By Kay Renz
Holiday cheer is overflowing this year as Pompano Beach celebrates the season with a glorious array of events, and from the looks of it, Santa loves our City! The festivities kick-off with the 16th Annual Light Up MLK on November 18th at Annie Adderly Gillis Park with official tree lighting, live entertainment, and a visit from Santa! The beloved Yuletide on Atlantic Parade on December 7 will feature dazzling floats, marching bands, and another appearance from old St. Nick! The City’s Parks and Recreation Department’s official tree lighting ceremony is hitting the beach this year, with the spectacular Music Under the Stars Holiday Special on December 8.
Need more jolly good ideas? Old Town Untapped will feature a Holiday Edition, there’s Breakfast with Santa for the kids, Holiday Dance Party at E. Pat Larkins Center, and the Timeless Tidings concert featuring classic holiday tunes, and Pompano Unwrapped featuring a dynamic mix of song, music and spoken word, both at the Cultural Center.
There will be no grinches left in town after all this fun! Learn more about each event and more at https://www.pompanobeachfl.gov/blog/merry-moments-2023
SCHEDULE OF HOLIDAY EVENTS
16th Annual Light Up MLK November 18 | 5 – 8pm l FREE
Annie Adderly Gillis Park | 601 Dr MLK Blvd
This festive celebration begins at 5pm and the official tree lighting ceremony occurs at 7pm. Sounds of the holidays will ring throughout the neighborhoods and guests will enjoy local community-based performances, food, beverages, and interactive holiday festivities. Be sure to have your camera ready when Santa stops by for a visit! The event is free and open to the public.
Old Town Untapped Holiday Edition December 1 | 6-10pm | FREE
Bailey Contemporary Arts | 41 NE 1st St.
Visit an array of holiday themed vendors and enjoy live holiday music from Waist to Chest: Christmas Surf Spectacular!
Yuletide on Atlantic Parade December 7 | 6:30pm | FREE
Atlantic Blvd.
We are ringing in another holiday season with Yuletide on Atlantic Parade. The parade will begin at 6:30pm starting from Riverside Drive and heading west to Atlantic Blvd. Featuring a variety of eye-dazzling floats, marching bands, amazing entertainment, and of course the big guy, Santa himself! Rain date: December 14.
Tree Lighting & Music Under the Stars Holiday Special December 8 | 6pm | FREE
Pompano Beach Great Lawn
The holiday season is always a time of joyful bright colors, sparkling lights, and shiny decorations. This year, the City of Pompano Beach Parks and Recreation Department is hosting its annual tree lighting on the Main Beach, for the first time ever! It will be a night to remember, and you won’t want to miss a moment! This event is free and provides a festive experience for all ages.
Breakfast with Santa December 9 | 9 am | $7/person
Emma Lou Olson Civic Center | 1801 NE 6th Street
Santa Claus is making his list, checking it twice and coming to the Emma Lou Olson Civic Center to have breakfast with many lucky boys and girls ages 5-12 years old! Tickets on sale on November 1. Limited availability.
Green Market December 9 | 9am – 1pm | FREE
Pompano Beach Cultural Center | 50 W Atlantic Blvd
Green Market Pompano Beach is presented by the Pompano Beach Historical Society in partnership with the City of Pompano Beach. Stop by for the best fruits and vegetables, local vendors, plants, holiday themed crafts, art and culinary products. Just in time for the holiday season! Also enjoy a free yoga class, a dance class and of course, a visit from Santa Claus!
Timeless Tidings Holiday Concert December 14 | 7pm | $30- $45/ VIP
Pompano Beach Cultural Center | 50 W Atlantic Blvd
Don’t miss this holiday showcase featuring award-winning artists celebrating festive music. Experience the magic of the season as the mesmerizing vocalist Ebony Carlson takes the stage to perform a sparkling selection of holiday songs. Carlson, who has headlined the BB King All Star Band, brings her soulful, jazzy interpretations to this night of nostalgic memories.
Deck the Halls Dance December 15 |6:30pm| FREE
Herb Skolnick Community Center | 800 SW 36th Ave
Ages 13+ with developmental disabilities are invited to join us for a jolly good time at this festive dance party!
Holiday Dance Party with Scott Barreto December 16 | 6pm | $10/person
- Pat Larkins Center | 520 MLK Blvd
Get your dancing shoes ready for an exciting night filled with disco, Motown, and oldies rock featuring Scott Barreto, 50’s-70’s vocalist-tribute artist.
Pompano Unwrapped December 19 | 7pm | $10/person
Pompano Beach Cultural Center | 50 W Atlantic Blvd
Join us for an exceptionally entertaining celebration of the holidays. Six sensational artists were selected from Pompano Beach’s acclaimed open mic program, Lyrics Lab to record an EP entitled Pompano Beach Soundtrack Volume 1. This concert will feature these performers as they bring a dynamic mix of music, songs, and spoken word to the stage.
