The 2025 Winterfest Water Safety Family Fun Day has entered the history books!
Coming in 2026, this page will be updated with all the exciting details of the 4th Annual Winterfest Water Safety Family Fun Day. We’ll see you then!
3rd ANNUAL WATER SAFETY FAMILY FUN DAY
PRESENTED BY FREEDOM WATERS FOUNDATION AND THE WINTERFEST FOUNDATION
Sunday, March 9, 2025, 11 am – 3 pm
Featuring Boat Rides on the Water Taxi, Fun Family Activities and Surprises too!
Freedom Waters Foundation and The Winterfest Foundation, in partnership, are presenting the 3rd Annual Water Safety Family Fun Day, a free community event to be held on Sunday, March 9, 2025, 11 am – 3 pm, at Esplanade Park, 400 SW 2nd Street, Ft. Lauderdale. It will be a day full of family fun activities, including a boat ride experience on the Water Taxi. Everyone is invited to attend at no charge.
The Water Safety Family Fun Day was created to provide an event that would promote water safety in a fun, family friendly way, building a greater sense of community while having fun and learning too.
Highlights of the Water Safety Day will be:
Complimentary Boat Rides
Games
Crafts
Food Vendors
US Coast Guard, Local Police and Fire Boats will be on the Docks
Freedom Waters Foundation, founded in March 2006, is a nonprofit organization enhancing the lives of children, individuals with special needs, and veterans by providing therapeutic boat experiences. With the main office in Naples, Florida, the organization currently serves individuals throughout South Florida, into Georgia and Indiana, and growing nationwide. For more information, visit https://freedomwatersfoundation.org/ or call (239) 263-2377.
ABOUT THE WINTERFEST FOUNDATION
The Winterfest Foundation, founded in 2017, is a nonprofit organization which focuses on, but is not limited to Education, Arts, Culture in public places, Water Safety Events and Assisting other charitable sectors in the South Florida Community, with the understanding that the relationships we enter into support the mission elements or strategically benefit the organization and its overall reputation in the community. https://winterfestfoundation.org/
The 2025 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade has entered the history books!
Coming in 2026, this page will be updated with all the exciting details of the 55th Annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade. We’ll see you then!
Until then, enjoy a look back at the 2025 Parade
The 54th Annual Holiday Parade takes place DECEMBER 13, 2025 starting in the Downtown Area at the new time of 6:00 PM with a pre-show of non-motorized vessels at 5:30 p.m. The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade will stage on the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, along the docks west of Stranahan House to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
The Parade starts at Stranahan House, traveling East along the New River in Fort Lauderdale to the Intracoastal Waterway and continues North to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. It’s 12 Miles of the “Best Show on H20.” The Parade takes approximately 2 and 1/2 hours to view from one location (starting locations stagger as you travel north).
Private boats, giant showboats and corporate megayachts will be adorned with hundreds of thousands of lights, music, entertainment, decorations, celebrities, musical groups, beauty queens, and many other exciting entries expected to be viewed by over one million spectators.
2026 CONTROL BOATERS, PARADE SPOTTERS, and HAM OPERATORS ONLY at the Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. Contact Winterfest on how to get involved and click here to download a .pdf of the Control Boat Application.
CONTROL BOATERS: Get a FRONT ROW seat to the 2026 parade while being the eyes and ears for the “Best Show on H2O!”. All control boaters receive a goodie bag at the Control Boat Meeting with light and signs. AFTER THE PARADE, volunteers are invited to the Winterfest Volunteer Party! Join Today!
Theme Roll Out for the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade.
Get ready to celebrate the end of Summer with Winterfest. On August 27, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Savor Cinema will host the Winterfest Happy Hour and Roll Out of this year’s Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade theme: “Yacht Rock of Ages.”
Join us for an evening of camaraderie with parade participants, control boat volunteers, Winterfest board and advisory members, community leaders, and fans as we toast the end of the summer and the countdown to this year’s Winterfest Celebrations. Savor Cinema is one of our series of monthly Happy Hours and various events culminating with the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade. Winterfest has been a beloved tradition in Broward County for over 54 years, captivating audiences with its stunning displays on boats and festive spirit.
Savor Cinema, renowned for its unique ambiance and dedication to the arts, provides the perfect backdrop for this theme. Delight in the company of fellow Winterfest enthusiasts, local leaders, and community members.
