Best Holiday Events in the Treasure Coast

The City of Port St. Lucie lists Festival of Lights for Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 2 to 10 p.m. at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center. The afternoon starts with a carnival, vendors, and food trucks. The Parade of Lights is scheduled for 6 p.m., followed by the tree lighting and fireworks. It is a good choice if your group wants several activities in one place. Food, shopping, and carnival rides may add to the cost of the evening.

The city also runs PSLinLights, with displays and activities around Port St. Lucie. Its page mixes current event links with older seasonal details, so check the 2026 map and display hours when the city posts them. The Port District is a sensible first place to look for a walk-through display.

The Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast organizes Christmas boat parades for Martin County, St. Lucie County, and Vero Beach. Its current page lists December 5, 12, and 6 respectively, but does not label those dates with a year. Confirm the 2026 schedule and viewing locations on the organizer’s page before planning around a particular night.

Boat parades are a distinctly local way to spend a December evening. Choose a public waterfront viewing spot, arrive before the boats, and bring a light layer for the breeze. A parade route may cover a long stretch of water, so check the organizer’s map rather than assuming every park has the same view.

Jungle Lights at McKee Botanical Garden turns the garden into a ticketed evening walk among illuminated plants and animal lanterns. McKee’s main Jungle Lights page currently carries details from the 2025 season, including pricing and dates. Treat those as past-season information until the garden publishes its 2026 calendar. This is the option to watch if you want a quieter, longer stroll rather than a parade crowd.

Fort Pierce’s Sights & Sounds on Second has previously paired a downtown parade with a tree lighting and the Marina Square light show. Stuart has held Christmas on Main Street and Santa’s City Lights at Memorial Park. The City of Sebastian has also listed a waterfront Christmas parade and citywide lights among its signature events. These are useful leads, but prior event pages are not a current-year schedule. Check the city calendars in November for 2026 dates, parking instructions, and any weather changes.

For an easy family plan, choose one main event and leave room for parking, a meal, and the drive home. December weekends can be busy even when admission is free. Bring cash or a card for vendors, and check the forecast before committing to a waterfront viewing spot.

Port St. Lucie’s Festival of Lights is listed for December 5, 2026, from 2 to 10 p.m. at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center. Check the city event page for any changes.

They are viewed from public waterfront areas, though parking rules and access vary by location. The organizer’s boat parade page is the place to confirm the current route and viewing guidance.

No. McKee Botanical Garden sells tickets for Jungle Lights. Its event page should be checked for 2026 dates and prices when they are released.