Palm Beach Holiday Events: A Seasonal Calendar of Lights, Boat Parades, New Year's and More
October 1, 2026 · 8 min read · By Onias Derilus, Broker
A year-round resident calendar of Palm Beach County traditions: the holiday boat parade, Sandi the sand tree, tree lightings, New Year's on the waterfront, July Fourth fireworks, Halloween and spring events, organized by city.
Palm Beach holiday events fill the calendar from late October through New Year's Day, and the fun picks up again for the Fourth of July. For newcomers, the traditions here look a little different from the ones up north. Santa arrives by fire truck, the Christmas tree in West Palm Beach is made of sand, and the biggest parade of the year happens on the water. This guide organizes the main seasonal events by city and season, so you can see what happens near home. Dates below come from city and event websites, and we note the year for each one.
Key takeaways
- The 32nd annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade is set for Saturday, December 5, 2026. It leaves North Palm Beach at 6 p.m. and reaches the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse at about 8 p.m.
- Palm Beach Gardens holds its free Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Gardens North County District Park.
- Lake Worth Beach lights its tree on November 30 and holds its Holiday Parade downtown on December 5, 2026.
- West Palm Beach's Holiday in Paradise centers on Sandi, a 700-ton sand tree, on the downtown waterfront each December.
- July Fourth brings 4th on Flagler in West Palm Beach and the Mega Bash in Jupiter, which runs July 3 and 4 every year.
Palm Beach holiday events at a glance
Here is a quick look at the season. Each event is covered in more detail below.
- Late October: Halloween events, such as Lake Worth Beach's Little Scream Truck-or-Treat on October 30, 2026.
- Late November: Tree lightings begin, including Lake Worth Beach on November 30, 2026.
- Early December: The Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade, the Palm Beach Gardens Tree Lighting and the Lake Worth Beach Holiday Parade, all on December 5, 2026.
- All of December: Holiday light shows and displays in West Palm Beach and Delray Beach.
- December 31: New Year's Eve on the West Palm Beach waterfront.
- Spring: Easter egg hunts and outdoor festivals.
- July 3 and 4: Fireworks in West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Lake Worth Beach and other cities.
Palm Beach holiday events on the water: the boat parade
For many families, the boat parade is the highlight of the season. According to the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, the 32nd annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade takes place on Saturday, December 5, 2026. Decorated boats leave North Palm Beach at 6 p.m. and head north on the Intracoastal Waterway. They reach the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse at about 8 p.m.
The parade also doubles as a toy drive. Proceeds support Toys for Tots and Little Smiles. In addition, the event is broadcast live on the WPBF app and Facebook for people who would rather watch from home.
Where to watch the boat parade
The association lists several viewing spots along the route. They include North Palm Beach Country Club, Bert Winters Park, Sawfish Bay Park, Lighthouse Park and Harborside Place in Jupiter. Get there early, since waterfront parks fill up fast.
Also, plan around the bridges. The drawbridges open for the parade, often for 45 minutes or more. The association's estimated times run from the Parker Bridge at about 6 p.m. to the Jupiter Federal Bridge at about 7:45 p.m. So if you need to cross the Intracoastal that evening, leave extra time.
Other boat parades in the county
Other towns along the water have held their own lighted boat parades in past years. For example, the City of Boca Raton's event page describes a parade that ran south on the Intracoastal from the C-15 canal toward the Hillsboro bridge, with free bleacher seating at Silver Palm Park. Check each city's website in November for current dates.
Palm Beach holiday events in West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach has the county's most unusual holiday tree. Each December, the city's Holiday in Paradise brings Sandi, a 35-foot, 700-ton tree made of sand, to the waterfront. A Ferris wheel and nightly music and light shows usually join it.
According to a November 2025 city announcement, the 2025 season ran from December 4 through December 31. Nightly music and light shows ran from 6 to 10 p.m., and Ferris wheel rides cost $5 per person. The 2026 schedule had not been posted when we checked, so watch the city's event pages in November.
New Year's Eve on the waterfront
The same waterfront hosts the city's New Year's Eve party. In 2025, the city planned live music from 8 p.m. to midnight, ending with fireworks over the Intracoastal. Downtown West Palm Beach describes a similar evening in past years. Many residents walk over from downtown condos, which saves the hassle of parking on a busy night.
Palm Beach holiday events: tree lightings by city
Several cities hold their own tree lightings, and most are free.
