News

Note: Events are current as of 11/23. Please check with organizers for any changes.

December 1

Saturday - 12/1 - Briny Breezes Christmas Bazaar is held at the Hobby Club behind Gulfstream Texaco on A1A. 8:30 am - noon. Free. 278-6738.
12/1 - Christmas Bazaar at First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach continues at the Christmas House, 16 Bronson St. (on church campus) on Tuesdays and Saturdays through 12/22. 10 am-3 pm. Free. 392-2697.
12/1 - Holiday Appetizers at Whole Foods, 1400 Glades Road, Boca Raton. Learn how to whip up creative bites for any gathering or party. 1-2 pm. $5. 447-0000.
12/1 - Voices of the Season: Annual Holiday Concert by the Delray Beach Chorale at First Presbyterian Church, 33 Gleason St. Featuring Puccini’s Messa di Gloria and traditional songs of the holiday season. 3 pm. Reception follows. $20, $5/students. 800-984-7272.
12/1 - Holly-Days Lake Worth is held at the Cultural Plaza in Downtown Lake Worth (Corner of Lake Avenue and M Street.) Bounce house, pictures with Santa, stage performances and tree lighting. 6-9 pm. Free. 533-7363.
12/1 - Boynton Beach Holiday Extravaganza and Annual Holiday Parade is hosted by the Boynton Beach CRA at the Ocean Avenue Amphitheatre, East Ocean Avenue between Seacrest Boulevard and Northeast First Street.  Events include: 5 pm Parade - North on Federal Highway. From Southeast Twelfth Street to Ocean Avenue; 6:30 pm Tree Lighting Ceremony on Ocean Avenue between Seacrest Boulevard & Southeast First Street and 7 pm free concert by The Contours on Ocean Avenue between Seacrest Boulevard & Southeast First Street. Food and beverages available, no pets allowed.  Free. 742-6246.
12/1 - Concert: Voices of Pride: Hollydaze at the ArtsGarage, 180 NE 1st St., Delray Beach. Tickets: $35-$45/advance, $40-$50/at the door. 8 pm. 243-7129.
12/1-2 - Bowfire: Holiday Heart Strings at The Crest Theatre, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. An all new sounds-of-the-season extravaganza featuring some of the world’s greatest fiddlers and violinists. All time holiday favorites, with added singing and step dancing. Sat.: 8 pm; Sat.&Sun.: 2 pm. $42. 243-7922, Ext. 1.

