Where to see the most spectacular Christmas lights in Miami

Santa's Enchanted Forest may have up and left Tropical Park, but the spirit of Christmas (and carvnival) lives on at this Palmetto-side park, albeit with a more Miami twist. There are rides, rollercoasters and the largest traveling Ferris wheel in North America. Then there are a number of other attractions like 3D-mapped igloo shows, a whole North Pole village and HoliDade, a celebration of the 305 with Instagram-worthy displays. Oh, and the lights. THE LIGHTS! There's a half-mile of holiday displays, light shows, and immersive experiences, including a light show on the hour, every hour where all six worlds of Christmas Wonderland illuminate in a synchronized manner. 7900 SW 40th St; Nov 17–Jan 20; $29.00 - $99.00

The sprawling Gulfstream Park Village property gets illuminated by more than 250,000 sparkly LED lights this season, all set to the sounds of holiday favorites and jolly pop hits. Shop, dine, catch a horse race and soak in all the festive cheer through New Year's Eve, where a 10-minute light show begins at the top of every hour from 6 to 11pm. 901 S Federal Highway; Daily, 6–11pm; Free

Miami’s most iconic Christmas tree is up and glittering from November 16 through the end of the holidays with a stunning view of Biscayne Bay as a backdrop. And you can continue the magic right down Flagler Street where, for the first time in 50 years, they've decked the aisle out with tens of thousands of holiday lights! Hey, it's the closest you'll get to feeling like it's Christmas in Manhattan – and a great reason to support the businesses in Downtown. 301 Biscayne Blvd; Free

When it comes to holiday lights, the zoo goes wild. One million bright, animal-shaped lights illuminate the premise during Zoo Lights Miami, which takes place every weekend between November 24th and December 30th. Families can stroll around while sipping hot chocolate and listening to carollers and if you're lucky, you might just get a glimpse of Santa – or The Grinch. Check the Zoo Miami website to see what the theme is for the weekend (Galactic night should be interesting) and don't miss Canine Champions for Conservation, a high energy nightly dog show staring rescues doing some pretty cool tricks. The event kicks off on November 24th with a tree lighting by Miami's most famous wildlife enthusiast, Ron Magill. 12400 SW 152nd St; Nov 24–Dec 30, 6pm–10pm; $16–$28

Not to be confused with the shopping mall, Coral Gables’ most treasured holiday tradition returns with more fanfare than ever. On December 1, officials will flip the switch on the city’s towering Christmas tree in front of City Hall, in an event that will include a three-hour show, carnival games, holiday craft and food vendors, and a visit from Santa to light up the tree.The momentous occasion marks the opening of the Merrick Holiday Park (located across the street) which features quaint holiday-inspired backdrops, and rides and activities for kids. 405 Biltmore Way; Dec 3–Jan 7; Free

Charles Deering’s waterfront home is even more beautiful during the holidays when it transforms into an illuminated wonderland. This season, the Deering Estate celebrates its 100th anniversary by taking us back to the glitz and glamour of the early twentieth century, taking cues from the cultural explosion of jazz and film that blossomed in the age. The Richmond Cottage dining room will be set in the fashion of a celebratory dinner to ring the holiday season as it could have during Deering’s residence, while the Stone House Library will capture the magic and splendor of Hollywood’s Golden Age. 16701 SW 72nd Ave; Nov 24–Jan 7, 10am–5pm; $15

Known by many as South Florida’s best-kept holiday secret, the Enchanted Place has been shining bright every holiday season since 1988. It’s a community effort spearheaded by neighbors who every year decorate their street in North Miami with thousands twinkling lights. Everyone is welcome to drive by and pose for photos among illuminated Santas, Christmas trees, snowmen and Menorahs. 1800 NE 137th Ter; Free

The fourth annual winter festival at The Berry Farm is a family-friendly holiday event with acres of holiday-themed activies from morning to night. There are meet-and-greets with Santa, hay rides and tons of Instagram-worthy photo backdrops and at night, the farm lights up with thousands of tiny bulbs during their Berry Bright Winter Nights. (Great news: your day and evening tickets are the same). Depending on when you go, you can catch classic holiday flicks on the lawn or live music and as a special gift from mother nature, strawberry-picking season kicks off in December! 13720 SW; 9am-11pm; $21.59, Children $15.41

Assemble along the 12-mile, 2.5-hour route to watch the "World's Most Watched Boat Parade," in which dazzling displays and illuminated vessels of all sizes travel down the Intracoastal Highway with the likes of Rudolph, Santa Claus and other Christmas favorites. The procession begins at 6pm with live bands, celebrities and radio personalities providing entertainment throughout the night. You could probably watch the parade anywhere along the route, however the parade viewing area brings you opportunities to pose with Santa and grab a hot chocolate or a cocktail. You can even enter your own boat for $35. Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park, 80 Las Olas Cir., Fort Lauderdale; Dec 16, 4–10pm; $35, children $20. 

