Delray Beach Events December 2011

The following Delray Beach events December 2011 are ongoing for the entire month of December, continuing on through January 2, 2012.

Delray Beach, Florida knows how to celebrate the holidays in December for Christmas and family-friendly First Night on New Year's Eve in downtown Delray Beach, Florida!

We have a month-long holiday celebration of Christmas in Delray Beach.

Please join us for the magic of Christmas in Delray!

Come visit Santa in his new home!

Come tour the famous 100-foot Christmas Tree in downtown Delray!

Come ride the holiday carousel!

Come ice skating!

Breakfast with Santa! Come have breakfast with Santa Claus at the Marriott Grand Ballroom!

Visit the Holiday Gift Shoppe to purchase commemorative oranament, First Night buttons, holiday cards, and to purchase tickets for ice skating rink and Santa photos.

Come watch the boat parade on the intracoastal!

Come watch the holiday Christmas parade on our award-winning Atlantic Avenue!

And most importantly, do not miss our world-famous 100-foot Christmas tree lighting event. It is notoriously Delray's best event of the year!

Bring in the New Year with our First Night New Year's Eve Celebration! It's family-friendly and loaded with fun for all ages. The evening ends at midnight with a fireworks display at the tennis center.

It's all right here in downtown Delray Beach for the entire month of December. OK, let's get started with the month-long holiday events first....

Ongoing Delray Beach Events December 2011...

Santa's Got A Brand New House
Come Visit Santa at Old School Square
Photos With Santa

Santa's New Home at Old School Square

Visit Santa in his brand hew home and get your picture taken with Santa!

• December 1-11, 2011: Thursday through Sunday, 6-10 PM


• December 15-23, 2011: Every day, 6-10 PM


• Cost per photo: $10


• Purchase ticket for photo at the Holiday Gift Shoppe


• A gift is given to every child who visits


• Santa's house is wheelchair-friendly and pet-friendly

Holiday Carousel at Old School Square

Holiday Carousel in Delray Beach

Come ride a real old-fashioned holiday carousel. Friendly for all ages!

• Open: November 25, 2011 - January 1, 2012


• Weekdays: 5-9 PM


• Weekends & School Holidays: 1-9 PM


• Rides: $2.00

Tour Inside The 100-Foot Christmas Tree

Come tour inside the 100-foot Christmas tree and see the animated displays representing historic buildings in Delray Beach. These replicated historic buildings are filled with joyful, animated features like children caroling, penguins hard at work, reindeer and elves preparing for the holidays, and there's even a train display!

• Open through January 2, 2012


• Tour is open 10 AM - 10 PM every day


• Cost: $1 donation requested at entrance


• Be sure to get your "I toured the famous 100-foot Christmas tree sticker to proudly wear!

Have A Whirl Of A Time At
The Ice Skating Rink At Old School Square

Ice Skating Rink at Old School Square

Bring the family and have a whirl-of-fun on the ice at the simulated ice skating rink at Old School Square.

• Open December 1, 2011 - January 1, 2012


• Weekdays: 5-10 PM


• Weekends and school holidays: 1-10 PM


• Tickets to skate are $8.00 for 45-minutes


• Purchase tickets at the Holiday Gift Shoppe

Holiday Gift Shoppe

The Holiday Gift Shoppe is your one-stop shopping for all the holiday festivities at Old School Square.

Purchase your tickets for photos with Santa, the ice skating rink and your button for Delray's First Night Event on New Year's Eve. It's family friendly!

Also, purchase holiday memorabilia like a commemorative ornament, holiday cards, books, and Centennial memorabilia too!

More Delray Beach Events December 2011.....

Famous 100-Foot Christmas Tree Lighting
December 1, 2011 at 6 PM

December 1, 2011: Famous 100-Foot Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Old School Square. 5 PM entertainment, 6 PM Santa arrives and official tree lighting, 51 N. Swinton Avenue, 279-1380 x3.

December 1, 2011: Art and Jazz on The Avenue (Now known as "On The Ave") makes downtown Delray Beach come alive six times a year with good vibrations and gyrations for the entire family. You'll find late-night open house for Atlantic Avenue restaurants, Atlantic Avenue boutique shops, and art galleries. You'll find all the fun on Atlantic Avenue in from 6-10 PM open to the public and free fun for everyone!

December 1, 2011: Dada's Bazaar where local artists sell their art and handmade creations. Support your local artistic community and shop handmade. This event is on the first Thursday of every month at Dada Restaurant, 52 N. Swinton Ave. Live music, 8 PM.

December 2, 2011: Free Friday Night Outdoor Concerts at the Old School Square Pavilion. Come out for some of South Florida's best bands, every Friday. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets; please leave pets at home! Food trucks, cash bar, rental chairs available. No outside food or beverage, please! Fridays, 7-10:30 PM. Free. December 2nd concert featuring The Blue Fire Band (high energy mix).

