Let the lights of the season shine upon you: Christmas light displays around Miami

Christina Mayo

We might not have snow here in Miami, but we do have plenty of glowing icicles dangling from our roofs.

And seeing inflatables in a yard, like a giant Santa or a Minion in a Christmas cap, always makes us smile.

Decorating outside for the holidays is a many-layered gift — there’s joy in the creating, and joy in the sharing.

For Laura Froberg in North Miami, this year was about spending time with her parents.

“My dad used to do a lot of blow-up decorations and people would drive by to take pictures,” she said. “Then he stopped when I went away to college. So this year, I helped them. My mom and I made wreaths. And we have Christmas trees of different sizes. We have lasers.”

Ernestine and Larry Williams in Liberty City have been putting up a holiday display for 40 years. Now, their children and grandchildren are in on the project.

The Williams children grew up together at Santa’s Headquarters, created by their parents Ernestine and Larry Williams, in front. They are, from left, Larry Williams Jr., Shawntria Sasser, Travis Williams, Lory Celestin, and Todd Williams.
The Williams children grew up together at Santa’s Headquarters, created by their parents Ernestine and Larry Williams, in front. They are, from left, Larry Williams Jr., Shawntria Sasser, Travis Williams, Lory Celestin, and Todd Williams.

They decorate inside too, and on Christmas Eve they have a toy giveaway and guided tours of Santa’s “house” for the neighborhood children. Santa even has a decorated bathroom.

“When we first started, it was just Santa sitting in a rusty chair out front giving the kids candy. But we added more and more. Then I said, ‘I can’t do all this work and not let them see inside the house, too,’” Ernestine Williams said.

Each year their display gets larger and larger. On Christmas Eve, Santa arrives in a surprise way and the little kids stand in line to tell him their gift wishes.

Sometimes, even the adults sit on Santa’s lap, Williams said. “They tell him they want a car or something. We have neighbors who used to come as kids, and now they’re grown up and they bring their kids. Every year, a group of them have a reunion on Christmas Eve.

“And let me tell you, we buy toys. We buy toys all year round. Even when we’re on vacation, we’re buying toys.”

The Williams children and grandchildren take over the decorated kitchen on Christmas Eve to make burgers, hot dogs, fries, and Chicken Souce (pronounced “sowse”). They feed everybody.

“Everyone has a job,” said Williams, a retired nurse. “We’ve been fortunate. It’s been a joy to watch the kids all these years.”

“It’s been an honor to share the story of my wonderful parents,” said their daughter Lory Celestin, who nominated them for this story. “My mom and dad sponsor this tradition out of their own pockets,” Celestin said. “My parents are something special.”

Michael Hornyak at 3050 Lime Court in Coconut Grove said his Christmas light display is “a labor of love that brings a great deal of happiness and joy to our neighborhood.”

“While I have no children myself, I love to hear the squeals of joy from children as they enjoy the lights. Many people have told me that our lights are part of their holiday tradition, and it thrills me to know I have created something that has become a Christmas tradition for others,” Hornyak said.

“Parents bring their kids to enjoy the lights — many come every night — and the kids can do so in a safe environment with little traffic,” he said.

He starts preparing the yard in late September and the first lights go up the first week of October.

“We coordinate with the other homes on Lime Court that do light displays, and lights are turned on Thanksgiving night. Lights go on at 5:30 each day, and we keep our display up through Jan. 6, Three Kings Day.”

In Cutler Bay, Mark and Margaret Steele decorate with over 20,000 lights in the trees, and four small buildings have holiday scenes.

“One is an elf kitchen, another has Santa in his chair, another is full of stuffed animals, and the last is Santa’s workshop where the elves make toys,” Mark Steele said. “There is also a nativity scene and another scene full of Christmas trees and elves working. Finally, there is a Ferris wheel and a merry-go-round.”

KhaâTyi Macillon, 5, and AhâMier Macillon, 3, enjoy a visit with Santa Tuesday at a neighborhood of decorated homes known as the Enchanted Place in North Miami, 1600 NE 137th Terrace.
KhaâTyi Macillon, 5, and AhâMier Macillon, 3, enjoy a visit with Santa Tuesday at a neighborhood of decorated homes known as the Enchanted Place in North Miami, 1600 NE 137th Terrace.

