Events Roundup: What to Do this December in The Palm Beaches
Food festivals, holiday celebrations, marathons, football, and more. Here is our events roundup for December 2023.
Holiday In Paradise – West Palm Beach
Date & Time: daily from Nov. 30 through Dec. 31, 6 pm – 10 pm.
This year’s Holiday in Paradise is Presented by FPL. Starting on the night of the tree lighting (Thursday, Nov. 30), Sandi and the surrounding area will feature synchronized nightly music and light shows through Dec. 31 from 6 – 10 p.m. (shows will be extended on New Year’s Eve through midnight). Shows start on the quarter hour except during special events. Rides on Ferris Powered by Land Rover Palm Beach will be available during the same time for $5 per person per ride plus tax and fees, and rules and restrictions apply (see wpb.org/events for more info).
Location: The Great Lawn at 100 N. Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL, 33401.
Looking for other holiday events? From Santa sightings to light shows and boat parades, there are plenty of ways to get into the spirit of the season this year. Check out our guide to festivities and holiday events.
CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH THESE GREAT HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Sumi-e Ink Painting Class at the Morikami – Delray Beach
Date & Time: Fridays, December 1, 8, 15
- Floral – 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Landscape – 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Sumi-e is a form of Japanese ink painting brought from China in the 12th century. Primarily done in black ink, the name literally means “charcoal drawing” in Japanese. Students grind their own ink using an ink stick and a grinding stone and learn to hold and utilize brushes to create the primary sumi-e brush strokes. Floral and landscape classes will start with a review of the basic techniques before moving on to the main subject. Advance registration is required. Click here to register.
Location: Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446.
Steampunk Festival – West Palm Beach
Date & Time: December 2-3, 10 am to 6 pm
This December, Yesteryear Village isn’t just breaking temporal barriers; it’s rewriting meteorological expectations too! Anticipate a heady blend of Victorian grace, futuristic fascinations, and… snow? Yes, the 2nd Annual Steampunk Adventurers Weekend, scheduled for December 2nd and 3rd from 10 am to 6 pm, is ready to sprinkle a touch of winter wonder in sunny Florida.
Following its debut last year, the festival returns with an expanded array of attractions, enchanting both newcomers and returning steampunk enthusiasts alike.
Event Highlights Include Florida’s Winter Marvel, electrifying performances by Frenchy and the Punk, Steampunk Fashion Show, a gastronomic journey, rides & games, and much more!
Location: Yesteryear Village, 9067 Southern Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33411.
Swank Farm Dinners: Farm Market Asado – Loxahatchee Groves
Date & Time: December 3, 4 pm.
Join local and artisan vendors who will sell their goods under our pole barn during the dinner. Each chef will incorporate products from vendors into their menu for this Asado feast! Get tickets.
Location: Swank Specialty Produce, 14311 North Road, Loxahatchee, FL 33470.
The Art of Kokedama Workshop at The Morikami – Delray Beach
Date & Time: December 2, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm or 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Kokedama is the Japanese art of growing plants in a moss-covered ball of soil. It is wrapped with string and contains an ornamental plant growing inside. These beautiful and decorative plants, bring an organic and natural touch to planting orchids, succulents, and other ornamental plants. Learn the mechanics of how to make kokedama, creating two regular sizes and one small one to decorate your home or to give away to a special person. Advanced registration is required. Click here to register.
Location: Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446.
Sado: Tea Ceremony Class at The Morikami – Delray Beach
Date & Time: December 3, 17
- Beginners – 10:15 am – 12:15 am
- Intermediate – 1 pm – 3 pm
Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, with its ever-evolving seasonal subtleties, in the authentic Seishin-an Tea House under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick. The tea ceremony changes from month to month and from season to season. Intermediate course requires approval by the instructor before registering.
Advanced registration is required. Click here to register.
Location: Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446.
Palm Beach Food & Wine Fest – The Palm Beaches
Date & Time: December 7-10,
From specialty Chef Welcome Party to celebrity Food Network stars grillin’ and chillin’ poolside, and from comfort food to 5-course dinners with premium wine pairings and Master Sommelier, this gastronomic experience hosts an unprecedented collection of talent for this four-day foodie festival. Residents and visitors alike will savor the many culinary creations, as master chefs mix, blend and create culinary magic in an unmatched resort destination.
Location: various restaurants and venues in The Palm Beaches. Check the website for more information.
The Art of Japanese Gift Presentation at the Morikami – Delray Beach
Date & Time: December 9, 10:30 am – 12 pm or 1:30 pm – 3 pm
Learn the customs and art of Japanese gift presentation in this hands-on workshop. Combining traditions with contemporary aesthetics, participants are introduced to the beauty of Japanese packaging and design, often times incorporating natural and unconventional materials. Learn to wrap with washi (Japanese traditional handmade paper), create uniquely designed boxes, and other techniques to give your gift an Asian-inspired elegance. Workshop tools and materials will be provided for the participants to use.
Advanced registration is required. Click here to register.
Location: Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446.
The Garden Of Life Palm Beaches Marathon – West Palm Beach
Date & Time: Dec 9-10, 6 am or 7:30 am.
Where else during December can you run through picturesque tropical waterfront streetscapes without a snowflake or icy road in sight? The Garden of Life Palm Beaches Marathon, that’s where. In The Palm Beaches, it isn’t just a simple marathon & it’s a weekend-long happening where you can come and enjoy all we have to offer. The Marathon consists of a full marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, 10K, and 5K.
The route is surrounded by beautiful water views of Lake Worth Lagoon/Intracoastal Waterway and goes right through historic West Palm Beach neighborhoods – lined by palm trees, tropical fauna, and stunning homes. This race is a Boston Qualifier.