 The world’s largest holiday theme park (at least according to the website) returns for its 40th season of shimmering lights, carnival rides and only-in-Miami experiences and after 37 years in Tropical Park, it's moved to a larger space in Doral/Medley. The county-fair-meets-winter-wonderland is chock-full of roller coasters, amusement rides, carnival games, photo ops with Santa and his helpers, and an assortment of fair food—think fresh doughnuts, funnel cakes and more. And pro tip: if you hate waiting in lines, consider adding an express pass to your ticket.  7500 NW 87th Ave; Nov 9–Jan 7, 5pm–12am; $36–$48

With thousands of twinkling bulbs to adorn its 50-foot tree, Merrick Park’s holiday display is one of the highlights of the season in Coral Gables. The magic gets underway on November 17, when the 19th annual tree-lighting ceremony is scheduled to take over the outdoor mall, featuring performances by Miami Royal Ballet and Coral Gables Senior High School Gablettes. WSVN Channel 7 News co-anchor Belkys Nerey and Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago team up to flip the switch. 358 San Lorenzo Ave; Nov 17–Jan 9, 6–Close; Free

Lincoln Road kicks off the festive season with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Parade. Expect holiday-themed crafts for kids, a parade featuring special guests, a dramatic countdown to light the tree and a few other surprises. While you're there, peruse the new Urbanspace Lincoln Road Holiday Market, where you can shop for holiday gifts and artisinal food products while enjoying musical performances, art installations and Instagrammable photo displays throughout the season.

Step into a winter wonderland at Miami’s own Pinecrest Gardens. The annual holiday tradition turns the grounds into a brilliant landscape illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights. Different nights bring different forms of fun, from silent discos to magical storytime events, and sit downs with santa to holiday bazaars and beer tastings. On select evenings, admission includes a holiday concert in the historic Banyan Bowl. 11000 Red Rd; Dec 9–Jan 6, 6–9pm; $23, $18 for children

CityPlace Doral isn’t holding back for its big holiday celebration. A fountain show synchronized to holiday tunes leads up to the lighting of the gigantic Christmas tree and surrounding palm trees. (It is Florida, after all.) The 10-minute light show begins begin at the top of every hour from 7-11 p.m. featuring your favorite classic holiday songs. 8300 NW 36th St; Nov 16–Dec 31, 6–8pm; Free

Coconut Grove’s annual tree lighting ceremony takes over Commodore Plaza, turning the street into a winter wonderland for pedestrians all holiday season long. Commodore Plaza between Main Hwy and Grand Ave; Dec 3, 6-8pm; Free

While it's not your typical Christmas light display, NightGarden's whimsical garden is about the most illuminated spectacle you'll see all season. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s psychedelic neon playground brims with twinkling presentations, technicolor mazes, scavenger hunts led by virtual fairies, an enchanting snowfall experience, glowing dandelion fields and, yes, the infamous talking tree. Sounds fun, huh? We agree. 10901 Old Cutler Rd; Nov 10-Jan 8; $25–$46 

It’s nothing but manses for miles the moment you enter the Village of Pinecrest (celebrities who’ve called the neighborhood home include Timbaland, Romero Britto and Pitbull) so expect light displays as grand as the homes. The brightest lights tend to be on main arteries SW 104th Street and Ludlam Road (67th Avenue). In Coral Gables, the Merrick Park in front of City Hall (405 Biltmore Way) and surrounding areas are festooned with impressive illuminations and a giant mailbox where children can drop off letters for Santa. Downtown, not all skyscrapers lining Brickell Avenue will be in the holiday spirit, but areas near Fifth Street will. Stroll through the plaza at 600 Brickell—which is typically decked out with an oversized wreath and palm trees lit by green, red and white lights—and up the Brickell Avenue Bridge for the best views.