What's Up in Florida
in November and December 2025

NOVEMBER

SARASOTA MEDIEVAL FAIR – At the 21st edition of the Sarasota Medieval Fair you can step back in time and watch full-contact jousting, human combat chess matches and other fantastic shows on 14 stages. Enjoy rides and music, play games and shop for the holidays in the artisan marketplace with more than 140 shops. Each festival weekend has a unique theme and a full line-up of acts.
When: Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 1-30, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m
Where: Mallaranny Farms, Myakka City
Web: https://www.sarasotamedievalfair.com/

SUNCOAST JAZZ FESTIVAL – Celebrating its 35^th year, the Suncoast Jazz Festival mixes beach vibes with cool jazz, offering four days of some of Florida’s top musicians as well as world-renowned artists. Among some of this year’s headliners are Tuba Skinny, Wycliffe Gordon, Diego Figueiredo, Jason Marsalis and Ken Peplowski. Enjoy the award-winning Clearwater Beach atmosphere or check out the indoor Friday night swing dance party. This popular event draws music lovers from all over the country.
When: Nov. 21-23
Where: Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Clearwater Beach
Web: https://suncoastjazzfestival.com/

OLD TYME FARM DAYS — You won’t need a time machine to drop your family into the 19th century during this Thanksgiving weekend celebration of American rural life that includes exhibitions on syrup making and cane grinding (or extracting juice from sugar cane). Kids will get to explore their creative side at the Suwannee Spirit Kid’s Music Camp Expo where they’ll be able to get hands-on, free lessons for guitar, fiddle, banjo, harmonica, ukulele, drums and vocals. Musical instruments are provided for free, allowing kids to discover a new love! Also includes sled pulls, an “old’ tractor and engine show, Thanksgiving Dinner, swap meet, arts and crafts vendors and more.
When: Nov. 28-29
Where: The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground, Live Oak
Web: https://www.oldtymefarmdays.com

LUMINOSA: A FESTIVAL OF LIGHT – You’ll see some 100 or so stunning light sculptures crafted by 150 skilled artisans. More than 150 tons of steel, 200,000 feet of silk-light fabric, 56,000 LED bulbs and 700,000 feet of light strips combine to make this dazzling light festival a joy for people of all ages. There are several themed areas, including a candy-themed playground for the young ’uns.
When: Nov. 14-March 7
Where: Jungle Island, Miami
Web: jungleisland.com/luminosa-festival-in-miami-2025/

DECEMBER

NEW YEAR’S EVE BEACH BALL DROP — Thousands of revelers pack the streets of Pier Park during one of Florida’s best NYE celebrations. The drop for wee revelers happens early in the evening when 15,000 beach balls are dropped from suspended nets in two locations. Cheers explode from the late night crowd when the 10-foot-wide, lighted beach ball begins its descent down Celebration Tower 10 seconds before the stroke of midnight and concludes with fireworks. The live music begins at 4:30 and continues until midnight.
When: Dec. 31
Where: Panama City Beach
Web: https://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/events/holiday-events/new-years-eve

LIGHT UP MADISON — Madison turns Four Freedoms Park into a winter wonderland complete with reindeer, sleighs and holiday decor. This night out has two big events: the annual parade of decked out floats, vehicles and live entertainment and the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. Also includes live music and dancing, food vendors and a visit with Santa!
When: Dec. 6
Where: Madison
Web: https://madisonfl.org

DICKENS ON CENTRE — Time travel back to Victorian London without leaving Florida during Fernandina Beach’s biggest holiday party of the year. Think thousands of twinkling lights, men in knee-length waistcoats and top hats, women in floor-length satin frocks and gloves. The city’s tree-lined main drag is lined with photo ops and local vendors, making it the perfect time to start your Christmas shopping. The Dickens Illuminated Procession always kicks off the weekend’s revelry. During it, guests are invited to stroll through the historic district carrying battery-operated lights or candles and wearing anything that glows or twinkles. Other event highlights include:

