The holidays are a magical season filled with Christmas lights in Vero Beach, Christmas parades, and other fun events. Vero Beach is a great location to see some of the best Christmas decorations on the Treasure Coast. The area of 33rd Ave off 4th is a popular spot for pretty lights, and the McAnsh Park neighborhood is another neighborhood filled with lights and holiday cheer. However, Vero Beach has many places that become winter wonderlands during the holiday season. Below are the top places to see Christmas lights in Vero Beach, Florida, with updated 2025 schedules.
Jungle Lights McKee Botanical Garden
Jungle Lights at McKee Botanical Gardens is one of the best holiday light shows on the Treasure Coast. It’s an immersive nature experience where visitors can experience a tropical lightscape filled with jungle sounds throughout the garden. Beautiful tropical bromeliad trees, flora, and fauna are covered in lights.
The event started on Wednesday, December 3rd. It will then take place on select nights running through January 3rd, 2026. The event is from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The admission fee varies by date: Regular Nights (Dec 3 – Dec 17) are $30 for adults ages 17 and above, and $20 for children ages three to 16. Meanwhile, Premium Nights (Dec 18 – Jan 3) are $35 for adults and $20 for children. Kids under three are free.
Visitors can also enjoy holiday treats and hot chocolate at the Garden Cafe. Additional discounts apply to McKee Botanical Gardens members, making Jungle Lights the perfect place to see Christmas lights near Vero Beach, Florida.
Vero Beach Christmas Parade
Christmas parades are a joyous way to celebrate the Christmas season and enjoy the winter. Each December, the Sunrise Rotary Club creates a fantastic annual Christmas parade for all to enjoy. People love the parade and enjoy the vibrant display of lights, marching bands, Christmas music, festive floats, and decorated cars. Santa is also present at the parade.
The Vero Beach Christmas Parade is a great tradition and one of the most anticipated events of the Christmas season in Vero Beach. Thousands of locals gather along Ocean Drive to wave at floats and enjoy the festivities. The parade, which takes place on Ocean Drive, is scheduled for Saturday, December 6th, at 6:00 PM and will be the Rotary’s 41st anniversary celebration.
Christmas at Tara
Christmas at Tara is a huge family tradition and one of Vero Beach’s biggest annual events. The Grall family decorates the property and is well-known in the community for their Christmas spirit. More than 500,000 miniature lights cover the property, and dozens of life-sized figures decorate the grounds. Visitors will see figures like Santa and his reindeer, toy soldiers, and other original Christmas pieces that create the perfect outdoor display.
Many locals enjoy the lights as a free drive-through Christmas lights event. The lights come on at sunset and stay bright until 10:00 PM Sunday through Thursday. Visitors who want to see the lights later in the night should visit on Friday or Saturday when the lights are on until 11:00 PM. The Christmas lights at Tara stay on until New Year’s Eve. The display is located at 7555 20th St., west of Vero Beach, Florida.
WinterGreen Night Lights
Environmental Learning Center hosts WinterGreen Night Lights each year, a family-friendly and magical experience that combines nature and Christmas. Families enjoy kid-friendly activities like holiday crafts and a campfire with s’mores. Nature lovers will enjoy beautifully lit nature trails and a guided canoe trip called the Mangrove Magic Encounter. The magic encounter takes visitors through mangrove tunnels decorated with festive lights.
WinterGreen Night Lights is a unique way to experience nature during the Christmas holidays. The event takes place on Friday, December 12th and Saturday, December 13th, from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
The cost to attend is $5 for those 12 and over, and free for ELC members and kids under age 12. The admission fee includes crafts, illuminated trails, a campfire, nature-inspired art galleries, and much more. The Mangrove Magic Encounter requires separate tickets at $15 per person, which are only available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Environmental Learning Center is at 255 Live Oak Dr, Vero Beach, Florida.
The Ocean Grill
Many restaurants decorate their interiors and exteriors for the Christmas season. However, the Ocean Grill goes above and beyond each season to create a winter wonderland in Vero Beach. Customers enjoy thousands of Christmas lights, wreaths, holiday-inspired table settings, and other festive decor.
The Ocean Grill is an excellent restaurant with pretty views and fresh seafood in a Christmasy atmosphere. It’s one of the best restaurants in Vero Beach for a festive Christmas atmosphere. It’s at 1050 Beachland Blvd, Vero Beach, Florida.
More Christmas Events in Vero Beach
Schacht Groves Holiday Festival
Schacht Groves Holiday Festival is the perfect holiday experience for kids. The festival takes place Saturday, December 6th, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and is the perfect family fun event for little ones who want to see Santa Claus. Families will meet both Santa and Mrs. Claus. The festival features fun activities like a petting zoo, a bounce house, hay rides, and Christmas-inspired crafts.
The festival has multiple play spaces and activities for young children, making it one of the best kid-friendly Christmas festivals in Vero Beach, Florida. Families interested in having a ticketed Breakfast with Santa can reserve a spot earlier that morning from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, featuring a delicious breakfast buffet, cookie decorating station, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The Schacht Groves Holiday Festival is at 6100 12th St, Vero Beach, Florida.
9th Annual Winter Bazaar
The Walking Tree Brewery will host its 9th annual winter bazaar this year. This indie market will feature over 50 talented artists and creatives showcasing their best work. One of Vero Beach’s largest live Christmas trees will provide stunning holiday decorations, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus will also be present to spread holiday cheer.
The Winter Bazaar is the perfect spot for live music and fun in Vero Beach. The official 2025 date is December 14, 2025, starting at 12:00 PM. It’s at 3209 Dodger Rd, Vero Beach, Florida.
Christmas at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort creates a festive and fun Christmas atmosphere. Each Christmas season, the resort is filled with larger-than-life ornaments, multiple Christmas trees, and twinkling lights everywhere. Visitors love the magical atmosphere and the stunning, over-the-top decorations found throughout the property. The resort is at 9250 Island Grove Terrace, Vero Beach, Florida.
Installing Christmas Lights in Vero Beach, Florida
Exploring museums, neighborhoods, and winter events to see Christmas lights is a fun way to enjoy the holidays. However, many locals want to participate in the festivities by decorating their homes with Christmas lights. Below are a few tips for installing Christmas lights this holiday season.
First, consider hiring a professional to install the lights. There are some amazing Christmas light installation services in Vero Beach, which install residential, commercial, event, and landscaping lights throughout the Treasure Coast. Professional installation services remove the stress and hassle and are great for people who don’t want to install the lights themselves.
Second, use the right equipment to install lights. You’ll need measuring tape, commercial-grade extension cords, light hanging clips, and mobile scaffolding. A scaffolding structure is safer than a rickety ladder or stools that can easily topple over and become unstable.
Third, take your time installing the lights. Don’t rush things like measuring or positioning the clips properly. Some people use nails, staples, or even duct tape to hang lights, but clips are much friendlier to the home and will provide a clean, straight look. Additionally, take the time to unravel your lights using cord spools.
Finally, don’t forget to enjoy your work. Many people spend little time enjoying the beautiful lights they’ve placed on their homes. Spend time appreciating the installation and what you’ve contributed to Vero Beach’s Christmas lights display.
