Lifestyle & Entertainment

Fast, festive, free entertainment. Your guide to Coral Springs weekend events

Santa and Mrs. Claus wave from their parade float during the annual holiday parade in Coral Springs.
Santa and Mrs. Claus wave from their parade float during the annual holiday parade in Coral Springs. Courtesy: City of Coral Springs

Trying to find something to do in between finishing last-minute holiday shopping, or hoping to catch a break before travel and hosting begin?

However you want to be entertained — nationally ranked basketball teams, dinner and a festive show, or dipping a toe into the occult — there’s something for you this weekend in Coral Springs.

Here’s what’s happening Friday, Dec. 19, through Sunday, Dec. 21:

Friday

Donate blood at The Walk (12:30 to 6 p.m.)

The Big Red Bus is coming to The Walk at Coral Springs.

According to the Red Cross, donated blood helps not only those who have recently lost significant amounts of blood due to blood disorders, surgery or traumatic injury, but also benefits cancer patients. Transfusions can help these patients replace cells lost during chemo or radiation therapy and prevent chronic disease later in life.

All donors receive four movie tickets, a sweatshirt and a wellness checkup.

Blood donations on the Big Red Bus run all afternoon and into the evening on Friday, with free gifts for donors.
Blood donations on the Big Red Bus run all afternoon and into the evening on Friday, with free gifts for donors. Courtesy: OneBlood

Appointments via OneBlood are encouraged. All donors must be 16 or older with a valid ID. Learn more on Facebook.

Margate Winter Festival (6 to 10 p.m.)

Head to the Margate Sports Complex (1695 Banks Road) to celebrate with Santa, live music, Florida-style sledding and kids activities, plus local food and crafts to peruse.

Visit the City of Margate’s events page to learn more.

A Christmas Carol at Coral Springs Center for the Arts (6:30 p.m.)

Celebrate the spirit of the season and enjoy Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic live.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $89, but the Center is currently running a buy one, get one half off deal on select seats with code SCROOGE50.

Visit the Coral Springs Center for the Arts webpage to learn more.

Saturday

Coral Springs Museum of History tour (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Explore Coral Springs’ early years and cherished holiday traditions — including streets lined with luminarias — during this special end-of-year tour.

Longtime residents and newcomers alike can enjoy a guided tour highlighting the city’s growth, culture and milestones. The first 100 people to sign up to attend will also receive a free luminaria kit for their homes.

This event is free for all ages. Learn more and register to attend on the City of Coral Springs website.

Free wine tasting (1 to 2 p.m.)

Basser’s Fine Wine & Craft Beer (6240 Coral Ridge Drive #109) is hosting a free afternoon sampling of some of the best wines in the country. Learn more on Facebook.

Krampusnacht Yule Market (6 to 11 p.m.)

Corellia Gifts and Goods is set to host a festive night market for those seeking witchy, cozy, and oddball gifts. Plus, snag holiday photos with a twist — instead of Santa Claus, the Krampus will make an appearance for photos from 7 to 8 p.m. and from 9 to 10 p.m.

Visitors can also enjoy complimentary seasonal drinks and giveaways while perusing vendors’ wares. Learn more on Facebook.

Ice cream with Santa at Larry’s (7 to 9 p.m.)

Santa rides in on a fire truck for this classic holiday event, featuring free professional photos with Mr. Claus, plus face painting, caricatures treats and more. View the event on Facebook to learn more.

Sunday

Parkland farmers’ market (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

The Parkland Equestrian Center (8350 Ranch Road) will host a second craft fair this weekend in addition to its biweekly event. Products range from custom clocks to crochet trinkets, artisan teas, dog treats and more, plus the standard farmers’ market fare.

Learn more about the market on the city’s website — including a full list of vendors set to attend.

Tamarac farmers’ market (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Find organic and local produce at the city of Tamarac’s weekly event, located inside Veterans’ Memorial Park (7825 Southgate Blvd.) Learn more about the market on the city’s special events page or view their flyer.

We Rock the Spectrum pajama party with Elsa (9:30 a.m. to noon)

Coral Springs’ autism-centered indoor playground will host an Elsa performance and meet-and-greet, followed by a bagel breakfast and cookie decorating for all to enjoy. Plus, kids can enjoy open play throughout the sensory-friendly gym.

Tickets cost $35 for one child or $65 for two children. Learn more on Facebook and purchase tickets on the We Rock the Spectrum website.

Multiple days

Kreul Classic basketball tournament

This premier national high school basketball tournament is already in full swing. Games between elite squads will continue until Monday, with teams from across the nation competing to be crowned the champion of each bracket.

Games take place at the Coral Springs Gymnasium and Coral Glades High School. Tickets are available at the door for $15. Snacks and drinks will also be available for purchase.

Faith-based events

Christianity

  • ANJ, a Coral Springs-based Christian fashion and style brand, is set to host a fashion show aimed at empowering young women on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The brand is owned by Natalee Pryce, author of Gracefully Clothed: A Manual for Modest, Chic Dressing. Learn more on the ANJ website and on Instagram.
  • Two Coral Springs churches will host upbeat faith-based music and dance experiences. Living Word Christian Center has the first event, happening Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. The following day, Maranatha Church (8650 W. Sample Road) will host its Good News Festival from 5:45 to 8:30 p.m.

Judaism

On Sunday, Temple Beth Torah Sha’aray Tzedek (TBTST) will host Dinner, Dreidels & Donuts. From 6 to 8:30 p.m., attendees can enjoy dinner, dessert, music, dreidel bunco and candle lighting at the TBTST Social Hall. Seats are available for $12 per person or $36 per family on the temple’s website.

Recurring

Live music and entertainment

  • Friday: Roulette at Lefty’s; Cordell Winter, The ShinDig at Coconut Creek Casino; Riverdown at Sharkey’s; Red Skies at JD’s
  • Saturday: Cordell Winter, Jimmy Williamson at Coconut Creek Casino; MixTape at Sharkey’s; Groove Street at JD’s
  • Sunday: Sentimental Street at Sharkey’s; Pamela and Roberto Congas at Coconut Creek Casino

Learning and literacy

Hobbies

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Allison Beck
Coral Springs News
Allison Beck is an award-winning reporter for the Coral Springs News, a sister publication to the Miami Herald. They are a proud Temple University graduate with experience covering a wide range of topics from stolen human remains to space-based businesses.