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Christmas with kids in Port Saint Lucie
In Port St. Lucie, Christmas comes with a parade of lights, a tree that glows in multicolor LEDs and sandhill cranes wrapped in twinkle lights. The city has built its December around PSLinLights for years, and kids can spot the displays all month.
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The story of Christmas in Port Saint Lucie
How Port St. Lucie celebrates
The City of Port St. Lucie runs the holiday season, and its centerpiece is the annual Festival of Lights. The day starts at the event center with carnival rides, vendors and food trucks, then a Parade of Lights begins at 6 p.m.. After the parade, the city lights its holiday tree, and fireworks follow. By 2017 the city was already calling the festival an annual tradition, and it had grown into a month of PSLinLights programs with a nightly Winter Wonderland light show at the Community Center, a home decorating contest and Pancakes with Santa for little ones.
Christmas last year in Port St. Lucie
The 2025 Festival of Lights took place on Saturday, December 6, from 2 to 10 p.m., with a midway carnival, a Parade of Lights, a tree lighting and fireworks. The tree was a 34-foot multicolor LED panel tree with a snowburst topper. PSLinLights displays glowed from dusk to dawn from November 28 through December 31, with dusk to 9 p.m. hours at The Port and the Community Center. Families also came to Pancakes with Santa on December 19, a showing of Elf on December 14 and Christmas at the Museum from December 19 to 21.
Fun facts about Christmas in Port St. Lucie
In 2024 the city was draped in more than two million holiday lights. It set up 12 photo displays at five city locations and hid a scavenger hunt of seven sandhill cranes decorated with holiday lights. Drivers were asked to keep to 25 mph in neighborhoods while looking at decorated homes. The city also holds a home decorating contest each year, with registration opening in late November and winners announced in January. In 2017 children could even get a phone call from Santa through a city program called Santa's Calling.
Traditions today
- Festival of Lights: A free city celebration with a carnival, a Parade of Lights at 6 p.m., a tree lighting and fireworks at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center.
- PSLinLights displays: Holiday light displays across the city shine from dusk to dawn, with extra photo spots at The Port and the Community Center.
- Sandhill crane scavenger hunt: Kids hunt for seven sandhill cranes decorated with holiday lights, a game the city ran in 2024.
- Pancakes with Santa: A morning at the Community Center with pancakes and Santa, a city tradition for children for many years.
- Home decorating contest: Neighbors decorate their houses, then the public votes in early January and the city announces winners.
- Noche Buena: A free evening celebration at The Port Event Lawn in 2025 that honors the Latin Christmas Eve tradition.
A fact for kids
In Port St. Lucie, even the sandhill cranes get dressed up for Christmas. In 2024 the city hid seven cranes covered in holiday lights around town for kids to find.
Questions about Christmas in Port Saint Lucie
What is the biggest Christmas tradition in Port St. Lucie?
The Festival of Lights is the biggest. The City of Port St. Lucie hosts it each December at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center, with a carnival, a Parade of Lights, a tree lighting and fireworks. The city called it an annual tradition by 2017, and admission is free.
When does the Port St. Lucie Parade of Lights start?
The Parade of Lights begins at 6 p.m. on the night of the Festival of Lights. In 2025 that was Saturday, December 6. After the parade, the city lights its holiday tree and sets off fireworks. The carnival starts in the afternoon, before the parade.
What is PSLinLights?
PSLinLights is the city's name for its holiday season programs. It includes citywide light displays from dusk to dawn, photo spots at The Port and the Community Center, a home decorating contest and several family events. In 2024 the city said it was draped in more than two million lights.
How many lights does Port St. Lucie put up?
In 2024 the city said it was draped in more than two million holiday lights. It also set up 12 photo displays at five city locations. The displays glow from dusk to dawn, so families can drive by or stop to take pictures any evening in December.
What was the Port St. Lucie Christmas tree like last year?
In 2025 the Festival of Lights tree was a 34-foot multicolor LED panel tree with a snowburst tree topper. The city lit it after the Parade of Lights on December 6, and fireworks followed. Its panels shine in many colors.
What are the sandhill cranes in Port St. Lucie's holiday lights?
Sandhill cranes are tall birds often seen around Florida. In 2024 the city decorated seven cranes with holiday lights and hid them around town for a PSLinLights scavenger hunt. It is a playful local twist that gives kids a game to play while they look at the lights.
