Flamingo Gardens Lights 10 Acres for Holiday Season
The annual Winter Wonderland event returns to Davie with new musical performances and a train ride, running through the end of December.
By Chioma Kuznetsov ·
Flamingo Gardens in Davie will transform 10 acres of its grounds for the holiday season starting Nov. 21.
The event, Hoffman’s Chocolates Winter Wonderland, runs nightly until Dec. 30. It is presented by Amazon. The gardens will display thousands of holiday lights, including a 35-foot Christmas tree. This is the second year the attraction has been held at this location. It debuted last year.
Keith Clark, CEO of Flamingo Gardens, stated that the event supports the organization's education and conservation programs. He noted that the new activities are designed to bring families to the site for a festive experience. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit these programs as well as the BBX Capital Foundation, which supports arts and human services in South Florida.
A new entertainment stage will feature live holiday music on the Wray Lawn. Performances run from 5:45 to 9:30 p.m. nightly. The Florida Symphony Orchestra will open the season on Nov. 21. Other scheduled acts include Nestor Torres and the Florida Youth Orchestra Flute Choir on Dec. 11. The full schedule is available on the event website, with new dates being added daily.
Visitors can also ride a train called Rudolph’s Holiday Singalong Express. This ride operates on select nights, including Nov. 21, 23, 24, and 29, as well as Dec. 4, 28, 29, and 30. Trains depart every 15 to 20 minutes. Santa’s Village will be open nightly. Mrs. Claus will read stories to children at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 p.m. through Dec. 23. She will continue nightly storytimes through Dec. 30.
Food vendors will offer seasonal treats throughout the gardens. Guests can roast s’mores and purchase chocolates at the Hoffman’s Chocolates Pop-Up Shop. A South Florida Holiday Tree Lot will feature decorated trees with local themes, such as citrus and Everglades wildlife. Families can take photos and create ornaments at this display.
Tickets are $24 for adults and children 12 and older. Children aged 3 to 11 pay $17. Children 2 and younger enter for free. Flamingo Gardens members receive a 25% discount. The event is open from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., excluding Thanksgiving and the days surrounding Christmas. Last admission is at 8:30 p.m. Parking is free. The garden’s animal exhibits and Wray Home Museum will be closed during these evening hours.
Flamingo Gardens is a 60-acre nonprofit botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary. It was founded in 1927 and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027. The site is located at 3750 S. Flamingo Road in Davie.
