The Chesterfield Palm Beach Hotel , a local favorite hot spot, has gotten raves for its outstanding food and service, and now they are delighted to announce their tantalizing new Winter Lunch and Dinner Menu for 2012. You’ll love the eclectic mix of classic English, American, and International dishes in the sleek, newly redesigned Leopard Lounge and Restaurant . Treat yourself to some of the best and most innovative cuisine in the city, whether it’s a business lunch or a romantic night on the town.

The Leopard Lounge Restaurant is open throughout the day serving breakfast, lunch , traditional English afternoon tea and dinner; all meals are expertly catered by the first class staff. Executive Chef Gerard Coughlin uses the freshest and highest quality ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible.

The aim of Chef Gerard, Pastry Chef Micah Krol, and the entire kitchen team is to make delicious food using special recipes that are carefully and creatively prepared and presented for your pleasure.

In addition to dining in the restaurant, guests can enjoy breakfast or lunch in the sun, either at The Courtyard or by the pool.

New and traditional menu items include Burrata Cheese Caprese Salad, Grilled Chicken Paillard, Josper Wood Grilled Prime Strip Steak, Chili Shrimp Linguini, Fresh Lobster Salad on a Crispy Baguette, Black Angus Beef Burger, Traditional English Fish and Chips, Crispy Sesame Fried Chicken, and the irresistible guest favorite, Lump Crab Cakes. And don’t forget Chef Gerard’s absolutely must-have dessert – the divine melt-in-your-mouth Sticky Toffee Pudding.

The redesigned Leopard Lounge and Restaurant has new bar finishes and cabinetry, reupholstered chairs and bar stools, and new lamps and other touches. Perimeter banquettes have been added to the dining room, curtains replaced with plantation-style high-gloss black shutters, and woodwork and dining chairs painted “piano” black. Mirrors are positioned throughout the bar area and dining room. Punkah fans sweep across the ceiling. The room has retained its original decor and ambience including the famous hand painted ceiling with swirling nymphs overhead and iconic leopard print carpeting.

And – for your added delight – every evening an array of live entertainment is offered for your listening pleasure. Whether its classical guitarists or show tune vocalists, there’s something for everyone—from classical and jazz to Motown and Top 40. Dance the night away to the different artists seven nights a week!

For details and reservations, please contact The Chesterfield Hotel at (800) 243-7871 or email bookchpb@rchmail.com.  Visit us online at www.chesterfieldpb.com.

The Red Carnation Hotel Collection

The Red Carnation Hotel Collection is an award-winning collection of five and four star family-run boutique hotels in London, Dorset, Guernsey, Geneva and South Africa.

Each property has its own individual character and unique location that reflects the local environment, culture and cuisine. They all share the qualities central to the Red Carnation’s ethos that win them so many prestigious awards – splendid luxury, generous hospitality, inventive and traditional cuisine, private art collections, passionate service and loyal staff committed to creating richly rewarding experiences for all their guests. For more information about these award-winning hotels and the rest of the Red Carnation Collection, please go to www.redcarnationhotels.com

Greater Fort Lauderdale is taking the “Defrost Your Swimsuit” campaign to Toronto, NYC and London.

In November 2011, ten ice blocks with bikinis and board shorts made an appearance in Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square during the Santa Claus Parade. And in January 2012 to NYC’s Times Square and London’s financial district. Television, radio, billboards, retail promotions and street teams handing out ice scrapers, with opportunities to win beach getaways to Greater Fort Lauderdale.

Greater “Fork” LAUDERDALE

Casually sophisticated new additions to Las Olas Boulevard include Las Olas Wine Bar with 40 wines by the glass and live music, as well as Cheese Culture, a whey of life.

M Bar Global Tapas features “master cocktailians” and small plates. The coolest restaurant to hit the scene, Tundra, serves crystal clear “chilling spheres” in drinks and “Tundratizer” small plate options with ice flatware.

Pl8, a new restaurant in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District features small “plates.” The latest addition to Fort Lauderdale beach is East End Brasserie, a new traditional French bistro from NYC Chef Steve Zobel, at The Atlantic Resort.

For the love of art

“Offering of the Angels: Old Master Paintings and Tapestries from the Uffizi Gallery” from Florence, Italy, makes its American debut at The Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, November 19, 2011-April 8, 2012. Broadway Across America returns to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts with Beauty and the Beast (Nov.), Cirque Dreams Holidaze (Dec.) Jersey Boys (Jan.), Billy Elliot The Musical (Feb./Mar.), South Pacific (Apr.), and La Cage Aux Folles (June). Alice Cooper and Paul Simon appear at Hard Rock Live in December. BankAtlantic Center welcomes back Andrea Bocelli (Feb. 14) and Roger Waters (June 15).

Kid Lauderdale

The EcoDiscovery Center debuted at the Museum of Discovery and Science on 11/11/11 with an exciting outdoor otter habitat, simulated Everglades airboat ride and interactive prehistoric dig pit, highlighting the fragile Florida environment.

In Spring 2012, Young At Art Museum unveils its new $26.5 million, 57,000 sq. ft. gold-LEED certified facility with galleries including CultureScapes, GreenScapes WonderScapes and ArtScapes. For the adventurous kid at heart, the new Wonderdome indoor, activity-based, family fun center fuses modern play technology and kid-friendly fun.

FIT LAUDERDALE

Get, feel and stay fit on your Greater Fort Lauderdale getaway. With Blue Wave beaches as your outdoor fitness center, it is easy to keep that New Year’s resolution and get swimsuit ready in Fit Lauderdale.

Yoga-board on the Atlantic.

Bike by the beach.

Workout at a Lauderdale Luxe spa.

Run February’s A1A marathon.

Paddleboard or surf, golf or salsa dance and savor healthy fare.

Broward’s new B Cycle bike sharing program, lets riders from Hallandale Beach to Pompano Beach access public bicycles for short trips around town.

VERY ACCOMMODATING

From luxury beach resorts to Superior Small Lodgings, Greater Fort Lauderdale boasts 34,000 hotel rooms from Hallandale Beach to Deerfield Beach. Book online at sunny.org or on Facebook.com/VisitLauderdale and receive a FREE “Beach Starter Kit,” including a beach towel, beach ball and flip flops.

New hotels and recent renovations include:

Coming soon to Hollywood Beach, a new $130 million, 349-room, Margaritaville Resort along the Broadwalk at Johnson Street. Opening in 2014, it will include a 15,000 sq. ft. Margaritaville Café, rooftop pool as well as pools at beach level, meeting space of 35,000 sq. ft. that can accommodate 800 people, a 1,000 car parking garage, boat dock and more. A revamp of the Broadwalk’s famed Bandshell amphitheater and a new lawn for events and concerts are planned.

The newly renamed Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach – a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel is an iconic, oceanside retreat undergoing an enhancement program of its 296 guest rooms and suites and signature 8,200 sq. ft. Commodore Ballroom.

Renovated rooms will feature a light and airy décor with floor-to-ceiling water views and splashes of citrus color accents.

WE LOVE CRUISERS

Cruise passengers can stretch their vacations and their budgets with Greater Fort Lauderdale’s cruise and play deals.

Discover complimentary transfers from hotels, hotel deals, and special prices on excursions to the Everglades.

Sawgrass Mills launched a premier bag storage and shipping program, allowing shoppers to drop off their purchases at one of three convenient locations throughout the mall to either send their bags directly to the airport or have them shipped home. A new pre-post cruise video is available to see why Greater “Port” Lauderdale is your first port of call. www.sunny.org/cruiseandplay

FREE E-BOOKS FOR VISITORS

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport has paired with Broward County Libraries to offer travelers free access to 15,000+ downloadable e-books for smart phones or e-readers, with a scan of a Quick Response (QR) code displayed on screens in baggage claim areas. The e-books are a gift and never expire. Happy reading!

JUST FOR GROUPS: LAUDERDALE CONVENTION COLLECTION

Book any of the six hotels of the Lauderdale Convention Collection, and enjoy the attention of Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB’s Sunsational Service Team to coordinate transportation, marketing and beyond. Hotels include: Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale, Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Port Everglades, Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Visit sunny.org/lcc for sunny savings when booking June 15-Oct 15, 2012-2014.