December 3, 2011: The Arts Garage presents: Urban Underground, 9 PM. 180 NE 1st Street. Purchase your Arts Garage tickets online right now for their next spectacular performance!

December 3, 2011: Delray Green Market is every Saturday 9 AM - 2 PM through Mother's Day. The Green Market is an open-air farmer's market in downtown Delray. It's like a Farm-to-Fork-type of market. You'll find fresh made cider donuts, fresh-off-the-vine produce, just-picked citrus and fragrant baked goods, organic beef, to fresh cut flowers, blooming plants and unique taste treats. There's even dancing in the street with some live music. New market hours for the 2011 season are 9 AM - 2 PM. Open every Saturday through Mother's Day. Located on SE 4th Avenue, just south of East Atlantic Avenue.

December 4, 2011: South Florida Symphony at The Crest Theatre at Old School Square 2 PM. 954-522-8445.

December 4-7, 2011: Re-enactment of the First Holy Night 7 - 9 PM. Cason United Methodist Church. 342 N. Swinton Avenue. 561-276-5302.

Christmas Holiday Boat Parade
December 9, 2011 at 6:30 PM

December 9, 2011: Christmas Holiday Boat Parade. Decorated boats leave Boynton Beach Inlet at 6:30 PM and travel down the Intracoastal Waterway to C-15 Canal in Delray Beach.

December 9, 2011: Free Friday Night Outdoor Concerts at the Old School Square Pavilion. Come out for some of South Florida's best bands, every Friday. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets; please leave pets at home! Food trucks, cash bar, rental chairs available. No outside food or beverage, please! Fridays, 7-10:30 PM. Free. December 9th concert featuring The Dillengers (rock-a-billy surf).

December 10, 2011: Delray Green Market is every Saturday 9 AM - 2 PM through Mother's Day. The Green Market is an open-air farmer's market in downtown Delray. It's like a Farm-to-Fork-type of market. You'll find fresh made cider donuts, fresh-off-the-vine produce, just-picked citrus and fragrant baked goods, organic beef, to fresh cut flowers, blooming plants and unique taste treats. There's even dancing in the street with some live music. New market hours for the 2011 season are 9 AM - 2 PM. Open every Saturday through Mother's Day. Located on SE 4th Avenue, just south of East Atlantic Avenue.

Christmas Holiday Parade
December 10, 2011 at 6 PM

December 10, 2011: Christmas Holiday Parade in Delray Beach presented by Delray Beach Parks and Recreation. Parade begins at Venetian Drive at 6 PM, heads west on Atlantic to the Courthouse.

Kids Day at the Tree
December 10, 2011 at 10 AM - 4 PM

December 10, 2011: Kid's Day at the 100-foot Christmas Tree. Old School Square. Visit Santa and play in the snow. Special surprises at the famous 100-foot Christmas Tree. 10 AM - 4 PM.

December 10, 2011: Ride and Remember Trolley Tour sponsored by Delray Beach Historical Society and the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum. This is a 2-hour bus tour of the Delray Beach Historic District. 10 AM - 12 noon. $15. Departs Delray Beach parking garage, NE 1st St and NE 1st Ave, reservations 561-279-8883.

December 10, 2011: The Arts Garage presents The Jazz Project: Paulette Dozier, 8 PM. 180 NE 1st Street. Purchase your Arts Garage tickets online right now for their next spectacular performance!

December 10-11, 2011: Delray Art League Show presents Artists in the Park. One of the longest running outdoor Fine Art Shows in South Florida located in beautiful downtown Delray Beach. Shows run every season from October to the end of April. This show to be held at Veteran's Park (where Atlantic Avenue & the Intracoastal meet). Free admission. Hours: 10 to 4:30 p.m.

December 11, 2011: The Colony Hotel and Cabana Club present Delray String Quartet 4 PM. 525 E. Atlantic Avenue. $35 at the door. 561-213-4138.

December 11, 2011: The Arts Garage presents The Taste of Opera: Palm Beach Opera, 6 PM. 180 NE 1st Street. Purchase your Arts Garage tickets online right now for their next spectacular performance!

December 15, 2011: The Arts Garage presents Classical Explosion: Dvorak Piano Quartet, 7:30 PM. 180 NE 1st Street. Purchase your Arts Garage tickets online right now for their next spectacular performance!

December 16, 2011: Free Friday Night Outdoor Concerts at the Old School Square Pavilion. Come out for some of South Florida's best bands, every Friday. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets; please leave pets at home! Food trucks, cash bar, rental chairs available. No outside food or beverage, please! Fridays, 7-10:30 PM. Free. December 16th concert featuring Shauna Sweeny (pop).

December 16-18, 2011: Musical Moments on Ice at The Crest Theater at Old School Square.

Breakfast With Santa
December 17, 2011

December 17, 2011: Breakfast with Santa! Join Santa for breakfast at the Delray Beach Marriott Grand Ballroom. Decorate your own gingberbread man! $12 per person with advanced reservations reqried. Four different seatings at: 8 AM, 9 AM, 10 AM and 11 AM. 561-279-1380 x17.

