The best places to see Christmas lights in Fort Pierce include waterways, botanical gardens, small communities, and other landmarks around the city. Fort Pierce is a festive place during the Christmas season. From over-the-top light displays to festive holiday parades, there’s something fun to do throughout and around Christmas. Below are the most popular and best places to see Christmas lights in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Golden Ponds Annual Christmas Drive-Thru
The Golden Ponds community has a beautiful Christmas light display every year. The drive-through display has become a local tradition and a favorite place to see lights in Fort Pierce, Florida. The event is very family-friendly. Hundreds of cars drive through each year, making it a popular spot for holiday cheer. Over 5,000 lights will be on display. The event will also feature Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
The annual Christmas drive-through is expected to be on Saturday, December 13th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The Golden Ponds Christmas light display is at 100001 West Angle Road, Fort Pierce, Florida.
St. Lucie County Fair Festival of Lights
The St. Lucie County Fair Festival of Lights is one of the Treasure Coast’s most popular Christmas events and an excellent way to see light displays in Fort Pierce. The festival is a local tradition and one of the city’s most fun Christmas events. It includes multiple attractions, but the highlight is the drive-thru holiday light experience featuring Santa’s Village.
Admission to the festival also includes a petting zoo, a live animal nativity, games, a Christmas tree forest, and photo stations to capture Christmas memories. It’s also one of the region’s only events with real reindeer. Santa will also be present at the St Lucie County Fair Festival of Lights, and although a photographer won’t be present, guests are free to take a photo with their phone or camera. Visitors can also order corn dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, deep-fried Oreos, and other sweet or savory treats at the festival.
Tickets to the fair are discounted when purchased online. The festival is open from Thanksgiving night (November 27th) until approximately December 28th. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Santa will only be at the festival until Christmas Day. The mile-long drive-thru light display is one of the best ways to see Christmas lights on the Treasure Coast.
Heathcote Botanical Garden’s Garden of Lights
Heathcote Botanical Gardens offers another great way to see Christmas lights in Fort Pierce. The gardens will again be celebrating with thousands of pretty lights. The whimsical light displays also feature a cool rainforest exhibit, and Santa will be there on select nights.
Heathcote Botanical Gardens is a favorite local tradition, and many visitors from across the region visit the five-acre gardens to see an amazing oasis of colorful holiday lights. Visitors enjoy live entertainment, food, and fun activities like scavenger hunts. Heathcote is great for all ages.
Heathcote’s Garden of Lights will be open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in December 2025 (starting December 5th). The lights are on from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Admission prices are $15 for non-member adults, $10 for member adults, and $5 for children, ages six to 12. Kids under six can attend for free. Tickets are available online at www.heathcotebotanicalgardens.org, but they can also be purchased at the gate.
The garden uses ticket sales to support educational and environmental programs. The Heathcote Botanical Gardens’ Garden of Lights is at 210 Savannah Rd, Fort Pierce, Florida.
Christmas Lights at Marina Square
Locals visit Marina Square each year to see the Fort Pierce Christmas lights. The Holiday Lights Spectacular at Marina Square features over 100,000 lights perfectly synchronized to Christmas music. It’s the kind of place that is perfect to take out-of-town guests and visitors for Christmas cheer. People love the lit palm trees and cheerful ambiance. The event is great for all ages and is a completely free Christmas event.
The Holiday Lights Spectacular is expected to run from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM daily from December 7th until early January 2026. Marina Square is at Melody Lane and Avenue A.
Sights & Sounds on Second Christmas Parade
The Fort Pierce Christmas parade is a great way to celebrate the holidays. The Sunrise Kiwanis partner will kick off the city’s 37th annual parade this year, with the theme “Fort Pierce Through the Decades.” The route starts at Tickle Tummy Hill on Second Street and travels south to Orange Avenue before turning east, then north on Indian River Drive. The parade route stops at River Walk Center. The fun parade, which runs through historic Downtown Fort Pierce, Florida, is on Sunday, December 7th, with the festival starting at 1:00 PM and the parade kicking off at 4:00 PM.
Parade attendees are encouraged to remain downtown after the parade for the Christmas tree lighting immediately following the procession. Visitors can also spend time after the parade shopping at the boutiques and retail stores along the parade route.
2025 St. Lucie County Christmas Boat Parade
Boats of all sizes and shapes will glow with lights and other decorations for the 35th Annual St. Lucie County Christmas Boat Parade. The parade is a fun opportunity for boating enthusiasts to have some holiday fun. The city is welcoming local and visiting boaters to join in.
The 2025 St. Lucie County Christmas Boat Parade is on Saturday, December 13th, at 6:00 PM. The parade route starts at Day Beacon 188 off Fort Pierce City Marina. The boats will head north in the Intracoastal Waterway and eventually turn east towards Fort Pierce Inlet. The boats will turn around at Jetty Park, and the parade will end at the Turning Basin.
More Christmas Lights & Events
“Sounds of the Season” Holiday Concert Series
Indian River State College is hosting a “Sounds of the Season” Holiday Concert Series, featuring the talented student musicians in collaboration with the Port St. Lucie Community Band. The concerts, which focus on instrumental holiday music, are scheduled for Thursday, December 4th, and Friday, December 5th at 7:00 PM, and on Sunday, December 7th at 2:00 PM.
General admission tickets are $20. The concert series is at Massey Campus, McAlpin Fine Arts Center, 3209 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce, Florida.
Clara’s Christmas Dream at the Sunrise Theatre
Clara’s Christmas Dream at the Sunrise Theatre is perfect for locals who enjoy live performances. The show features dancers of all ages who take the stage as falling snowflakes, magical dolls, floating angels, soldier tappers, and more. A surprise visitor from the North Pole will also appear.
The show is on Sunday, December 14th, at 4:00 PM. Ticket prices vary, but tickets are available for purchase. The Sunrise Theatre is at 117 S 2nd St, Fort Pierce, Florida.
The Nutcracker at the Sunrise Theatre
The Nutcracker at the Sunrise Theatre is a holiday favorite and has been a Treasure Coast tradition for over twenty years. It’s the perfect Christmas event for watching whimsical ballet dancers and experiencing the Land of Snow, Sweets, and Sugar Plum Fairy.
The show is on Friday, December 5th, at 7:00 PM. This classic ballet is a great way to celebrate the holidays with family and friends on a winter evening. The Sunrise Theatre is at 117 S 2nd St, Fort Pierce, Florida.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas at Islamorada Brewery & Distillery
Islamorada Brewery & Distillery has multiple Christmas-themed trivia nights throughout December. This includes a picture-taking event with Santa, The Grinch and Buddy the Elf, to go along with live music, on Saturday, December 6th. The brewery is known for hosting festive, family- and pet-friendly events that are free to play, with teams competing to win prizes. Islamorada Brewery & Distillery is at 3200 St Lucie Blvd, Fort Pierce, Florida.
