2021 HOLIDAY EVENTS CALENDAR
ALL DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CALL BEFORE ATTENDING.
The holidays are here and along with them, lots of fun events for families to enjoy. Take an advance peek at many of them in our holiday story and in our holiday datebook. Given that there is still a pandemic, be sure to check carefully before you attend an event to make sure it is still on. Some are requiring that attendees follow strict safety guidelines. You may want to check that on the venue’s website.
Friday, Nov. 26• Christmas on Main Street Stuart – downtown Stuart, city hall annex parking lot, 300 St. Lucie Ave. 4-7 p.m. For more information, call 233.0297. Saturday, Nov. 27 – Thursday, Dec. 30
• Garden of Lights – Heathcote Botanical Gardens, Fort Pierce. Thousands of twinkling lights turn the garden into a holiday fairyland. Marvel at beautiful scenes created by dedicated volunteers during the year. In past years, they’ve made birds, ponds, fish and jellyfish, flowers and many more. The kids will love it and so will you. Let the garden staff know if you want to help out next year. Starting the weekend after Thanksgiving to the end of the year on Fridays and Saturdays, 5-9 p.m. 464.4672 Saturday, Nov. 27
• Shop Small Business Saturday – Holiday shopping in downtown Fort Pierce. 466.3880 Sunday, Nov. 28
Hanukkah
• Menorah Lighting – Tradition Town Square, 5-8 p.m. No phone number given.
• Christmas with Emmet Cahill – Emerson Center, Vero Beach. Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, 3 p.m. 778.5249 Monday, Nov. 29- Saturday, Dec. 4
•Town Hall Festival of the Trees – Tradition Town Hall, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30
• A Swingin’ Little Christmas with Jane Lynch – Lyric Theatre, Stuart, 7 p.m. 286.7827 Thursday, Dec. 2
• Home for the Holidays – IRSC McAlpin Center, Fort Pierce, 7 p.m. 462.7515
• Winter Stuart Stroll – Downtown Stuart, various locations, 4:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, visit stuartmainstreet.org or call 286.2848. Friday, Dec. 3
• Star of Wonder – Hallstrom Planetarium, IRSC, Fort Pierce. 7 and 8:30 p.m. 462.7515
• Home for the Holidays – IRSC McAlpin Center, Fort Pierce, 7 p.m. 462.7515
• Stuart Christmas Parade – The great Stuart parade is back with loads of great lighted floats, marchers, bands, and all the things you’ve come to expect. Presented by the Visiting Nurse Association of Florida. See stuartchristmasparade.com for information, parade route and a great selection of pictures from previous parades, 7 p.m. 419.5513
• Singing Christmas Tree – Hobe Sound Bible Church and College campus. Call for exact dates. Tentative Dec. 3-6. Doors open at 6. Performance at 7 p.m. 546.5696 Saturday, Dec. 4
• Christmas Parade Vero Beach – This amazing Christmas parade is a huge hit with families watching beautifully decorated lighted floats glide down Ocean Drive. A great parade for anyone on the Treasure Coast to attend. Bring a camera and tripod for night shots. Want a taste of what’s in store? See the 2019 video here: https://www.verobeachoba.com/christmas-parade, 6 p.m.
• Star of Wonder – Hallstrom Planetarium, IRSC, Fort Pierce. 1 and 2:30 p.m. 462.7515
• Festival of Lights – Holiday fun for all at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center [civic center] in Port St. Lucie. Don’t miss this annual event with the Parade of Lights and the lighting of the tree. Celebrate with your friends and neighbors and get a great start to the holidays. Songs and dances, music, fun photo opportunities, fireworks, a carnival and shopping at vendor booths. 2-10 p.m. For more information, check the event center calendar on the city’s website www.cityofpsl.com or call 807.4488.
• Home for the Holidays – IRSC McAlpin Center, Fort Pierce, 2 and 7 p.m. 462.7515
• Hobe Sound Christmas Parade – Bridge Road, starts at Bridge and Dixie Highway. Turn out for this fun parade with many participants celebrating the holidays. There is a craft show starting at 10 a.m. The parade starts at 1 p.m. 546.4724 Sunday, Dec. 5
• Sights & Sounds on Second – downtown Fort Pierce Christmas Festival, parade and tree lighting. Check www.MainStreetFortPierce.org before going. Starts about 1 p.m. Parade about 4-4:30 until 6 p.m. 466.3880 Friday, Dec. 10
• The Christmas Bird Count – A lunch-and-learn event hosted by Manatee Observation and Education Center, Fort Pierce. Learn about the fascinating 121-year-old bird count, why it is done, what some results have been, and how you can get involved. Noon-1 p.m. Call to see if this is virtual via Zoom. 429-6266
• Star of Wonder – Hallstrom Planetarium, IRSC, Fort Pierce. 7 and 8:30 p.m. 462.7515 Saturday, Dec. 11
• Boat Parades – Martin and St. Lucie counties 6:30 p.m. See dazzling displays of lights on boats gliding through the water. Includes Santa, elves, reindeer, trees, wreaths and more. In St. Lucie County watch from South Causeway and Veterans Memorial Park. In Stuart, try Sandsprit Park. Hosted by the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast. 692.7599.
