Events
Family Fun Day – Where to Park?
Planning on attending this Sunday’s November 22nd Winterfest Family Fun Day with the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Open Streets? Click on the link to find the best locations to park. Remember Las Olas will be closed during the day and the event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. City lots will have a flat rate of $5.
Winterfest Appreciation Party
The 2023 Winterfest Appreciation Party has entered the history books!
Coming in 2024, this page will be updated with all the exciting details of our next Winterfest Appreciation Party.
We’ll see you then!
Winterfest Appreciation Party
March 6, 2024 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Piazza Italia
904 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
ATTENTION: PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS
The Parade may have been cancelled but we are planning on celebrating our sponsors and supporters.
This celebratory event honors the people who play a huge role in the success of Winterfest® – our volunteers!
Nibbles – Cocktails – Raffles – Fun – Friendship – More
Carolyn McLaughlin Spirit of Volunteerism Award winner is announced during the event.
2023 Winterfest Appreciation Party date: March 6, 2024
If you would like to be a volunteer – contact the Winterfest office.
Duck Fest Derby
DATE NOT CONFIRMED – To benefit Kids In Distress – You won’t want to miss the Annual Duck Fest Derby in Fort Lauderdale. This is a family friendly event at Esplanade Park on the New River. The event is from 1-4 PM in March 2016 with live entertainment by “The Bittersweet Experience” on the main stage, KID Olympic Games, KID Fun Zone, Petting Zoo and many other fun activities! At 3:30 sharp, 15,000 rubber ducks will be dropped into the water and the 1st to cross the finish line wins! Many other great raffle prizes to be announced! To sponsor, start a Duck Sales Team or get involved call 954 390 7654 Ext:1290 or visit www.duckfestderby.kintera.org
Skippers’ Meeting
WEST MARINE WINTERFEST SKIPPERS’ MEETING – FJ Propeller and Chevron
Coral Ridge Yacht Club
2800 Yacht Club Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
December 10, 2024 6 – 8 PM
Winterfest Skippers’ Meeting is a mandatory meeting for all Boat Parade participants. Hosted by Coral Ridge Yacht Club, captains will receive line-up information, along with rules and regulations for the parade. Goodie bags featuring great items from our sponsors and raffle items are for Parade participants. CAPTAINS ONLY. 2023 Parade Manual
Captains will receive:
- Chevron Gas Cards
- Items from West Marine
- Parade-themed burger by Laura Elmore
- Parade Boat number by Image360 Lauderhill
Want to promote your company to boaters? Donation items/gift certificates to the boaters – contact Winterfest for details.
ADDITIONAL PARTNERS: Image360, Marine Industries of South Florida, and ACR Electric.
Have a Sponsorship Idea Not Listed? Contact Winterfest to have a representative discuss how to make your idea a reality.
Photos are on our Facebook page.
PRESS CREDENTIALS: All media requests must be submitted using an email address from the media’s active domain address. The submission must include a commitment from an editor/publisher noting where and when the story/photos will be printed/uploaded on social media platforms.
Any social media influencers must submit their handles, viewership, and pre-/event day promotion plans when requesting credentials.
VIP Viewing Party
Winterfest VIP Viewing Party
Winterfest is currently working on this year’s VIP Viewing Area. If you would like to be involved, please contact our offices by clicking here.
SPONSORS: PEOPayGo, Holy Cross Health, Nova Southeastern University, Moss
The most prestigious location to watch the Winterfest Boat Parade! Close to 400 community leaders, dignitaries, and Winterfest Sponsors will enjoy the ambiance of the VIP Area nestled next to Stranahan House at Tunnel Top Park. This location is where the Parade starts along the New River. This event includes a magnificent buffet and cocktails featuring local restaurants, Riverside Hotel, and much more. The area is also host to the television show and our boat parade judges. This area is Winterfest’s way of saying thank you to all of our Board of Directors and Sponsors. BY INVITATION ONLY.
2023 Judges:
Rear Admiral Douglas Schofield United States Coast Guard – Sector 7
Mayor Dean Trantalis City of Fort Lauderdale
Radio Personality Paul Castronovo iHeart Media – The Paul Castronovo Show
Chair Elect Burnadette Norris-Weeks Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce
President Chris Krzemien Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie REALTOR®
President & CEO Stacy Ritter Visit Lauderdale And YOU!
Previous Sponsors included Holy Cross Hospital and Riverside Hotel.
Parade Viewing Area
The Winterfest Parade Viewing Area for 2023 is
NOW CLOSED
Join us in 2023 for the 52nd Annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
Winterfest’s PARADE VIEWING AREA sponsored by Baptist Health is conveniently located in east Fort Lauderdale at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park on the Southeast corner of Las Olas Boulevard and the Intracoastal Waterway. Rideshare is encouraged and parking is within walking distance from the event area. Guests will enjoy a festival atmosphere with live entertainment before and after the Parade.
