WEST PALM BEACH, FL (November 4, 2025) — Visitors to the West Palm Beach Waterfront will experience a ‘Symphony of Lights’ this holiday season. This year’s Holiday in Paradise Presented by FPL theme is celebrating the City of West Palm Beach’s month-long, citywide holiday activities. Festivities begin on Thursday, Dec. 4, with the annual Clematis by Night Holiday Tree Lighting from 6 – 10 p.m. Sandi, the world’s only 35-foot, 700-ton holiday sand tree, along with Sandi’s cousin Ferris, will entertain residents and visitors nightly through Dec. 31. All events fall under the collective holiday cheer of West Palm Wonderland, celebrating the seasonal programming at the Waterfront, The Ben, CityPlace, Historic Northwest, and Northwood Village.
“There’s something magical about this time of year in West Palm Beach,” said Mayor Keith A. James. “From the glow of Sandi on the Waterfront to the joy of our neighborhood celebrations, West Palm Wonderland brings our entire city to life. It’s a season to reflect, connect, and celebrate all that makes West Palm Beach such a vibrant place to call home.”
Internationally recognized as one of the most unique holiday traditions, Sandi has been lighting up the West Palm Beach waterfront for more than a decade. In 2021, Holiday in Paradise was recognized as the No. 1 “Best Public Holiday Lights Display,” via a USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Poll. Holiday in Paradise is again in the running for the top recognition. Fans and friends of Sandi can vote once daily on the USA TODAY 10Best website through Monday, Dec. 1 at 11:59 a.m. The top 10 winners will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at noon.
Starting on the night of the tree lighting, Sandi and the surrounding area will feature synchronized nightly music and light shows through Tuesday, Dec. 31, from 6 – 10 p.m. (shows will be extended on New Year’s Eve through midnight). Shows start on the quarter hour except during special events. Once nightly, from 6:30 – 7 p.m., there will be an extended special Symphony of Lights show. Rides on Ferris will be available during the same time for $5 per person, and rules and restrictions apply (see wpb.org/holiday for more info).
Sandi’s final celebration on December 31 will include more lights and sounds. From 8 p.m. to midnight, the Great Lawn will transform into a rocking New Year’s Eve celebration. There will be a live music performance by local rock group On the Roxx, followed by DJ Reflex spinning top hits. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. At midnight, a short but explosive grand-finale-style fireworks display will ignite over the Intracoastal Waterway. The fireworks are sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority.
“This year, we are bringing even more lights, joy, and festive spirit to our community,” said Angela Poco, Marketing and Community Events Manager for the City of West Palm Beach. “Holiday in Paradise will truly be a ‘Symphony of Lights’ with added celebration and coordination throughout the entire downtown community. Between our neighborhood events, Sandi, Ferris, and fireworks for New Year’s Eve, West Palm Beach is the holiday happening place to be!”
Sandi fans should save the date for the following special events:
- Clematis by Night Holiday Tree Lighting featuring Sound Society (Party) on the NewDay USA Stage | Thursday, Dec. 4, from 6 – 10 p.m. | FREE on the Great Lawn (100 N. Clematis Street)
The celebration will feature music by Sound Society (party band) and include FREE and special entertainment, photos with Santa, and much more. A holiday shopping boutique featuring local artisans will occur in the Lake Pavilion. Of note: music, activities, and the boutique takes place until 9 p.m.; Sandi shows and rides on Ferris continue until 10 p.m.
- Winter in Paradise | Saturday, Dec. 6, from 5 – 9 p.m. | FREE at Heart and Soul Park (825 N. Rosemary Avenue)
This community celebration is a festive evening filled with holiday cheer in the heart of West Palm Beach’s Historic Northwest District. Attendees will enjoy a special holiday lighting ceremony, West Palm Beach Fire Rescue firing up the grill (while supplies last), and a variety of family-friendly activities, including arts and crafts, roller skating, and a holiday firetruck with snow! The event also includes live entertainment by N2Nation: The Sounds of Motown & More, plus a vibrant performance by Miami Generation Junkanoo, and more.
- Sandi and Santa’s Annual Pancake Breakfast | Sunday, Dec. 7 | Two seatings will be available at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. | Tickets are $18 per person, plus taxes and fees and are available at wpb.org/holiday or on Eventbrite | Lake Pavilion (101 S. Flagler Drive)
Enjoy a holiday-themed pancake breakfast steps from Sandi and with private access to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Ticket price also includes the only daytime ride on Ferris.
- Clematis by Night featuring Phoenix5 (Soul/Funk/Rock/Reggae) on the NewDay USA Stage | Thursday, Dec. 11 from 6 – 9 p.m. | FREE on the Great Lawn
Phoenix5 is a two-time award-winning funk, soul, rock, and reggae collective, recently named Best Live Performers of 2025 by The Guide to Florida. Each show is an electrifying blend of powerful mini tributes to legends like Prince, Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, Amy Winehouse, ZZ Top, Dua Lipa, and more.