December 2-8

Sunday - 12/2 - Holiday Family Festival at the Norton Museum of Art, 1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach. Enjoy an array of family-friendly performances and activities, while embracing holiday traditions of different cultures. 1-5 pm. $12/adults, $5/ages 13-21, free/members and children under 13. 832-5196.
12/2 - Holiday Concert  is presented as part of the ARTful Adventure Sunday series at The Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real. Family program features art workshops and live performances by actors, musicians or dancers. 2-3 pm. Free with paid museum admission. 392-2500.
12/2 - Special Christmas Lecture: Season’s Greetings From the White House by Mary Seeley at the Flagler Museum, One Whitehall Way, Palm Beach. As a collector and historian, Mary Seeley has captured the Christmas traditions of nearly every first family since the start of the Gilded Age. $10/members, $28/non-members - includes museum admission and all Christmas Tree Lighting Festivities, which follow at 3 pm. 2-3 pm. 655-2833.
12/2 - Joyful Melodies: Celebrating Hanukkah with Klezmer Company Sextet at FAU’s Boca Raton campus, Wimberly Library, 777 Glades, Road. Maestro Aaron Kula and the Klezmer Company Sextet  perform a special holiday concert of Klezmer music and Hanukkah melodies. Potato Latkes and Hanukkah cookies will be served during a light reception. Sponsored by the Jewish Cultural Society at FAU. 3-4:30 pm. $20/members, $30/member couples, $25/non-members. 297-3921.
12/2 - Christmas Tree Lighting at the Flagler Museum, One Whitehall Way, Palm Beach. Festivities include holiday music played on Whitehall’s original pipe organ and the 1902 Steinway piano. Special choir performances, refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus. The event culminates at 4:55 pm with lighting the Grand Hall Christmas Tree. Organ and piano performances begin at: 3:30, 3:50 and 4:10 pm. Choral performance in the Courtyard begins at 4:30 pm. Free with admission: $18/adults, $10/ages 13-18, $3/ages 6-12, free for children under age 6. 3-5 pm. 655-2833 or www.flaglermuseum.us.
12/2 - Handel’s Messiah at FAU’s Boca Raton campus, University Theatre, 777 Glades Road. Annual presentation featuring FAU students past and present. 7 pm. $10. 297-3853 or www.fau.edu/music.
Tuesday - 12/4 - Holiday Runway Show is held in the courtyard of Plaza del Mar, 230 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan. Showcasing the latest fashions for holiday parties from local shops. Live entertainment. 1 pm. Free. 762-5340.
12/4 - Family Holiday Open House is held at the Boynton Beach City Library, 208 S. Seacrest Blvd. Make a winter craft, enjoy puppets and light refreshments. Sponsored by the Friends of the Boynton Beach Library. 6:45-8 pm. Free. 742-6390.
Wednesday - 12/5 - 42nd Annual Boca Raton Holiday Street Parade along Federal Highway from Southeast Eigth Street North to Mizner Park. 7:30 pm. Free. 393-7806 or www.myboca.us.
Thursday - 12/6-7 - Holiday Happenings at Town Hall presented by the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum at Town Hall, 71 N. Federal Hwy. Enjoy refreshments while you shop for unique gifts and holiday decorations. Th: Noon-7 pm; F: 10 am-4 pm. Gift shop admission is free (museum admission $5/adults, $3/students, free/members). 395-6766, Ext. 100.
Friday - 12/7 - Lantana Winterfest at Lantana Recreational Center, 418 S. Dixie Hwy. Features vendors/craft booths, face painting, hayrides, children’s activities, pictures with Santa. Food available for purchase. Christmas tree lighting ceremony: 6 pm; Santa arrives by fire truck: 6:30-8 pm; Bicycle drawing (ages 13 & under): 8 pm. Presented by the Greater Lantana Chamber of Commerce, Town of Lantana and Hypoluxo-Lantana Kiwanis Club. 5-9 pm. Free. 585-8664.
