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This winter, take a break from the
chilly weather nipping at your nose and
bask in the warmth of Florida’s holiday
spirit. Visitors will delight in the
festive attractions, entertaining events,
unique exhibits and redecorated
accommodations that make Florida shine.
(Listings are organized by city from North
to South)
Attractions
ORLANDO – Ring in the New Year at
SeaWorld Orlando, where guests will be
treated to live music and entertainment.
Shop, dine and dance the night away at The
Waterfront until the brilliant fireworks
display illuminates the sky at midnight.
Festivities are included in daily park
admission. 407-363-2259. www.seaworld.com.
ORLANDO – The shops and clubs at
Universal CityWalk are offering jazzy
opportunities to celebrate New Year’s
Eve. Visitors can take their pick of the
hottest dance clubs on the strip or the
beach-scene at Jimmy Buffett’s
Margaritaville. After snacking on a
gourmet buffet, partygoers will also enjoy
listening to live performances by national
acts and ushering in 2008 with a champagne
toast. 407-363-8000. www.universalorlando.com.
ORLANDO – Experience the magic of
Walt Disney World when you start your
party at one of the enchanting parks.
Experience New Year’s Eve festivities
“around the world” at Epcot, join in
on the “Lights! Camera! Happy New
Year!” merriment at Disney-MGM studios
or marvel at the Magic Kingdom’s
“SpectroMagic” parade. Entertainment,
dining and dancing abound as guests
prepare for Walt Disney World’s famous
fireworks shows in each of its parks.
407-824-4321. www.disneyworld.com.
TAMPA – Busch Gardens Africa will
host a “wild” celebration beginning
Dec. 27 and concluding with its New
Year’s Eve spectacular. Guests will
enjoy four nights of special
entertainment, which culminates with a
night of fantastic thrills on Dec. 31. The
exciting adventure also includes a
dazzling fireworks display and non-stop
coaster rides until 1 a.m. 888-800-5447. www.buschgardens.com.
MIAMI – Vacationers desiring a truly
tropical getaway this winter should escape
to Jungle Island. Formerly known as Parrot
Jungle Island, the new name brings with it
new experiences for visitors. Guests can
leisurely walk through the 18-acre
destination by themselves or participate
in the park’s intimate VIP Safari tour
experience. Come face-to-face with some of
the most unique animals in the world, ride
the 168-foot water slide on the private
beach or experience one of the
attraction’s educational shows. The
eco-friendly environment of Jungle Island
is sure to provide an unforgettable
experience. 305-400-7215. www.jungleisland.com.
Festivals/Events
AMELIA ISLAND – The city’s largest
winter celebration begins on Dec. 8 with
the Holiday Pet Stroll in Fernandina
Beach’s historic downtown. Sponsored by
the local Red Bones Bakery and Boutique,
the event starts at 10 a.m. and invites
participants to primp their pooch in a
festive holiday costume. Prizes will be
awarded to the most creative duo.
Following the stroll, the Fernandina Beach
Lighted Holiday Parade will illuminate
local streets in holiday splendor.
904-321-0020. www.ameliaisland.org.
SANDESTIN – Sandestin Golf and Beach
Resort will host several events for the
winter season. During select dates in
December, the resort’s Village of
Baytowne Wharf will become a tropical
winter wonderland as Santa Claus and
Dickens Carolers light up the streets. New
Year’s Eve will be a true beach
extravaganza for resort guests, complete
with live music and fireworks over
Baytowne Wharf’s lagoon. While admiring
the scenery, guests will also enjoy
sampling food at the Great Southern Gumbo
Cook-off, Jan. 12, 2008, when local
restaurants come together with their
favorite recipes for a day of
entertainment and fun. 850-267-8261. www.sandestin.com.
ST. AUGUSTINE – The 7th annual Wine
for the Holidays party is sure to bring
holiday cheer Dec. 1 from 6 - 8 p.m. at
the Plaza de Constitucion in the
“Nation’s Oldest City.” To mark the
start of the holiday season, celebrants
will indulge in tasty treats, eggnog and
prized wine selections. Guests can also
enjoy the merriment of the Grand
Illumination and British Night Watch
ceremony taking place along St. George
Street. All proceeds from the event will
benefit the St. Augustine Trust for
Historic Preservation. Holiday dress or
period costumes are recommended.
904-825-5033. www.ci.st-augustine.fl.us.
TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s capital
city kicks off the holiday season on Dec.
1 with its annual Winter Festival.
Recognized by the Southeast Tourism
Society as a Top 20 Event, the celebration
provides fun and entertainment for guests
of all ages. Glide on an old-fashioned ice
skating rink, delight in the “lighting
of downtown” ceremony or browse through
arts and crafts displays while the warm
sounds of live music fill the air.
