Ten Places to Get Your Family in the Holiday Spirit

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Yes, it does snow in Florida -- at least during St. Augustine's Winter Wonderland during the holiday season.

Photo Credit: St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra VCB

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A holiday play at Walt Disney World

Photo Credit: ©Disney

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Macy's Holiday Parade at Universal Studios features some floats made famous during the New York Thanksgiving version.

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Santa's Workshop at Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, Kissimmee.

Photo Credit: Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center

Start a warm holiday tradition in Florida with the ones you love.

The holidays are upon us, and if you need a little coaxing to get into the spirit of the season, then take your family to one of these merry and bright destinations. Listed in alphabetical order, here are my top choices guaranteed to provide plenty of comfort and joy:

Gingerbread Extravaganza by the Jacksonville Historical Society

Nov. 20 to Dec. 22, 2011
Your nose will thank you and your eyes won’t believe what architects, chefs, engineers and homebuilders can do with gingerbread. This is the Jacksonville Historical Society's award-winning charity event, and it is really inspiring. These edible structures are huge and will definitely get you in the mood to go home and build your own. Kids will love not only the gingerbread but the scavenger hunt where they have to search for items within the displays. And proceeds go to charity!

Holiday Nights at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers

Dec. 2, - Dec. 31, 2011, closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
This is such a beautiful place to experience. Wander the 20 acres of gardens and historic buildings that are decorated with more than a million lights as well as decorations of yesteryear. There are nightly performances by musical and dance groups, too, and you can shop for great gifts.  

Holidays at Walt Disney World

Nov. 8, 2011 - Jan. 3, 2012
Yes, it really does snow in Florida – every night on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. In addition to Disney characters dressed in their holiday finest, you’ll enjoy hot cocoa, a free family photo and holiday treats. But here’s my favorite part: Because tickets are limited, there’s barely a line for the rides. EPCOT does impressive Candlelight Processionals with celebrity narrators to tell the Christmas story, a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra. And at Hollywood Studios, you’ll find the ultra-incredible Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights you have to see to believe.

“ICE!” at Gaylord Palms, Orlando

Nov. 16, 2011 - Jan. 2, 2012
What do you get when you take 2 million pounds of ice and a team of 40 artisans from Harbin, China, who are master carvers? The answer is “ICE!,” a walk-through holiday attraction like nothing you can imagine. This year’s theme is Dreamworks' Shrek the Halls. Wait till you see the life-size Nativity scene carved from crystal clear ice – it will astound you, as well as the nine other holiday scenes carved from ice. There are also thrilling ice slides that are more than two stories tall. To keep it frozen solid, this spectacle is kept at a constant 9 degrees, but don’t worry about bringing a coat. They’ll loan you a parka (how cool is that)?

Nights of Lights, St. Augustine

Nov. 19, 2011 - Jan. 31, 2012
This is no ordinary twinkling light display. We’re talking millions of glittering white lights throughout this 446-year-old town! And a downright dazzling array of events and activities can be enjoyed by families like evening tours led by costumed storytellers, train and trolley tours, ice skating, holiday concerts, even a Christmas parade. It really is the most wonderful time of the year.

And while you’re in St. Augustine, don’t miss this:
Winter Wonderland

Nov. 26, 2011 - Jan. 1, 2012
Ready for winter fun in the Florida sun? Then head to the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. You’ll find an outdoor ice skating rink, a 100-foot Ice Slide, nighttime horse-drawn carriage rides (through an enchanted forest no less), s'mores on the fire pit, a magical Elf Village and an "Elf Express" train, Santa Claus and snow. Your kids will love this! Hours vary daily with special hours on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

Pensacola Winterfest and 28th Annual Christmas Parade

Nov. 25 - Dec. 18, 2011
“Come for the show, stay for dinner, and take a tour,” is part of what you can do at Winterfest 2011. Local talent will be bringing joy to the Plaza each night with gospel singers, traditional holiday tunes, great dancing and more. Plus, this event is free. Even better, you can reserve a seat with dinner or dessert at the Gingerbread House. And, the annual Christmas Parade (Saturday, Dec. 10, 5:15 p.m.) with marching bands from Pensacola, New Orleans and Houston is not to be missed. Thousands line the streets, and the shops stay open late.

Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest, Eustis

Nov. 25 - Dec. 23, 2011
It’s a true country Christmas at Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm. With Christmas trees for purchase, a crazy Christmas maze, hungry elf concessions, non-stop campfire, Santa’s workshop filled with gifts, tractor rides, reindeer stacks (hay for playing in) and lots more, you should come hungry, bring your camera and have fun in the Florida sun.

Santa’s Enchanted Forest, Miami

Nov. 3, 2011 - Jan. 8, 2012
It’s the world’s largest Christmas Theme Park, and you’ll find more than 100 rides, games, attractions, more than 3 million lights, all kinds of fair food and Santa himself. One price gets you in the gate so you can ride the rides as many times as you want. And those 3 million lights strung through the trees make one magical evening stroll. Come hungry, leave tired!

Universal Studios, Orlando

Dec. 3, 2011 - Jan. 1, 2012
In addition to a nightly Macy's Holiday Parade (with actual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade floats), Universal is the place to find Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure! The story is brought to life daily with the Whoville Whobilation musical show, and there’s a lot more fun to be found. All of Universal, including CityWalk and its onsite hotels, will be overflowing with holiday food, music, decorations and that wondrous holiday spirit. New this year is their Holiday Concert Series, featuring performers like Mannheim Steamroller. Hear your holiday favorites in the Universal Music Plaza.

Winterfest Seminole Hard Rock Boat Parade, Fort Lauderdale

Dec. 10, 2010
This is the South Florida version of the Macy’s Parade, complete with floats (of the yachting kind). More than 1 million cheering spectators will line the 12-mile route making it not only the largest, one-day, live audience of any event in Florida, but also the seventh largest one-day spectator event in the country! There is also live entertainment, family events, a formal ball and a golf tournament leading up to the main event, the boat parade. You can even watch it on local TV.

If You Go

Gingerbread Extravaganza, Jacksonville
317 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville, FL
Phone: 904-665-0064
gingerbreadjax.org

Holiday Nights at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers
2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL
Phone: 239-334-7419
www.efwefla.org

Holidays at Walt Disney World, Orlando
disneyworld.disney.go.com/holidays
407-WDISNEY (407-934-7639)

“ICE!” at Gaylord Palms, Orlando
6000 W Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL.
Phone: 407-586-2000
www.gaylordhotels.com

Nights of Lights, St. Augustine
www.nightsoflights.com

Pensacola Winterfest and 28th Annual Christmas Parade, Pensacola
330 S Jefferson St, Pensacola, FL
Phone: 850-417-7321
pensacolawinterfest.org