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.
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.
Visitors can also enjoy holiday treats and hot chocolate at the Garden Cafe. The event takes place December 8th, 10th-15th, 17th-22nd, and the 26th-20th. The event is from 6 PM to 9 PM. The admission fee for Jungle Lights is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors over 65 and teens 13-17, and $15 for children ages 2-12. Kids under two are free. Additional discounts apply to McKee Botanical Garden members. The jungle lights are 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 on December 7th at 6 PM and will be the Rotary’s 40th 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 drive-through Christmas lights event, with thousands of attendees visiting the property in the evening. The beautiful mansion at Tara Plantation is open to the public on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The lights come on at sunset and stay bright until 10 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 PM.
The Christmas lights at Tara stay on until New Year’s Eve. The Vero Beach law firm Christmas Lights is at 7555 20th St., west of Vero Beach, Florida. Attendance is free.
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. WinterGreen Night Lights takes place December 5th and 6th from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The cost to attend is $5 for those 12 and over and free for kids under age 11. The admission fee includes crafts, illuminated trails, a campfire, nature-inspired art galleries, a living lagoon experience, 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.
Winterfest: Festival of Trees
Each year, Riverside’s campus is transformed into a holiday wonderland featuring Santa’s Village and beautifully decorated trees. Visitors enjoy live performances and other entertainment. One of the festival’s biggest attractions is the ice skating rink.
This year’s Winterfest Festival of Trees starts on December 6th from 5 PM to 8 PM. On December 7th, the festival is open from 10 AM to 8 PM, and on the 8th from 10 AM to 4 PM. The festival is at the Riverside Theatre Campus, 3250 Riverside Park Drive, 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
Holiday Weekends at Riverside Theatre
The Riverside Theatre is known for its outstanding performances. During the Christmas season, the theater dedicates weekends to holiday cheer. On Holiday Weekends, the theater events allow locals and tourists to enjoy live music, performances by talented locals, festive drink specials, and holiday raffles.
During Holiday Weekends, visitors should expect to hear cool bands, enjoy comedy specials, and see other exciting performances. On December 14th, the theatre will have many kid-friendly events, including pictures with Santa from 1 PM to 8 PM and playtime at the park starting at noon.
The Riverside Theatre’s Holiday Weekends take place December 5th-8th and December 12th-14th. Holiday Weekends is one of Treasure Coast’s most unique and entertaining Christmas events. The theatre is at 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach, Florida.
Schacht Groves Holiday Festival
Schacht Groves Holiday Festival is the perfect holiday experience for kids. The festival takes place December 7th from 11AM to 2PM 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. Kids and adults are encouraged to write a letter to Santa. Hungry visitors will enjoy the local food trucks, Kona ice, and ice cream. A U-pick will be available for visitors who want to pick their own oranges. Plenty of photo ops are available to capture holiday memories.
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. Schacht Groves Holiday Festival takes place Saturday, December 7th, from 11 AM to 2 PM.
Families interested in having breakfast with Santa can reserve a spot to have private time with Santa at a delicious breakfast buffet. The event will also feature a cooking decorating station, hot cocoa bar, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Breakfast with Santa takes place earlier, from 8 AM to 10 AM. Attending Breakfast with Santa costs $50 per adult and $35 per child, ages 2-12. Tickets are available online at schachtgroves.com. Breakfast with Santa and the Schacht Groves Holiday Festival is at 6100 12th St, Vero Beach, Florida.
8th Annual Winter Bazaar
The Walking Tree Brewery will have its 8th annual winter bazaar this year. This year’s winter bazaar 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 8th Annual Winter Bazaar is the perfect indie market for live music and fun in Vero Beach. The 8th Annual Winter Bazaar is on December 8th and starts at 12 PM. It’s at 3209 Dodger Rd, Vero Beach, Florida.
Christmas at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
Disney 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. 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.