850-891-3879. www.visittallahassee.com.
DAYTONA BEACH – The Daytona Beach
Symphony Society presents the annual
Daytona Winterfest celebration Jan. 25-27,
2008. Guests are invited to enjoy
classical performances by the Sofia
Festival Orchestra and “The Merry
Widow” opera. Gala events will also be
taking place during the two-day festival.
386-253-2901. www.dbss.org.
DAYTONA BEACH – NASCAR fans start
your engines and race to Daytona for
Speedweeks action Jan. 26-Feb. 17, 2008.
Racing enthusiasts can attend thrilling
events every day during the three-week
celebration at Daytona International
Speedway. Festivities will begin with
Grand American Road Racing’s Rolex 24
and conclude with the legendary, 50th
annual Daytona 500. 866-761-7223. www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.
TITUSVILLE – Explore the great
outdoors at the 11th annual Space Coast
Birding and Wildlife Festival, which
begins on Jan. 23, 2008. One of the top
Birding and Wildlife Events in the United
States, the five-day festival highlights
Brevard County’s unique nature and
wildlife through environmental programs,
educational seminars and cultural heritage
presentations. Participants can engage in
various hands-on activities, such as
paddling excursions and an art
competition. 321-268-5224. www.nbbd.com/fly.
ORLANDO – Shoppers at the Mall of
Millenia will be treated to more than
great deals and fine shopping this holiday
season. Visitors will enter the magical
world of “Hollyville,” also known as
Millenium Santa’s winter home. Santa and
his helpers will arrive Nov. 16 on the
mall’s rooftop while snowflakes fall
from the sky and will set up shop until
Jan. 1, 2008. The winter wonderland
characters will greet children of all ages
daily. 407-363-3555. www.mallatmillenia.com.
TAMPA – Looking for a “super”
ride? The Florida RV Trade Association is
hosting its
23rd annual Florida RV SuperShow Jan.
16-20, 2008 at the Florida State
Fairgrounds. This year’s show will have
more booths and manufacturer space than
ever before. With class-act entertainment
from clowns, barbershop quartets and this
year’s new addition – the Arneberg’s
Super Dog Show, the Florida RV SuperShow
provides fun for the whole family. View
the World’s Largest RV Sand Sculpture,
get information on a new way to vacation
or simply dabble in the hobby by checking
out RVs on display. Experts will be on
hand to help guests make the most of their
RV experience. 813-741-0488. www.frvta.org.
FORT MYERS – The Edison and Ford
Winter Estates are opening their doors
Nov. 30-Dec. 31 for visitors to take part
in their 31-year-old tradition of Holiday
House lighting. Guests will enjoy millions
of decorative lights adorning historic
homes and gardens that celebrate the
season and Thomas Edison’s contribution
to modern times. 239-334-7419. www.efwefla.org.
FORT MYERS – The 70th annual Edison
Festival of Light, presented by Chico’s
Charities, offers fun for inventors of all
ages. Recognized as one of North
America’s Top 100 Events, the three-week
celebration honors Thomas Alva Edison and
includes unique Engineering and Inventors
Fairs, headline concerts, vintage car
shows and fireworks. Festivities in the
River District of Fort Myers conclude on
Feb. 17 with the traditional Grand Parade,
the largest night parade in the Southeast.
239-334-2999. www.edisonfestival.org.
WEST PALM BEACH – Ballet Florida will
dazzle audiences Dec. 23-28 with Marie
Hale’s interpretation of the holiday
favorite “The Nutcracker.” The popular
ballet has captivated audiences in the
area for 15 consecutive years at the
Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
Noted as one of South Florida’s most
stunning holiday events, families are sure
to enjoy the magnificent costumes,
remarkable special effects and “indoor
snowstorm” during this charming
production. 561-659-2000. www.balletflorida.com.
CAPE CORAL – Florida athletes age 50
and over, put on your athletic shoes. Lee
County, the City of Cape Coral and the
Florida Sports Foundation will host the
16th annual Florida Senior Games State
Championships Dec. 1-9. Nearly 2,000
senior athletes will compete in 24
different sports including archery,
bridge, cycling, table tennis and more.
Interested parties who have previously
competed in qualifying local events should
prepare to register in late September.
866-354-2637. www.flasports.com.
FORT LAUDERDALE – The tempting treats
of Taste of the Beach are truly pleasing
to every sense. Scrumptious food and
delectable cocktails will be available
throughout the day on Feb. 27, 2008. Enjoy
live entertainment, bid at the silent
auction and indulge in an afternoon of
delicious fun. The $35 fee benefits the
Lauderdale by the Sea Chamber of Commerce
and the Culinary School at the Art
Institute of Fort Lauderdale.