2023 Christmas In July has entered the history books!
Coming in 2024, this page will be updated with all the exciting details of our next Christmas In July. We’ll see you then!
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU – Take our Christmas in July Poll – one random voter will win a $50 Gift Card (your name and email must be included with your vote)https://woobox.com/tkhrek
Join Us for Christmas in July!
Why wait for the winter to participate in your favorite holiday festivities? Good ol’ Saint Nick is taking a vacation to Fort Lauderdale this summer, and you are invited to participate in the Christmas Day Fun on July 22, 2023!
Daytime: Family Fun with Santa & the “Nice List” Gang
Nighttime: The Elves Go Rogue with “Jingle Bells and Naughty List” Elves
Las Olas Yoga– Enjoy a class with the studio decorated for the holidays. Classes are from 9 am – 1 pm. Holiday savings on retail as well as discounts on our new student specials and memberships.
American Social– Specialty Cocktails and a special place to stop for your social media needs- Take an “ELFIE” using a 360 camera photo opportunity provided by GoQuiPlus.com
B Square– Themed cocktails and food specials, with a festive staff ready to welcome you! Take an “ELFIE” at the Photo booth set up provided by GoQuiPlus.com for some more Christmas In July fun!
Boathouse– Themed Cocktails and menu specials all day long!
Cuba Libre– Will be celebrating in true “elf” style with specialty cocktails all night!
Riverside Hotel– Offering an option to “Elf Responsibly” with room specials so you can “take the elevator home” if you’d like to stay overnight!
LAST MINUTE UPDATES
Last minute updates on Boulevard Activities at night can be found on LasOlasBoulevard.com
DID YOU MISS SANTA?
Stop by July 21-23 and drop off your letter:
Riverside Hotel
Robinson’s Jewelers Las Olas
Kilwins – Fort Lauderdale
BE AN ELF on SOCIAL MEDIA and WIN PRIZES: Look for the Christmas in July Posters at various locations along Las Olas Boulevard and “Elf Yourself” – weekly winners will be announced on social media.
Or, click the link, take a photo, and upload it on social using the five #’s:
REMEMBER YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA MUST BE PUBLIC (not private) for us to see your photos).
TOO SHY to change your social media accounts to public? No Worries – Email your photo using our frame or one of you in “Elf attire” to boats@Winterfestparade.com, and we will confirm the photo can be uploaded into our contest and send you a confirmation link.
Winners will be announced weekly ending July 25th.
PRIZES INCLUDE:$20 Gift Cards, $50 Restaurant Gift Cards, Santa Books, Tickets onboard Water Taxi, Hotel Stay at Riverside Hotel
The 2025 Grand Marshal Reception has entered the history books!
Coming in 2026, this page will be updated with all the exciting details of the next Winterfest Grand Marshal Reception. We’ll see you then!
Until then, enjoy a look back at the 2025 Grand Marshal Reception
The 2025 Grand Marshal Experience will be hosted at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. This Winterfest Celebration welcoming our Grand Marshals includes dignitaries and celebrities who join us at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to celebrate, Winterfest style.
RECEPTION BY INVITATION ONLY.
Presenting Sponsor
CO-GRAND MARSHALS
2025 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade Co-Grand Marshals Romero Britto and Montell Jordan
Co-Grand Marshal for 2025 – Romero Britto
Co-Grand Marshal for 2025 – Montell Jordan
The 54th Annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest® Boat Parade is set to shine brighter than ever, led by two global icons:
Montell Jordan – R&B legend, inspirational performer, and community advocate. Known for the anthem “This Is How We Do It,” Jordan brings not only a legendary career but also a passion for community, outreach, and connection.
Romero Britto – internationally acclaimed artist whose bold, joyful style has captivated the world. His vibrant, signature artwork will define the look and feel of Winterfest® 2025. From brochures and shirts to the showboat décor, Britto’s art will be everywhere turning the Parade into a living masterpiece.
Together, these Co-Grand Marshals embody the perfect fusion of sound, color, and celebration, making Winterfest® 2025 an unforgettable experience of music, art, and holiday magic.
The Grand Marshals will be honored at the exclusive Grand Marshal Reception, followed by leading the Parade the next night onboard the Grand Marshal Showboat presented by Fifth Third Bank.
