What's Up in Florida
in December 2025 and January 2026

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

JANUARY

BUTTS & CLUCKS — BBQ tastes even better when it’s not sweltering outside. Apalachicola’s annual BBQ fest has one of the more uniquely named competitions. Yes, “The Cluck that Came from the Butt” contest, always draws chuckles from first-time guests. Even better, you don’t have to be a nationally-renowned grill master to compete in that contest. Instead, you just need a killer deviled egg recipe and $5 for the entry fee. On the other side of the spectrum, serious BBQ aficionados will be competing for $12,000 in cash and prizes in four smoked meat categories. Festival goers get to sample as much pulled pork as you want in the People’s Choice competition. But that’s still not all because the event also hosts a Mystery Box Open Competition. Yes, picture it like a Top Chef competition. Contestants have two hours to turn those ingredients into a culinary masterpiece. If you’re not cooking; you’re eating. Guests will enjoy food and drink vendors and purchase VIP tickets for Saturday’s Swine Tasting which allows them to serve as judges for the People’s Choice BBQ competition.
When: Jan. 22-24
Where: Battery Park, Apalachicola
Web: http://www.apalachicolabay.org/butts-and-clucks

SMOKE UNDER THE OAKS RIB FEST – If you haven’t been to the pretty town of LaBelle (about 45 miles due east of Fort Myers), this would be the perfect time to go, especially if you like ribs. There will teams of four all fired up and trying to win the People’s Choice award. It really is the people’s choice, because attendees vote to pick the winning team. Bring your appetite and bring the kids, too, because there are lots of activities for the young ‘uns, including a bounce house.
When: Jan. 10
Where: Barron Park, LaBelle
Web: eventeny.com/events/smoke-under-the-oaks-rib-fest-2025-23859/

FELLSMERE FROG LEG FESTIVAL – This small town near Florida’s central east coast has been dishing out this rare delicacy for more than three decades, enough to proclaim itself as the “Frog Leg Capital of the World” by holding two Guinness World Records for the most frog legs served in a day. Along with the opportunity to try “frog pops” and “gator pounders,” guests can ride roller coasters, play games and sample some other fun fair foods such as funnel cakes, turkey legs and fried Snickers bars. Bring cash and browse the exhibitor area for handmade arts and crafts, as well as other unique items.
When: Jan. 15-18
Where: Fellsmere
Web: https://www.froglegfestival.com/

ART DECO WEEKEND – What started out as a small grassroots festival has turned into one of the largest celebrations of Art Deco architecture and culture in the country. Some 150,000 people will enjoy a variety of free events, including an artisan-and-antique marketplace, guided architectural tours, a classic car show, lectures, films, sketch walks, lots of activities for kids, a dog walk and a variety of musical events by local and national performers.
When: Jan. 9-11
Where: Along Ocean Drive in Miami Beach
Web: artdecoweekend.com

ROOKERY BAY FESTIVAL OF BIRDS – To say that this is for the birds would be entirely inaccurate. Just the opposite. It is for humans to enjoy the birds! This fest celebrates Southwest Florida’s extraordinary wildlife with guided field trips and birding adventures. You can explore wonderful birding destinations such as Ten Thousand Islands, Fakahatchee Strand and Corkscrew Swamp by foot, bike, boat or kayak. New this year are a sunrise walk in Picayune Strand Forest, a sleuthing adventure at Tigertail Beach and a sunset kayak trip at Rookery Bay Research Center. Tip: All activities require reservations and some are already sold out. So, check the website and if you see something that floats your boat, don’t wait to make reservations.
When: Jan. 15-19
Where: Rookery Bay Research Reserve in Naples and other locations in Southwest Florida.
Web: rookerybay.org/events/festival-of-birds/

MILE 0 FEST -- First a definition: Red Dirt music is loosely classified as Americana, folk, or alt-country, or a combination of some or all of them. Some of the country’s best Red Dirters will be appearing. Some 65 or so acts will perform, including headliners Cross Canadian Ragweed, Stephen Wilson Jr., the Randy Rogers Band, Shane Smith & The Saints, Casey Donahew, Paul Cauthen, Stoney LaRue, Kaitlin Butts and American Aquarium. The shows will be held at more than 10 stages all over the island, including an intimate 3,500-seat amphitheater, the historic Key West Theater, iconic locations such as Ocean Key Pier and Southernmost Beach and several famous bars. There are also beachside and poolside shows and several premium packages, including one that offers a 90-minute Live Music Sail through Key West Harbor with a Mile 0 Fest performer on board.
When: Jan. 27-31
Where: Various locations in Key West
Web: mile0fest.com/