The Enchanted Place in North Miami is celebrating 31 years of sharing lights with the community.

For more than 30 years, residents of Enchanted Place in North Miami have created a Christmas wonderland at 1600 NE 137th Terrace, North Miami. Donations are accepted to benefit CARE Resources.
For more than 30 years, residents of Enchanted Place in North Miami have created a Christmas wonderland at 1600 NE 137th Terrace, North Miami. Donations are accepted to benefit CARE Resources.

Organizer Ken DiGenova brings in volunteers to give out candy and help collect donations for the needy.

“It’s a fun way to help out,” DiGenova said. “And there’s a rumor that Santa himself will be making appearances!”

Nearby in North Miami, Laura Froberg said her parents, Carol and Eric Froberg, started putting up lights the year she was born. But for four years they took a break when she went off to college in Ohio.

“This is our first year back up,” she said.

“The best part was spending time with my dad. He did the icicles because I couldn’t get up on the roof. It’s not perfection, but we’re getting there.”

A Guide to Holiday Lights in Miami

Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams’ Santa’s Headquarters: 1185 NW 47 Terrace, Miami. For 40 years, this family has been delighting the community with a holiday display at their house across from Charles Hadley Park, 1350 NW 50th St. Santa surprises the children with toys and candy on Christmas Eve.

For 40 years, the Williams family has been delighting the community with a holiday display at their home at 1185 NW 47th Terrace in Miami. Santa surprises the children with toys and candy on Christmas Eve.
For 40 years, the Williams family has been delighting the community with a holiday display at their home at 1185 NW 47th Terrace in Miami. Santa surprises the children with toys and candy on Christmas Eve.

Enchanted Place of North Miami: 1600 NE 137th Terrace, North Miami. Since 1988, the residents of Enchanted Place have decorated their cul-de-sac with thousands of lights. Kids, young and grown, come from around South Florida to enjoy this annual treat. Bring a donation for local charities. Volunteers are needed to hand out candy and collect donations. Call Ken DiGenova at 305-343-1710. The lights will be up until Jan. 6.

Residents of Enchanted Place in North Miami, 1600 NE 137th Terrace, decorate their cul de sac with thousands of lights and figurines, including this manger scene. They accept donations to benefit CARE Resources.
Residents of Enchanted Place in North Miami, 1600 NE 137th Terrace, decorate their cul de sac with thousands of lights and figurines, including this manger scene. They accept donations to benefit CARE Resources.

The Froberg Residence: 1840 Keystone Blvd., North Miami. This family of three is back to decorating their yard and house for the community. You can see colorful Christmas trees of different sizes, decorated wreaths, a laser show, and glittering icicles.

Carol and Eric Froberg decorate their North Miami house, 1840 Keystone Blvd., with Christmas trees of different sizes, a laser show and glittering icicles.
Carol and Eric Froberg decorate their North Miami house, 1840 Keystone Blvd., with Christmas trees of different sizes, a laser show and glittering icicles.

Leon and April Wegman: 1900 S. Hibiscus Drive, North Miami. Frosty the Snowman sits on the roof in a hot-air balloon, there’s a life-size Santa and the boat in the backyard canal is festooned with lights.

April and Leon Wegman’s house is fully decorated, complete with Frosty the Snowman in a hot-air balloon, a life-size Santa and a backyard deck on the canal festooned with lights, 1900 S. Hibiscus Drive, North Miami.
April and Leon Wegman’s house is fully decorated, complete with Frosty the Snowman in a hot-air balloon, a life-size Santa and a backyard deck on the canal festooned with lights, 1900 S. Hibiscus Drive, North Miami.

14665 Fitzpatrick Road, Miami Lakes. Decorated in the front and back, this stunning light display was nominated as a neighborhood favorite in Miami Lakes. Santa and his reindeer fly through the air and thousands of twinkle lights are in the trees. From Miami Lakes Drive, you can see the house’s lights reflected in the lake.

