Holidays in Wilton Manors, 2026: Santa by boat, the lighting and the Grinch

South Florida doesn’t do snow, so Wilton Manors does the holidays its own way. Santa arrives by boat. The menorah, the kinara and the Christmas tree all light up on the same night. And the Grinch turns up at a Saturday morning party with a petting zoo.

Here’s everything planned from Veterans Day to the week before Christmas, in date order. Every item comes from the organizer’s own page, checked October 22, 2026. New holiday events go on the calendar as organizers post them, and we’ll add the bigger ones here.

November

• Veterans Day Ceremony, Wednesday, November 11. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hagen Park Community Center, 2020 Wilton Drive. Free. The city’s Leisure Services Department holds it to honor people who have served in the armed forces.
• Taste of the Island, Monday, November 16. From 6 to 9 p.m. at Richardson Historic Park & Nature Preserve, 1937 Wilton Drive. Come hungry: bites, cocktails, beer, wine and desserts from local restaurants and bars. The city’s listing doesn’t give a price; the organizer’s site is tasteoftheisland.org.

December

• Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Thursday, December 3. 6:30 p.m. at Flippen Park, NE 21st Court and Wilton Drive. Free. The city lights the holiday menorah, the kinara and the Wilton Manors Christmas tree, with live entertainment, food, local vendors and family activities. If you go to one thing this season, make it this.
• Silent Disco Holiday Party, Friday, December 4. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Equality Park Plaza at The Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway. Headphones on, dance like nobody can hear the music, because they can’t. $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Held by the Center’s Women with Pride group.
• Santa by Sea, Monday, December 14. Santa leaves the Colohatchee Park boat ramp, 1975 NE 15th Avenue, at 5:30 p.m. and cruises the city’s waterways. Free. Come early to meet him before he sets sail, or wave from the water’s edge along the route. Boat owners who want to sail along should be at the ramp 30 minutes before departure.
• Senior Crafty Creations: Holiday Ornaments, Thursday, December 17. From 2 to 3 p.m. at Stafford Park, 823 NE 28th Street. A city program for older adults.
• Broadway Barbara’s Holiday Spectacular, December 17 to 20. Island City Stage, 2304 N. Dixie Highway. Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 5 p.m. Rated PG-13. Island City Stage’s page and its ticket site list different prices, so check the price when you buy.
• Holiday Concert, Friday, December 18. 7 p.m. at Mickel Park, 2675 NW 7th Avenue. Free. Presented by the city’s Leisure Services Department.
• BINGLO, Naughty List edition, Friday, December 18. Glow-in-the-dark bingo at The Pride Center at Equality Park. Doors at 6:30 p.m., play starts at 7. $20, which the Center says includes two drinks and light snacks.
• Wilton Wonderland, Saturday, December 19. From 10 a.m. to noon at Hagen Park Community Center, 2020 Wilton Drive. Free, for all ages. Santa and the Grinch, storytime, crafts, games, a petting zoo and a candy cane hunt. Bring the kids, or just bring yourself.

Not posted yet

We haven’t found Thanksgiving or New Year’s Eve plans from any venue on the Drive yet. If you’re throwing one, send it to us and we’ll list it.

Nobody paid to be included in this guide.