Fort Lauderdale's holiday season starts Thursday evening on the New River. Light Up Lauderdale, the Get Lit night hosted by Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, switches on the lights that line the river for the next 10 weeks, and it is the first of six free holiday lightings the city has scheduled between now and Dec. 11.

Each one lands in a different part of town, from downtown to the Galt Ocean Mile, the beach, Sistrunk Boulevard and Carter Park, so most neighborhoods get a night close to home.

Thursday, Nov. 5: Light Up Lauderdale at Esplanade Park

The kickoff runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Esplanade Park, 400 SW Second St., on the Riverwalk. A kids zone is open the whole evening, the lighting ceremony is at 6:30 p.m., and the Belles of Harmony sing from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The city's listing also promises holiday music, kids' crafts and a visit from Santa. Admission is free.

Once they are on, the lights stay up along the banks of the New River for the 10-week run of Light Up Lauderdale.

Thursday, Nov. 12: Light Up the Galt

The city and the Galt Mile businesses put on an evening of live music, food and a kids zone at NE 33rd Street and NE 33rd Avenue, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The tree lighting is at 6:30 p.m., and the Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds play from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The city is running a free shuttle from the Bridgeside Square Garage to the event from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The same block is also busy on Fridays now. Friday Dining in the Streets started its season this week and runs every Friday evening through Jan. 29, 2027, in the eastbound lanes of NE 33rd Street between NE 33rd Avenue and Ocean Boulevard, from 5 p.m. to midnight.

Thursday, Nov. 19: Light Up the Beach

More than 50,000 holiday lights come on along the beachfront, and Olas, the city's 20-foot beach snowman, returns to its spot at A1A and Las Olas Boulevard. The evening runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Las Olas Oceanside Park, with a kids zone that includes Santa, inflatables and slides, a lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. and the Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 4: Light Up Sistrunk

Sistrunk Boulevard between NW Ninth and 11th avenues turns into a street party from 5 to 8 p.m., with a giant holiday tree, live bands, a health fair, food trucks, a kids zone with Santa and bounce houses, and a teen area with a DJ. The Black AIDS Advisory Group is sponsoring a free toy giveaway that runs the whole evening. The Dillard High School Jazz and Brass Ensemble plays from 5:15 to 6 p.m. and again after the tree lighting, which is set for 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 6: Menorah Lighting Celebration

On the third night of Hanukkah, the city lights a menorah at Las Olas Oceanside Park at 6 p.m., with music and traditional treats.

Friday, Dec. 11: Light Up Carter Park

The last lighting of the season is from 5 to 8 p.m. at Carter Park, with performances by local artists, bounce houses, train rides, face painting, holiday crafts and giveaways. The night ends with the lighting of the Carter Park holiday tree.

Before you go

All six events are free. The city posts a flyer for each one on its Light Up the Holidays page, and photo albums from last year's lightings on the Riverwalk, the Galt and the beach are posted there too. Thursday's kickoff is the only one of the six on the Riverwalk.

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