighttime hayride tours around the farm.
Sip on local craft beer from Ocean Republic or cocktails from our full bar as you explore the farm under the stars.
Take a picture with Mr & Mrs Clause marking the beginning of the Christmas Season!
Admission: $10 in advance | $15 at the door
Holiday Theater Shows
Snuggle up for live performances that bring holiday tales to life—great for date nights or kiddo culture.- Sounds of the Season at Sunrise TheatreDate: December 4th-7th 2025 Location: Indian River College 3209 Virginia Avenue Building T Fort Pierce, FL 34981Details: Festive shows with music, nostalgia, and family fun. Why Go: Historic venue vibes—sing along to classics!
- Nutcracker by St. Lucie Ballet Fort Pierce Shows
- Theater: Sunrise TheatreLocation: 117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce, FL 34950Dates & Times: December 13–14, 2025 (Sat: 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.; Sun: 2 p.m.)
- Theater: The Lyric Theatre (presented by Treasure Coast Ballet)Location: 59 SW Flagler Ave., Stuart, FL 34994Dates & Times: December 19–21, 2025 (Fri: 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.; Sun: 1 p.m. & 5 p.m.)
Markets, Bazaars & Fundraising Events
Shop local, support causes, and snag unique gifts—these spots buzz with holiday energy.- iL Mercato Tradition's Annual Holiday BazaarDate: December 13th 2025 Location: Tradition Square, Port St. Lucie Details: Fun, food, music, kids' entertainment, and vendors. Price: Free Why Go: Outdoor fest with live tunes—easy family outing.
- iL Mercato Christmas Bazaar at Hobe Sound FarmsDate: December 6th, 2025 Location: Hobe Sound Farms Details: Fun, food, music, kids' entertainment, and vendors. Price: Free Why Go: Outdoor fest with live tunes—easy family outing.
- Whiskers in Wonderland HolidayDate: December 9th, 2025 Location: Humane Society of St. Lucie County, Fort Pierce Details: "Snowfall" play area, photos with "Santa-Paws," adoptions, live music, food trucks, and shopping. Price: Free Why Go: Heartwarming pet love—adopt your holiday hero!
- Blooming Freedom MarketDate: December 13th 2025 9am-2pm Location: Palm City Details: 50+ local vendors, petting zoo, face painting, food trucks, libations, photo ops, fresh florals, and kids' crafts. Price: Free Why Go: Farm-fresh fun—pet animals and craft memories.
Dazzling Boat Parades
Nothing says Florida Christmas like lit-up boats gliding the waterways—grab a waterfront spot!- St. Lucie County Christmas Boat ParadeDate: December 13, 2025 (starts 6 p.m.) Location: Fort Pierce Yacht Club, 700 N. Indian River Dr., Fort Pierce Details: Boats aglow with lights and music along the Intracoastal—view from the waterfront. Price: Free Why Go: Sparkling spectacle—cozy up with blankets and cheers.
- Stuart Christmas Boat ParadeDate: December 6th, 2025 (starts 6 p.m.) Location: Manatee Pocket to the Downtown Stuart docks Details: Watch party at 201 SW St. Lucie Ave Price: Free Why Go: Decorated boats!
- Vero Beach Christmas Boat ParadeDate: December 14th, 2025 (starts 6 p.m.) Location: It will start at the North of the Barber Bridge, head south towards the Quail Valley River Club, and end near Royal Palm Pointe, along the Indian River lagoon. Details: Park and watch at Vero Beach City Marina, Royal Palm Pointe, Riverside Park, Cole Coppola Memorial Fishing Pier, and Youngs Park. Price: Free Why Go: Lots of viewing spots!
- Cocoa Village Holiday Boat ParadeDate: December 13th 2025 Location: Cocoa Village (short drive from Treasure Coast) and such an amazing and charming town Details: Festive boats in a charming historic village with shops, cafes, playground, and splash pad. Price: Free Why Go: Adorable charming historical town stroll post-parade.
Must-See Christmas Lights
Drive, walk, or paddle through glowing displays—these are the Treasure Coast's top twinklers for 2025.| Display Name | Dates | Location | Highlights | Price |
| Christmas at Tara Plantation | Nov. 30–New Year's Eve (sunset–10/11 p.m.) | Grall Law Group, 7555 20th St., Vero Beach | 500K lights, 90 figures, quarter-mile drive-thru lake loop. Stay in car. | Free |
| McKee's Jungle Lights | Dec. 3–7, 9–14, 16–21, 23, 26–28, 30; Jan. 2–3 (6–9 p.m.) | McKee Botanical Garden, 350 U.S. 1, Vero Beach | Immersive jungle with illuminated wildlife, Rudolph, and Santa nights. | $30–$35 adults; $20 kids 3–16; free under 3 |
| Holiday Lights Spectacular | After Dec. 7 parade–Jan 4th. (6–9 p.m.) | Marina Square, Melody Lane, Fort Pierce | 100K+ lights synced to music on palms. | Free |
| Heathcote's Garden of Lights | Dec. weekends (5:30–9 p.m. Fri–Sun) | Heathcote Botanical Gardens, 210 Savannah Road, Fort Pierce | 1M+ lights, scavenger hunt, Santa, food trucks, live music. | $15 non-members; $10 members; $5 kids 6–17; free under 6 |
| Eustace Mansion (Jensen Beach Mansion) | Cancelled | 4545 N.E. Ocean Blvd., Jensen Beach | Cancelled | Free |
| Garden of Lights | December 2025 (check site) | Heathcote Botanical Gardens, Port St. Lucie | 5 acres of handcrafted displays, Santa, food trucks, elves' workshop. | $10/person |
| Wintergreen Night Lights | Select December nights | Environmental Learning Center, Vero Beach | Guided canoe through lit mangroves, lanterns, s'mores, market, entertainment. | Varies |
| Nights of Lights at Mansion at Tuckahoe | Through early Jan. | 4545 N.E. Ocean Blvd., Jensen Beach | Stunning home illumination—don't miss! | Free |
| PSL in Lights | Nov. 28–Dec. 31 (sunset–9 p.m.) | MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center & The Port, Port St. Lucie | Freeze dance, Santa, snowball zone, pet contest, crafts, Motown show; nature-themed lights (turtles, flamingos), PSLExpress ride. Vendors/food trucks weekends. Free parking at nearby parks. | Free; $5 ride |
| Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens Lights | Nov. 28–Dec. 31 (dusk–9 p.m.) | 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd., Port St. Lucie | Self-guided stroll through The Port District lights. | Free |
Meet Santa Claus
Ho-ho-home for the holidays!- Children's Museum of the Treasure CoastDate: December 13th 10am-2pm Location: 1707 NE Indian River Drive Jensen Beach, FL 34957 Details: Meet & greet, story time, cookie decorating (while supplies last). Included with admission. Price: General admission ($10); free for members Why Go: Interactive fun—stories and sweets seal the deal.
- Pancakes with SantaDate: Mid-December 2025 (check back for dates) Location: Port St. Lucie Community Center, Airoso Blvd. Details: Fluffy pancakes and Santa chats. Price: $5–$10 Why Go: Breakfast bliss—start the day jolly!
- Frazier Creek-Stuart
Date: Dec. 6 2025 11am-2pm. Location: 973 SE. Federal Hwy Details: Pictures with Santa and his elf (12pm-1pm) touch a fire-truck; Holiday crafts; Toy drive
- Brunch with SantaLocation: Havert L. Fenn Center, 2000 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce (St. Lucie County)Dates & Times: Dec. 13 (9 a.m.–12 p.m.)Details: Buffet brunch with breakfast/lunch options, photos, and elf activities. $10 adults, free for ages 5 and under.
Other Spots to Meet Santa
More Santas pop up at lights events like Heathcote and Fairgrounds, so keep an eye out!Related Guides & Tips
- Local Event Calendar – Stay updated on all Treasure Coast happenings.
- Holiday Train Rides Near Florida – Choo-choo cheer just a drive away!