Wellington's tree lighting is Thursday, Dec. 3, at 6:30 p.m., the boat parade Saturday, Dec. 12, and the 42nd Holiday Parade Sunday, Dec. 13, at 1:30 p.m.

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Details come from the Village of Wellington’s pages for the Holiday Cultural Celebration and Tree Lighting, the Holiday Parade, the Holiday Boat Parade and the Amphitheater schedule. This page is updated each year; times are subject to change.

Wellington’s holiday season runs on three dates this year, all free: the tree lighting Thursday, Dec. 3, the Holiday Boat Parade Saturday, Dec. 12, and the 42nd Annual Holiday Parade Sunday, Dec. 13. All three are on or beside Forest Hill Boulevard at the village’s Town Center.

Who to call

  • Village events: Wellington Parks and Recreation, 561-791-4005; Community Services and the Amphitheater, 561-753-2484
  • Holiday Parade floats, vendors, sponsors: the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, the parade’s co-host (link on the village’s parade page)
  • Boat parade entries: Jack Brownson, jbrownson@comcast.net
Date Event Time Where
Thursday, Dec. 3 Holiday Cultural Celebration and Tree Lighting 5 to 9 p.m.; tree lighting 6:30 p.m. Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd.
Saturday, Dec. 12 Holiday Boat Parade 6:30 to 8 p.m. Lake Wellington, seen from the Town Center Promenade
Sunday, Dec. 13 42nd Annual Holiday Parade 1:30 p.m.; vendor village from 10 a.m. Forest Hill Boulevard, Wellington Trace to Ken Adams Way
All of December Holiday light displays Evenings Town Center Promenade

Tree lighting, Thursday, Dec. 3

The Holiday Cultural Celebration and Tree Lighting marks holidays and traditions across cultures at the Wellington Amphitheater. Food trucks and market vendors are there from 5 to 9 p.m., holiday activities run 6 to 9 p.m. and the tree is lit at 6:30 p.m. The village asks guests to bring a new, unwrapped toy for its Hometown Holiday Toy Drive. The Amphitheater schedule lists the Wellington Jazz Band and a Carpenters tribute, Almost Carpenter, that night.

Holiday Boat Parade, Saturday, Dec. 12

About 40 decorated boats “light up the lake” on Lake Wellington, passing behind the Wellington Community Center at about 6:30 p.m. Watch from the Town Center Promenade behind the Community Center, 12150 Forest Hill Blvd. Food trucks and holiday market vendors set up nearby. Bring your own seating, the village says.

The 42nd Holiday Parade, Sunday, Dec. 13

The judged parade of floats, marching bands, characters and dance troupes steps off at 1:30 p.m. and runs along Forest Hill Boulevard from Wellington Trace to Ken Adams Way, ending at The Shoppes at Chancellor. The village hosts it with the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County.

The Holiday Park at the Wellington Amphitheater has school choirs, photos with Santa, arts and crafts vendors and activities. The vendor holiday village opens at 10 a.m.

Road closures and parking

From the village’s parade page:

  • Forest Hill Boulevard closes from its northern intersection with Wellington Trace to South Shore Boulevard from 1 p.m. to about 5:30 p.m., or the end of the parade.
  • One lane on the east side of Forest Hill Boulevard between Town Center Drive and Wellington Trace closes from 8 a.m. for the stage.
  • One lane of Wellington Trace from Big Blue Trace to Forest Hill Boulevard closes for floats lining up.
  • Ken Adams Way and Chancellor Drive have limited entry and exit at times.
  • Park at Town Center, 12300 Forest Hill Blvd. Cars parked there cannot leave until the parade is over.

Holiday lights on the Promenade

Through December, the village and its partners light the Town Center Promenade along the Lake Wellington waterfront behind the Community Center, according to its holiday light displays page.

What this means for you

  • Want the tree lighting? Arrive before 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 and bring a toy for the drive.
  • Parade day: Forest Hill Boulevard is closed from 1 p.m.; plan errands for the morning.
  • Parking at Town Center means staying until the parade ends.

More: holiday lights and Christmas events, things to do this month, road construction and closures and parks and trails.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Wellington Christmas tree lighting in 2026?

Thursday, Dec. 3, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd., during the Holiday Cultural Celebration. It is free.

When is the Wellington Holiday Parade in 2026?

Sunday, Dec. 13, at 1:30 p.m. along Forest Hill Boulevard from Wellington Trace to Ken Adams Way. It is the 42nd annual parade and free to watch.

What roads close for the Wellington Holiday Parade?

Forest Hill Boulevard from Wellington Trace to South Shore Boulevard, from 1 p.m. to about 5:30 p.m. One east-side lane closes from 8 a.m. for the stage.

When is the Wellington Holiday Boat Parade?

Saturday, Dec. 12, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Lake Wellington. Watch from the Town Center Promenade behind the Community Center; about 40 decorated boats take part.