Looking to get into the holiday spirit this year? The Village of Wellington is offering a festive mix of free, family-friendly activities for you and your loved ones to enjoy all month long.
Dec. 1 to Dec. 31, Holiday Light Displays on the Town Center Promenade — Throughout the month of December enjoy festive light displays along Wellington’s Town Center promenade (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). The holiday lights will be on display throughout the month of December, courtesy of the Village of Wellington and its community partners: Humana, Florida Blue, Xfinity and Wellington Regional Medical Center.
Select Thursdays in December, Holiday Shopping at the Lakeside Market — Get in your last-minute gift shopping, support local small businesses and enjoy one of Florida’s beautiful winter evenings outdoors at the Lakeside Market at Wellington Town Center. Browse unique gifts and handcrafted goods while shopping with a variety of artists, crafters, bakers, makers and more. A number of food and beverage vendors will also be on site offering a selection of items for purchase, along with food trucks and live music as part of the Food Truck & Music Series events, happening alongside the market. The market will be open on Thursdays, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (except Dec. 26), on Wellington’s Town Center promenade (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Learn more about the market and view the vendor list at www.wellingtonlakesidemarket.com.
Thursday, Dec. 5, Holiday Cultural Celebration — Start your festivities off with a Holiday Cultural Celebration on Thursday, Dec. 5. Recognizing holidays and traditions across cultures, the celebration will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) in combination with Wellington’s weekly Food Truck & Music Series and the Lakeside Market. In addition to food trucks and the market, the event features a holiday tree lighting at 6:30 p.m., along with book readings, face painting, holiday card crafting, a hot cocoa station, special performances, vendors and more. A number of children’s holiday characters will also be on hand for photo opportunities from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., plus enjoy a very special visit with the big man in red himself — Santa Claus! Visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/holidaycelebration for more information.
Friday, Dec. 6, Winterfest 2024 — Winterfest, hosted by the Greater Wellington Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Wellington and presenting sponsor Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, will be held at the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) on Friday, Dec 6, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Featuring headline performer, music icon, philanthropist, actor and TV star Vanilla Ice, the event will include live musical and dance performances, exhibitors, pet adoptions, retail and holiday shopping, food vendors, lounges for adult attendees, kids and teen activities, and more. Complimentary on-site and shuttle parking will be available. Visit www.wellingtonchamber.com for more information.
Saturday, Dec. 7, Holiday Boat Parade — Come watch as local residents and boating enthusiasts “light up the lake” with the annual Holiday Boat Parade on Lake Wellington. Approximately 40 festive, decorated boats are expected to cruise in the parade. Visible from the Town Center Promenade, the boats will pass behind the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) at around 6:30 p.m. Attendees can also visit with a variety of vendors from Wellington’s weekly Lakeside Market in the greenspace adjacent to the promenade. Those interested in participating in the boat parade should contact Jack Brownson at jbrownson@comcast.net. For more information visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/holidayboatparade.
Sunday, Dec. 8, 40th Annual Wellington Holiday Parade “Rockin’ in the Holidays” — The annual Wellington Holiday Parade, hosted by the Village of Wellington and the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, will be “Rockin’ in the Holidays” while it celebrates 40 years on Sunday, Dec 8. Enjoy a free day of fun and festivities with a judged parade filled with imaginative floats, marching bands, characters, dance troupes and more. The parade begins at 1:30 p.m. and winds its way down Forest Hill Blvd., from Wellington Trace to Ken Adams Way. Grab your family and your sneakers and come on out for this fantastic holiday event! Visit www.cpbcchamber.com for more information.
Tuesday, Dec. 10, Senior Holiday Party (age 50-plus) — Wellington seniors ages 50 and up are invited to attend a free Senior Holiday Party on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Lunch will be provided along with holiday-themed decorations, entertainment and activities. Registration is required. Call (561) 753-2484 to RSVP. Existing CivicRec users may sign up at www.wellingtonfl.gov/civicrec.
Saturday, Dec. 14, 34th Annual Children’s Holiday Fishing Classic — Get ready to reel in “the big one” at the 34th annual Children’s Holiday Fishing Classic, presented by the Village of Wellington in conjunction with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and Building Up Sports Academy. The tournament will take place on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Village Park (11700 Pierson Road), and is open to all local children ages 15 and younger. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place based on a point system of fish caught and released (all species) in each age group: 6 and under; ages 7 to 9; ages 10 to 12; and ages 13 to 15. Registration is free and can be completed in advance at Village Park (11700 Pierson Road) or the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.), or e-mail athletics@wellingtonfl.gov to request a registration form. Learn more at www.wellingtonfl.gov/holidayfishing.
Sunday, Dec. 22, Annual Wellington Holiday Jingle Bell Run 5K — The annual Wellington Holiday Jingle Bell Run 5K returns to Village Park (11700 Pierson Road) on Sunday, Dec. 22. The race begins at 7 a.m. and participants are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to be donated to families in the Wellington community as part of the annual Hometown Holiday Toy Drive. All participants will be provided with jingle bells to wear prior to the start of the race. For more details, and registration information, visit www.runsignup.com/Race/FL/Wellington/WellingtonJingleBellsRun.
Wednesday, Dec. 25, Grand Menorah Lighting (virtual) — Chag Sameach! Celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, with the annual lighting of the Grand Menorah. This year’s event will take place virtually on Wednesday, Dec. 25. Hanukkah celebrates triumph over adversity by recalling the renewal of Jewish life after a period of oppression. Learn more and join us for a virtual lighting of the first candle at www.wellingtonfl.gov/hanukkah. Hanukkah will continue for eight nights, ending on Jan. 2.
Thursday, Dec. 26, Kwanzaa (virtual) — Wellington is proud to celebrate life, family, community and culture, and bring recognition and awareness of Kwanzaa every year from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. At www.wellingtonfl.gov/kwanzaa, you will find videos and information from Wellington’s Virtual Kwanzaa Celebration. This virtual content is a partnership between Freedom Fighters 4 Justice and the village. Community members and leaders from all walks of life come together in celebration of African American culture and traditions.
For more information on upcoming events in Wellington, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/events.