12/7 - Boynton & Delray Beach’s Annual Boat Parade - The flotilla of brightly-decorated boats line up at the Boynton Beach inlet and travel south along the Intracoastal Waterway to the C-15 canal in Delray Beach. Viewing areas are located at the Boynton Harbor Marina and along the parade route. Please bring new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. Pre-party starts at 5:30 pm, featuring live music, pictures with Santa and more, at the Boynton Harbor Marina by Two Georges Waterfront Grille. Parade: 6:30 pm. 742-6246 or www.boyntonbeachcra.com.
12/7 - Friday Night Live: Holiday Sounds - Presented at Sanborn Square, 72 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton. Live themed entertainment, gourmet food trucks and more. 6:30 pm, live entertainment begins 7:30 pm. Free. 367-7070.
12/7-8 - Jolly Joyful Jamboree: A Holiday Celebration is presented at the Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave. Get in the spirit with four of the most talented professional performers in South Florida as they light the season ablaze singing and dancing to all of your favorite holiday hits. F: 8 pm; Sat.: 2 pm. $15. 586-6410.
Saturday - 12/8 - Breakfast With Santa at Lantana Elementary School, 710 W. Ocean Ave. Pancake breakfast and photo with Santa. Hosted by Kiwanis International. 7:30-11:30 am. $4/breakfast; $5/photo with Santa; $8/combination ticket. 585-8664.
12/8 - 22nd Annual Holiday Toy Drive is presented by  Delray Citizens for Delray Police/Kids and Cops Program at the Delray Beach Police Department, 300 W. Atlantic Ave. New, unwrapped toys (Please, no toy guns!) and store gift cards for boys and girls ages 5 to 16 years will be collected at various locations throughout the city through 12/12. Drop off unwrapped gifts at the Police Department from 8 am-1 pm. 243-7841 or www.mydelraybeach.com.
12/8 - 19th Annual Breakfast with Santa at the Children’s Museum, 498 Crawford Blvd., Boca Raton. Featuring real snow, pancake breakfast, pictures with Santa, train rides, multicultural crafts, sand art and entertainment. 8:30 am-noon. Tickets required: $10/person, free/infants. 368-6875 or www.cmboca.org.
12/8 - Breakfast with Santa at Brio Tuscan Grille at The Shops of Boca Center, 5050 Town Center Circle, Suite 239, Boca Raton. Enjoy breakfast and holiday activities including a visit with Santa, coloring contest, a goodie bag for each child and more. Guests are encouraged to bring in one new, unwrapped gift, which will be donated to Children’s Home Society of Florida. 9-10:30 am. $11.95/adult, $5.95/child. Reservations: 392-3777.
12/8 - Breakfast with Santa at Intracoastal Park, 2240 N. Federal Hwy., Boynton Beach. A festive breakfast ushers in Christmas magic for young and old alike. Children can sit on Santa’s lap and share their wish lists. They can also bring in their letters and each child will receive a personalized letter back from Santa after the event. Every child leaves with a holiday treat. Register early as space is limited. 9-11 am. $7/person. 742-6221.
12/8 - Swedish Lucia and Christmas Celebration is presented by Swedish Women’s Education Association of South Florida at First United Methodist Church, 625 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton. Enjoy raffle, entertainment, Swedish Christmas decorations and food. 11 am-5 pm. $6.  305-205-2800.
12/8 - Santa’s Wonderland Workshop & Light Up the Night Parade are presented by the Kiwanis Club at the Cultural Plaza in Downtown Lake Worth (Corner of Lake Avenue and M street.) Noon: Bike giveaway, 6-8 pm: hometown style parade featuring local high school bands and floats with Santa and Mrs. Claus, cultural entertainment and more. Free. 533-7363.
12/8 - Hanukkah begins at sundown
12/8 - Hanukkah Candle Lighting at the Delray Center for the Arts, 51 N. Swinton Ave. 5:15 pm. Free. 243-7190.
12/8 - Delray Beach Holiday Parade presented by Delray Beach Parks and Recreation and the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce. Parade begins on Atlantic Avenue at Venetian Drive and ends at NW Fifth Avenue (at the Fire Department). 6 pm. Free. 243-7277.
12/8 - 36th Annual Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade - Intracoastal Waterway beginning at the C-15 Canal (Boca Raton/Delray Beach border). Bleacher viewing at Silver Palm Park & Red Reef Park. 6:30 pm. Free. 393-7806 or www.myboca.us.