Added benefits: Free event space at the Convention Center; one-hour welcome reception at Convention Center; one-hour Board of Directors reception; 10% discount off services such as F & B, electric, a/v, internet and security staffing; advance marketing assistance at the previous year’s event.

GET SOCIAL WITH US

Put Greater Fort Lauderdale in the palm of your hand with the new Sunny.org mobi site. Find hotel and dining deals, maps and virtual Vacation Playbook and Meeting Planners Guide for iPad. Like us on Facebook.com/VisitLauderdale or follow our tweets on Twitter.com/Visitlauderdale and find tips on Foursquare.com/VisitLauderdale  to stay in the know.

Year-round access to Aruba has now become easier for UK visitors, with the introduction of new KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ flights. Launched earlier this month, KLM’s service to Aruba increases from 2 to 5 times per week.

UK travellers planning to connect to Aruba can catch flights to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport from 15 UK airports, including London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.

Offering the option of travelling in economy or business class and allowing plenty of time for connecting flights to/from the UK, the flights will depart from Amsterdam on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at 12:35 hours and will arrive in Aruba at 17.50 hours on the same day. The return flight will depart from Aruba on the same days at 19:10 hours, arriving in Amsterdam the next day at 11:10 hours.

New Authentic Farmers’ Market With A Traditional Touch

A new authentic farmers’ market has been introduced in Aruba earlier this summer, offering top quality produce at affordable prices.

Supporting local farmers’ efforts, the market introduces local producers to the community and provides the venue for traditional products to be showcased and sold. Increasingly popular with locals and visitors alike, they can find a variety of Aruba’s fruit, vegetables, meat, fresh pork and fish.

At the moment the farmers’ market takes place once a month, however following an initial pilot period Santa Rosa plans to increase the frequency so that it takes place every week.

Further projects in the area include the creation of agricultural tours of local farms.

Walk This (Brand New) Way In Aruba

Work is well underway in Aruba to create the longest linear park in the Caribbean, with the first phase of the project completed last month. The park welcomes visitors to Aruba with a fully landscaped corridor along the coastline, which includes green zones, walking and bike paths and supreme ocean vistas.

The first phase extends from the Las Americas traffic circle near the airport to Wilhelmina Park, with the second – and final – phase scheduled to continue later this autumn.

Upon completion, Aruba’s linear park will be the largest in the Caribbean, stretching for 10 miles from Queen Beatrix International Airport along the resorts of Eagle Beach, concluding at the end of the high-rise hotel corridor on Palm Beach.

New Personalised Stamps by Post Aruba
Whether you are looking for that special extra touch for your wish-you-were-here postcards or just for a unique souvenir from your holiday, Post Aruba has now launched a new personalised service.

The new Personalised Stamps series consists of a souvenir sheet with a design of Aruba’s map and distinctive objects of the island, such as its history culture and nature. Each souvenir sheet contains 6 decorated stamps with a blank space where you can place your picture (you can bring your own digital photograph or you can have it taken at the post office for free).

The Personalised Stamps service is available only at the Postal Office located at Palm Beach Plaza Mall.

www.postaruba.com

COMING SOON

Thomson Adds New Aruba Properties For 2012 Season

The 2012 Summer Season will see Thomson adding two new properties to its growing portfolio in Aruba. With the addition of the Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa and The Mill Resort and Suites, Thomson is now offering more hotels than ever before.

Manchebo Beach Resort is one of Aruba’s most intimate beach resorts and is located on Eagle Beach, the island’s widest stretch of beach. The two-storey hotel is a luxury boutique style resort, featuring just 71 newly refurbished rooms with contemporary décor and top-range amenities.

The Mill Resort is conveniently located just steps across the famous white sand strip of Palm Beach. A cosy compact low rise resort, The Mill offers spacious, comfortable, fully equipped rooms with easy access to the facilities, beautiful free form swimming pools and friendly staff.

In addition to the two new properties, Thomson’s Aruba portfolio already includes: Tamarijn Aruba on Druif Beach; Bucuti Beach Resort and Divi Aruba All Inclusive on Eagle Beach; Occidental Grand, Riu Palace and Westin Resort on Palm Beach; and Renaissance Aruba in Oranjestad.

www.thomson.co.uk
www.manchebo.com
www.millresort.com

Contemporary Art Biennial Encounter Comes To Aruba

The Caribbean contemporary artistic scene will experience a new and vibrant impulse through a series of events of the ‘Prome Encuentro Bienal Arte Contemporaneo di Caribe, Aruba 2011-2012′.

The biennial encounter is a platform to integrate communities in the Caribbean through contemporary art and enrich cultural identities.

A series of activities will run over several months, with more than 30 local and Caribbean contemporary artists scheduled to exhibit new artworks in July 2012.

The new event aims to bring together critics, curators and art historians from all over the world and will feature exhibitions on specific themes, as well as educational projects and workshops that will involve the local public.

www.encuentroartaruba.org

HOTEL UPDATE

More Upgrades For Hyatt Regency Aruba
Located on the white sand of Palm Beach, the five star Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino will soon be unveiling its latest overhaul.

The upgrades include a series of improvements, which are expected to be completed by the end of the year. These include the hotel’s tennis courts, the Balashi Bar, the Shoco Market and an extensive spa renovation.

The current upgrades are an extension of the hotel’s multi-million dollar renovation that was completed in 2008.

www.aruba.hyatt.com

Talk of the Town Hotel & Beach Club Undergoes A Face Lift

Situated opposite Surfside Beach and just a few minutes’ walk from Oranjestad, the intimate Talk of the Town Hotel & Beach Club has just completed a major renovation of its facilities and guest rooms.

The superior rooms, painted with warm colours, now feature new mattresses, sofas and chairs, as well as 32-inch flat screen television screens and new air conditioning system. Wireless Internet access at the hotel is now free of charge.

The lobby and the bar areas of the hotel also have new furniture, including comfortable sun loungers placed around the pool area.

www.tottaruba.com

Bucuti Beach Resort Expands Adults-Only Policy

In keeping with its goal of providing a tranquil environment for all guests, Bucuti Beach Resort has now upheld its adults-only policy for diners at its restaurant.

Serving fresh local ingredients and a fusion of delicious flavours, Bucuti’s dining terrace boasts a unique beachfront setting.

The menu encompasses an extensive American buffet breakfast as well as à-la-carte options for lunch, while in the evenings diners can expect from fresh seafood to juicy prime steaks, complemented by an eclectic wine list.

Bucuti’s peaceful atmosphere and location set it apart from Aruba’s larger resorts, which are more family orientated. Already popular with couples from the UK and recognised by TripAdvisor as one of the top 10 most romantic resorts in the world, the hotel introduced an adults-only policy at the end of 2010.

www.bucuti.com

AIR NEWS

Aruba shortlisted in world’s most stunning airports
Aruba’s Queen Beatrix Airport has been shortlisted by private jet charter marketplace PrivateFly as one of the most stunning airport approaches in the world.

PrivateFly chose airport locations that offer passengers a truly inspirational view on the approach – whether it be over a world-famous cityscape, stunning coastline or beautiful mountain views. Planes to Aruba hover low just above the sparkling blue sea before landing to the airport, with beautiful views of the lush green Renaissance Island.

Queen Beatrix Airport is just a five-minute drive from Aruba’s capital, Oranjestad, and facilities include a terminal for private aircraft and US Border Pre-clearance facilities.

www.privatefly.com

More options for day trips to Bonaire and Curaçao
Visitors to Aruba now have more options for day trips to Bonaire and Curaçao with local airline Tiara Air.

Also part of the Dutch Caribbean, Bonaire is quainter and less developed than Aruba and is known for its world-class scuba diving, wind surfing, snorkelling and nature. Curaçao is the largest and most populous of the three ABC islands and home of the sweet blue liqueur of the same name.