The excitement begins at 4 pm when the gates open. Come early and bring the family (no pets please) to enjoy the amenities. Enjoy the “Parade Viewing Area” – Stella Artois Culinary Courtyard, Live Entertainment, and activities. The Parade gets underway at 6:30 p.m. along The New River in Downtown Fort Lauderdale and should arrive in this area at approximately 7:00 pm.
SEATING will be provided.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT – Live performances throughout the night by the Shane Duncan Band and Southern Blood with radio personalities from iHeart Radio.
TICKETS for the 2024 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade will be on sale in August.
Individual adult tickets –
Children 10 years & younger –
Tickets are electronic.
Ticket Policy: Ticket Policy | The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade (winterfestparade.com)
Purchased tickets and have questions? Call 954-241-7938
PARKING FOR THIS AREA:
Las Olas Parking Garage (next to the viewing area) 200 Las Olas Cir, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316. Parking will be very limited on Parade night.
The Parade goes on Rain or Shine.
NO Bottles, coolers, chairs, pets – For additional Parade Viewing Area Tips, Click Here.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL US ON 954-241-7938 or EMAIL US.
Ticketing Powered by Complete Ticket Solutions.
CLICK HERE for Additional details.
LOOKING FOR A HOTEL? CLICK HERE.
The Winterfest Launch Party
The 2023 Winterfest Launch Party has entered the history books!
Coming in 2024, this page will be updated with all the exciting details of the next Winterfest Launch Party on October 19, 2024.
We’ll see you then!
As a Winterfest partner, you will receive tickets to South Florida’s preview of the holiday season featuring Winterfest updates, amazing bites, sips, entertainment, and at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 7-10pm, and will feature delights from top-area restaurants throughout Broward County.
NO TICKETS ARE SOLD TO THE PUBLIC – SPONSORSHIP IS YOUR TICKET IN!
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
- The event’s theme “Platinum Rewind” in reflective celebration of this year’s Parade theme “Reflections Afloat” – 20 years of Seminole Hard Rock and Winterfest together. This year’s Parade celebrates 52 years as a signature Holiday Tradition in South Florida.
- Special Performance by Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five courtesy of Ocean Manor Beach Resort.
- Appearance by the Winterfest Poster Artist – Laura Brill Elmore – 954 Design, and the unveiling of the original artwork of this year’s poster.
- Future Tech / LG Experience
- Water Taxi Photo Booth
- Carroll’s Jewelers Bling Rings
- Check out what you missed last year – WSVN Channel 7’s coverage (additional event links on winterfestparade.com/videos)
Did you receive an invitation but don’t know what to wear? Click on this LookBook link.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
All sponsorships are created to provide the maximum entertainment/branding opportunities within the Winterfest Celebration. Click on the sponsorship level of interest and a Winterfest representative will contact you to have a custom sponsorship created for your company OR call the Winterfest Office at 954-767-0686
Ready to be a Sponsor? Get ready to be part of the Winterfest Family!
2023 PARTNERS
- TITLE SPONSOR: Gray Robinson
- FEATURED RESTAURANT: Casa Calabria Restaurant
- BEVERAGES: Republic National Distributing Company, Stella Artois, La Croix
- RESTAURANTS: 3030 Ocean, Casa Calabria, Piazza Italia
Photos are on our Facebook page.
PRESS CREDENTIALS: All media requests must be submitted using an email address from the media’s active domain address. The submission must include a commitment from an editor/publisher noting where and when the story/photos will be printed/uploaded on social media platforms.
Any social media influencers must submit their handles, viewership and pre-/event day promotions plan when requesting credentials.
Captain’s Cup
The 2024 Captain’s Cup is Cancelled!
Coming in 2024, this page will be updated with all the exciting details of our next Captain’s Cup.
We’ll see you then!
Winterfest celebrates parade participants and partners that make the year magical.
This wrap-up party recognizes parade entries, corporate sponsors, the board of directors, and Winterfest supporters. The Awards Dinner is decorated to the Parade’s theme with entertainment to compliment.
One lucky boater will win the People’s Choice Award. By voting – you are saying thank you to those that went the extra mile to become a winner! Voters have the opportunity to win airline tickets (see rules).
Live entertainment, cocktails, full-course dinner, and more!
EVERY PARADE ENTRY receives two (2) complimentary tickets to the event. Two (2) additional tickets can be purchased for $35 per person. Additional tickets will be available for a different price. To see photos from last year’s event – please like our Facebook page and view photos from previous entries!
