There will be lots of local holiday celebrations in 2025, in Indian River and South Brevard Countys beginning Wednesday, December 3, 2025, with jungle-themed light displays at McKee Botanical Garden, highlighting a month of family-friendly events including parades in Vero Beach, Sebastian, and Barefoot Bay, an ugly sweater party, SRHS Prism Concert, and starlit canoe trips.
McKee Botanical Garden Lights Up Holidays With Jungle-Themed Display
McKee Botanical Garden will transform into a glowing rainforest wonderland for its Jungle Lights Holiday event, Dec. 3-30 and Jan. 2-3 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
The enormous display will feature LED lights along jungle trails, immersive themes from South American countries, including Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, and vibrant soundscapes highlighting exotic animals such as macaws, toucans, monkeys, flamingos, owls, butterflies, hummingbirds, and an alpaca.
Holiday highlights include The Great Reindeer Hall with a 12-foot Rudolph, a large-scale model train show on select dates, live entertainment, treats, and Santa visits Dec. 17-22.
The family-friendly experience is open to all ages. For details, visit the McKee Botanical Garden website.
Sebastian Lights Up for Annual Holiday Kickoff
The Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Light Up Night on Friday, Dec. 5, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm throughout the Sebastian and surrounding areas.
Local businesses will stay open late, offering dazzling decorations, special sales, door prizes, complimentary food and refreshments, and family activities for a festive community evening.
For more information or to become a participating business, contact Nicholas Sanzone at (772) 589-5969 or email.
Vero Beach Christmas Parade
The Vero Beach Christmas Parade, presented by Sunrise Rotary of Vero Beach, is set for December 6, 2025, at 6:00 pm along Ocean Drive in Vero Beach. So, bring your family and friends and enjoy holiday treats, partake in an evening of seasonal entertainment, and illuminated displays.
Event Highlights
- Live on the Red Carpet Pre-show: The celebration begins at 4:00 pm with a pre-parade event featuring Santa Claus on the red carpet.
- Holiday Photo Booth: Visitors can stop by the complimentary Holiday Photo Booth located at the main stage for a memorable photo opportunity.
- The Parade Begins: The procession starts at 6:00 pm and proceeds down Ocean Drive, featuring decorated floats, entertainers, and holiday themes.
Convenient Shuttle Service
To avoid parking difficulties, a complimentary shuttle bus will operate between Riverside Park and Ocean Drive. Participants may leave vehicles at Riverside Park for added ease.
For more information, call (772) 494-6306 or email debbieainvero@gmail.com.
Sebastian Christmas Parade along Indian River Drive
The City of Sebastian Annual Christmas Parade will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 6:30 pm. The parade route will run south on Indian River Drive from Main Street to Riverview Park, where Santa will meet attendees and the city’s Christmas tree will be lit.
For more details, call the City of Sebastian at (772) 589-5330 or email city@cityofsebastian.org.
Christmas Parade in Barefoot Bay
The Barefoot Bay Christmas Parade will be Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 5:30 pm; it will begin at the Barefoot Bay golf course and proceed along Barefoot Blvd to Building A, located at 625 Barefoot Blvd. If you’re joining in, get there early and line up at the golf course by 4:00 p.m.
After the Parade, stick around for the Lighting Ceremony at Building A – Community Center, filled with holiday cheer, music, and fun for the whole family.
For more information, call the Barefoot Bay Administration Building at (772) 664-3141.
Sebastian River High School Prism Concert
The Sebastian River High School Prism Concert will be held December 11th – 14th in the school auditorium. The annual musical showcase, a community tradition for over 30 years, features the school’s concert bands, jazz band, choirs, soloists, flag and dance line, and other ensembles in a nonstop format.
Concert Dates & Times
- Thursday, December 11th – 7:00 pm
- Friday, December 12th – 7:00 pm
- Saturday, December 13th – 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
- Sunday, December 14th – 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Tickets available now, click here!
- Location: 9001 Shark Blvd, Sebastian, FL 32958
- Contact: (772) 564-4170
Old Time Cookies & Carols at Grant Historical House
The Grant Historical House will be hosting “Old Time Cookies & Carols” on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 6:00 pm -7:30 pm. They will have: Singing, Sample Cookies, a Tour the Christmas Decorated House, and Christmas Shopping with homemade crafts.
Location: Grant Historic House – 5795 U.S. Rte 1, Grant-Valkaria, FL 32949
WinterGreen Night Lights at Environmental Learning Center
The WinterGreen Night Lights Celebration will be December 12-13, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Environmental Learning Center. The two-night celebration will be a magical evening for all ages. Please plan to arrive early, as our grounds open at noon, allowing you to explore the trails, visit the aquariums, and settle in for a festive night.
What to Expect
- Illuminated Canoe trips through the mangrove tunnels ($15 per person), first-come, first-served with a wristband. (Ages 5 years+)
- S’mores by the fire ($5 for a set of two)
- The nature play scape is lit up and open for evening play.
- The Nature Nook boutique is open for unique, eco-friendly holiday shopping.
- Aquariums and the touch tank open for evening exploration
- Hands-on activities, crafts, and seasonal fun
- Pizza & hot chocolate (available to purchase)
- Lantern craft (DIY Lantern craft available for $5)
- High-powered telescope on-site for stargazing experience
- Raffle Tickets (1 for $5 or 5 for $20)
- Enter Raffle for Chance to Win: Pontoon Trip for 2, Full Moon Kayak Tour for 2, Two tickets to the Adam Ezra concert at ELC (Drawing will take place Saturday night. Need NOT be present to win.)
Special Performance:
City of Vero Beach Recreation Department Aerial Antics will be performing excerpts from their Holiday Show on Friday, December 12, at 5:00 pm on the pavilion stage.
- Address: 255 Live Oak Dr Building A, Vero Beach, FL 32963
- Phone: (772) 589-5050
5th Annual Holiday Market at Digg Market
Digg Market will host their 5th Annual Holiday Market on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. There will be local artisans, live music, and refreshments.
- Address: 7430 U.S. Rte 1, Vero Beach, FL 32967
- Phone: (772) 360-2131
Christmas Movie Make-N-Take at Roseland Global Methodist Church
Roseland Global Methodist Church invites the community to its Christmas Family Movie Make-N-Take on Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm for a free family Christmas Get-Together. Come dressed in your favorite Christmas attire for an afternoon full of holiday cheer.
Highlights
- Enjoy delicious cookies and savor hot cocoa.
- Watch the heartwarming Christmas movie: The Star
- Make a special ornament to take home.
- Sing a joyful Christmas song.
- Make new friends and share the holiday spirit.
Feel free to bring a snack to share, sweet or savory.
- Location: 12962 Roseland Rd, Sebastian, FL 32958
- Call: (772) 589-3035
6th Annual Ugly Sweater Party at Mash Monkeys Brewing Company
Mash Monkeys Brewing Company will host its sixth annual Ugly Sweater Party on December 20, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the brewery. Patrians are invited to wear their most garish holiday knits amid special beer releases, food truck offerings, and live performances by the Thomas Bowman Band.
In addition, they will have the Mash Monkeys Brewing Company team cookie contest.
- Address: 920 US Highway 1, Sebastian, FL 32958
- Phone: (772) 571-6283
With the 2025 holiday season getting underway in Indian River County, expect a lively mix of local events that really bring people together and spread some cheer. Sebastian Daily plans to add more celebrations to this roundup as they come up, so check back for the latest.