The trips operate twice a week (Monday and Wednesday to Bonaire, Tuesday and Thursday to Curaçao) and prices start $270 (£168) per person.

www.tiaradaytrips.com

LATEST OPENINGS

Española Way
Palm Beach 17, Noord

Located in a rustic 70-year-old house, Española Way is a cozy al fresco eatery on Palm Beach Road that features authentic Spanish cuisine, including Serrano ham and chorizo, fruity sangria and the restaurant’s steaming signature paella.

Yalla Yalla
South Beach Mall, Palm Beach

Specialising in tasty and exotic Middle Eastern food, the just opened Yalla Yalla offers ample servings of beef shish kebab, shrimp kebab, lamb shoarma and chicken shoarma, as well as tabouleh and hummus served with freshly made pita bread.

Spanglish
Renaissance Marketplace, Oranjestad

The recently opened Spanglish restaurant offers a menu true to the Caribbean-Latin culinary traditions of the owners.

The creative fusion menu features authentic dishes, with the parrillada for two being the highlight, served tableside on a mini charcoal grill.

Sky Lounge
J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 186, Oranjestad

Ringing around the heart of Paseo Herencia, Sky Lounge is Aruba’s latest cocktail bar: a relaxing outdoor venue, here guests can enjoy a drink at the sparkling blue bar, in their own canopy lounge or at a comfortable chair on the open-air terrace.

Carambola
J.E.Irausquin Boulevard 64, Eagle Beach

Opened earlier this year, the chic Carambola Restaurant located at Paradise Beach Villas specialises in seafood and international cuisine. The chef’s signature dish is the freshly made Peanut Soup, which is served in a mashed plantain bowl.

Segafredo
South Beach Mall, Palm Beach

Segafredo, an Italian franchise known for its great coffee, now presents a diverse tempting menu of Italian specialties. Prepared by its award-winning chef, it includes antipasti, panini and thin-crust pizzas, as well as imported Italian beers and after-dinner liqueurs.

Cuba’s Cookin’
Renaissance Marketplace, Oranjestad

Marking its 12th year, Cuba’s Cookin’ has now relocated to Renaissance Marketplace. Still serving up the best mojitos and Cuban food outside Cuba, the restaurant is a new Havana circa 1960 Resto/Bar with a new splash of nostalgia.

For general information on visiting Aruba please go to www.aruba.com

West Hollywood, California’s THE SUNSET STRIP: the incomparable mix of its history, glamour, cutting-edge style, pure entertainment and exciting nightlife makes it the favored destination for travelers, locals, rockers and everyone in between. As 2012 approaches, THE STRIP invites you to ring in the New Year with special fare planned by its top restaurants–which include Asia De Cuba, Eveleigh, Nonna of Italy and Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood–or with music and comedy events at the Viper Room, The Roxy, Whisky A Go-Go, The Comedy Store, House of Blues and The Standard. The range of events and options fit a range of budgets and reveling plans. Also, the City of West Hollywood has announced it will launch a “holiday shuttle” during the NYE weekend (Dec. 29 –31). It will run in a continuous loop throughout West Hollywood from 8 p.m. – 3 a.m. on these nights. Log on to

http://www.weho.org/index.aspx?page=23&recordid=1099
 for more information.

DINNER AND SPECIAL MENUS:

Family Style Dinner @ Asia de Cuba

Asia de Cuba will serve a “family style” four-course New Year’s Eve dinner. Appetizer choices include Serrano ham and spiced quince, chili crispy onion albacore, or Cuban oxtail tamale, followed by Asia de Cuba’s signature calamari salad and intermezzo of mojito sorbet. Entrée choices include sake and sweet miso marinated filet of salmon and butterfish, char sui boneless beef short ribs or Asia de Cuba “surf and turf” with chili lime glazed rock lobster tail and grilled filet of beef. End your meal with rum glazed pineapple coconut tapioca. Dinner is $80 per person before 8 p.m., and $100 for seatings after 8 p.m. All dinners include a half bottle of Laurent Perrier Champagne for every two guests. For reservations, contact mondrianasiadecubare@morganshotelgroup.com .

Prix-Fixe Dinner + DJ @ BOA Steakhouse

BOA will host a pre-fixe menu with live entertainment provided by a DJ. First seating available at 6:30/7:00 p.m. for $95 per person and second seating available at 9:00/9:30 p.m. for $165 per person. www.boasteakhouse.com

New Year’s Eve @ Cabo Cantina

Start the night off right by taking advantage of a complimentary champagne toast at midnight and the best happy hour on The Strip! All drinks are two-for-one prices from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. – midnight. We will be open normal business hours, from noon – 1:30 a.m. www.thecabocantina.com

Dinner + Foundation Room Access @ Crossroads Restaurant

Enjoy a four-course dinner at Crossroads Restaurant at House of Blues, Foundation Room access with live entertainment, champagne toast at midnight for $150 per person. www.hob.com

Dinner + Live Jazz @ Eveleigh

Eveleigh will host two three-course dinner seatings with champagne toasts. The first is from 5-7:15 p.m. ($75 per person), and the second starts at 9:30 p.m. ($95 per person). Second seating also includes access to the NYE Soiree with live music from a brass jazz quintet starting at 9:30 p.m. If you are heading out later, join us for drinks and dancing. Call to hear about special New Year’s drink packages or to reserve a table, 424-239-1630. www.theeveleigh.com

Three-Course Dinner + Live Entertainment @ Foundation Room

Enjoy a three-course dinner and champagne toast at midnight. Live entertainment will be provided until 10 p.m. followed by a DJ from 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Price for members is $75 per person and $105 per person with wine pairing. For questions or reservations, call the box office at 323-848-5100. www.hob.com

Three Different Ways To Ring In 2012 @ The London West Hollywood

The holiday celebration continues on New Year’s Eve with three different ways to ring in 2012. From 5-8pm guests may enjoy a three-course meal from Gordon Ramsay, with menu selections including Maine Lobster Gratinée, Roasted Colorado Lamb Loin and Chocolate Hazelnut, as they enjoy a performance by Gill Crooner. ($95 per person.)

For those who choose to spend the evening enjoying a later dinner and celebrating at the hotel, Gordon Ramsay will offer a five-course menu boasting delicacies such as grilled Kingfish sashimi, prime beef wellington and an asseitte of Pastry. The night will top off with a midnight champagne toast and tunes spun by DJ Chris Carter. ($145 per person.)

Finally, for the ultimate in New Year’s Eve celebrating, let The London host a night to remember with a Gordon Ramsay dinner party for up to 12 of your closest friends.

Guests will enjoy an eight-course dinner, paired with the best in bubbly, as well as a midnight toast with a magnum of Dom Perignon Rose ’85. As the night winds down, guests will retreat to one of their six luxurious guest suites for the ideal holiday sleep-over.

The party continues New Year’s Day with breakfast at Boxwood Cafe Breakfast Table and a day of fun in the sun in a rooftop poolside cabana. (Package is $20,000 for 12.) www.thelondonwesthollywood.com

Dinner + Frank Sinatra Tribute @ Nonna of Italy

Nonna of Italy will host a four-course dinner. The dinner will also feature a live performance paying tribute to legendary crooner and former Sunset Strip staple Frank Sinatra. Seatings are available after 8 p.m., and the live music begins at 9:30 p.m.

Dinner is $125 per person, plus tax and gratuity. www.nonnaofitaly.com

NYE Dinner @ Rosa Mexicano

A special New Year’s Eve a la carte menu will be available as well as premium holiday cocktails and DJs. For more information and to make reservations, visit www.rosamexicano.com

PARTIES & LIVE ENTERTAINMENT:

“Shaken Not Stirred” Party @ Skybar

“Shaken Not Stirred” James Bond-themed New Year’s Eve party featuring special guest DJs. Admission includes champagne toast at midnight and open bar. 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. Ages 21 and older, only. Tickets are $175 ($150 for hotel guests and Asia de Cuba guests). For more information and reservations.

Champagne + Comedy @ The Comedy Store

Ring out 2011 and ring in 2012 with an all star cast of comics, champagne, party favors and free gifts, including two VIP passes worth up to $40! Main Room show is $50 (9 p.m. start), and the Original Room is $40 (10 p.m. start). Ages 21 and older, only. Tickets and additional information.