Palm Beach Gardens
The City of Palm Beach Gardens holds its Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Gardens North County District Park, 5101 117th Court North. Santa arrives on a fire truck to light the tree at 5:45 p.m. The free event also has a synthetic ice rink, inflatables, food vendors and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 6 to 7 p.m.
Lake Worth Beach
Lake Worth Beach posts a full year of events each fall. According to the city's 2026 to 2027 schedule, the Tree Lighting is on Monday, November 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cultural Plaza. Then the Holiday Parade runs downtown on Saturday, December 5 at 6 p.m. The city also holds beach bonfires on select Friday nights from November through February.
Delray Beach
Delray Beach is known for a 100-foot Christmas tree at Old School Square downtown. At the 2023 lighting, the festival was free, and visitors could walk through the tree at no cost. Rides such as the carousel and ice skating had small fees. Check the Old School Square website for the 2026 date.
Fall and Halloween Palm Beach holiday events
The season starts before Thanksgiving. For example, Lake Worth Beach holds its Little Scream Truck-or-Treat on Friday, October 30, 2026, at 6 p.m. in Bryant Park. It also hosts a Veterans Day Celebration on November 11 at 5 p.m. in the same park.
Many other cities and community centers run trunk-or-treat events and fall festivals. These are often posted only a few weeks ahead, so check your city's recreation page in early October.
Spring and Easter Palm Beach holiday events
Spring brings milder weather and a full slate of outdoor events. In Lake Worth Beach, the Street Painting Festival fills downtown on February 27 and 28, 2027. Then the city's Easter Egg Hunt follows on Saturday, March 27 at 10 a.m. in Bryant Park.
Other cities hold egg hunts and spring festivals in parks and town centers. As a result, families can usually find something within a short drive of home.
Palm Beach holiday events for the Fourth of July
Summer's biggest night is the Fourth of July. Most cities hold fireworks, and a few events draw big crowds.
4th on Flagler in West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach hosts 4th on Flagler on the downtown waterfront. In 2026, the event ran from 5 to 10 p.m. and marked America's 250th birthday. The city says it will be back on the waterfront in 2027.
Mega Bash in Jupiter
In Jupiter, the town partners with Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on the Mega Bash. The town calls it a fireworks and baseball celebration, held on July 3 and 4 every year. It suits families who want a game and a show in one night.
Lake Worth Beach
Lake Worth Beach holds its Fourth of July Celebration at 6 p.m. in Bryant Park on Sunday, July 4, 2027, according to the city's schedule.
How Palm Beach holiday events can shape where you live
Seasonal events say a lot about a town's daily rhythm. For instance, homes near the Intracoastal in North Palm Beach and Jupiter put the boat parade at your doorstep. Downtown West Palm Beach condos sit within walking distance of Sandi, New Year's Eve and 4th on Flagler. Meanwhile, Palm Beach Gardens offers a suburban feel with big park events.
There is a flip side, too. Living near a major event means more traffic, bridge openings and noise on a few nights a year. So consider both sides when you tour. Our pages on West Palm Beach, Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens show current listings and price trends for each city.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 Palm Beach holiday boat parade?
The 32nd annual parade is on Saturday, December 5, 2026. It starts in North Palm Beach at 6 p.m. and reaches the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse at about 8 p.m.
What is the sand tree in West Palm Beach?
Sandi is a 35-foot holiday tree made of 700 tons of sand. It stands on the downtown waterfront each December as part of Holiday in Paradise.
Are Palm Beach holiday events free?
Many are. The Palm Beach Gardens Tree Lighting and most city parades and tree lightings are free, though some activities such as rides may cost extra.
Where can I watch Fourth of July fireworks in Palm Beach County?
Popular choices include 4th on Flagler in West Palm Beach, the Mega Bash in Jupiter and the Lake Worth Beach celebration in Bryant Park.
How do I find exact dates each year?
Check your city's events page in the fall. Many cities post the full holiday schedule by October or November.
Sources
- Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade
- City of Palm Beach Gardens, Tree Lighting
- City of Lake Worth Beach, 2026 to 2027 event schedule
- Downtown West Palm Beach, holidays
- Around Wellington, Holiday in Paradise 2025 announcement
- Old School Square, 100-foot Christmas tree lighting
- City of Boca Raton, holiday boat parade
- City of West Palm Beach, 4th on Flagler
- Town of Jupiter, Mega Bash
Thinking of selling before the holidays? Get a free Pure Equity home value report to see where your home stands. Moving to Palm Beach County instead? Book a neighborhood tour and we will show you homes close to the parades, parks and waterfront events you care about. Talk with our team.