The Hornyak Residence: 3050 Lime Court, Coconut Grove. Since 2011, Michael Hornyak has decorated this house on a cul-de-sac in thousands of lights. Other homes nearby do impressive displays and the street becomes “Christmas Court.” Lights are turned on at 5:30 p.m. every day and will be up until Three Kings Day, Jan. 6.

Michael Hornyak’s house is festooned in holiday lights at the end of a cul-de-sac at 3050 Lime Court in Coconut Grove.
Michael Hornyak’s house is festooned in holiday lights at the end of a cul-de-sac at 3050 Lime Court in Coconut Grove.

Sunset Drive, from the Cocoplum Circle to Maynada Street, Coral Gables/South Miami. Grand houses display fantastic light installations on this historic street. While some houses are being renovated this year, you can still enjoy about five beautiful outside light creations.

The Steele Residence: 19281 Holiday Road, Cutler Bay. This fantastic display includes 20,000 lights in the trees, and there are four small buildings with themed scenes. The lights will be on until Jan. 6.

Nights of Lights at Pinecrest Gardens: 11000 Red Road, Pinecrest. 6-9 p.m. nightly until Jan. 1. The park transforms into a winter wonderland dotted by thousands of twinkling holiday lights that wind through the botanical landscape. Holiday music performances, visits and photos with Santa, rides and storytelling featured. $5 online, $7 at the gate, members and children (2 and younger) admitted free. www.pinecrestgardens.org

Children hang out on the giant troll at Pinecrest Gardens. Danish artist & designer Thomas Dambo made the trolls out of locally sourced recycled and repurposed wood.
Children hang out on the giant troll at Pinecrest Gardens. Danish artist & designer Thomas Dambo made the trolls out of locally sourced recycled and repurposed wood.

The NightGarden at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: 11935 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, 6-10 p.m., some nights until 11 p.m. and until 1 a.m. for a New Year’s Eve fireworks display. The last night is Jan. 12. The Garden is transformed into a wonderland with interactive surprises including an augmented reality Fairy Quest challenge, a flower maze, and Archimedes the Talking Tree. Check for tickets and special rates with new memberships at www.thenightgarden.com and www.fairchildgarden.org.

The Night Garden at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables. The Garden is transformed into a  wonderland with interactive surprises including an augmented reality Fairy Quest challenge, a flower maze and Archimedes the Talking Tree.
The Night Garden at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables. The Garden is transformed into a wonderland with interactive surprises including an augmented reality Fairy Quest challenge, a flower maze and Archimedes the Talking Tree.

Zoo Lights Miami: 12400 SW 152nd Ave. Miami. 7-10 p.m., select dates until Dec. 29. Enjoy holiday lights, and dress up like an elf or a Santa helper for contests. Dance performances, a Santa look-alike contest and superheroes night are coming up. Try the animal encounters, Snowman’s River Boat Rides, hot chocolate and cookies and photos with Santa. For schedule and tickets: www.zoomiami.org.

Luminosa, Chinese Lantern Festival at Jungle Island: 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami. 5-10 p.m. until Jan. 8. Explore 13 acres with four themes of lights. The nighttime jungle is filled with giant handcrafted lanterns lit by over 1 million LED lights. Check www.jungleisland.com for tickets.

The Luminosa, Chinese Lantern Festival at Jungle Island, is filled with giant handcrafted lanterns lit by over 1  million LED lights.
The Luminosa, Chinese Lantern Festival at Jungle Island, is filled with giant handcrafted lanterns lit by over 1 million LED lights.

Old Cutler Presbyterian Church: 4401 Old Cutler Road, Palmetto Bay. Multi-colored lights hang from many trees here, and tiny lights glow in landscaping low to the ground. The large tree trunks are wrapped in festive red and green lights.

Christmas lights display at Old Cutler Presbyterian Church, 14401 Old Cutler Road, Palmetto Bay.
Christmas lights display at Old Cutler Presbyterian Church, 14401 Old Cutler Road, Palmetto Bay.