This holiday season, Downtown West Palm Beach will offer six weeks of fun and festivities for the inaugural Downtown Holiday Kaleidoscope. The entertainment series, which begins Nov. 20 and is produced by the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the City of West Palm Beach, will offer dozens of fun-filled multi-cultural events. Don’t miss the dazzling Festival of Trees, a showcase of 100 culturally designed holiday trees; an International Holiday Taste, where guests can sample dishes from various Downtown restaurants; Holly Days, where kids can meet Santa Claus; and a full menu of live entertainment in Centennial Square.
Weekly mainstays, including Thursday’s entertainment series Clematis by Night and the Saturday morning GreenMarket, are part of the Kaleidoscope festivities and will each feature a global holiday twist to the weekly programming.
Festival of Trees: November 20 to December 26
The six-week celebration gets started on Nov. 20 with the Festival of Trees, a dazzling display of 100 trees designed by area organizations, schools and artists. Stroll through Centennial Square and along Clematis Street to view the multi-cultural showcase of holiday traditions that adorn each tree from Nov. 20 to Dec. 26.
Friday Night Holiday Jazz: November 20 to December 18
Enjoy the smooth sounds of live jazz during this free entertainment series every Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Centennial Square. Outdoor dining is available by Pistache, Downtown’s authentic French bistro. The event is sponsored by Home World Décor. Patrons can reserve tables in advance by calling (561) 833-5090.
West Palm Beach Holiday GreenMarket: November 28 to December 19
This traditional European-style farmers market has become a Saturday morning staple featuring more than 60 vendors selling locally grown and just harvested fruits and vegetables, baked goods, fresh-cut flowers and more. As part of Downtown’s Holiday Kaleidoscope, the West Palm Beach GreenMarket will feature recipes from around the world, an International Chef Showcase and global entertainment. Free and open to the public, the GreenMarket takes place every Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parking is free at the Banyan garage during market hours. For more information, call (561) 822-1515.
Holly Days: November 21 to December 19
Every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the public is invited to free family-friendly fun in Centennial Square. The weekly event will include the opportunity for kids to take photos with Santa, enjoy reindeer rides, a petting zoo, arts and crafts by Resource Depot, cultural entertainment and much more. The fun continues at the West Palm Beach Public Library, where holiday films will be shown for free every Saturday at 2:30 p.m. from Nov. 28 to Dec. 19. For more information, call (561) 833-8873.
Holiday Clematis by Night: December 3 to December 17
Clematis by Night, South Florida’s favorite weekly street party, is every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Centennial Square. Spicing up this year's free festivities are multi-cultural performances from Sabor Latino (Latin) on Dec. 3; Amandla Tunesmith (African dance, Soukous) on Dec. 10; and the Lahinch Mob (Celtic Rock) on Dec. 17. Guests can shop at holiday arts and crafts booths and enjoy food and drinks. For more information, call (561) 822-1515.
Saturday Nights at the Square: December 5, 12 and 26
Enjoy a variety of musical and cabaret style performances under the stars during Saturday Nights at the Square. The free entertainment series will be held every Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Centennial Square, with outdoor dining available by Pistache, Downtown’s authentic French bistro. Reserve your table in advance by calling (561) 833-5090.
International Holiday Taste: Saturday, November 21
The 200 block of Clematis Street in Downtown West Palm Beach will be transformed into a festive al fresco dining experience on Saturday, Nov. 21 for the International Holiday Taste. From 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., a canopy of holiday lights will illuminate the street enhanced by live music performances while patrons dine on a delicious sampling of dishes from Downtown’s menu of restaurants, including Pistache French Bistro, Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar, Grease Burger Bar and Forte, a contemporary Italian restaurant. And, guests will be in for a real holiday treat – be on the lookout for a “wow!” moment. The event is free and open to the public, and dishes-by-the-bite are less than $5 each. For more information, call (561) 833-8873.
Polar Express: Friday, December 4
Inspired by “The Polar Express” novel and movie, the West Palm Beach Public Library invites local children to hop aboard the downtown trolley to ride the polar express to Santa's workshop at the North Pole. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the City Center courtyard. For more information, call (561) 868-7703.
Dr. Feelgood’s and Rocco’s Tacos Toys for Tots Block Party: Saturday, December 5
More than 5,000 are expected for the annual Toys for Tots block party fundraiser, held in the 200 block of Clematis Street on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. Guests are asked to donate an unwrapped gift to benefit the Toys for Tots foundation. For more information, call (561) 833-6500.
During Downtown’s six-week Holiday Kaleidoscope, free valet is available every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with the purchase of $25 or more at Downtown retailers or restaurants. For more information or the latest list of holiday events, visit downtowncelebrations.com or call the DDA at (561) 833-8873, or the City of West Palm Beach Community Events Division at (561) 822-1515.
Sponsors
Downtown’s Holiday Kaleidoscope is sponsored by Coca-Cola, Comcast, La Palma, The Palm Beach Post, PNC Financial Services, Palm Beach County School District, the West Palm Beach Marriott, 97.9 WRMF and Palm Beach County.
Clematis by Night is sponsored by Coca-Cola, Coors Light, GATER 98.7, KOOL 105.5, La Palma, The Palm Beach Post, 93.9 MIA, WILD 95.5, Wachovia and the West Palm Beach Marriott.
The West Palm Beach GreenMarket is sponsored by SUNNY 104.3, 107.9 WIRK, Palm Beach Daily News, The Palm Beach Post and Southern Waste Systems.
