Next Stop: Contemporary Art, Dazzling Performances, and Holiday Traditions in The Palm Beaches
Winter is one of the best times to visit South Florida. The weather is glorious and the cultural season is in full swing! Art Basel Miami Beach, the international modern and contemporary art fair, will draw over 80,000 visitors and nearly 300 galleries this December. But did you know there are plenty of arts adventures beyond Basel? Just a quick Brightline trip north lies The Palm Beaches—featuring unique regions and countless cultural destinations. Here, I’ve highlighted several not-to-miss experiences in Florida’s Cultural Capital®, from vibrant contemporary exhibitions to longstanding holiday celebrations.
Stroll through the Boca Raton Museum of Art
Your first stop in The Palm Beaches is in the region’s southernmost city. Only five minutes from the Boca Raton Brightline station is the Boca Raton Museum of Art, with stunning collections of early 20th-century paintings, contemporary sculptures, and more. Currently, two exciting rotating exhibitions are on display. Postcards from Nowhere features poignant black-and-white works by South Florida photographer Eduardo Chacon. The second, Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line, celebrates an impressive display of delightfully whimsical pieces by Art Nouveau pioneer Alphonse Mucha, whose works later influenced psychedelic art and design in the 1960s.
Watch a play at Palm Beach Dramaworks
Just minutes away from the train station in downtown West Palm Beach is Palm Beach Dramaworks, a nonprofit theatre company that stages thought-provoking productions. From December 12-28, audiences can see The Seafarer, a Tony-nominated show written by Irish playwright Conor McPherson. This dark, humorous play follows Sharky Harkin as he returns to Dublin to look after his belligerent, alcoholic brother. While drinking and playing poker with old friends on Christmas Eve, Sharky realizes he must finally face his past. Theatre to think about, indeed.
View contemporary works at the Armory Art Center
A few blocks south of downtown West Palm Beach is the Armory Art Center, an art education organization in historic Flamingo Park. In addition to art classes and workshops, the Armory hosts free exhibitions throughout the year. In Past the Eyes, multidisciplinary portrait artist Kandy G. Lopez uses intricately woven fiber portraits, collages, and prints and paintings to capture the soul of people on the margins—threading together stories of power, pride, and presence. The exhibition runs through December 27.
Explore the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens
Another must-see destination in The Palm Beaches is the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, the historic home and outdoor oasis of sculptor Ann Weaver Norton. With a collection of 250 rare tropical palms and cycads and several modern large-scale sculptures, wandering these gardens will have you feeling like a modern-day Mary Lennox! And don’t miss the Floral Forms: Celebrating Art, Nature & the Season holiday workshop with award-winning floral designer Sarah Benitz on December 6. During the workshop, you’ll learn to create beautiful arrangements using materials from the Gardens.
Switch up your Friday night at the Norton Museum of Art
Art After Dark is the perfect way to start the weekend, with guided tours, drop-in art workshops, performances, and more at the Norton Museum of Art. The December 5 event will welcome Klezmer Company Jazz Orchestra. In addition to Klezmer (traditional Jewish music originating from Ashkenazi communities), this South Florida ensemble plays jazz, Broadway, classical, Latin jazz, and more. While the Norton’s impressive collections can be toured during Art After Dark, several rotating exhibitions are also on display, like Shara Hughes: Inside Outside—featuring dynamic, large-scale landscapes that contemplate the human experience using color and shifting perspectives.
Enjoy a glamorous Gilded Age holiday at the Flagler Museum
Step back in time and celebrate the season at the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, just across the bridge on Palm Beach. Every year, the estate (aptly named “Whitehall”) transforms into a Christmas wonderland. You’ll see the halls decked in historically-accurate greenery, wreaths, and ribbons, plus the iconic 16-foot Christmas tree adorned with colorful lights and traditional ornaments. While the holiday decor is on display through early January, the museum’s Christmas Tree Lighting event on December 7 will include festive music, refreshments, an appearance by St. Nicholas, and more. After-hours holiday tours also take place during the month, with carol singers and holiday-inspired activities set aglow by the estate’s 1902 light fixtures.
Journey through the Land of Sweets with Ballet Palm Beach
Seeing The Nutcracker is one of my favorite ways to ring in the holidays. Join Ballet Palm Beach as they bring this beloved story to life, with dazzling choreography staged after George Balanchine and set to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. Audiences will follow Marie as her beloved Nutcracker doll transforms into a handsome prince to battle the Rat King, before accompanying her through a sparkling snowstorm and into the enchanted Land of Sweets! The performances take place December 5-7 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
Ready to start planning your trip to The Palm Beaches this December? Visit palmbeachculture.com/beyond to get started. For even more cultural inspiration, download our destination guide.