DECEMBER 9-15

Sunday - 12/9 - Chanukah Family Fun Festival - Presented by the Kabbalah Centre at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. Join a celebration of Chanukah: the Festival of Lights! Astrology readings, face painting, rock wall, bounce house, plus vendor booths featuring handbags, jewelry, essential oils and delicious foods. $10 and $20 coupon books available. 1-6 pm. $12/child age 3-12 gives unlimited rides and one meal combo. 488-8826.
12/9 - 10th Annual Gingerbread Holiday Concert by Lynn University Philharmonia Orchestra at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, Great Hall, 501 E. Camino Real. Celebrate the music traditions of the holidays. 3 pm. $35. 237-9000.
12/9 - Celebrate the Season: The Robert Sharon Chorale at The DeSantis Family Chapel, Palm Beach Atlantic University, 901 S. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach. Join in song to start your holidays. Featuring classical, holiday, sacred and ethnic music. 3 pm. $15/adults, $5/children 12 and under. 319-0005.
12/9 - Service of Lessons and Carols is held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 100 N. Palmway, Lake Worth. The advent story told in short bible readings interspersed with the singing of hymns and carols. Following service, the church host its annual Christmas Cookie Extravaganza in the parish hall. Eggnog and punch served. 4 pm. Open to public. Free. 582-6609.
12/9 - Once Upon a Holiday is a musical who-dunnit performed at the Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW 9th St. Holiday fun for the entire family. 5 pm. $15/adults, $12/children under 18. Proceeds benefit the Children’s Theatre Scholarship Fund. 272-1282, Ext. 4.
12/9 - 2nd Annual Madrigal Dinner at St. Jude Parish Life Center, 21689 Toledo Road, Boca Raton. Presented in conjunction with the department of music in FAU’s Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters. A renaissance evening full of pageantry, entertainment, succulent food and extraordinary music. 6 pm. $100 (includes dinner and a $70 tax-deductible gift to FAU’s Choral and Vocal Studies Program). Reservations: 297-2337.
12/9 - Young Singers of the Palm Beaches: Winter Tapestry 2012 at The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Ring in the Holiday Season with Palm Beach County’s most talented youth in an evening of music and magic. Evening highlights traditional and contemporary holiday music combined with humor, artistic excellence and an audience sing-a-long. 7 pm. $10-38. 832-7469.
Monday - 12/10 - Holiday Cooking Fun for ages 5-9 at the James A. Rutherford Community Center, Patch Reef Park, 2000 Yamato Road, Boca Raton. Children learn basic cooking from scratch. Instruction includes kitchen safety, measurements, napkin folding, and table setting. Parents are not allowed in the classroom during class. 3:30-5 pm. $12/residents, $15/non-residents. 367-7035.
12/10 - Light Up The Holidays - Presented by the Town of the Highland Beach Library at the Highland Beach Town Hall, 3614 S. Ocean Blvd. Performances by Bariton Lou Galterio, Barbershop Quartet Lawrence of Florida Four Scissors, and Cantor Margaret Schmidt. Self parking available at St. Lucy’s parking lot. Cookies, hot chocolate and coffee will be served. 4:30-6:30 pm. Free. 278-4548.
12/10 - Paul Green and Klezmer East: A Hanukkah Concert to Light Up The Holiday at FAU Barry and Florence Friedberg Auditorium, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton. A one-time special concert presented as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series at FAU Lifelong Learning Society. Annual membership: $45. 7:30-9:30 pm. $25/member, $30/non-member advance, $35/non-member at the door. 297-3171.
Wednesday - 12/12 - Burning River Brass: Our Kind of Christmas at The Society of the Four Arts at the Walter S. Gubelmann Auditorium, 2 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach. Composed of 12 of the finest brass and percussion players in the country, this is an ensemble on fire! 8 pm. $40-$45. 655-7226.
Thursday - 12/13-16 - The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris - Presented by Parade Productions at the The Studio at Mizner Park, 201 Plaza Real, 2nd Floor, Boca Raton. Play relates David Sedaris’ experiences when he worked as an elf in Macy’s Christmastime Santaland display. Not recommended for children. Held again 12/20-23. Th-Sat.: 7:30 pm; Sat. & Sun.: 3 pm. $35-$40. 866-811-4111.
Friday - 12/14 - Holiday By The Sea is held at Ocean Plaza, 640 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach. Kick start the holidays season by supporting local vendors, shops and businesses at an under-the-stars open house.  4-9 pm. Free. 735-8848.
12/14 - Light-The-Lights at Ocean Ridge Town Hall, 6450 N. Ocean Blvd. Featuring beverages and light snacks, bounce house and face paintings, Santa Claus and more! For Ocean Ridge residents only. 5:30-8:30 pm. 732-2635.
12/14 - Chanukah Under The Stars at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. Special kids activities including bounces houses, a gourmet food truck expo, face painting, crafts and more. The Chanukah and Shabbat service begins at 7:30 pm with the temple clergy; Cantorial soloist Lori Shapiro, Rabbi Dan Levin and Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Brockman. Service will be a musical celebration that brings everyone in the community together to celebrate the beginning of the festival of lights.Presented by Temple Beth El.  Bring lawn chairs and blankets. 5-9 pm. Free. 393-7984.
Saturday - 12/15 - Breakfast with Santa at the Delray Beach Marriott Hotel, 10 N. Ocean Blvd. Includes gingerbread man decorating. Four seatings available for the $12/person breakfast: 8, 9, 10 & 11 am. Reservations: 279-1380, Ext. 17.
12/15 - Kindermusik Teddy Bear Holiday Party at Intracoastal Park Clubhouse, 2240 N. Federal Hwy., Boynton Beach. For ages 1-6 years. 11 am-noon. $5/resident; $8/non-resident. 742-6221.
12/15 - Tuba Christmas at Mizner Park Amphitheatre, 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. Help support the tradition of holiday music performed by tubas and euphoniums. Outdoor event, bring chairs or blankets. 5 pm. Free. 297-2595.
12/15 - Sounds of the Season is presented by the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce at the Cultural Plaza in Downtown Lake Worth (Corner of Lake Avenue and M Street.) A musical extravaganza featuring all types of holiday music. 6-9 pm. Free. 533-7363.
12/15 - Divas Christmas Party is presented at the Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave., Lake Worth. Join your favorite divas as they celebrate the holidays as only the divas can. Songs, skits and a comically good time. 8 pm. $15. 586-6169.