Enchanted Village (Dec. 12-14): One of the festival’s hottest tickets is the opportunity to spend 75 minutes in a “snow” globe. Guests can reserve one of 10 festive domes, each uniquely decorated. Each dome seats six people and includes snacks and wine, bubbly or beer.
Portraits with St. Nick (Dec. 12-14): Santa’s workshop gets transplanted from the North Pole to Tiny Tim’s Kid Zone for child and family portraits. Times can be reserved online.
Dickens After Dark: Marley’s Masquerade (Dec. 13): Save your best look for the adults-only, “high society” Victorian costume party held at The Pavilion. The Kristen Sparrow Circus and live music from Mama Blue provide the evening’s main entertainment. Also includes stilt walkers, jugglers, tarot card readings, heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine bar and an after-hours event at Ash Street Cigar Parlor.
Run Like the Dickens (Dec. 13): 1-mile, dog and kid-friendly fun run along the beach. Costumes and holiday-themed gear welcome!

When: Dec. 11-14
Where: Fernandina Beach
Web: https://www.ameliaisland.com/dickens-on-centre

GLITTER GLISTEN AND SNOW – Following Haines City’s annual evening Christmas parade, guests can gather in Lake Eva Park for a spectacular lighting of a 31-foot tree as other holiday light displays sparkle around the park, creating a joyous atmosphere for a night of family-friendly activities. Take photos with Santa, ride down a snow slide, play under real ice flurries, and sample cookies, cider and hot chocolate. Kids can create crafts to take home, and there will also be lots of vendors selling handmade gifts and artwork, as well as food trucks selling a variety of dishes and treats.
When: Dec. 6
Where: Lake Eva Park, Haines City
Web: https://hainescity.com/357/Glitter-Glisten-and-Snow

THE CHRISTMAS MANSION TOURS – Transport yourself to the Gilded Age by touring this historic mansion, the largest and most modern home ever built in Florida before 1900. From November through most of January, several rooms in this iconic landmark will be adorned with elaborate designer decorations and 24 nativities from around the world, and visitors can also see the original School House, now a gift shop with a soaring 15-foot Polynesian ceiling. This year’s theme is “Sounds of Christmas” and each room has its own theme such as “Oh Bethlehem,” “Silent Night,” “Rock'n Around the Christmas Tree” and “I'll Be Home for Christmas.” Both guided and self-guided tours are offered, with each participant receiving an audio link to listen to on your phone or with headphones, and parking is free.
When: Nov. 1-Jan. 18
Where: Stetson Mansion, DeLand
Web: https://www.stetsonmansion.com/christmas-tours

MICCOSUKEE INDIAN ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL – Visitors can immerse themselves in Native American culture during this three-day gathering of music, arts and entertainment in the heart of the Florida Everglades. It turns 50 this year and will feature crafts, authentic cuisine, alligator handling demonstrations, a fashion show, live music and dance.
When: Dec. 26-28
Where: Miccosukee Indian Village in the Everglades, Miami
Web: miccosukee.com/events/miccosukee-indian-arts-crafts-festival-2025/

SEMINOLE HARD ROCK WINTERFEST BOAT PARADE – Considering that Fort Lauderdale is known as the “Venice of America,” it is understandable why this one is called “The Greatest Show on H2O.” This year’s theme is “Yacht Rock of Ages.” The Grand Masters are R& B star Montell Jordan (This Is How We Do It) and internationally acclaimed artist Romero Britto, whose work will define the look of Winterfest 2025. Private boats to giant showboats and corporate mega yachts will be adorned with hundreds of thousands of lights, music, entertainment, decorations, celebrities and beauty queens. It starts in downtown Fort Lauderdale, goes east along the New River and then north to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. There are also several other Winterfest holiday events, such as Family Fun Day and the Black Tie Ball.
When: Dec. 13
Where: Various locations in Fort Lauderdale
Web: winterfestparade.com/events