The forecast calls for lots of snow during the 20th Annual Islamorada Chamber of Commerce Holiday Fest, set for Friday December 6, 2024, from 4-10pm, on the Great Lawn at Founders Park.

“Bundle up for one of the most exciting community events on the calendar,” said Chamber of Commerce President Sara Stanczyk. “This will be a great time for everyone to kick off the holiday season.”

Magical snowfall becomes a reality, creating a winter wonderland for families and community members to gather in unity as the perfect way to officially kick off the holiday season.

The event’s star attraction, the Holiday Fest Snow Mountain, will once again be made out of 30 tons of the cold white stuff — more than enough to delight mitten-clad children and some of their more playful parents too. Meanwhile, throughout the evening, Islamorada’s 35-foot high official holiday tree will be blowing magical snow through its branches.

Snow is far from the only thing promised at Holiday Fest. At 7:30pm, the Holiday Parade will kick off with floats, antique cars and, of course, Santa himself.

HOLIDAY BAZAAR

The festival also offers the unique Holiday Bazaar, perfect for getting the shopping season started right. A popular feature of the Bazaar is the online auction of handcrafted ornaments. In preparation, more than 50 local artists are already creating original holiday treasures starting from a blank ceramic mold. The finished pieces will be judged and on display throughout the festival, where they can be purchased with online bids.  Bidding will begin on December 1 at 12:30pm, and end at 9:00pm on festival night.  A portion of proceeds from the auction will benefit the local arts community.

HOLIDAY PARADE

Parade Registration Form

The parade, part of the Chamber’s 20th Annual Islamorada Holiday Festival, will begin at 7:30pm that Friday evening, and will take place inside Founders Park.

Bands, antique car groups, scout troops, churches, businesses and other organizations or individuals who are interested are encouraged to enter. Judges will select winners in several categories based on creativity and adherence to this year’s theme.

In addition to the parade, Holiday Fest features visits and photos with Santa, a 30-ton snow mountain, a 35-foot tree blowing magical snow from its branches, the Holiday Gift Bazaar, delicious food and beverages, live holiday stage performances and scrumptious desserts and coffee at Santa’s Sweet Shoppe.

Mister Gingerbread Man and Miss Sugarplum Fairy Contest

The Chamber is seeking contestants for this year’s Mister Gingerbread Man and Miss Sugarplum Fairy contest, which will take place at 5:00pm on the Great Lawn. Contestants must be under 8 years old and dressed up in their holiday outfit. They will be invited on stage to meet Mrs. Claus and tell her a holiday wish. One boy will be crowned Mister Gingerbread Man 2024 and one girl will be crowned Miss Sugarplum Fairy 2024. For more information, please contact the Chamber at 305-664-4503.

Ornament Competition to Add Color to Holiday Fest

More than fifty artists are expected to paint their original holiday ornaments for the silent auction to be held at the 20th Annual Islamorada Holiday Fest on Friday, December 6, 2024. The festival will last from 4 to 10pm that evening on the Great Lawn at Founders Park.

In preparation for the silent auction, which is part of the festival’s Holiday Gift Bazaar, each artist was given an unfinished ceramic piece to use as the base for his or her creation. Beyond that, the only design limit is their imaginations.

The finished pieces will be judged and on display throughout the festival, where they may be purchased by online auction bids. Bidding will begin on December 1 at 12:30pm, and end at 9:00pm that evening. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the local arts community.