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Close to 40,000 families and revelers converged on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale for the 49th-annual Christmas on Las Olas celebration.
The streets between SE Sixth and SE 11th streets were packed with people wearing Santa hats, kids wearing reindeer antlers, and dogs wearing ski sweaters, as local merchants handed out samples and sold holiday goodies.
The first Christmas Cookie Battle was a success, as people flocked to donate money for the American Lung Association in exchange for cookies baked by local bakers Tea for Two Cookie Co., Cindy Made Them, and East End Eats.
Entertainment came in the form of local school choirs, a ski slope, and
an ice skating rink, though people-watching ranked first for us.
Farther west on Las Olas, YOLO hosted a family fun zone, complete with carnival rides, face-painting, cookie decorating, and a tree lighting ceremony.
East End Eats made gorgeous Christmas cookies that were almost too pretty to eat.
The Grinch and Santa’s helpers pose at Udder Sweets on Las Olas.
Las Olas tree-lighting ceremony, hosted by YOLO.
Kids skating on a makeshift ice rink — this is Fort Lauderdale, after all.
New Times food critic Melissa McCart sampling cookies.
Chanukah in the house too!
Festive and delicious candy apples.
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