Jenny and Johnny + Cults @ The Standard, Hollywood

Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 9:30 p.m. Tickets range from $75-$125. This event is ages 21 and older, only. Purchase tickets.

Semi Precious Weapons & Warner Drive @ The Roxy Theatre

Local favorites Semi Precious Weapons and Warner Drive battle it out on New Year’s Eve at The Roxy. Beta Wolf, Benvenue, Open Air Stereo and Life Down Here round out the bill. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $45 for VIP (must be 21 or older to purchase VIP). www.theroxyonsunset.com

Dirty Nasty, Andre Legacy & Beardo @ The Viper Room

Doors open 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35. Purchase tickets. www.viperroom.com

Musiq Soulchild @ House of Blues Sunset Strip

In addition to general admission tickets, special NYE packages are also available. Purchase a music hall table package (four tickets, one bottle, Foundation Room access and a champagne toast at midnight) for $750, a rails/balcony package (six tickets, four-course dinner, open bar, Foundation Room access and a bottle of champagne for the table at midnight) for $1,500, or an open bar package (access to the balcony with open bar) for $150 per person. General admission tickets are $67.50 in advance and $72.50 day of show.

For questions or reservations, call the box office at 323-848-5100. www.hob.com

DJ Quik @ Key Club

Legendary DJ Quik headlines with Toni Monroe opening. Tickets are $40-$75.

Full details and to purchase tickets, www.keyclub.com.

LA Guns featuring Dilana @ Whisky A Go-Go

Miserable End, LA Scuffle, Heavyness, Rebelmann and Advocators of Fun are also on the bill. Tickets are $20, doors open at 7 p.m. www.whiskyagogo.com

Party hosted by Cisco Adler @ Rock & Reilly’s

An unlimited open bar for $100 per person. Table service available upon request. For reservations, contact Matt@RandRPub.com  www.randrpub.com

About The Sunset Strip:

The Sunset Strip is a 1.6-mile stretch along Sunset Boulevard that runs through the heart of West Hollywood. From its beginning as an unregulated “strip” of land along Sunset Boulevard outside Los Angeles’ city limits, The Sunset Strip has served as a notorious entertainment destination for celebrities, tourists and California residents. It is an iconic locale where fashion, music, architecture and a unique history combine. The Sunset Strip has birthed countless music and entertainment careers, and it continues to blaze its own path as a leading destination with a vibrant and entertaining landscape made up of more than 150 restaurants, shops, nightclubs and hotels. The Sunset Strip became part of the City of West Hollywood when it was incorporated in 1984.

For more information about The Sunset Strip, please visit www.thesunsetstrip.com

Latin Roots, Old San Juan
For salsa lovers, this is the home to the salsa temples and truly captures the essence of Puerto Rican salsa dancing. Salsa dance teachers are available to anyone who wishes to learn and an open dance floor encourages anyone,sangria-fuelled or not, to join in. A vibrant and buzzing atmosphere by day and night and in-house Orchestra, allows a place to find your ‘Latin Roots’.

For more information, visit www.thelatinroots.com  or contact info@thelatinroots.com.

The Nuyorican Cafe, Old San Juan

For live salsa between Wednesday and Sunday, the most authentic place to enjoy local salsa orchestras is right off Fortaleza Street in the heart of Old San Juan.

For more information, visit www.nuyoricancafepr.com.

Tantra, Old San Juan

An intimate venue featuring a vivacious young crowd in an exotic Latino-Hindu atmosphere. Heavily influenced byIndian and Puerto-Rican decor, Tantra is famous for its extensive custom-made martini menu, fusions of Indian andlocal food and belly dancers that entertain the customers.

For more information, contact 001 787 977 8141.

Amphiteatro Tito Puente, San Juan

Jazz enthusiasts will revel in the funky sounds of at the Hotel El Convento, where they can enjoy tasty cocktails and a variety of jazz sounds surrounded by lagoons and trees, a great spot to hear hot Latin jazz, reggae, and Spanish pop music.

For more information, visit www.elconvento.com.

Wet Bar at The Water Club, Isla Verda

Sophisticated, chic drinking venue where guests can watch the sun set over San Juan.

Operating out of The Water Club Hotel, Wet Bar is the perfect place to relax and unwind in a quirky furnished venue. Guests can also do some celebrity spotting with Donatella Versace a regular face in the crowd.

For more information, visit www.waterbeachclubhotel.com.

The Casino at El Conquistador Resort, Fajardo

Movie buffs will recognise this bar as the casino visited by 007 in the James Bond film, Goldfinger. The striking building captures the glitz and glamour that typically surrounds casinos with windows looking over the Atlantic Ocean and untouched rugged coastline.

Guests buzz with the adrenaline of blackjack, Caribbean Stud and pokerrecuperating in the newly renovated casino bar, Twenty One.

For more information, visit www.elconresort.com.

For information on the tastes of Puerto Rico, visit www.seepuertorico.com

“The period between the summer travel rush and holiday season is an ideal time for a Kaua‘i vacation getaway,” said Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau. “Fall is a time for travelers to take advantage of off-peak fares and escape to the Garden Island for our beautiful weather, some adventure, relaxation, and to rejuvenate the spirit.”
Following are new happenings, specials and events that are “blooming” on the Garden Isle of Kaua‘i this fall:

WHAT’S NEW

Kaua‘i’s Kanani Akina is the American Girl of the Year
All this year, young girls everywhere are learning about the uniqueness of Kaua‘i’s special qualities, cultural appeal, and close-knit spirit of ‘ohana (family), as told through the story of Kanani Akina, the 2011 American Girl of the Year. The Kanani doll conveys Hawai‘i’s multi-cultural diversity and comes with two books that tell her story about life on Kaua‘i, including the rescue of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal. In support of educational programs raising awareness about protecting endangered animals, American Girl is donating $1 for every Kanani plush monk seal sold in 2011 to the National Wildlife Federation (up to $100,000). www.americangirl.com/girloftheyear/2011

Let’s See Kaua‘i in the Movies

Hollywood loves Kaua‘i! The island has been the setting for more than 60 major motion picture films and television productions, and this year moviegoers worldwide are enjoying the island’s beautiful scenery in four major motion pictures. The first film, Just Go with It, starring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler, was released in February and brought laughs to audiences nationwide. Soul Surfer, the inspiring story of Kaua‘i surfer Bethany Hamilton, debuted in April. The summer’s blockbuster, Pirates of the Caribbean, On Stranger Tides used Kaua‘i’s landscape as the backdrop for Johnny Depp’s fantasy adventure film.

For those who enjoy a good drama, Kaua‘i will share the spotlight with George Clooney in The Descendants, which opens in theaters on November 23 and is based on the popular novel by Hawai‘i author Kaui Hart Hemmings.
Kaua‘i Mini Golf opens on the North Shore
This is not your typical miniature golf course. There are no clown’s mouths or windmills to shoot through.

This 18-hole putting green style course is set amongst beautiful botanical gardens representing the different eras of Hawai‘i’s culture. Meanwhile, water hazards, pipe shots, and many other obstacles make for a fun and challenging experience. Along the way you will travel through Hawai‘i’s history, learning about the islands’ storied past and beautiful tropical flora. www.kauaiminigolf.com

Kaua‘i Culinary World Heats U

 Josselin’s Tapas Bar & Grill has opened in Po‘ipü. The new menu by Jean-Marie Josselin, one of the 12 original Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine chefs, features a mix of country French, seasonal Provencal and Asian dishes.

 22 North is a new restaurant at Kilohana Plantation that offers only Kaua‘i-grown meats, fish, and produce, including fruits and vegetables from its 1.5-acre garden and the 60-acre Kilohana orchard and agricultural park.
Ø Kaua‘i Grill,the first Hawai‘i restaurant of acclaimed Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, features his French and Asian influenced cuisine at The St. Regis Princeville Resort.

Kaua‘i Culinary Market at Kukui‘ula Village is Kaua‘i’s latest market featuring live chef demonstrations using Kaua‘i grown food products.