December 17, 2011: Delray Green Market is every Saturday 9 AM - 2 PM through Mother's Day. The Green Market is an open-air farmer's market in downtown Delray. It's like a Farm-to-Fork-type of market. You'll find fresh made cider donuts, fresh-off-the-vine produce, just-picked citrus and fragrant baked goods, organic beef, to fresh cut flowers, blooming plants and unique taste treats. There's even dancing in the street with some live music. New market hours for the 2011 season are 9 AM - 2 PM. Open every Saturday through Mother's Day. Located on SE 4th Avenue, just south of East Atlantic Avenue.

December 17, 2011: The Arts Garage presents The Jace Vek Experience, 8 PM. 180 NE 1st Street. Purchase your Arts Garage tickets online right now for their next spectacular performance!

Menorah Lighting at Old School Square
December 20, 2011 at 6 PM

December 20, 2011: Menorah Lighting. A special ceremony to mark the beginning of Hanukkah with the lighting of the first candle on the Menorah will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at 6:00 pm. The ceremonial lighting will take place on the front lawn of Old School Square, 51 North Swinton Avenue. Downtown Delray at Atlantic Avenue, between Swinton and 1st Avenue.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Worthing Park &
Unveiling of Spectactular DeBilzan Sculpture
December 22, 2011 at 5:30 PM
Corner of Atlantic Avenue & 2nd Avenue

Newly Renovated Worthing Park - Downtown Delray
150 East Atlantic Avenue

December 22, 2011: The City of Delray Beach in conjunction with CRA, Worthing Place, DeBilzan Gallery and Downtown Development Authority request the pleasure of your company at the ribbon cutting of the newly re-designed Worthing Park and the dramatic unveiling of the first-ever-of-this-size William DeBilzan sculpture which will be erected at Worthing Park as a magnificent public art display in downtown Delray!

Following the Unveiling, Please Join Us Immediately Afterwards for a Reception at DeBilzan Gallery...

Immediately following the unveiling, walk west just 2 blocks and join us at DeBilzan Gallery for a cocktail reception, fun and a moment to meet the artist, William DeBilzan. DeBilzan Art Gallery is located at 38 East Atlantic Avenue, directly across the street from Old School Square and from the famous 100-foot Christmas tree!

DeBilzan Sculpture soon-to-be on Display
at Worthing Park

December 23, 2011: Free Friday Night Outdoor Concerts at the Old School Square Pavilion. Come out for some of South Florida's best bands, every Friday. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets; please leave pets at home! Food trucks, cash bar, rental chairs available. No outside food or beverage, please! Fridays, 7-10:30 PM. Free. December 23rd concert featuring The People Upstairs (funk/reggae).

December 24, 2011: Delray Green Market is every Saturday 9 AM - 2 PM through Mother's Day. The Green Market is an open-air farmer's market in downtown Delray. It's like a Farm-to-Fork-type of market. You'll find fresh made cider donuts, fresh-off-the-vine produce, just-picked citrus and fragrant baked goods, organic beef, to fresh cut flowers, blooming plants and unique taste treats. There's even dancing in the street with some live music. New market hours for the 2011 season are 9 AM - 2 PM. Open every Saturday through Mother's Day. Located on SE 4th Avenue, just south of East Atlantic Avenue.

December 24, 2011: The Arts Garage presents Jazz Project: Eric Allison Quartet, 8 PM. 180 NE 1st Street. Purchase your Arts Garage tickets online right now for their next spectacular performance!

December 30, 2011: Free Friday Night Outdoor Concerts at the Old School Square Pavilion. Come out for some of South Florida's best bands, every Friday. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets; please leave pets at home! Food trucks, cash bar, rental chairs available. No outside food or beverage, please! Fridays, 7-10:30 PM. Free. December 30th concert TBA.

December 31, 2011: Delray Green Market is every Saturday 9 AM - 2 PM through Mother's Day. The Green Market is an open-air farmer's market in downtown Delray. It's like a Farm-to-Fork-type of market. You'll find fresh made cider donuts, fresh-off-the-vine produce, just-picked citrus and fragrant baked goods, organic beef, to fresh cut flowers, blooming plants and unique taste treats. There's even dancing in the street with some live music. New market hours for the 2011 season are 9 AM - 2 PM. Open every Saturday through Mother's Day. Located on SE 4th Avenue, just south of East Atlantic Avenue.

First Night Buttons
Purchase in Advance & Save $5

December 31, 2011: First Night 2012 New Year's Eve Celebration. Bring the entire family to enjoy visual and performing arts in non-alcoholic venues at various locations in downtown Delray Beach.

Purchase your First Night buttons prior to the event and receive a $5 discount ($10 instead of $15).

First Night buttons can be purchased at the following places: the 100-foot Christmas tree, Delray Beach Public Library, chamber of Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, Old School Square Cultural Arts Center, and City Hall.