954-776-1000. www.lbts.com.
HOLLYWOOD (near Fort Lauderdale) –
The Seminole Tribe of Florida invites
guests to Billie Swamp Safari Feb. 22-24,
2008 for the re-enactment of the Second
Seminole War. “Warriors” will dress in
authentic attire, display real weapons and
demonstrate actual fighting tactics used
during the period to honor the struggle of
the Seminoles. Additional festivities will
be held throughout the three-day event as
visitors experience the Seminole life with
live music, food, camp displays and
alligator wrestling. 800-683-7800. www.semtribe.com/calendar.
HOLLYWOOD (near Fort Lauderdale) –
Hollywood Parks, Recreation and Cultural
Arts will honor Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. with a three-day commemorative
celebration Jan. 18-20, 2008. Festivities
include an evening of dinner and dancing
on Friday and a family fun day featuring
ethnic foods and live entertainment on
Saturday. Sunday’s inspirational
memorial service marks a day of
remembrance and reflection. 954-921-3404. www.hollywoodfl.org/parks_rec/hlwd_par.htm.
NAPLES – Ranked by the Luxury
Institute as a top 10 arts and
entertainment event, the Naples Winter
Wine Festival takes place Jan. 25-27,
2008. Guests will enjoy delicacies
prepared by celebrity chefs, indulge in
vintage wines from around the world and
participate in various festivities
throughout the three-day event. All
proceeds will be donated to various
children’s charities in Collier County.
888-837-4919. www.napleswinefestival.com.
MARCO ISLAND (near Naples) – The Art
League of Marco Island presents the
Celebrate the Arts Festival Feb. 16-17,
2008 from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Featuring
food, drinks and live entertainment, the
festival includes an antique car show,
children’s discovery area and “Marco
Idol” finale. More than 90 top artists
from around the nation will display and
sell their fine-art works during the
weekend’s Marco National Juried Fine Art
and Craft Show. 239-394-4221. www.marcoislandart.com.
Exhibits
TALLAHASSEE – The Tallahassee Museum
becomes the dwelling of the world’s most
interesting creatures November 2007-March
2008. Visitors to the museum’s Winter
Guest Animal exhibit can view its rare
wildlife and learn about the delicate
environments in which they live. The
exhibit complements the museum’s Native
Animal Zoo, which showcases Florida’s
only comprehensive zoological collection
of native wildlife, including the Florida
panther.
850-575-8684. www.tallahasseemuseum.org.
ORLANDO – The Orange County Regional
History Center is hosting a limited-run
exhibition entitled “Kid Stuff: Great
Toys from our Childhood” Jan.18-April
13, 2008. Children of all ages are invited
to experience this interactive exhibit,
which features toys that have provided
childhood entertainment for nearly 50
years such as Mr. Potato Head, Barbie and
G.I. Joe. Guests can also participate in a
Hot Wheels racing game and Twister.
Special admission prices may apply.
407-836-8500. www.thehistorycenter.org.
BOCA RATON – An extremely rare
collection of Degas’ sculptures will be
on display Jan. 26-April 27, 2008 at the
Boca Raton Museum of Art. “Degas in
Bronze” includes more than 70 bronze
creations fashioned from Degas’ models.
The museum will complement this exhibit
with additional Degas works on loan from
other institutions throughout the country.
In addition, guests will enjoy “Tiffany
Studios: The Holtzman Collection,” which
has never before been viewed by the
public. 561-392-2500. www.bocamuseum.org.
Accommodations
JACKSONVILLE – The Sea Turtle Inn in
Atlantic Beach is undergoing a major
renovation and getting a new name. Slated
for completion by January 1, 2008, the
renewed property will change names to
OneOcean Resort. As part of Remington
Hotels, this is the first in a series of
hotels being refurbished and re-branded by
the corporate management company. The
renovation will include remodeled guest
rooms, restaurant, front desk and pool, as
well as the addition of an oceanfront spa.
800-874-6000. www.seaturtle.com.
STUART
– Scheduled to be completed in September
2007, the Best Western Downtown Stuart
remodeling project includes a new lobby,
cocktail lounge, breakfast bar and fitness
and business centers. All guest rooms will
feature mini refrigerators, microwave
ovens & wireless high-speed internet
access. The property is conveniently
located near Stuart’s historic downtown
district, shopping malls and beaches.
(772) 287-6200. www.bestwestern.com.
See Roaming
Times Florida section
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