Sandi, the 35-foot sand-made Christmas tree kicks off Holiday in Paradise with its lighting in downtown West Palm Beach.
Photo by the City of West Palm Beach.
The holidays are upon us, and West Palm Beach’s Holiday in Paradise campaign is getting ready for the month of December. Sandi, the world’s only 35-foot, 700-ton holiday sand tree, is returning to the waterfront and will be joined by a new feature, Ferris, a 65-foot Ferris wheel.
Holiday in Paradise kicks off Thursday, Dec. 1, with the Clematis by Night Holiday Tree Lighting from 6 to 9 p.m. on the Great Lawn. Santa and Mrs. Claus make an appearance, and Remix performs music across genres including Top 40, Latin, oldies, R&B and rock.
Ferris, the Ferris wheel.
Photo by the City of West Palm Beach.
Visitors can take in an aerial view of Holiday in Paradise and Sandi with a ride on Ferris, which is powered by Land Rover Palm Beach and features gondola seating and its own light show. Rides are available for $5 nightly in December from 6 to 10 p.m. Riders 3 and older must have tickets, and riders under 42 inches tall must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be purchased in advance at wpbg.org/events.
“If you love Sandi’s shows from a ground view, wait until you see them from 65 feet in the air,” says Mary Pinak, the community events manager for the City of West Palm Beach. “For longtime Sandi fans, it will be enlightening to see her from above. We know first-time visitors will be blown away by this unique holiday celebration, which keeps getting better and better.”
Sandi will perform her music and light shows each December night from 6 to 10 and will be joined by the dancing Centennial Fountain.
Sandi and Ferris will extend the party through midnight on Dec. 31 to help ring in the new year on the waterfront.
The following are additional family-friendly activities in West Palm Beach in December:
Sandi and Santa’s Annual Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, Dec. 17 at 9, 10 and 11 a.m.
Lake Pavillion near the Great Lawn, $15 (tickets at wpb.org/events)
There are a total of 3 seatings for the pancake breakfast. Eat pancakes with Santa and Mrs. Claus and get a ticket for Ferris’ only daytime ride of the season.
Sunday on the Waterfront featuring Aloha Islanders
Sunday, Dec. 18 at 4 to 7 p.m.
Great Lawn, free
An interactive Polynesian show features hula dancers and fire performers from Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa and New Zealand.
For more information about Holiday in Paradise events, visit wpb.org/events, or call 561-822-1515. Follow Sandi on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @Sanditreewpb.