Location: Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
Soul in The City Jazz Experience – West Palm Beach
Date & Time: Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 7 pm – 9 pm.
Soul in the City Jazz Experience is an intimate and unforgettable jazz experience overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. Drinks are available for purchase.
Guitarist and Producer Adam Hawley has burst onto the contemporary jazz scene as a celebrated and innovative artist, composer and band leader. Hawley will perform a dynamic combination of unique holiday arrangements and original contemporary jazz selections. and some of your favorites from Stevie Wonder, Demi Lovato, Gap Band, Chris Brown, John Legend, and more.
Location: Lake Pavilion, 101 S. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
Sunday On The Waterfront – West Palm Beach
Date & Time: December 17, 4 – 7 pm.
Featured band: Aloha Islanders Tropical Holiday Spectacular (Polynesian Musician & Dance Review).
Aloha Islanders Hawaiian Entertainment was established in 1999 and is now the premiere Polynesian entertainment company in South Florida. The vibrant, high-energy, and authentic Polynesian show is popular with guests of all ages and is consistently the most popular Sunday on the Waterfront show annually. Families from all over travel to downtown West Palm Beach for this tropical holiday tradition, where the Islanders take the audience on a journey through Polynesia using pulsating drums, beautiful hula dancers, and exciting Samoan fire knife dancers to make guests feel truly transported. The show is an action-packed non-stop revue of dances from Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, and New Zealand. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this journey through Polynesia.
Location: Meyer Amphitheatre, 104 Datura Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
Boca Raton Bowl – Boca Raton
Date & Time: December 21, 8 pm.
The RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl, held at 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431, typically occurs on the Tuesday before Christmas and has been televised on ESPN for most of its eight games. Get tickets.
Location: FAU Stadium, 777 FAU Boulevard, Boca Raton, FL 33431.
Clematis By Night – West Palm Beach
Date & Time: Thursdays, 6 – 9 p.m.
If you’re looking for live entertainment to add to your Thursday night itinerary, look no further than Clematis by Night. Chilling out South Florida style at this highly popular, award-winning weekly concert series has been a favorite West Palm Beach tradition for nearly 3 decades. Grab your lawn chair or a blanket and head to one of the liveliest free Thursday nights in South Florida to check out our weekly lineup.
December featured bands:
- Dec. 7: Studio 54 Band (’80s, ’90s, and today)
- Dec. 14: Resonance Band (Top 40)
- Dec. 21: The Bobby Rodriguez Orchestra (Jazz Big Band)
- Dec. 28: NO CLEMATIS BY NIGHT | Happy New Year!
Location: NewDay USA Stage on the Great Lawn, 100 N. Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
West Palm Beach Greenmarket
Date & Time:Saturdays, 9 am – 1 pm
The West Palm Beach GreenMarket 2023 – 2024 season features the most vendors to date — 125! Vendors sell various products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, coffees and teas, flowers and plants, homemade specialty items, desserts and treats, and so much more. Visitors should be sure to check out the 30 NEW vendors. Key December GreenMarket dates:
- Weekly Pop-up Workshops: Weekly workshops will cover GreenMarket-related topics such as cookie decorating and creating ornaments with Sandi’s sand. For more info, including any associated fees, click here
- Sandi and Santa’s Annual Pancake Breakfast: Saturday, Dec. 16 – Seatings will be available on the hour from 9 am – 11 am. Tickets will soon be available at wpb.org/events.
Location: Great Lawn, 100 N. Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
Delray Beach GreenMarket, Delray Beach
When: Saturdays, 9 am – 2 pm
The GreenMarket is a Saturday morning destination as an open air marketplace located at Old School Square front grounds, on E. Atlantic Avenue in downtown Delray Beach.
At the GreenMarket you’ll find more than 50+ vendors featuring Palm Beach County farm-to-fork produce, just picked citrus and juice, farm fresh eggs, raw milk and butter, 100% grass-fed and finished (antibiotic and hormone free) Florida beef, poultry, pork and lamb, fragrant artisan baked goods, plenty of gluten free, vegan and sugar free products, fresh cut flowers, plants and other unique gourmet fare along with live musical entertainment each week.
Location: Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33483.
Lake Worth Beach Bonfire – Lake Worth Beach
Date & Time, December 1, 15, 6 pm – 10 pm.
Pack up your smore’s kits and enjoy roasting marshmallows around a mini bonfire in Lake Worth Beach.
December featured bands:
- December 1: Neil Freestone
- December 15: Indigo Dreamers
Location: Lake Worth Beach and Casino Complex, 10 South Ocean Blvd, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460.
Mounts Botanical Garden December Events – West Palm Beach
Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden will cap off this year by hosting 28 fun and informative workshops, classes, and special events throughout the month of December, including the popular Garden Explorers Youth Winter Camp.
- Mat Pilates – December 1, 8, 15
- Grapevine Wreath Workshop – December 2
- Orchids are for Everyone Potting Workshop – December 2
- Awakening Hearts with Casa Rituals – December 3, 17
- Gentle Yoga & Body Balance – December 5, 12, 19
- Watercolor at the Garden – December 5, 12, 19
- Beginning Watercolor – December 5, 12, 19
- Qi Gong – December 6, 13, 20, 27
- Forest Bathing: Nature Therapy Walks & Tea Ceremony – December 8, 16, 17
- Orchid Companions: Pairing Outdoor Orchids with Tree-Loving Tropicals – December 9
- Dogs’ Day in the Garden – December 10
- New Moon Cacao Ceremony with Casa Rituals – December 10
- Garden Explorers Youth Winter Camp – December 27-29
- Sound & Cacao Serenity: Letting Go Ceremony for 2023 – December 31
To register, please visit: https://www.mounts.org/events/2023-12/mounts.org
Location: Mounts Botanical Garden, 531 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33415.
