Palm Beaches for Christmas

Experience the holidays along the best beaches of Florida

 

Plenty of holiday sights along the 47 miles of Atlantic coastline beaches exist. Towns celebrate, and hotels offer timeless experiences and special events. Make sure you see the world’s only sand tree in West Palm Beach. It’s made of 700 tons of sand and stands 35 feet tall. Down in Delray, the town’s 100-foot Christmas tree is a favorite. The Palm Beach Holiday Boat parade is in its 28th year and features up to 80 decorated boats that travel up the Intracoastal Waterway, ending at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. For holiday happenings, these three hotels go all out during the magical season.

The Boca Raton, Boca Raton

The Boca Raton is five distinct hotels located on 200 acres of waterfront with a private beach, an 18-hole golf course, and a 50,00-square-foot spa. The holiday season kicks off at the resort in November when children are invited to drop off letters to Santa in the Closier lobby. Adults join in the festivities with the annual Christmas tree lighting on November 30, where cookies and hot chocolate are served, and Santa makes an appearance. Once Santa is checked into the resort, there will be nightly meet and greets beginning December 5. There’s also story time with Mr. & Mrs. Claus and gingerbread decorating to keep the younger set engaged.

For adults, staying active is easy with the Winter Solstice Yoga Festival on December 21, an all-day event with yoga classes, food, and live entertainment. Walk, jog, or run during the Santa Fun 5K, and holiday tennis and pickleball clinics run during the final two weeks of December. On Christmas Day, the buffet offers over-the-top holiday classics, including a carving station, an iced seafood station, and a sushi bar. The Festival of Lights is celebrated with the annual Menorah Lighting on December 26, with songs followed by Hanukkah dinner. Ring in the New Year at the Beach Club on New Year’s Eve with a prix-fixe four-course dinner. For more details: https://www.thebocaraton.com/

Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach

Indulge in an extraordinary holiday at the Four Seasons, located on a gorgeous stretch of Palm Beach, where the calming ocean breezes sweep through. There are holiday treats, festive decorations, and holiday music for the season. Poolside pop-ups, gingerbread competitions, beach sports, sunset s’mores, and gifts with Santa are just the beginning. The wine and cheese tastings, holiday brunches, and retro glamorous New Year’s Eve soirée are icing on the cake of an unforgettable celebration at Palm Beach Island’s most inviting beach destination.

Dining comes with ocean views, and holiday feasts illuminate each celebration, including a four-course Christmas Eve Dinner and a Christmas brunch. New Year’s Eve kicks off with a cocktail reception showcasing a champagne bar, canapés, and live performances, leading to a sumptuous four-course dinner at Florie’s. Enjoy your first meal of 2025 with an ocean backdrop and live music during a New Year’s Day brunch. Take time to enjoy the two-ocean view pools, head to the beach for paddleboarding and kayaking, or opt-in for a day of pampering with ocean-inspired experiences at the spa. For details: https://www.fourseasons.com/palmbeach/

The Breakers

This iconic resort has welcomed guests for holidays and special celebrations for decades. The Breakers Palm Beach is an Italian Renaissance- style hotel on 140 acres of oceanfront property. It has ten restaurants, four pools, two 18-hole golf courses, tennis, a spa, and more. This year, the resort continues to enchant guests with its captivating décor of ribbons, ornaments, and twinkle lights, larger-than-life Christmas trees, Royal palms wrapped in thousands of tiny lights, and holiday-themed meals, events, and activities.

Starting the day after Thanksgiving, the palm lights on the main drive are illuminated, and the festivities begin. An evening of wine and dining takes place on December 13, coinciding with the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival. Holiday dining highlights include the tea tradition with holiday treats daily through December. Christmas Eve dinner is a three-course menu with all your holiday favorites at Flagler Steakhouse. An elaborate brunch follows on Christmas Day with one-of-a-kind buffet items and champagne cocktails as a harpist plays in the background. There are two options for Christmas dinner and a New Year’s Eve party full of glam with a midnight toast, live entertainment, dancing, and a balloon drop. For more information: https://www.thebreakers.com/