delray for the holidays

c Y

20 things we love this season, in Delray Beach and beyond

By Christiana Lilly

e may have traded in snowflakes for seashells, but that just makes the holiday season all the more magical in Delray Beach.

From the glittering 100-foot Christmas Tree in Old School Square to shopping for gifts in downtown boutiques, themed libations at the

Miracle pop-up bar, and cruising with Santa aboard a yacht, these traditions are the star atop the crown of our pineapple town.

TURKEY AND MASHED POTATOES ANTIDOTE

Get out your running shorts and stretch those hamstrings! As we enter a season of indulgence, it doesn’t hurt to get outside and move your body. Delray Beach’s 36th-annual Turkey Trot 5K Run and Health Walk is scheduled for the weekend before Thanksgiving on Nov. 19, and participants can enjoy a run, walk, skip or jump along breezy A1A. No matter how you make it to the finish line, all participants receive a finisher medal, race bib and event shirt.

2LIGHTING UP One of the most magical traditions in Delray Beach is the 100-foot-tall Christmas tree, serving as a beacon through the holiday season for nearly 30 years. Heck, it’s even been named the “Best Tree in the State of Florida” by Travel + Leisure magazine. On Nov. 29, head downtown to watch it light up the night sky during the city’s annual lighting ceremony. The festivities also include a holiday village tricked out with a carousel, ice skating, food and craft vendors and other activities. You can enjoy the tree through Dec. 31.

3GIVING BACK There’s so much to be grateful for, including having a full pantry and access to nutritious meals. But not everyone is so lucky, which is why Debra Tendrich founded Eat Better Live Better. Right here in Delray Beach, the food bank not only provides healthy food to the public but also educates the community about healthy eating habits. Those interested in supporting Eat Better Live Better can help out during their Tuesday and Thursday packing days, as well as drop off food donations. Although many are moved to give back during the holiday season, remember that volunteers are needed all year round—food banks are especially in need of donations and your time during the summer months. eblb.org

4ONE IF BY LAND… Delray Beach hosts its own street parade Dec. 10, when more than 70 groups from around the city will be marching on Atlantic Avenue to usher in the holiday season. A special guest will be in attendance: The Delray Beach Fire Department has an in with Santa, and he’ll be riding down The Ave by fire truck. No word on if Rudolph will be making an appearance as well. delraybeachfl.gov

5THE FALCON SOARS Death or Glory may be no more, but The Falcon (which is co-owned by one of the Death or Glory owners!) is continuing the Miracle pop-up bar holiday tradition! The historic home-turned-restaurant is decked out each December with Christmas decor made for Instagram, all to get you in the mood for its menu of specialty holiday-themed libations. Think a Christmaspolitan, Snowball Old Fashioned, Bad Santa, and Yippeeki-yay, Motherf***er (“Die Hard” is a Christmas movie, after all). We’ll meet you at the bar. falcondelray.com

Festive cocktails are all part of Delray’s holiday cheer.

Left and below, the Carousel at Old School Square Park

6ALL ABOARD FOR THE HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE Mark your calendars for Dec. 9, when the Christmas navy arrives for the annual Holiday Boat Parade! The decades-long tradition is a team effort between the city of Delray Beach and Boynton Beach CRA, with a winding parade of boats down the Intracoastal Waterway decked out in extravagant light displays, carolers and decorations—all vying for prizes. The party on the water starts at the Ocean Avenue Bridge in Lantana and sails down to the C15 canal in Delray Beach. The public can enjoy the show from Veterans Park or Knowles Park in Delray Beach starting at 7 p.m., or make reservations at Meso Beach House or Deck 84 to view while dining. delraybeachfl.gov

7JINGLE & JAZZ There’s always something happening at our very own arts center in downtown Delray. Arts Garage plays host to poetry slams, drag shows, jazz nights and even works by emerging artists in the exhibition space. Check it all out during the First Friday Art Walk each month from 6 to 8 p.m. If you want to hear some holiday-inspired tunes, the Gianni Organ Trio is scheduled for its show “GOT the Holiday Soul” on Dec. 18. artsgarage.org 8 PIE EYED It’s that time of year for extravagant home-cooked meals, and the pièce de résistance are holiday pies. If you run out of time or just aren’t great at baking, our friends at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market have got us covered. All its locations, including the Delray Beach store, carry pies by the Upper Crust. Whether your favorite is pumpkin, apple, Key lime or coconut cream, you’ll find it here. While you’re there, load up on farm-fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers for that dinner you’re going to impress friends and family with. bedners.com

THE PALM BEACH POST VIA ZUMA WIR Delray and Boynton Boat Parade

9SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP Downtown Delray Beach might be known for its buzzy bar and dining scene, but it’s also a shopping destination. Find gifts for everyone on your list from big-name stores like Urban Outfitters, Chico’s and Tommy Bahama, or wander into locally owned businesses such as Isabella Kron, Biba, Vintage Tess or Excentricities. Delray Beach Market also has jewelry, clothing and accessories vendors alongside its food stands. Does your loved one have an eye for art? Check out the pieces at DeBilzan Gallery or Blue Gallery. downtowndelraybeach.com

10 SANTACON What’s better than Santa? A whole crowd of them. Don your festive red and white and make your way through the streets of Delray Beach for this annual bar crawl tradition. Your costume is your ticket to plenty of photo ops and drink specials at various bars downtown, and many watering holes are collecting toys to donate to worthy causes. Date TBA; visit Santacon.info.

