5 Ways to Forget Winter’s Chill in and Around West Palm Beach

With average winter temperatures in the low 70s, the coldest months elsewhere are the best months to visit West Palm Beach. Still, you’ll probably see locals donning their boots and (lightweight) sweaters, heading to some of the best indoor-outdoor events in the area, including these five, all sure to leave you with enough warm fuzzies that you’ll forget that brisk air.

Pay a Visit to “Sandi Land”

Starting in December and continuing through New Year’s Day, the West Palm Beach waterfront hosts the Holiday in Paradise sand castle display, affectionately known as “Sandi Land.” The event features the world’s only 35-foot-tall tree made from 700 tons of sand, sculpted by a world-renowned group of sand artists.

The tree is adorned with more than 5,000 real lights and glows on the waterfront all month. Rock around the tree to the synchronized light and music spectacular with live entertainment from the Bay Kings Band in the background.

Eat Your Heart Out

Celebrities and stars have always flocked to West Palm Beach’s sparkly shoreline, but during the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival in mid-December, those stars are of the culinary kind

For four days, nationally recognized restaurateurs and chefs take over some of West Palm Beach’s beloved kitchens for an epicurean extravaganza at the area’s finest hotels and eating establishments.

The Grand Tasting event on the last day of the festival has grown so big that this year, it’ll be held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center and will feature more than 60 vendors.

All Aboard!

All aboard the Virgin Trains Polar Express for a 62-minute, holiday-themed family adventure on the railroad. Florida’s “higher-speed” rail line heads south from Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale for this journey, which brings to life the 2004 film starring Tom Hanks.

On board, passengers will enjoy cookies and hot chocolate and will read along with the book by Chris Van Allsburg. There will also be caroling and a visit from Santa himself, as well as his helpers. No one leaves the Polar Express empty-handed, either, as all passengers will receive a silver sleigh bell to remember the adventure.

Come Sail Away

In mid-December, spectators line the Intracoastal Waterway from Boynton Beach to Delray Beach for one of the area’s most colorful holiday traditions: the Boynton Beach & Delray Beach Holiday Boat Parade.

A veritable phalanx of decked-out boats lines up and sails south from the Lantana Bridge to the C-15 Canal in Delray. Guests enjoy carolers, holiday music, lights, decorations, holiday displays and more as the boats’ owners vie for trophies and cash prizes in multiple categories.

Get an Arts Fix

Art lovers should flock to the Palm Beach County Convention Center during the last weekend in January for ArtPalmBeach, where more than 70 international contemporary and modern art galleries will present works in all mediums and forms.

The indoor festival is dedicated to emerging art and artists, as well as masterworks of contemporary art and some of the most cutting-edge divergent exhibitions on display.

It’s the longest-running midwinter fair of its kind and is bolstered by the participation of some of Palm Beach’s best upscale restaurants and espresso bars to keep the party going. VIP areas are also available as an upgraded experience.