Prince Golf Course to Reopen December 14
The acclaimed Princeville Prince Golf Course, one of Hawai‘i’s top-ranked golf courses and a Top 100 course in the United States, is reopening December 14 following a multi-million-dollar renovation. Tee time reservations are being accepted. Highlights of the renovation include a complete reconstruction of putting greens with SeaDwarf Seashore Paspalum turf and sub-surface material to meet modern USGA specifications; remodeling of bunkers to improve drainage, playability, and visibility; widening of fairways; and addition of new tees for added shot value and variety.

In addition, the Prince’s 60,000-square-foot clubhouse will complete its second phase of refurbishment to coincide with the golf course reopening. The Tavern Restaurant by Roy Yamaguchi and the Prince Golf Shop, both located on the clubhouse lower level, will continue to remain open during the renovation. www.princeville.com

New Offerings at Waimea Plantation Cottages
The Aston Waimea Plantation Cottages serves up the taste of Kaua‘i with a new menu at The Grove Café. Ele‘ele Coffee, local catch-of-the-day, Kekaha shrimp and pupu favorites, can now be enjoyed along with thirst-quenching Hawai‘i brewed beers.

The café features live entertainment Wednesday – Friday evenings, while almost American Idols can grab a microphone and sing Karaoke-style on Tuesdays.

www.AstonHotels.com

Kaua‘i Marriott Resort Completes $50M Renovation

Kaua‘i Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach has completed a $50-million renovation that brought improvements to all areas of the hotel. Highlights included a transformation of the 356 guest rooms with a timeless island elegance, a refurbishment of Kukui’s restaurant and Aupaka Terrace lobby lounge, a newly built children’s pool with a slide and water spout features, and an expanded porte cochere and improved main lobby.

The 800-acre oceanfront resort offers Kaua‘i’s most impressive swimming pool with five saunas, as well as a Jack Nicklaus signature golf experience at the Kaua‘i Lagoons Golf Club. www.kauaimarriott.com

Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa Completes Renovation

The Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa, located oceanfront at Po‘ipü, has finished renovating its guest rooms. Inspired by Kaua‘i’s ambiance, the guest rooms now feature new mahogany furniture, with marble entryways, and upgraded bathrooms that have marble counter tops, double sinks, and rain-style showers. www.kauai.hyatt.com

Sheraton Kauai Resort Completes $16M Renovation
Sheraton Kauai Resort has completed a $16-million renovation of its ocean wing pool, courtyard, front desk, lobby, and porte cochere.

A highlight is the new Lavas at Po‘ipü Beach restaurant, which offers a poolside dining experience with an open-air beach bar and culinary delicacies. Also coming to the resort is the introduction of a new RumFire restaurant (opening in December 2011). www.sheraton-kauai.com

New Köloa Landing Resort Opens at Po‘ipü Beach
Köloa Landing at Po‘ipü Beach officially opened in April, with the first phase featuring 85 guest villas, two resort pools, a lounge and bar, and upscale gourmet marketplace.

The resort’s second phase will include an additional 29 villas, full service spa, and restaurant. Köloa Landing is located on 25 acres in a lush tropical setting amid meandering lagoons and cascading waterfalls. Information: mward@mbennettspr.net

KAUA‘I SPECIAL OFFERS

Koloa Landing Wyndham Grand Resort at Po‘ipü Beach

The Koloa Landing Wyndham Grand Resort at Po‘ipü Beach is delighted to introduce Island Play Date, a special offer that includes an upgrade to a two-bedroom luxury villa, breakfast welcome basket the first morning, and choice of scuba, snorkeling or surf lesson for two. Starting at $245 per night with a four-night minimum stay valid until December 9, 2011. www.wyndham.com

Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation

If you’re hungry for a great hotel deal don’t miss Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation’s Food Fall Special. With a five-night minimum stay, guests will enjoy a $50 dining credit good for use at the Plantation Garden Restaurant. Special fall rates start at $195 per night for a one-bedroom Royal Garden condominium. Book now for travel through December 21, 2011. www.outrigger.com

Aston Waimea Plantation Cottages

Private seaside cottages located on a historic 27-acre coconut plantation adjacent to Kaua‘i’s famous Näpali Coast and Waimea Canyon.

Enjoy special fall rates now starting at $220 per night for a one-bedroom garden view cottage. Book now for travel through December 21, 2011. www.astonhotels.com

Sheraton Kauai Resort

Receive a complimentary upgrade to a midsize car when booking the Free Car Package. Call 808-742-1661 and mention code CCC0APKG to receive this offer valid until December 25, 2011.
www.sheraton-kauai.com

Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas

Located on the picturesque North Shore, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas is offering a free compact car with their Free Car Package for booking now through December 25, 2011.
Call 808-827-8700 and mention code DAILY0A. www.westinprinceville.com

Kaua‘i – Hawai‘i’s Island of Discovery

Nicknamed the Garden Island, Kaua‘i is green and flourishing with lush flora that runs from the mountains to the ocean. Kaua‘i offers more than 50 miles of white-sand beaches – more beach per mile than any other island in Hawai‘i. Other natural wonders include the 3,567-foot deep Waimea Canyon, dubbed “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” and the 3,000-foot towering mountain cliffs overlooking the Näpali Coast along the northwest shoreline.

Kaua‘i’s abundance of outdoor activities, including kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, mountain tubing, horseback riding, ATV adventures, zipline tours, and helicopter and boat tours, offer memorable vacation experiences for the whole family.

For information about Kaua‘i – Hawai‘i’s Island of Discovery – visit www.KauaiDiscovery.com  or call the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau toll-free at 800-262-1400.

Follow updates about Kaua‘i via Twitter (@kauaidiscovery)  and as a fan on its Facebook page as Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau.

The Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau is a division of the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau, which is contracted by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA), the state of Hawai‘i’s tourism agency, for marketing management services in North America. The HTA was established in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage Hawai‘i tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with the state of Hawai‘i’s economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires, and visitor industry needs.

From Key Largo to Key West, the calendar is packed with events designed to celebrate the holiday spirit — including festive lighted boat parades featuring vessels whose decorations range from traditional greenery to offbeat salutes to the season.

Listed here are some holiday highlights, all spiced with a characteristically Florida Keys flair.

Now Through Thursday, Dec. 22

Holiday Photos with Santini (or another dolphin) at Dolphin Research Center (Marathon)

At Dolphin Research Center, mile marker (MM) 59 bayside on Grassy Key, visitors who participate in the Meet the Dolphin program also can pose with the dolphins for a holiday photo. Visitors can select holiday-themed props to use while posing, and DRC’s experienced photographers will shoot the pictures using high-resolution digital cameras.

The program is offered several times each day on a walk-in basis and costs $25 per person in addition to general admission prices.

The photos are available on a disk for $15 for one person or $30 for two to six people in the same shot. Print prices vary depending on the number ordered. Contact: 305-289-1121 or visit www.dolphins.org.

Wednesday, Nov. 23, throughout the holiday season
Key West Harbor Walk of Lights (Key West)
The harbor walk along the Historic Seaport at the Key West Bight, stretching from Greene Street to Grinnell Street, is to be festively lit from rooftops to the sea for the holiday season. Celebrate with holiday events, browse at unique island shops and galleries, and relax at waterfront restaurants and watering holes.

Part of the Key West “Bight” Before Christmas Holiday Celebration, the festivities are presented by the Key West Bight Preservation Association. Contact: www.keywestchristmas.org.

Friday through Sunday, Nov. 25-27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival (Islamorada)
Postcard Inn Resort & Marina at Holiday Isle, MM 84 oceanside, hosts the annual craft show, a perfect opportunity to do some holiday shopping for original artwork and unique and handcrafted items.

Admission is free. Contact: Christy Cockrell at 305-433-9935 or ccockrell@holidayisle.com.

Sunday, Nov. 27, 8 p.m.
“The Messiah” (Key West)

As many as 90 singers from around the Florida Keys participate in the annual performance of George Frideric Handel’s holiday masterpiece. Directed by Dean Walters, the 28th annual production is to be staged at Key West United Methodist Church at the corner of Eaton and Simonton streets, and admission is free. Contact: 305-745-1409.