Winterfest

The Breakers

The Polar Express

“The Nutcracker”

Worth the Trip

WINTERFEST BOAT PARADE, FORT LAUDERDALE

The king of all boat parades, Winterfest has been dazzling Fort Lauderdale’s New River and Intracoastal for more than 50 years. And with the show televised up the eastern seaboard, this parade of awe-inspiring vessels is viewed by millions in South Florida and beyond. If you want to see it up close and personal, there are watch parties along the waterways as well as VIP spaces to purchase tickets to be right up at the action. Each year, a celebrity emcee is chosen—in the past, the honor has gone to Dan Marino, Kim Kardashian, Pitbull, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and others. winterfestparade.com

ZOO LIGHTS AT THE PALM BEACH ZOO, WEST PALM BEACH

A newer tradition to South Florida, the Palm Beach Zoo lights up for the fourth-annual Zoo Lights. On select nights from Nov. 18 to Jan. 1, visitors can wander the zoo awash in more than 1 million eco-friendly lights, as well as holiday music, food stations throughout the zoo, seasonal cocktails and treats, a s’mores pit and even a North Pole dance floor. Santa will also be making stops at the zoo for photos through Dec. 23. palmbeachzoo.org/zoolights

INDULGE AT THE BREAKERS, PALM BEACH

During the holiday season, The Breakers is transformed into a winter wonderland of thousands of lights, ornaments, ribbon and bows surrounding soaring evergreen trees and a menorah. Make reservations for a fine holiday brunch, dinner or tea at the resort’s HMF, Flagler Steakhouse or The Italian Restaurant, as well as spaces transformed into impressive buffet spreads. There’s plenty of gift shopping to be done, too, at the resort’s slew of boutiques, including Guerlain, Absolutely Suitable, Mix, and Match. thebreakers.com

“THE POLAR EXPRESS” ON THE BRIGHTLINE, MIAMI

The iconic children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg comes to life for the fourth year aboard the Brightline train, leaving from Miami Central in downtown Miami. Decorated for Christmas, riders aboard The Polar Express from Dec. 3 to 29 will be served hot cocoa and shortbread by dancing chefs and greeted by the characters from the story, topped off by a visit from the big man himself, Santa Claus. Don’t forget your golden ticket, and if you believe in the spirit of Christmas, you should be able to hear the chime of the jingle bell at the end of the hour-long ride. miamithepolarexpressride.com

“THE NUTCRACKER” AT THE KRAVIS CENTER, WEST PALM BEACH

“The Nutcracker” is quintessential Christmas fare, and the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts has not one but two performances of the storied ballet. From Dec. 3 to 4, Ballet Palm Beach will be performing the story of little Clara as she battles the Mouse King in a whirlwind of sugar plum fairies, international dancers and the Nutcracker Prince’s army. From Dec. 28 to 30, Miami City Ballet makes the drive up to West Palm Beach to keep the holiday spirits alive with a performance of George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker.” kravis.org

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens 11 MORIKAMI MAGIC While it might feel like summer all year round, the weather gods usually grace us with some cooler days at the end of the year. Enjoy those lower temperatures by walking through the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, a peaceful getaway with twisting bonsai trees, towering bamboo and bright florals. You can also partake in one of its many cultural classes, including tea ceremony, shibori indigo dyeing, bonsai trimming, sumi-e ink painting and flower arranging. It’s a great opportunity to create handmade holiday gifts! morikami.org

12 NEW YEAR AT OLD SCHOOL Usher in 2023 with a kiss at Old School Square. The event includes an ice-skating rink, music, dancing, plenty of food and drink along Atlantic Avenue, a last glimpse of the 100foot Christmas Tree and, of course, fireworks. delraybeachfl.gov

13 LIGHTS AND LATKES The eight days of Hanukkah kick off at Old School Square, with Delray Beach leadership and local rabbis gathering to light the first candle of the menorah. This year the festival of lights begins on Dec. 18, and revelers young and old can partake in arts and crafts, dreidel games, and plenty of latkes, sufganiyot and gelt. Even after the party is over, the candles of the menorah will continue to be lit, one by one. delraybeachfl.gov

14 KWANZAA AT THE

SPADY MUSEUM

A gem in Delray Beach, the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum is a celebration of African-, Caribbean- and Bahamian-American culture and contributions. The museum introduced a Kwanzaa celebration in 2020, and it’s returning this year on Dec. 26 with a Kuumba Village. Here, guests can make gifts, dance to live music, partake in arts and crafts and indulge in Pan-African dishes, while children can enjoy storytelling. Although the holiday is celebrated over the course of a week, the team at Spady is condensing the fun into an afternoon while never forgetting the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. spadymarketplace.org

Santa cruise

15 SANTA CRUISE We do things a little differently here in South Florida, so it only makes sense that Santa travels by yacht around these parts. Hop aboard Delray Yacht Cruises’ vessels for the Santa Cruise, where good boys and girls (young and old, naughty or nice) can hang with the jolly old man himself and sail down the sparkling Intracoastal. Delray Yacht Cruises also hosts Thanksgiving dinner cruises, breakfast and dinner cruises throughout the holidays, and a New Year’s Eve dinner and dancing cruise to ring in 2023. For dates and details, visit delraybeachcruises.com