DECEMBER 16-22

Sunday - 12/16 - Holiday Family Fun Day at the Fountains Center office and retail park, 7600 West Camino Real, Boca Raton. Features children’s activitities, live music, food tastings, displays and raffles. Benefits the American Cancer Society - South Palm Beach Unit. 1-4 pm. Suggested donation: $5/child (over age 2) or $25/family. 954-482-3740.
Tuesday - 12/18 - Special Holiday Tour of the Boca Raton Resort & Club - Presented by the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum at 501 E. Camino Real. Not recommended for children under 12. This is a walking tour - wear comfortable shoes. 6 pm. $20/members, $25/non-members plus $11 valet fee per car. RSVP: 395-6766, Ext. 100.
12/18-23 - Holiday Evening Tours at the Flagler Museum, One Whitehall Way, Palm Beach. See Whitehall by the glow of the original 1902 light fixtures. Every visitor receives a traditional Christmas cracker following the tour. A choral group sings carols and holiday refreshments are served. 12/18-19: tours begin at 7:15 and 7:25 pm; 12/20-21: tours begin at 7:05, 7:15 & 7:25 pm; 12/22-23: tours begin at 6:50, 7:05, 7:15 & 7:25 pm. $25/adults; $15/children ages 17 and under. Advance purchase required. 655-2833.
Friday - 12/21 - The Artists’ Gift Box is held at Clay Glass Metal Stone Cooperative Gallery, 605 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth. Unique handmade gifts are wrapped by artists. Nogs and bites provided. 6-9 pm. 588-8344.
12/21 - Teen Winter Carnival for ages 12-19 at the Hobbit Skate Park, 505 SE 5th Ave., Delray Beach. Carnival type games for teens. Free popcorn, sno-cones and cotton candy. 6-9 pm. $2/person. 243-7158.
12/21 - Roots Holiday Concert: Christmas Featuring The Brass Evolution - Presented as part of the Free Friday Concerts series at the Old School Square Entertainment Pavilion, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. Featuring gourmet food trucks. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets; rental chairs available. No pets or outside food/beverages. 7:30-10:30 pm. Free admission; cash bar. 243-9722 or www.delraycenterforthearts.org.
Saturday - 12/22 - Story Hour with Mrs. Claus in the Main Gazebo at Mizner Park, 327 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. 3 pm. Free. 362-0606.
12/22 - Downtown Holiday Shopping Stroll & Holiday Concert in the Plaza is held at Cultural Plaza in Downtown Lake Worth (Corner of Lake Avenue and M Street.) Enjoy an evening of shopping and festive treats under the holiday lights and enjoy a holiday concert. 5-9 pm. Free. 533-7363.

DECEMBER 23-29

Sunday - 12/23 - A Global Christmas: St. Paul’s Choir - Presented as part of Music At St. Paul’s series at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 188 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. The annual Festival of Lessons and Carols presents music from cultures around the world. 3 pm. $20/preferred seating, $15/requested donation, $5/students. 278-6003.
Monday - 12/24 - Christmas Eve Services by Journey Church at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. Family event featuring carols, candles and a special Christmas message. Two service times (identical program): 3-4 pm; 4:30-5:30 pm. Free. 393-7827.
Tuesday - 12/25 - Christmas Day
Friday - 12/28 - Holiday Magic Night At The Museum at the South Florida Science Museum, 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach. 6-10 pm. $11/adults, $7/children (3-12), free/members & children under 3. 832-1988 or www.sfsm.org.
Saturday - 12/29 - Champagne & Chocolate Stroll along Lake and Lucurne Avenues in Downtown Lake Worth. Celebrate early as local shops offer toasts to the new year. 5-9 pm. Free. 533-7363.

DEC. 30 - JAN.5

Monday - 12/31 - First Night 2013 New Year’s Eve Celebration is held at various downtown locations in Delray Beach. Bring the entire family to enjoy visual and performing arts in non-alcoholic venues. First Night buttons, which serve as admittance to all activities and venues, can be purchased for $10 in advance and $15 on New Year’s Eve. Buttons can be purchased in advance at the Famous 100-Foot Christmas Tree and the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce. 4 pm-midnight. 279-1380, Ext. 17.
12/31 - It Was Fifty Years Ago Today: A New Year’s Celebration of the Broadway Musicals of 1962-63 - Hosted by Randolph DelLago at The Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW 9th St. Take a nostalgic journey back to Broadway as it was exactly 50 years ago! Each show includes a wine/cheese/Champagne reception. Two shows: reception 1pm, show 2pm, $40; reception 7 pm, show 8pm, $60. 272-1281, Ext. 4.
12/31 - New Year’s Evening Swing Time is presented at the Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave. An evening of celebration, swing music, hors d’oeuvres and Champagne. Featuring Missy McArdle and the Glen Rovinelli Orchestra. 8 pm. $35. 586-6169.
Saturday - 1/5 - The Nightmare AFTER Christmas is held at Cultural Plaza in Downtown Lake Worth (Corner of Lake Avenue and M Street.) Divas Professional Drag Show mix of Halloween and Christmas. 6-9 pm. Free. 533-7363.