Friday, Dec. 2, 4-10 p.m.
Florida Keys Holiday Festival (Islamorada)

This extravaganza features a tree-lighting ceremony at Founders Park, MM 87, a holiday parade with decorated floats and a 20-ton mountain of snow for mitten-clad munchkins.

Other attractions include a Vino Village with gourmet food and fine wines, seasonal contests, a Santa Paws Pet Parade and live music and dance performances. Contact: 800-322-5397 or www.islamoradachamber.com/events.cfm.

Saturday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m.
Key West Holiday Parade (Key West)

The island city shows its holiday spirit with this annual hometown parade.

Featuring marching groups and motorized and nonmotorized floats, the festive procession traditionally draws entries from churches, civic organizations, businesses and neighborhood and school groups.

Starting at Truman Avenue and White Street, it proceeds down Truman to Duval, where it takes a right and continues on to Eaton Street. Contact: 305-809-3881 or visit www.keywestcity.com.

Sunday, Dec. 4, 4-7 p.m.

Annual Tree Lighting Celebration (Marathon)
An early evening event in the parking area outside Fishermen’s Community Hospital gathers the Marathon community to light the tree atop the hospital. Holiday entertainment includes a “special guest” appearance, raffles, activities for kids, jazz and tap dancers, music, cookies and punch. Contact: 305-743-5533.

Thursday, Dec. 7, 6-9 p.m.
Light Up Key Largo (Key Largo)

Sponsored by the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, holiday happenings with live music, decorations, food and drinks are to spark the holiday spirit. The annual tree lighting is to be held at the Murray E. Nelson Government and Cultural Center, MM 102. The Key Largo community tree is to be decorated with railroad flair in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad.

Eggnog, caroling, holiday cookies and stocking stuffers are guaranteed to get everyone in the festive mood. Contact: 305-822-1088 or www.floridakeys.org.

Friday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m.
Keys Chorale 2011 Holiday Concert (Key West)

The Keys Chorale at Florida Keys Community College, under the direction of Dean Walters, presents its annual holiday concert featuring seasonal favorites from around the world.

Highlights include a selection of “Gloria” by Antonio Vivaldi, accompanied by a small instrumental ensemble. Tickets for Friday night are $30 for reserved seating and $20 for general admission. The concert is staged at the Tennessee Williams Theatre, 5901 College Road.
Contact: 305-296-1520 or visit www.keystix.com.

Friday, Dec. 9, 6-9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 17, 6-9 p.m.
Holiday Historic Lighted Inn Tours (Key West)

Discover the holiday spirit and Key West’s architecture and history by touring beautifully decorated island inns. Hosted by the Key West Innkeepers Association, the tours include mouthwatering cuisine from Key West restaurants, vintages from Opici Wine Co. and other holiday refreshments.

Tours can be self-guided or taken in conjunction with a holiday trolley tour. For cost and ticketing information, visit www.kwholidays.com.  Contact: 305-295-1334.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Big Pine & Lower Keys Island Art Festival (Big Pine Key)

Experience the joys of art and music at this winter festival to be held on the wooded grounds of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, MM 31 oceanside.

Family fun highlights include live music by favorite local entertainers, exhibits and booths featuring the original work of artists and craftsmen, raffles of artwork and vendors offering food and beverages. Parking and admission are free. Contact: 305-872-2411 or www.lowerkeyschamber.com.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 5 p.m.
Boot Key Harbor Lighted Christmas Boat Parade (Marathon)

At this favorite Middle Keys holiday event, dinghies, mega-yachts and vessels in between cruise the harbor in a sparkling procession. Best viewing sites include Lazy Days South, Marathon Marina, Sombrero Dockside Lounge and Burdine’s Waterfront. Contact: 305-849-0285 or www.bootkeyharbor.com/christmas_parade.htm.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Key Largo Boat Parade (Key Largo)

This year’s theme is “Key Largo Imagination.” Blackwater Sound is to shimmer as decorated boats parade along the shoreline in celebration of the holiday season.

The best viewing and libations are to be found at Sundowners, Senor Frijoles, the Marriott Key Largo Bay Resort and Caribbean Club, MM 103-104. Contact: 305-394-3736 or www.keylargoboatparade.com.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 8 p.m.
Schooner Wharf Bar 21st Annual Lighted Boat Parade (Key West)

Lighted and decorated vessels from rowboats to tall ships proceed around Key West’s Historic Seaport and harbor areas. Before the boat parade, at 6 p.m., the Gerald Adams Elementary School “Steel” Your Heart Band will welcome spectators with songs of the season, followed by the popular family band, The Doerfels. Holiday revelers can watch and applaud from bars, restaurants and resorts in and around the Historic Seaport. Contact: 305-292-3302 or www.schoonerwharf.com/11boatparade.htm.

Sunday, Dec. 11, 3 p.m.
Southernmost Christmas Tree Celebration (Key West)

Holiday revelers enjoy free conch chowder, then board Conch Tour Trains to proceed to the continental United States’ Southernmost Point to set up the southernmost Christmas tree at sunset overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The event is an annual community thank-you party presented by the Monroe Association for ReMARCable Citizens. The fun starts at 1401 Seminary St. Contact: 305-294-9526.

Sunday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m. (dusk)
Key Colony Beach Lighted Boat Parade (Marathon area)

Christmas lights on outriggers and displays on boat decks are part of the beautiful festivities during the Key Colony Beach Boat Parade, set to begin at the 7th Street canal.

The parade is open to all boats, and the route visits canals and cuts, and passes city hall three times. Great viewing spots include Sadowski Causeway at MM 53.5 and the area behind city hall. The event is open to the public. Contact: 305-743-7214.

Saturday, Dec. 17, 4 p.m.
Pops in the Park Holiday Concert (Plantation Key, Islamorada)

The Keys Community Concert Band is to perform a free holiday concert titled “Tropical Christmas” at Founders Park, MM 87 bayside on Plantation Key.

Performances are outdoors and attendees are invited to bring blankets or lawn chairs.

Contact: Donna Heiner at 305-853-7294 www.keyscommunityconcertband.org 

Saturday, Dec. 17, 5 & 8 p.m.
Marathon Community Theater presents a Christmas Concert (Marathon)

Two shows are slated to ring in holiday cheer for Marathon-area audiences. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children. Contact: 305-743-0994 or www.marathontheater.org.

Saturday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m.
Lower Keys Lighted Boat Parade (Lower Florida Keys)

All boats are welcome to enter the parade including deep-sea cruisers, dinghies, kayaks and canoes. Santa and Mrs. Claus are expected to arrive and hand out candy to the kids.

The best recommended viewing is from Pine Channel Causeway or Parrotdise Waterfront Bar & Grille, 183 Barry Ave. on Little Torch Key. Contact: Steve at 305-923-5370 or bigpinenews@aol.com.

Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18, 6-8 p.m.
Holiday Music on the Harbor Walk of Lights (Key West)

Enjoy traditional Christmas music under the stars on the Key West Harbor Walk of Lights. Classical violin and Celtic fiddle compositions of favorite holiday tunes are to be performed by “Violins in Motion” from Fort Lauderdale, consisting of talented 4- to 18-year-old South Florida and international students, all self-funded. The event is free, but donations will be accepted for the fight against childhood diabetes. Contact: www.keywestchristmas.org.

Sunday, Dec. 18, 1-3 p.m.
Christmas on the Farm 2011 (Stock Island, Key West)

Kids and adults can visit the furry, fluffy and feathered residents of the Animal Farm and get a photo taken with Santa. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm is situated at the county’s detention center just outside Key West at 5501 College Road. This event is free and open to the public. Contact: Jeanne Selander at 305-293-7300 or www.keysso.net/miscellaneous/animal_park.htm.

Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 27-28, 5-8 p.m.
52nd Annual Key West House & Garden Tours (Key West)

Presented by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, the annual self-guided tours showcase festively dressed Key West homes and gardens. Tickets are $25, and proceeds benefit the Old Island Restoration Foundation’s museums, collection and education, grant and scholarship programs. Contact: 305-294-9501 or visit www.oirf.org.

