The
4th Annual Oakland Park Holiday Village
is a family-friendly two-day event at Jaco Pastorius Park beginning today at 5:30 p.m. This free community holiday celebration features a snow slide, carousel, and ice skating rink. There will also be a Holiday Market featuring local artists, crafters, and culinary artisans.
Santa Claus will arrive by fire truck at 6:30 p.m. and then led by Northeast High School’s Marching Band to the official lighting of Oakland Park’s 40-foot tall Christmas Tree, Menorah, and Kinara. Santa’s Village will be open for children to visit with Santa Claus, take photos, and create holiday crafts.
Live musical entertainment features community acts and popular local bands, including the St. Mark’s Episcopal School Choir, who will perform at the lighting ceremony. Attendees can enjoy the event picnic-style in the food court area and visit the Holiday Cheer Bar.
Holiday Village times are today (
December 6th
) from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and tomorrow (
December 7th
) from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Santa’s hours inside Santa's Village (Jaco Pastorius Park Community Center) are Friday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Holiday Village Tree Decorating:
The annual Christmas Tree Decorating Competition trees will be on display for “People’s Choice” voting in the categories of Traditional Tree, Florida Tree, and Children’s Tree. Adamo Auto Repair, Anne Russell Reality, El Guanaco, and Central Bark are among last year’s tree decorating contest winners entered in this year’s competition.
Friday, December 6th Entertainment Schedule:
5:30 p.m. - St. Mark's Episcopal School Choir
6:30 p.m. - Santa Procession with Northeast High School Marching Band & Majorettes
6:30 p.m. - Holiday Lighting with Santa
7 p.m. - Headliner: Caribbean Waves Band on Main Stage
Saturday, December 7th Entertainment Schedule:
11:30 a.m. - Bryan Dubrow Bluegrass Ensemble
12 p.m. - Queen Elsa Appearance
12 p.m. - Face Painting
12:45 p.m. - Yello! Dancers
1:15 p.m. - Girl Choir of South Florida
2:15 p.m. - Yello! Dancers
2:45 p.m. - South Florida Jubilee Chorus
4 p.m. - Melgar & Ambrose Jazz Duo
5 p.m. - Sophia Anderson - soloist
6 p.m. - Christmas Tree Decorating Competition Award Ceremony
7 p.m. - Headliner: Mr. Nice Guy Band on Main Stage
Holiday Toy Drive
– Anyone visiting “Holiday Village” can bring an unwrapped toy for a child or teenager. Collection boxes are also available December 2-December 17 at City Hall, the Ethel M. Gordon Oakland Park Library, Fire Rescue Station #87, and the City Municipal Building at 5399 N. Dixie Highway. All toys collected will be donated to The Light of the World Clinic in Oakland Park. To donate, please call
954-630-4316
.
