Holiday Festivals in Melbourne, Florida

Melbourne, Florida is located just one and half hours south of Orlando, Florida. Melbourne is part of Florida's space coast and is situated only an hour away from Kennedy Space Center. I recently moved to Melbourne, Florida about 7 months ago from Ft. Lauderdale and have settled into this sleepy beachside town. The city of Melbourne keeps their beaches well preserved. There is minimal commercialism along the beachside, which lets you enjoy the natural beauty. You can go to their beaches and melt the stress of the day away. If you like visiting the beach at night like I do, you might be lucky and see the endangered sea turtles heading to the shore. My first encounter with a sea turtle, was a little shocking since I never saw them off the television screen. What a great experience to see nature in its true setting. Get in touch with nature and see how you can experience Melbourne over the holidays.

This season I looked for some of the best ways to celebrate the holidays in Melbourne, Florida. Most of these events are holiday festivals that the whole family can enjoy.

22nd Annual Festival of Trees

Light up your holidays this year with the whole family. The 22nd annual festival of trees is a fundraiser event sponsored by the Junior League of South Brevard. This year the Junior League of South Broward will use the proceeds from the festival of trees to help support The Children's Home Society of Florida, and the Healthy Start Coalition of Brevard. The Festival of Trees promises to be a "magical experience for all". This year's theme will be "making spirits bright". Start getting into the holiday spirit and let your kid's imagination flow as the whole family enjoys the spectacle of holiday scenes, and decorated trees. A special attraction for the kids will also be held at the festival of trees this year, "sweets for Santa". This attraction will Feature a live performance by Rick Hubbard of Kazoobie Kazoo, sweets by Perkins Restaurants, and of course Santa Claus! Don't miss this weekend of holiday fun for your entire family!

When: Saturday November 11th and Sunday November 12, 2006
Time: 10:00am-6:00pm
Where: King Center for the Performing Arts, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne
Phone: 321-676-5798

5th Annual Space Coast Light Fest

I can remember the magic I felt when my parents took me to go see Holiday lights as a little girl. Seeing all the magical lights now, brings me back to my wonderful childhood memories. This year don't miss out on your chance to revisit your holiday memories with your family for a night that will dazzle the sky with lights. The 5th annual space coast light fest was established by the Eau Gallie Rotary club. Drive through Melbourne's Wickham park that has been transformed into a "winter wonderland". Surround yourself in millions of sparkling lights, and enjoy the story told through the holiday-lit figures. Your journey ends through a tunnel of 30,000 lights that will bring a smile to your face, and spark your holiday spirit.

When: November 22, 2005 through December 31, 2005
Time: 6-9 nightly Sunday - Thursday
6-10 nightly on Fridays, Saturdays & Holidays
Where: Wickham Park - 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne, Florida 32935
Phone: (321) 917-9133
www.spacecoastlightfest.com

Ballet "THE AMERICAN NUTCRACKER"

One of my best holiday memories comes from my very first experience with ballet. I can picture this memory so vividly that it feels like last Christmas. For me the holidays are not just about Christmas, but my birthday too. Yes, I am a "Christmas baby", being born three days after Christmas. My "PaPa" took me to see the Nutcracker ballet for my birthday when I was a little girl. The Nutcracker ballet is one of the most magical experiences you can give a child. Not a year goes by that I don't want to relieve that experience by experiencing that first ballet moment all over again. This year don't miss out, and come see the magic of the "The American Nutcracker" at the Gleason Performing Arts Center in Melbourne, Florida. Let the ballerinas take you away with their amazing performance. This is a wonderful event for the whole family this holiday season.

When: Friday, December 1 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 2 - 2:00 and 8:00 p.m
Where: Gleason Performing Arts Center
150 West University Boulevard in Melbourne
Florida Institute of Technology Campus

For ticket information call Galmont Ballet office at 321-634-5466 or visit www.galmontballet.com