Saturday, Dec. 31, just before midnight
Key West New Year’s Eve Celebrations (Key West)

The Southernmost City celebrates New Year’s Eve with a “conch shell drop” at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, 201 Duval St.; the descent of a super-sized red high-heel shoe carrying drag queen Sushi at the Bourbon St. Pub/New Orleans House complex, 724 Duval St., and the descent of a pirate wench from atop a tall ship’s mast in the island city’s Historic Seaport. Contact: 305-296-2388, ext. 121, for Sloppy Joe’s conch shell drop; 305-293-9800 for the high-heel drop; 305-292-3302 for the descent of the pirate wench.

Saturday, Dec. 31, midnight
New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Beach (Islamorada)

Fireworks on the beach are planned at Pierre’s Restaurant and Morada Bay Beach Café, MM 81.6 bayside. Live music and cocktails are available for purchase to add to the celebration, but coolers are not allowed. Contact: 305-664-8414.

Saturday, Dec. 31, midnight
New Year’s Eve Fireworks on Blackwater Sound (Key Largo)

The back bay in Key Largo is to be the setting for the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks extravaganza hosted by bayside restaurants Sundowners, Señor Frijoles, Cactus Jack’s, Gus’ Grille at the Marriott Key Largo Beach Resort and the Caribbean Club, all located around MM 103-104. Contact: 305-451-4502 or visit www.keylargofireworks.com.

Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, 8 a.m.
Village New Year’s Day Celebration (Islamorada)

The annual 5k Run, Walk and Crawl is slated to start at 8 a.m. Jan. 1 at Founders Park, MM 87 bayside in Islamorada. For the less athletically minded, festivities follow with the 10 a.m. blessing of the fleet at Whale Harbor Bridge, MM 84 oceanside. Contact: 305-853-1685.

Florida Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com  or 1-800-FLA-KEYS
Social: facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest • twitter.com/thefloridakeys  • youtube.com/FloridaKeysTV

CHICAGO – With its glittering lights and joyous atmosphere, Chicago is a delightful winter wonderland. The city’s downtown and neighborhoods shine brightly this time of year, inviting visitors and locals alike to join in the holiday spirit. From special holiday exhibitions and performances to popular annual traditions like the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® and the Daley Plaza Christmas Tree to celebrations of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, there is no better place than Chicago to experience the magic of the holidays and welcome the winter season.

For event details and more information on visiting Chicago during the festive November and December months, visitwww.ExploreChicago.org. Admission for the listings below are FREE unless otherwise noted.

ANNUAL TRADITIONS

Millennium Park: McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
November 18 through March 11, 2012 (weather permitting)

Kick off Chicago’s winter season with a fun-filled day of ice skating. The rink, now in its 11th season and drawing more than 100,000 skaters annually, is free and open to the public. Skate rental is available for $10.

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® presented by BMO Harris Bank
November 19

The holiday fun begins at 11am with a day full of live musical performances, celebrity entertainers and family friendly activities along Lights Festival Lane at Pioneer Court. Mickey and Minnie Mouse serve as grand marshals of the evening parade, magically illuminating more than one million lights on 200 trees along The Magnificent Mile®. The parade, which features more than 30 spectacular floats, balloons and marching bands, begins at 5:30pm and is followed by a spectacular fireworks show over the Chicago River at 6:55pm.

Daley Plaza: Chicago Christmas Tree and Lighting Ceremony
November 23

Presented by The City of Chicago and Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the 98th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is a highly-anticipated event drawing people of all ages to the heart of Chicago’s downtown Loop. Live performances and festive holiday music begin at 4:30pm and the holiday season officially commences at 5:00pm, when the switch is flipped and the lights begin to sparkle in Daley Plaza.

Daley Plaza: UL Santa House
November 23 through December 24

Visit with Santa Claus, enjoy interactive activities and have your picture taken at the UL Santa House, a replica of Santa’s workshop where children can experience the wonder of the North Pole this holiday season.

Chicago Holiday Season/ADD ONE

Daley Plaza: Christkindlmarket Chicago
November 23 through December 24

Experience a traditional German Christmas inspired by the famous Nuremberg Christmas market dating back to 1545. Visitors will find Chicago’s iconic Picasso sculpture surrounded by red and white crested huts glowing with warmth and overflowing with curios. Daley Plaza is transformed at this outdoor market offering exquisite handmade gifts, unique ornaments and German delicacies like brats, goulash, potato pancakes, cookies and Gluhwein (a warm spiced wine).

McDonald’s® Thanksgiving Parade
November 24

Ronald McDonald, Santa and a cast of thousands march down State Street as over 400,000 people line the route from Congress Parkway to Randolph Street. Whether you’re gazing at the gigantic helium balloons, moving to the beat of the marching bands or waving at the entertainers in decorative floats, there is fun for all at the biggest holiday parade in the city and the only one in Chicago to feature inflatable balloons every year.

Millennium Park: Caroling at Cloud Gate
November 25 through December 16 – Fridays

Chicagoans and visitors alike are invited to Cloud Gate in Millennium Park to hear the beautiful voices of different Chicago choral groups and participate in a holiday sing-along at 6pm. After the holiday sing-along, everyone is encouraged to skate at Millennium Park’s McCormick Tribune Ice Rink.

Art Institute of Chicago: Wreathing of the Lions
November 25

Celebrate the 20th anniversary of this Chicago family favorite tradition as the lions along the Museum’s Michigan Avenue entrance are adorned with evergreen wreaths. Performances by Wooten Choral Ensemble add melodic cheer outside during the ceremony and inside the museum immediately following. Families can stop by the Ryan Education Center to create wreaths inspired by the many treasures in the collection.

Navy Pier: Winter Wonderfest
December 2 through January 8, 2012

New this year, an added week of family fun at the 11th annual Winter WonderFest presented by Bank of America. Enjoy more time to have more fun inside with 170,000 square feet of rides, inflatable slides, stunning lights and holiday décor, entertainment and more.

CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS, EVENTS AND SIGHTSEEING

Chicago Greeter: Magnificent Mile InstaGreeter
November 4 through December 31 – Fridays and Saturdays

Just in time for the holidays, Chicago Greeter will offer free, one-hour walks of North Michigan Avenue and the surrounding area with local residents who provide information and insights on the Streeterville and Gold Coast neighborhoods; landmarks such as the John Hancock Center and the former Playboy Mansion, historic hotels and cathedrals; and best bets for holiday shopping. Departing from the Water Works Visitor Information Center, all InstaGreeter walks are first-come, first-served and limited to groups of six or fewer.

Art Institute of Chicago: Holiday Thorne Rooms
November 11

General museum admission ranges from $12-18.
The tiny but joy-filled Thorne Minuture Rooms are back, trimmed in historic holiday finery. This year, the New Orleans and New Mexico rooms join the festive tradition, and the never-before-seen Americana Room from Marshall Field V’s private collection will also be displayed.

Museum of Science and Industry: Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
November 17 through January 9, 2012

General museum admission ranges from $10-15.
A time-honored celebration, the Christmas Around the World exhibition includes more than 50 trees and displays decorated by volunteers from Chicago’s ethnic communities to reflect holiday traditions from around the globe. Holidays of Light, a multicultural display of holiday traditions that celebrate light or enlightenment, such as Diwali and Hanukkah, also illuminates the Museum’s halls during this time.

Chicago Holiday Season/ADD TWO

Lincoln Park Zoo: Zoo Lights
November 25 through December 11 – Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
December 9 through January 1, 2012 – Daily

Enter a winter wonderland illuminated by more than two million lights at Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual classic. Get a picture taken with Santa through December 23rd, prepare holiday crafts and watch ice carving. Then escape the cold and experience the climates, conditions and animals of four continents: South America, Africa, Asia and Australia in the zoo’s Regenstein Small Mammal Reptile House.

Shedd Aquarium: A Holiday Fantasea
November 25 through January 2, 2012
General museum admission ranges from $6-8.

Back by popular demand, the holiday multi-species aquatic show returns featuring your favorite marine mammals. Pacific white-sided dolphins leap, beluga whales breach and a sea lion saunters, showcasing their natural behaviors set to a festive soundtrack from around the world – and Santa makes a special appearance.

