10 December 15-21, 2022 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | music | cafe | Culture | Night+Day | News | Letters | coNteNts | Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Christmas Paradise It doesn’t snow in Miami, but the city still knows how to celebrate the holidays. BY LUIS GOMEZ T here will be no white Christmas in South Florida this year. There hasn’t been snow recorded here since 1977 — and that was more of a trace of snow than a winter wonderland. But just because the palm tree tops here never glisten and children never hear sleigh bells in the snow doesn’t mean Miami is devoid of the holiday spirit. South Florida has its own traditions for the holidays that give Christmastime a unique vibe. Below, in chronological order, are the best of those sunny South Florida tra- ditions and events to make your holidays merry and bright. The NightGarden Remember when Ye (FKA Kanye West) made headlines for talking to a tree (AKA Archie) in Miami? That convo took place at the NightGarden at Fairchild Tropical Bo- tanic Garden. You too can get in your one- on-one time with Archie and experience an interactive light display — which includes holo- grams and rain- bow-colored pathways — un- like any other in South Florida. Also back this year: the Fairy- Scope aug- mented-reality app that allows you to find hidden fairies. 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday and 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday until January 8, 2023, at Fair- child Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cut- ler Rd., Coral Gables; 305-667-1651; thenightgarden.com. Tickets cost $25 to $44. Santa’s Enchanted Forest The magical tunnel of lights, surfing Santa display, and Christmas music and reggaeton soundtrack await you at this most Miami of holiday traditions. Now located in Medley after spending last year in Hialeah Park, Santa’s Enchanted Forest returns with many of the same carnival rides and greasy foods you know and love. 5 p.m. to midnight through Sunday, January 8, 2023, at 7400 NW 87th Ave., Miami; 305-892-9997; san- tasenchantedforest.com. Tickets cost $34.58 to $42.99. Historic Holiday Décor: A Jazzy Holiday Charles Deering’s old digs once again will turn back the clock for its annual holiday decorations. This year’s theme? The 1920s, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Deer- ing Estate’s Stone House. Expect nods to the rise of jazz and the golden age of cinema. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, January 6, 2023, at the Deering Estate, 16701 SW 72nd Ave., Miami; 305-235-1668; deeringestate.org. Tick- ets cost $7 to $15. Zoo Lights The animals at Zoo Miami take a back seat to the holiday-lights displays, said to be made up of over a million lights. The popular Snowman’s River Boat Rides return ($5 per person), and jolly ol’ St. Nick will be on hand each night through Friday, December 23. Theme nights include superhero nights, ugly sweater nights, and PJ & onesie nights. 6:30 to 10 p.m. through Wednesday, December 30, at Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St., Miami; 305-251-0400; zoomiami.org. Tickets cost $18.95 to $20.95. Ski Chalet & Santa Ski Lift Here’s one post office you’ll look forward to visiting this holiday season. Santa’s post office — located across from the Ski Lift photo op in Brickell City Centre’s Ski Chalet — invites guests to place their letters to Santa in the designated mailbox. You can also speak di- rectly with the jolly fat man himself. Santa will appear at this eye-catching pop-up on se- lect days for free photo ops. Through Satur- day, December 24, at Brickell City Centre, 701 S. Miami Ave., Miami; 305-350-9922; brickell- citycentre.com. Admission is free. Nights of Lights There are plenty of light displays around Miami come Christmas time. Hell, there’s probably a gaudy one or two in your neighborhood. But few are as impressive as the ones you’ll find strolling around Nights of Lights at Pinecrest Gardens. Besides thousands of lights, the annual event also includes a maze made up of lit fir trees and, on certain nights, holiday concerts in the Banyan Bowl. 6 to 9 p.m. Through Sunday, January 1, 2023, at Pinecrest Gardens, 11000 Red Rd., Pinecrest; 305-669-6990; pinecrestgardens.org. Tickets cost $15 to $20 via eventbrite.com. The Nutcracker Miami City Ballet once again is bringing the Land of Snow to South Florida this holiday season. But this year, the 100-plus dancers and live orchestra will perform George Bal- anchine’s The Nutcracker in two South Flor- ida cities rather than three. (Sorry, Fort Lauderdale.) Friday, December 16, through Saturday, December 24, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; and Wednesday, December 28, through Friday, December 30, at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; miamici- tyballet.org. Tickets cost $39 to $150. Victorian Christmas Tours The oldest home in Fort Lauderdale invites you to experience what Christmas was like long before the Elf on the Shelf and ugly- Christmas-sweater parties. Enjoy Victorian- style holiday decor and tour guides in old-fashioned Christmas attire for that old- timey feel. 6 p.m. Friday, December 16, through Friday, December 23, at Stranahan House Museum, 335 SE Sixth Ave., Fort Lau- derdale; 954-524-4736; stranahanhouse.org. Tickets cost $30. Jingle Bell Jog Hundreds of Santas will be hauling ass on the streets of South Florida as part of this holiday-themed run, which takes place nationally in multiple cities, including Delray Beach and Fort Lauderdale. The race provides runners with a Santa suit and hat rather than a standard race shirt and bells to tie onto their running shoes for that festive jingle effect. The little ones are invited to participate as well in the Kids Elf Dash. 7:30 a.m. Saturday, December 17, at 340 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach; and 8 a.m. Saturday, December 24, at Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; jinglebelljog.net. Registration is $45 for the 5K race and $20 for the Kids Elf Dash via runsignup.com. [email protected] ▼ Culture Get your photo taken with Santa in a ski lift at Brickell City Centre. Photo courtesy of Brickell City Centre SOUTH FLORIDA HAS ITS OWN TRADITIONS FOR THE HOLIDAYS THAT GIVE CHRISTMASTIME A UNIQUE VIBE.
