The world’s only 35-foot, 800-ton holiday sand tree returns to the West Palm Beach waterfront, and this year’s new element is Ferris the Ferris wheel. The month-long Holiday in Paradise (HIP) campaign runs from Thursday, December 1, to Saturday, December 31.

With the addition of Ferris to this year’s activities, guests will have a new, aerial view of HIP and Sandi. Ferris rides will be available from 6 – 10 pm nightly throughout the month of December. The 65-foot Ferris wheel features gondola seating and its own light show. Tickets are $5 per rider for a single ride or $20 per rider for unlimited rides for one night (plus sales tax and processing fees). Tickets are required for guests aged three and older. Buy your tickets here.

Sandi’s synchronized music and light shows will run nightly on the quarter hour from 6 – 10 p.m. through December (except on days with scheduled special events). In sync with Sandi’s show, the dancing Centennial Fountain will again be joining Sandi’s nightly party.

Other daily mainstays throughout HIP include additional sand sculptures that are a combined 100 tons of sand and memory-making photo spots.

More Holiday in Paradise Activities

Additional fun, family-friendly events include:

• December 1 – Clematis by Night Holiday Tree Lighting: 6 – 9 pm | Great Lawn: The kickoff to HIP, the Clematis by Night Holiday Tree Lighting features a momentous countdown to the start of the holiday season. The evening will include remarks from local leaders, a live performance by Remix, South Florida’s premiere party band, on the NewDay USA Stage, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a holiday shopping boutique in the Lake Pavilion and more.
• December 9: Screen on the Green (a holiday triple feature) 6 pm | Great Lawn: Bring blankets and chairs for a holiday triple feature (two short films, and one feature film). Movies to be shown are Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (G), Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (G) and A Christmas Story 2 (PG).
• December 17 – Sandi and Santa’s Annual Pancake Breakfast:  9 am – noon | Lake Pavilion near the Great Lawn: Families are encouraged to get their tickets quickly, as this event is a consistent sellout. In addition to a pancake breakfast, guests will have private access to Santa and Mrs. Claus and a ticket to Ferris’ only daytime ride of the season.
• December 18 – Sunday on the Waterfront featuring Aloha Islanders: 4 – 7 pm | Great Lawn: Dancers from Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, and New Zealand will perform high-energy routines, giving residents and visitors an authentic Polynesian performance – without booking an international flight. A true West Palm Beach tradition, the holiday-inspired tropical island spectacular is complete with beautiful hula dancers and daring fire performers. The show is interactive and appropriate for all ages.
• December 31 – Sandi’s Last Night (New Year’s Eve):  6 pm – midnight: Save the date for Sandi’s final swan song. Sandi’s nightly music and light shows are extended until midnight.

How to Get to Sandi and Where to Park?

Sandi sits in the middle of downtown West Palm Beach’s Great Lawn, which is at the east end of lively Clematis Street and just west of scenic Flagler Drive. There are easy-to-use parking lots nearby, or park in city garages on Clematis Street, Banyan Boulevard and Evernia Street.

Help Sandi defend her title by voting for her and Holiday in Paradise presented by FPL in the @USAToday @10Best “Best Public Holiday Lights Display.” Click here to vote!

More to Do

Holiday in Paradise coincides with the ever-popular West Palm Beach GreenMarket, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. And best of all, the rest of downtown West Palm Beach and holiday-decorated Clematis Street are both a short walk from Sandi Land. For outstanding views of Palm Beach and Lake Worth Lagoon/the Intracoastal Waterway, go strolling along Flagler Drive.

Visit the Holiday in Paradise Website