Santa might wear shorts, and Key West may never have recorded snowfall at Christmas, but that doesn't mean the festive spirit is lacking in the Florida Keys. Winter sun seekers can get into the yuletide swing of it with the following seasonal events.

Island Art Festival, Big Pine Key, 30 November

Kicking off the festive season, visitors can start their Christmas gift shopping at the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce's annual Island Art Festival. The family-friendly outdoor festival typically includes some 75 booths, featuring handcrafted holiday items and creations by artists and artisans from the Keys and other Florida locales.

Islamorada Holiday Fest, Islamorada, 6 December

A 30-ton snow mountain is just part of the offering at the Islamorada Holiday Fest at Founders Park. The celebration's centrepiece, a 35-foot-tall holiday tree with “magical” snow blowing through its branches, is lighted, followed by the annual holiday parade with floats, antique cars, and Santa himself. Other attractions include musical and dance performances on an outdoor stage throughout the event, as well as contests to choose “Little Miss Sugar Plum Fairy” and “Mister Gingerbread Man.”

Key West Holiday Fest, Key West, 27 November to end December

Continuing throughout the holiday season, Key West Holiday Fest is packed with events designed to spread holiday cheer - all spiced with an individualistic Florida Keys flair.

• The festivities begin on 27 November with the sunset illumination of the Harbor Walk of Lights at the Key West Historic Seaport.
• Other signature events include tours of Key West's historic lighted inns on two consecutive Fridays, 6 and 13 December
• The Schooner Wharf Bar/Absolut Vodka Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, 14 December
• Revellers can enjoy the island city's Christmas lights display via the Conch Tour Train and Old Town Trolley
• Culminating with multiple New Year's Eve “drops” that spoof New York City's annual Times Square ball drop

Waterfront Winter Wonderland, Key West, 13-28 December

The Waterfront Winter Wonderland features countless traditional elements that make the season sparkle. Planned highlights include an ice-skating rink where kids and adults can test their skills, festive light displays, carnival rides, inflatable snow globes, a Christmas train, musical performances and even appearances by “Southernmost Santa.” Set for 4-10 p.m. daily at the Amphitheatre, festivities will feature rides including giant slides for “sledding,” a beautifully decked-out carousel, a Ferris wheel, carousel swings and a shriek-inducing scrambler. Admission to the Waterfront Winter Wonderland is $10 per person (free for kids aged 5 and under).

For more information on the Florida Keys & Key West, visit www.fla-keys.co.uk 

Media Information Only 

Sam Kirton, PR Account Director at the Florida Keys & Key West UK Press Office: sam.kirton@kbc-pr.com 

Rachael Mathewson, PR Account Executive at the Florida Keys & Key West UK Press Office: rachael.mathewson@kbc-pr.com  

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