• Delights of December – Plant and gift sale and pictures with Santa at Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. 337.1959
• Holiday Bazaar – MidFlorida Event Center. Call for details. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 807.4488
• Star of Wonder – Hallstrom Planetarium, IRSC, Fort Pierce. 1 and 2:30 p.m. 462.7515
• Holiday Shopping Fair – Riverside Park, Vero Beach. Bring your list because you may be able to check off almost everything. Artists, crafters, jewelers, clothing, local shops and merchants. Enjoy food and drink along with music and fun. It’s all under the mighty oaks of Riverside Park.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 561.792.9260
• The Nutcracker with St. Lucie Ballet and Treasure Coast Youth Ballet – The wonderful show returns to the Sunrise Theatre in Fort Pierce for a great kick-off to the holidays. 6 p.m. 461.4775 Sunday, Dec. 12
• Christmas Celebration – Community Church of Vero Beach presents its wonderful gift to the community, Merry and Bright, featuring the ensembles of the church, Tapestry Brass and special guests. 7-9 p.m. 469.2320
• A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindy Abair and Vincent Ingala – Lyric Theatre, Stuart, 6 and 8:30 p.m. 286.7827
• Holiday Shopping Fair – Riverside Park, Vero Beach. Bring your list because you may be able to check off almost everything. Booths include artists, crafters, jewelers, clothing, local shops and merchants. Enjoy food and drink along with music and fun. It’s all under the mighty oaks of Riverside Park. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 561.792.9260
• Paradise Master Chorale and Orchestra –
Presents Vivaldi’s Gloria and Bach’s Cantata
No. 61 at St. John of the Cross in Vero Beach. 4-5:30 p.m. 563.0057 Dec. 16 – 30
• Magic of McKee Festival of Lights – Dec. 16-19, 21-23 and 28-30. See thousands of twinkling lights, lighted holiday displays and festive decorations. Visit with Santa, marvel at the large-scale train display, listen to the music of the 1924 Wurlitzer Band Organ. See local entertainment, enjoy holiday movies on a large outdoor screen, attend character breakfasts and enjoy special holiday treats from the Garden Café. Dates and times for the activities vary. Check www.mckeegarden.org for schedule.
6-8 p.m. 794.0601 Saturday, Dec. 18
• Boat Parade – Indian River County — See dazzling displays of lights, Santa, reindeer, elves, trees and more. Watch from Royal Palm Pointe. Hosted by the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast. 6:30 p.m. 692.7599.
• The Cracked Nutcracker – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center, Port St. Lucie. A modern twist on a classic tale. Presented by the Boundless Dance Company. 2 p.m. 807.4488
• Christmas Cantata – Christ by the Sea United Methodist Church, Vero Beach. Full musical production with 38-piece orchestra, mixed choir and more. 4:30-5:30 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. 231.1161, ext. 303 Sunday, Dec. 19
• Clara’s Christmas Dream – by Turn Up The Heat Dance Studio – The studio’s version of the Nutcracker at Sunrise Theatre, Fort Pierce. 4 p.m. 461.4775 Monday, Dec. 20
• Nutcracker for All – Accessible and family-friendly version by Ballet Vero Beach at Tree House in Vero Beach. 5:30 p.m. 905.2651 Tuesday, Dec. 21
• Nutcracker on the Indian River – Ballet Vero Beach. This year the popular local adaptation of the classic will be at the Tree House Vero Beach, 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. Rain date: Dec.23. For information on online archival film access from Dec. 24-Jan. 9, call 905.2651. Wednesday, Dec. 22
• Nutcracker on the Indian River – Ballet Vero Beach. This year the popular local adaptation of the classic will be at Tree House Vero Beach, 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. Rain date: Dec.23. For information on online archival film access from Dec. 24-Jan. 9, call 905.2651. Sunday, Dec. 26
• The Nutcracker presented by The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine – Sunrise Theatre, Fort Pierce, 3 p.m. 461.4775 Thursday, Dec. 30
• My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish, I’m Home for the Holidays – A great comedy at the Lyric Theatre, Stuart, 7 p.m. 286.7827
Please follow and like us: