Fairgrounds Festival of Lights-A New St. Lucie Tradition
If you are looking for a way to dazzle your kiddos and fill your December nights with pure magic, look no further than the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights- a new St.Lucie Tradition.
This event is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season, and here is why you and your family will love it!
As a New Yorker who moved down to Florida three years ago, I was nervous living in a state where there would be no “white” Christmas. I grew up with cold weather, snow, trips to Manhattan to see the tree at Rockefeller center and marveling at the Dyker Heights Light Displays. So, as a mom of two little princesses, now living in Florida (where I’ve traded in my parka for shorts), I was hesitant about embracing the holiday traditions here.
I was thrilled to be wrong!
Our Experience at the festival
Imagine being cozy in your car, with your favorite Christmas songs playing on 101.3 FM, The Joy FM, as you drive through a wonderland of glowing lights, dancing trees, and festive displays that are sure to fill your children with cheer!
My favorite light display was the Santa’s Workshop, showing Santa’s elves hard at work preparing toys for all the good girls and boys. My daughters giggled in the backseat, enchanted by every display we passed. I especially appreciated the slower pace encouraged by the signs, allowing everyone to take it all in without feeling rushed (and ensuring safety)!
As we rounded the last few displays, my oldest was sad, thinking the night was over. But, the lights were just the beginning! The real magic awaited in Santa’s Village.
Santa’s Village: A Holiday Dream Come True
After parking, we took a short walk to the gates that leading into every child’s holiday fantasy. The sweet aroma of treats like pretzels and popcorn greeted us from the food truck- a warm welcome to the festivities
Petting Zoo
We stumbled upon the petting zoo, and I promise, this isn’t just for kids! For $5, you can buy a cup of food and feed animals ranging from miniature cows and goats to zebras and even a kangaroo. Yes, you read that right- zebras and a kangaroo! And Yes, I did enjoy meeting a kangaroo more than my children!
Camel Ride
Next, we visited the beautiful live Nativity scene. Here, you can hop on a camel for $10 per person- an unforgettable experience! As I rode with my oldest, I felt like one of the three kings crossing the desert under the North Star.
Afterward, we took advantage of the many photo opportunities. You can snap a photo as you board Santa’s sleigh or take a seat on the life-sized polar bear’s lap, or you can pose as a nutcracker! There was no shortage of fun photo ops.
Christmas Forest
The magic continued with a visit to the real-life reindeer. Forget the North Pole- the majestic creatures are enjoying a warm pit stop, cold for us, here in Florida! They seemed perfectly content as they lounged, saving their energy for Christmas Eve.
The magic doesn’t end at the stables! The path through the Non-Profit Christmas Tree Forest was another favorite for my little ones. Each tree was uniquely decorated by local organizations, inspiring us to head home after to decorate ours!
Santa’s Workshop
Finally, we arrived at Santa’s Workshop, where the enchantment reached new heights. We admired nativity scenes from around the world, each on beautifully unique. Inside, there were more photo ops, ornament decorating stations, reindeer crafts, and even a chance to write letters to Santa.
The highlight? Meeting Santa himself! My youngest wasn’t a fan and shed a few tears, but my oldest was over the moon. Santa was kind, interactive, and made her feel extra special.
Helpful Tips
- Arrive early: We got there around 6:05 PM, and while the pre-purchased ticket line moved quickly, it was long. Early arrivals ensure better parking and shorter waits.
- Plan ahead for food: Lines at the food truck were long, so eating beforehand worked well for us.
- Petting zoo first: Head here early for a quieter experience. Feeding the animals took us about 5–10 minutes.
- Don’t fear the camel line: The wait was only 10–15 minutes and moved quickly. Totally worth it!
- Reindeer crowds: Be patient — people tend to cluster around the gates, but the wait is short, and the experience is magical.
- Santa’s Workshop strategy: Skip the crafts and photo ops at first and head straight to Santa. Afterward, enjoy the other activities while the crowds shift to Santa’s line.
When and How to Experience the Magic
The festival runs Thanksgiving Night through Dec 29, but plan your visit wisely:
Hours
- Monday and Tusedays are Santa’s Days off (He needs to nap too!, I mean after all he is preparing for Christmas as well)
- Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays: 6-9pm
- Friday and Saturdays: 6-10pm
Tickets
- Save by buying in advance! It’s $25 per car for up to 8 people! This is a great offer!
- At the Gate it is $30 per car! Still great!
Final Thoughts
The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights is the ultimate family bonding experience! From the dazzling light displays to Santa’s Village, every moment is packed with holiday cheer. My kids loved it so much they’re already begging to go back.
Start your holiday season off right — grab your tickets and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Check out The Bass Pro Santa Experience