Does Santa visit Port St. Lucie?
Yes. The city has hosted Pancakes with Santa at the Community Center for many years. In 2025 it was held on Friday, December 19, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. for $10 per person, for ages 7 and younger. Santa has also appeared after the Festival of Lights parade in past years.
What is Pancakes with Santa in Port St. Lucie?
It is a city morning event at the Port St. Lucie Community Center where children enjoy pancakes and a visit with Santa. In 2017 it also included kids' crafts and face painting. Prices have changed over the years, from $7.50 in 2017 to $10 in 2025.
Can children get a call from Santa in Port St. Lucie?
They could in 2017. The city ran a program called Santa's Calling, where parents filled out a form and children received a phone call from Santa on December 19 or 21. We did not find it on the 2025 schedule, so check the city's page for this year.
What is Noche Buena in Port St. Lucie?
Noche Buena is the Latin Christmas Eve celebration. In 2025 the city held a free Noche Buena evening on December 19 on the Event Lawn at The Port, honoring the tradition. Check the city's PSLinLights page for this season's schedule.
Is there a holiday movie night in Port St. Lucie?
Sometimes. In 2025 the city hosted a Cozy Movie Matinee of Elf on Sunday, December 14, at 2 p.m. at the Community Center. It was free with registration. Programs change each season, so check the city's PSLinLights page for this year's schedule.
What is Christmas at the Museum in Port St. Lucie?
It is a holiday evening at the Port St. Lucie History Museum. In 2025 it ran December 19 to 21, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and it was free with donations accepted. Families can learn some local history while visiting.
Does it snow in Port St. Lucie at Christmas?
No, December in Port St. Lucie is mild and sunny. Instead of snow, the city offers lights, a tree that shines in many colors and fireworks. For kids who have never seen winter weather, you can talk about how Florida celebrates with lights and palm trees.
How can I explain Florida Christmas lights to my toddler?
Tell your toddler that Port St. Lucie dresses up for Christmas with millions of little lights, even the tall sandhill cranes. Then go for a short evening drive and let them point to their favorite display. Keep the outing brief, and bring a blanket if the evening turns cool.
Where can kids see Christmas lights in Port St. Lucie?
Try The Port District and the Port St. Lucie Community Center, where the city puts its main displays from dusk to dawn, with dusk to 9 p.m. hours in 2025. The city also publishes a holiday lights map. Our Port St. Lucie Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's confirmed dates.
Is there a home decorating contest in Port St. Lucie?
Yes. The city runs a Holiday Light Decorating Contest. In 2025, registration ran from November 26 to January 5, public voting took place January 6 to 8 and winners were announced January 9. It is a fun reason for neighborhood drives, and the city asks drivers to keep to 25 mph.
What happened at the Port St. Lucie Festival of Lights last year?
On Saturday, December 6, 2025, the festival ran from 2 to 10 p.m. at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center. Families enjoyed a midway carnival, a Parade of Lights, a tree lighting and fireworks. The city also invited vendors and food trucks to join. For this year's date, see our Port St. Lucie Christmas events guide on this page.
Is the Festival of Lights free?
Yes. For 2026 the city lists free parking and admission for all ages on Saturday, December 5, from 2 to 10 p.m.. Carnival rides, food and shopping are separate purchases. Our Port St. Lucie Christmas events guide on this page has the details we confirmed for this season.
What was the Port St. Lucie parade theme in 2017?
The 2017 parade theme was Holly Jolly Beach Party, which fits a Florida Christmas. After the parade, the city lit the holiday tree and visitors could take photos with Santa. That year the festival took place at the Port St. Lucie Civic Center.
What makes Christmas in Port St. Lucie different?
A Florida Christmas here is outdoors and sparkly. The city mixes a big parade and tree lighting with a month of free light displays, a crane scavenger hunt and Latin traditions like Noche Buena. Kids can enjoy it all in mild Florida weather.
Sources
- Discover the holiday dazzle with PSLinLights festivities, City of Port St. Lucie
- Experience holiday magic at Port St. Lucie's PSLinLights festivities, City of Port St. Lucie
- The City of Port St. Lucie's Guide to Holiday Events, TreasureCoast.com
- 2026 Festival of Lights, Eventeny (City of Port St. Lucie)