Lincoln Park Conservatory: Winter Flower and Train Show
November 26 through January 8, 2012
See model trains wind their way through a miniature village set amongst colorful Poinsettias. The village, comprised entirely of natural materials including willow, spruce and birch woods, features famous buildings and Chicago-style homes such as the neighborhood bungalow, Chicago Theatre and Water Tower Place.

Chicago Children’s Museum: Celebrations Around the World
December 1

Learn how different cultures celebrate important occasions through music, dance, demonstrations and hands-on activities, all presented by community partners.

Shedd Aquarium: Holiday Breakfasts
November 26 and December 10, 17, 24

Adults $44.95, Youth (Ages 3-11) $34.95.

Treat the family to a special holiday experience where after a full breakfast, it’s “All aboard!” for a private viewing of the 15-minute The Polar Express 4-D Experience, followed by a drawing for special prizes. The holiday fun continues during a visit with Santa. Snap a photo with him and receive a gift. Explore Shedd’s Polar Play Zone and finish your special day with reserved seats to A Holiday Fantasea.

John Hancock Observatory: Breakfast with Santa
December 3 though December 18 – Saturdays and Sundays only
Adults $39, Youth $29, Infant $19

Experience a magical holiday high more than 1,000 feet in the air. Bring the family to the 94th floor of the John Hancock Observatory for pictures with Santa Claus and enjoy a festive breakfast buffet.

Macy’s on State Street: Breakfast with Santa Claus
December 3-4, December 10-11 and December 17-18
Adults $16.95, Youth (Under 10 Years) $12.95

Enjoy a yummy plated breakfast, children’s entertainment and a visit from Santa at this family-friendly event.

DuSable Museum of African American History: Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration
December 8 through December 9
General museum admission ranges from $3-10.

The Harambee Pre-Kwanzaa Festival is an exciting musical celebration of family, community and culture, featuring Kwame Steve Cobb and Chavunduka, performing songs from their highly acclaimed recording, Seven Principles. Their dynamic multi-media, concert presentation teaches the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa.

Spirit of Chicago Santa Lunch Cruise
December 10
Ticket prices range from $19.95-39.90

Dine on a festive lunch buffet and enjoy live performances and DJ entertainment while cruising the lakefront and visiting with Santa. See spectacular views of Chicago’s skyline from the warm climate-controlled decks.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES

Goodman Theatre: A Christmas Carol
November 18 through December 31
Tickets range from $16-45.

For three decades, Charles Dickens’ classic story, exceptional actors and miraculous stagecraft have made A Christmas Carol a perennial holiday favorite and beloved Chicago tradition. Audiences delight in the “Bah, Humbugs,” the arrival of the ghosts, the music and dancing and Scrooge’s joyful discovery of life and love.

Art Institute of Chicago: Midday Music
November 25 through December 31
General museum admission ranges from $12-18.

From gospel to jazz, traditional carols to klezmer, heavenly harp and lute to exhilarating pipa, Chicago’s finest musicians offer the sounds of the season in these free concerts held in Griffin Court of the Modern Wing.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Harold and the Purple Crayon: A Dance Adventure
December 3 through 4
Ticket prices start at $15.

This enchanting program by Hubbard Street 2 (HS2), the second company of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, originally debuted at the prestigious Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and returns this December to the Harris Theater at Millennium Park. Families and their children ages 4 and up can help create Harold’s next adventure through their own exploration of movement at this hour-long, interactive dance adaptation.

Chicago Cultural Center: Dance Along Nutcracker 2011
December 4

Sugar-plum fairies and toy soldiers of all ages return once again at this interactive holiday event. Audience members, young and old, are encouraged to dress in their finest tutus and hit the dance floor alongside professional dancers. One hour before each Dance Along Nutcracker, younger participants are invited to special free ballet workshops in the Chicago Cultural Center.

Garfield Park Conservatory: Live Music in the Conservatory
December 4

Enjoy live music among living plants as Gina Gibson presents holiday selections including blues, jazz classics, pop standards and Broadway show tunes.

Joffrey Ballet Chicago: Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker
December 9 through December 27
Tickets range from $25-145.

One of Chicago’s most popular holiday traditions, Robert Joffrey’s production of The Nutcracker transforms the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University into a land of beauty, fantasy and wonder. The entire company celebrates with brilliant costumes, ingenious lighting, entrancing storytelling and Tchaikovsky’s magical score performed by a live orchestra. This holiday tradition creates wonder for children of all ages.

American Girl Place Chicago: Children’s Holiday Choir
December 10

Families are invited to celebrate the season with American Girl at this festive event, which brings students from the British School of Chicago Children’s Choir will sing a selection of holiday favorites.

Chicago Children’s Choir: Songs of the Season
December 11

Experience the joy and musical excellence of the Emmy Award-winning Chicago Children’s Choir as they perform at the Harris Theater at Millennium Park. The Concert Choir is joined by the Neighborhood Honors Choir and will feature the 2005 winner of the BBC Singer of the World Competition, Nicole Cabell.

A Christmas Story, the Musical
December 14 through December 30
Ticket prices range from $35-79.

This favorite Christmas movie comes to life on the stage of The Chicago Theatre. Chronicling the young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker as he schemes his way toward the gift of his dreams, a Red Ryder Action Air Rifle BB Gun, it is a holiday classic that will entertain the whole family.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Welcome Yule
December 16-18 and December 21-23
Tickets range from $20-98.

The merry musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus promise a delightful program of new arrangements, cherished carols and some musical surprises. Join in the fun with sing-alongs and rollicking traditional tunes, including “Christmas in Chicago.”

Art Institute of Chicago: Maxwell Street Klezmer Band
December 22
General museum admission ranges from $12-18.

On the second night of Hanukkah, Chicago’s own Maxwell Street Klezmer Band plays songs inspired by the works of Marc Chagall.

SHOPPING EVENTS

Glitter: a Holiday Shopping Event
December 1

Discover the best gifts for the holidays when local Chicago designers and boutiques celebrate the season with special holiday items, sales and original fashions at the Chicago Cultural Center.

Notebaert Nature Museum: Green Family Holiday Fair
December 10

Join the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum as they partner with the Green Parents Network for a special day of family fun and holiday shopping with plenty of green companies and their products.

Illinois Artisans Chicago Holiday Art Spree
December 14 through December 16
Juried artisans display and sell gift items in a three-day Holiday Art Spree in the James R. Thompson Center Atrium. Take home local Illinois-made items, from jewelry, photography, paintings and ceramics.

Chicago’s Downtown Farmstand
The Farmstand is the perfect place to find locally-made holiday gifts for the foodies on your list, and to buy ingredients and discover new recipes for holiday meals. Open year round, this specialty market offers edible local products, all sourced within 250 miles of Chicago, including fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs in season; baked treats; and a full range of condiments, preserves, seasonings and other dry goods items.

Holiday Shopping in Chicago Neighborhoods
Southport Corridor and Lincoln Park along Lincoln Avenue, Clark Street, Armitage Avenue and Halsted Street are home to specialty shops that carry the work of independent and Chicago-based designers. Division Street and Wicker Park along Damen, Milwaukee or North Avenue offer an even wider variety of shopping alternatives.

VISITOR INFORMATION RESOURCES

Visitors and Chicagoans planning to entertain out-of-town guests can receive trip-planning assistance and information by visiting www.ExploreChicago.org.

Brochures and information on Chicago’s exciting events and activities are also available at the Visitor Information Centers. Friendly Visitor Representatives can answer questions and assist in planning an unforgettable itinerary.

The visitor centers are located in two of the city’s most popular areas: across from Millennium Park in the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street; and at the historic Water Works pumping station, 163 E. Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue.

For daily alerts about fun and free things to do in the city, follow Explore Chicago on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ExploreChicago  and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ExploreChicago where you can also weigh in on your Chicago favorites. Get answers to your Chicago questions on the go, restaurant recommendations, and tips on citywide events and activities via the FREE Twitter Concierge Service @explorechicago available daily.

The Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture is dedicated to promoting Chicago as a premier cultural destination to domestic and international leisure travelers, providing innovative visitor programs and services, and presenting free world-class public programs. For more information please visit www.ExploreChicago.org

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