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE by Montell Jordan
POSTER ARTIST
In addition to his role as Grand Marshal, Romero Britto has also been commissioned as Winterfest® 2025 poster artist, further adding to the color, creativity, and cultural impact of this year’s festivities. His artwork will be featured on brochures, newsletter, online materials, shirts and reflected on the decor of the Grand Marshal Showboat sponsored by Fifth Third Bank.
Attendees will receive this year’s Poster created by Romero Britto courtesy of South Florida Business Journal.
Entertainment by Yacht Rockettes Trio sponsored by Rick & Flo Celender
Photo Booth sponsored by
Special Guests
Many local VIPs, dignitaries, and sponsors will be on hand to welcome this year’s celebrity Co-Grand Marshals. Fort Lauderdale’s Mayor, Dean Trantalis, will give the Co-Grand Marshals a key to our beautiful city and Riverwalk, Inc. will present a brick in their name(s) for the Riverwalk Celebrity Walk of Fame on the banks of the staging area of the Parade.
2025 Grand Marshal Reception Celebrities – Ryan Cabrera, Chris Kirkpatrick, Jr. Captain Sydney, Captain Lee, the Yacht Rockettes, Skip Ahoy
Meet Florida’s Powerhouse: Your New Miss Florida USA!
Crowned with purpose and passion, Lou Schieffelin is your newly crowned Miss Florida USA and she’s ready to make history. No stranger to the spotlight, Lou first dazzled the pageant world as Miss Florida Teen USA 2018, placing in the Top 10 at Miss Teen USA and has only soared higher ever since.
A proud magna cum laude graduate of the University of Florida, she blends beauty, brains, and bold ambition. With over 16 years as a professional model in the best markets around the US, she knows how to command a runway and through pageantry, a room. Now, Lou is taking her drive to the skies as a pilot in training, proving that no dream is too high to chase.
However, Schieffelin’s greatest mission is grounded in purpose. As a passionate advocate, she was a FL House Floor honored catalyst behind the life-saving legislation that ended the texting while driving epidemic saving an estimated 11 lives every single day in Florida. In partnership with AT&T’s national “It Can Wait” campaign, Lou also authored a children’s book to further amplify her message and reach.
Determined to protect Florida’s youth, Lou has gone on to curate her empowering workshop “Red Flags Run.”, a program educating teens on how to stay safe in the digital world.
From the stage to the skies, the Capitol to the classroom, she’s a woman on a mission. And now, she’s setting her sights on the national crown. Lou is ready to bring home Florida’s first-ever Miss USA title. Grace, grit, and an unstoppable spirit: Miss Florida USA is more than a title. She’s a movement.
Join Us
Winterfest® is more than a Parade—it’s a tradition that unites South Florida and draws national recognition. With Montell Jordan and Romero Britto at the helm, this year promises to be a spectacular celebration of creativity, culture, and community.
Please view photos of our past Grand Marshals Jack Wagner with the Florida Panthers’ Mascots: Stanley C. Panther and Viktor E. Rat,Taylor Dayne, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, Mario Lopez, Brett Michaels, Huey Lewis, Big & Rich, PITBULL, Flo Rida, Deborah Norville, Barry Gibb, Brooke Burke, Kim Kardashian, Alonzo Mourning, Jim Belushi, Lorraine Bracco, Frankie Valli, Randy Jackson, Shaquille O’Neal, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and many more on our Facebook page.
Now is the perfect time to partner with Winterfest® and showcase your brand on the most dazzling stage of the season.
A Powerful Platform for Partners
By partnering with Winterfest®, you align your brand with world-class talent, international media attention, and unmatched community engagement.
High-Profile Visibility: Featured alongside iconic names such as Pitbull, Flo Rida, Shaquille O’Neal, and Barry Gibb—past Grand Marshals who have elevated the Parade’s reputation.
Cultural Impact: Britto’s artwork and Jordan’s influence ensure that Winterfest® 2025 resonates across art, music, and media landscapes.
Prestige & Access: From the exclusive Grand Marshal Reception to the Parade itself, your brand will connect with VIPs, dignitaries, celebrities, and tens of thousands of attendees.
This is a private reception to honor our Grand Marshal. Become a Sponsor – Get Invited! SPONSORSHIPS are available with this event. The event includes honoring our Jr. Captain from the Winterfest Foundation.
You can find him with his Winterfest family in their “Holiday Corner” at the 
10/26 @ 12-3 PM
