Winterfest Brings The Holidays Home!

November 18, 2020

The Organizers of Winterfest, Producers of the Signature Event, The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, brings “Home for the Holidays” with Decorating Contests, Virtual Events, Pop Up Santa Sightings, Holiday Cheer Light Cruises, and More as a countdown to the Annual Holiday Television Special

It was a very difficult decision to pause the “World’s Most Watch Boat Parade” for 2020, but that did not stop the organizers of Winterfest from reinventing this year’s holiday season.  The team may not be able to produce the famous Parade in December; however, they are committed to bringing community cheer with the theme, “Home for the Holidays.”

“This has been a very emotional time for all of us,” noted Lisa Scott-Founds, President and CEO of Winterfest, Inc. “The Parade is synonymous with the holidays. We had to weigh the safety of everyone onshore as well as the water. The event would create “gatherings” in public and private areas with little or no control regarding social distancing, and mask-wearing. What would those optics look like and how would that be perceived? It was decided by the Winterfest Board of Directors, as well as a few of our major sponsors, that the safety of the community was the main priority. As the area businesses open up, there is a tear that we are not the finale celebration for this difficult year. We may not have live events, but our calendar is full of holiday events and activities for everyone to enjoy.” Winterfest is asking the community to help spread the warm and positive feelings of the holidays by decorating and submitting a photo. Simply visit the https://winterfestparade.com/winterfest-decorating-contestto upload your images OR upload them on social media using the hashtag: #winterfestdecor on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. We want everyone to show their lights! When you enter on social media, include your social media handle, a brief description, and a shout-out where your amazing decorations are located (business name, for residents – your city, state … No exact location unless you want people to drive by and gawk!) If you decorated it – we want to see it (boats, homes, businesses, interior/exterior parts of your home … holiday tree, room, dock, balcony, porch, etc.)!  Lots of great prizes will be given out including a $500 Bloomers Frosé Basket to the photo with the most votes in select categories. A few over the top entries will receive the “Griswold Award” which will be selected by the president of the Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors®, Jarrod K. Lowe. We even have a contest for the cutest holiday pets! Voters, we didn’t forget about you – Vote starting November 28th and you’ll be entered for a chance to win round trip travel on Southwest Airlines®.

Are you out and about? Enjoy the Holidays with Winterfest aboard Holiday Lights Cruises on a special decorated Water Taxi or download the Winterfest App to see where Santa will be from November 27th to December 24th as he vacations in Fort Lauderdale. Want to getaway? Check out Winterfest’s Social Media and Crown Wine & Spirits locations and enter to win a two-night stay at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, dinner for (2) two, Southwest Airlines tickets and more. Click on https://winterfestparade.com/contests for all the details on how to enter!

Looking to snuggle more on your comfy couch? Winterfest makes Holiday Shopping, baking, DIY ornament crafting easy with a click to our website. Your family can even enjoy Santa in your home virtually.  This year, Storytime with Santa is a Winterfest virtual experience with the first 100 children that are registered receiving a copy of the book Santa will be reading so kids may read along.. The sight will have the link to see Santa read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on December 5th. A list of all the holiday excitement is on the Winterfestparade.com site under “2020 holidays.”

And what would Winterfest be without the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade? On December 19th, 25th and 31st, turn on WSVN Channel 7 to watch a trip down memory lane with a retrospective of 49 years of this holiday tradition. For your holiday needs and wishes, go to Winterfestparade.com

For more information on Winterfest, Inc., call 954-767-0686.

The Winterfest Launch Party

Get DECKED OUT for the 2025 Winterfest Launch Party Opening Night Soirée

October 25, 2025 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Marriott Resort Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach
3030 Holiday Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Presented By

Gray Robinson logo

Hosted By

Marriot Resort Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach logo

Featured Restaurant

Casa Calabria logo

2025 Poster Artist

Romero Britto

The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade Co-Grand Marshal for 2025 - Romero Britto
As a Winterfest partner, you will receive tickets to South Florida’s preview of the holiday season featuring Winterfest updates, amazing bites, sips and entertainment at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025 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!

2025 HIGHLIGHTS

The 2025 Winterfest Launch Party theme “Decked Out” is in celebration of this year’s Parade theme “Yacht Rock of Ages.”
This year’s Parade celebrates 54 years as a signature Holiday Tradition in South Florida
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Shine bright in Gold, Black and White Nautical Cocktail Chic.

Special Performance by Grandmaster Mele Mel & Scorpio courtesy of Ocean Manor Beach Resort.

Ocean Manor Beach Resort logo

Poster Artwork by Romero Britto and the unveiling of the original artwork of this year’s poster.

Water Taxi Photo Booth

Water Taxi logo

Carroll’s Jewelers Bling Bar

Carroll's Jewelers logo

Gray Robinson logo
Casa Calabria logo
Marriott Resort Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach logo
3030 Ocean Logo
Billy's Stone Crab Restaurant & Fisheries logo
Mimi's Ravioli logo
Eddie V's logo
Sea Level logo
Ocean Manor Beach Resort logo
ABC Miami logo
Republic National Distributing Company logo
LaCroix Logo
Tower Club Fort Lauderdale logo
The Water Taxi logo
Sixth Star Logo
Fifth Third Bank logo
King Security logo
Carroll's Jewelers logo

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.