- Friday, December 12 from 6 – 9 p.m. | Nights in Northwood Village | Northwood Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 –
Celebrate the season in Northwood Village with dazzling holiday lights, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts from local artisans, and festive live entertainment. This is a FREE event, so attendees are encouraged to bring their friends, family, and neighbors for this vibrant holiday celebration.
- Soul in the City at Sunset Lounge featuring Valerie Tyson | Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 7 – 9 p.m. | Sunset Lounge, 609 8th Street, West Palm Beach For tickets and info, visit wpb.org/jazz
Renowned for her powerhouse stage presence and vocal versatility, Valerie Tyson is one of South Florida’s most sought-after vocalists. Her performances span jazz, soul, and R&B, captivating audiences with every note.
- Clematis by Night featuring ReaXtion Band (Party) on the NewDay USA Stage | Thursday, Dec. 18, from 6 – 9 p.m. | Free on the Great Lawn
A local party band, ReaXtion is known for playing the hits that make everyone dance.
- Aloha Islanders Tropical Holiday Spectacular on the NewDay USA Stage | Sunday, Dec. 21, from 4 – 7 p.m. | FREE on the Great Lawn
The annual vibrant, high-energy, and authentic Polynesian show is popular with guests of all ages and is consistently the most popular Sunday on the Waterfront show annually. The Islanders take the audience on a journey through Polynesia using pulsating drums, beautiful hula dancers, and exciting Samoan fire knife dancers to make guests feel truly transported. The event will also feature the annual conch-blowing contest.
- NO Clematis by Night | Thursday, Dec. 25
- Sandi’s Seasonal Grand Finale | Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 8 p.m. – midnight | Live music by On the Roxx, followed by DJ Reflex on the NewDay USA Stage | FREE
From 8 p.m. to midnight, the Great Lawn will transform into a rocking New Year’s Eve celebration. There will be a live music performance by rock band On the Roxx, followed by DJ Reflex spinning top hits. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. At midnight, the City, in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority, will ignite a short but explosive grand-finale-style fireworks display over the Intracoastal Waterway. The fireworks are sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority.
Sand for Holiday in Paradise started arriving on Monday, November 3. For the first time ever, Sandi’s sand is 100 percent recycled this season, having been used in Sandi trees of the past. The days-long delivery will disperse 850 tons of sand on the Great Lawn. Sandi will take the bulk of the sand, and 100 tons will be used to construct other sand sculptures along the waterfront. Sand sculpting will start on Monday, Nov. 17. It takes about one month to ensure Sandi is ready for her big debut.
Holiday in Paradise sponsors and partners to date include: Florida Power & Light Company, NewDay USA, West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority, Journey Church West Palm Beach, The Palm Beaches, Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, 97.9 WRMF, SUNNY 107.9, New Country 103.1, X 102.3, News Talk 850 WFTL, FOX Sports 640 AM, WPBF 25, Best Western Palm Beach Lakes, Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham West Palm Beach, WPB Magazine, Hilton Garden Inn at the Outlets, Florida Blue, Chick-fil-A, The Ben West Palm, and Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
Partnering to bring the magic of the season to life are The Ben, CityPlace, Downtown West Palm Beach, the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, Northwood Village, and the Historic Northwest District. Explore the complete lineup of West Palm Wonderland festivities at wpb.org/wpbwonderland.
Parking is available in the City of West Palm Beach’s public garages, which are the Clematis, Banyan, City Center, Sapodilla, and Evernia garages. The Banyan and Evernia garages are closest to the events. Those interested in arriving by boat can also take advantage of the City’s free public docks. The Clematis Street Dock is the nearest dock to the events.
For more information about Holiday in Paradise or other City of West Palm Beach events, visit wpb.org/holiday, call (561) 822-1515 (TTY: 800-955-8771), or follow the City of West Palm Beach on social media: Facebook @CityOfWPB, Instagram @TheCityOfWPB, and X (formerly known as Twitter) @TheCityOfWPB. To keep up with the City’s event news, follow @eventswpb on Instagram and Facebook. To watch Sandi’s build, or keep up to date on all holiday events, follow Sandi on Facebook and Instagram @SandiTreeWPB.
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About the City of West Palm Beach:
The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic city located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. With a rich history, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is an ideal place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region, and the central city of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing, waterfront city that seamlessly blends the business advantages available in the region with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working, making it an exceptional destination for both residents and professionals alike. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit us on our official website, or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and/or LinkedIn. To keep up with the City’s event news, follow @eventswpb on Instagram and Facebook.