You still have time for a visit to the “Magic of McKee Festival of Lights.” It runs through Thursday, Dec. 30, at McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach. The festival could not be held last year, so you can expect quite the enthusiastic display this year. “This event draws thousands of visitors from Vero Beach and beyond to enjoy a rare opportunity to see the Garden illuminated at night with thousands of professionally installed LED lights and festive holiday displays,” says marketing and events manager Connie Cotherman. “Our staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to make sure that the whimsical displays, lights and festive atmosphere offer our members and visitors a magical experience during our 12 nights of Christmas.” Indeed. This is a wonderland of delight for all ages. A professionally designed, opulent light display festoons the gardens with brilliance and sets the backdrop for some exciting activities. There’s a bigger-than-ever giant train display; a gingerbread house village; outdoor movies on large screens; big festive music from a vintage 1924 Wurlitzer Band Organ; character visits; a winter wonderland in the Hall of Giants; and even some dinosaurs decked out for the holidays. “We love watching everyone enjoy the nostalgia of these long-cherished traditions at McKee,” Cotherman says. Moreover, the Garden Café will be offering festive treats and beverages, and there will be daily holiday-themed crafts and games during regular garden hours. Off-site parking is available at 146 Vista Royale Square. Shuttle buses will transport you to and from the garden. Be sure to call or check the website for specific hours of events of interest to you. The Magic of McKee Festival of Lights will be held 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23, and Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 28-30. Tickets are $15 general, $13 for seniors 65 years and older and youth 13 to 17 years, $10 for military and children 2 to 12 years, and free to children under 2 years of age. The McKee Botanical Garden is at 350 U.S. 1. Call 772-794-0601 or visit McKeeGarden.org.
Ballet Vero Beach presents its final performance of “Nutcracker on the Indian River” at the outdoor venue known as Tree House Vero Beach at 11:30 a.m. today, Dec. 23. This is a one-hour version of the famed ballet set here, near the Toni Robinson Waterfront Trail. Tickets are $40 to $75. Call 772-905-2651 or visit BalletVeroBeach.org. Online access to a recording of the performance runs Dec. 24 to Jan. 9.
If you crave a little foray into nature in the midst of all the holiday activities, then the Environmental Learning Center has just the thing – a free visit to its campus. While the ELC will be closed for the holidays, they are allowing the public to visit, free of charge, the outdoor areas of its campus. Restrooms will not be available, so plan ahead! The Environmental Learning Center is at 255 Live Oak Dr., Vero Beach. Visit DiscoverELC.org for more information and to see what they have coming up after the New Year.
Another low-intensity activity this week would be a visit to the Vero Beach Museum of Art. This is your last chance to catch two current exhibits that run through Jan. 2: “American Perspectives: Stories from the American Folk Art Museum Collection” and “Martin Puryear: Printmaker.” The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. The last admission is 30 minutes before the museum closes. Admission is $8 general, $7 seniors, and free for children under 17 years and museum members. The Vero Beach Museum of Arts is at 3001 Riverside Park Dr. Call 772-231-0707 or visit VBMuseum.org.