Fort Lauderdale Christmas Lights Go Wild: Enchanted Safari in Lauderhill
Christmas in South Florida has always looked a little different. While much of the country is digging out winter coats and watching for snow, Fort Lauderdale residents are decorating palm trees, planning outdoor dinners, and enjoying evenings that are finally cool enough to spend outside. The holiday spirit is just as strong here, even if the weather doesn't quite match the Christmas movies. This year, families searching for Fort Lauderdale Christmas lights have another way to celebrate, thanks to World of Illumination's Enchanted Safari, a drive-through light show bringing a colorful new adventure to the Hill Entertainment District in Lauderhill, Fort Lauderdale's neighbor to the west.
The show combines two things that don't usually share a holiday schedule: Christmas and a jungle safari. Instead of snowy villages and winter scenes, Enchanted Safari takes you through a glowing world of exotic animals, tropical scenery, and holiday decorations. It's a fitting match for South Florida, where December already comes with palm trees and warm evenings.
The Safari at a Glance
- Where: Hill Entertainment District, 1010 NW 40th Ave, Lauderhill, FL 33313
- Dates: November 12, 2026 through January 3, 2027
- Nights: Gates open at 6:00 PM, last entry at 10:00 PM; the ticket calendar shows every open date
- Drive time: About 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic
- Tickets: Coming soon. One ticket per car, sold online only, with prices that vary by date
Why This Christmas Show Goes Wild
Anyone familiar with World of Illumination knows that we're not particularly interested in keeping things small. Our holiday shows are built around big illuminated displays, animated scenes, and music that ties everything together. Enchanted Safari follows that tradition, but the setting takes a decidedly tropical turn.
The adventure begins with Toukie Toucan, who hands out your boarding passes and sends you off into a holiday jungle. You'll pass beneath a canopy of peacock feathers in the peacock vortex tunnel, roll past enormous palm tree wreaths, and travel over land, sea, and sky, with reindeer soaring above the clouds. Then the route slips into a land lost in time, where a thundering T-Rex makes an appearance.
There's even a meeting with the King of the Jungle before the trip reaches Santa's Bazaar, where every exotic friend you met on the drive is busy decorating for Christmas. It's the kind of holiday story that doesn't worry too much about whether dinosaurs, reindeer, and tropical birds belong in the same place. At Enchanted Safari, they all have a part to play!
The displays are synced to holiday music that plays through your car radio, and a park ambassador near the front of the line will point you to the right FM station. Younger kids get plenty of animals to spot, while adults can appreciate the creativity behind such an unusual holiday world. Each season gets its own original theme, and this year it's the jungle.
Christmas, Broward County Style
Around Fort Lauderdale, holiday traditions are shaped by the local climate. Families might spend an afternoon along Las Olas Boulevard, drive past a favorite neighborhood display, or take an evening walk once the temperature finally drops. Some people even fit a beach day and a Christmas outing into the same December weekend. There's no single way to celebrate here.
Enchanted Safari fits right into that approach. Rather than walking through a park or standing outside to admire decorations, you take in the displays from your own vehicle. The drive takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic, so it's easy to pair with dinner, shopping, or another seasonal plan.
For families with younger children, that convenience matters. There's no long walk to coordinate and no worrying about tired feet halfway through the evening. Even the family dog can come along, as long as pets stay inside the vehicle. And if you've got a convertible, bring it. Convertibles and open-top cars are welcome.
Finding Fort Lauderdale Christmas Lights Beyond Downtown
Fort Lauderdale has plenty of familiar holiday scenery, especially around the New River and the waterfront neighborhoods. Decorated boats, festive storefronts, and lit-up homes are part of the season for a lot of residents. But some of the most interesting holiday outings are worth a short trip away from downtown.
To be clear about the map, Enchanted Safari isn't in Fort Lauderdale itself. It's at the Hill Entertainment District in Lauderhill, which gives families across Broward County a reason to head a little farther inland. Its neighbors include Plantation, Sunrise, and Lauderdale Lakes, with Fort Lauderdale to the east, so it's an easy add to a South Florida holiday plan. Put 1010 NW 40th Ave into your map app before you leave.
If you're coming from across the county, it's simple to build an evening around the show. Grab an early dinner in Plantation, meet friends near Sunrise, or spend part of the afternoon in Fort Lauderdale before heading to Lauderhill after sunset.
And while holiday light displays are common throughout Broward County, the format of Enchanted Safari sets it apart. It tells a story through a continuous route of illuminated scenes rather than a single decorated spot. Each stretch introduces something new, which makes the drive itself the main event. Some traditions are worth keeping exactly as they are. Others are fun because they offer something unexpected!
Simple Prep for a Night on the Safari
One advantage of a drive-through holiday show is that preparation is pretty simple. Bring snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, wear something comfortable, and enjoy the show from your car. There are no concessions at the venue, so eating beforehand or packing something along is a good idea!
It's also worth thinking about when to go. Weekend evenings tend to be popular, especially as Christmas gets closer. If your schedule is flexible, a weeknight is worth a look, since weeknights usually move faster. The ticket calendar shows which nights are open.
South Florida weather deserves a little consideration, too. December evenings are often pleasant, but a passing shower isn't unusual. Enchanted Safari is open rain or shine and operates in most weather conditions, so a little rain doesn't have to change your plans. If severe weather is in the forecast, check the website or World of Illumination's social media that day for updates.
When you arrive, follow the World of Illumination signs and staff directions to the entrance. Make sure your FM radio works before you go, and read the vehicle restrictions if you're borrowing something big for a full crew. Buses, RVs, limos, and trailers aren't permitted, since the route has tight turns.
Tickets aren't on sale yet. Because admission is per vehicle rather than per person, everyone in the car will ride on one ticket. Bookmark the Enchanted Safari ticket page, or sign up for Be the First to Know (choose Florida) on the World of Illumination Florida page to get early access when sales start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these Fort Lauderdale Christmas lights different?
Instead of a snowy theme, Enchanted Safari fills its route with a toucan guide, peacock feathers, palm tree wreaths, a T-Rex, and the King of the Jungle, all set to holiday music in your car. It's a drive-through show in Lauderhill, Fort Lauderdale's neighbor, so you never leave your vehicle.
How do Enchanted Safari tickets work?
Tickets are priced per car, not per person, so everyone in the car rides on one ticket. Prices vary from night to night, and the ticket calendar will show the price for each date once sales open. Tickets aren't on sale yet; when they are, they'll be sold online only.
Can I bring a convertible?
Yes. Convertibles and open-top vehicles are welcome. Just be ready for the weather and mindful of other guests when your music is playing.
Still curious? The full FAQ has more answers.
A Little More Wonder for the Holiday Season
Every South Florida family seems to have its own collection of Christmas traditions, from decorations at home to a favorite restaurant or a yearly trip to see holiday lights.
At World of Illumination, we enjoy being part of those traditions, but we also love introducing new experiences. Enchanted Safari is a playful departure from familiar Christmas scenery, a world where tropical animals, glowing palm trees, and holiday music all belong together. The Lauderhill location page has the Hill Entertainment District on the calendar for 2027 and 2028, too.
For anyone exploring Fort Lauderdale Christmas lights this year, it's a reminder that some of the most enjoyable seasonal outings sit just outside the usual holiday spots. A short drive to Lauderhill leads to a Christmas celebration that feels right at home in South Florida, even with a dinosaur or two joining the festivities!
Enchanted Safari opens November 12. Tickets are coming soon, so watch the ticket page and join the email list to hear the moment they go on sale. Want more of the basics? Our earlier Enchanted Safari guide for Fort Lauderdale covers them too.
