WEST PALM BEACH, FL (November 2, 2021) – The star of the City of West Palm Beach’s annual Holiday in Paradise has an additional reason to celebrate this year –her 10th birthday! Sandi, the world’s only 35-foot-tall, 700-ton holiday sand tree, will return with her friends this December to the city’s waterfront to “hang 10” and bring good “tide-ings.”
Sandi and the other sand sculptures are constructed in November and are officially lit during a formal ceremony at the Clematis by Night Holiday Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 2, 2021, 6 – 9 p.m., on the Great Lawn (100 N. Clematis St.). The celebration will include a concert by a soon-to-be-announced national performer, an appearance by Santa Claus and additional activities.
“In 10 years, Holiday in Paradise featuring Sandi has cemented itself as a beloved holiday tradition for West Palm Beach residents, families and thousands of visitors to our city,” said City of West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James. “We welcome everyone to celebrate with us at Holiday in Paradise and to wish Sandi a happy 10th birthday!”
This year’s Holiday in Paradise community partner is the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach. The nonprofit will provide additional activities, including a scavenger hunt to find Sandi’s friends on each floor of the library and a letter-writing station where kids can send cards to Sandi and receive a splashy response.
Through December 30, 2021, nightly music and light shows will run on the quarter-hour from 6 – 10 p.m., except when showtimes are adjusted during special events. As part of New Year’s Eve celebrations, Sandi shows will run until midnight. The city’s Centennial Fountain (127 N Clematis Street) will dance in synchronized fashion during Sandi’s shows.
All Holiday in Paradise activities will take place on the Great Lawn unless otherwise noted. Events include:
- TEE-KI Time Mini Golf Thursdays – Sundays; 6 – 9 p.m. | Under the trellises along Clematis St. | $3 per person
The tropical 9-hole course will illuminate just steps from where Sandi shines brightly. Tickets and refreshments will be available for purchase from the new WPB Tiki concession trailer.
- Sandi’s Storytime and Holiday Movies Friday, December 10; 6 – 10 p.m. | FREE
All are invited for a fun storytime on the Great Lawn as Sandi narrates how she came to be, followed by a sing-along of ‘Frosty the Snowman.’ A showing of The Santa Clause 2 (PG) will immediately follow.
- Sandi and Santa’s Annual Pancake Breakfast Saturday, December 18 – three seatings: 9 a.m., 9:45 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. | Lake Pavilion (101 S Flagler Drive)| $6 per person
Enjoy a pancake breakfast with all the fixings steps away from Sandi. The experience also includes private access to a visit with Santa. Please note, tickets must be purchased in advance through Eventbrite (a small Eventbrite processing fee will be applied).
- Sunday on the Waterfront, the return of the Aloha Islanders Sunday, December 19; 4 – 7 p.m. | FREE
The Aloha Islanders are back! This interactive show features a high-energy Polynesian hula and music show for audiences of all ages. This year also marks the return of the Conch Blowing Contest.
“We are so happy that we can finally make a slow, safe return to our usual Holiday in Paradise progamming,” said Mary Pinak, community events manager for the City of West Palm Beach. “While we welcome back our Clematis by Light Holiday Tree Lighting and the Aloha Islanders, we are also keeping some of our well-received pandemic pivots, like storytime with Sandi. It will be a full and exciting celebration this holiday season, as should be the case for a star like Sandi!”
Since her debut in 2012, Sandi has received numerous international and regional awards and accolades, including “Best New Event” and “Best Event within an Existing Festival” by the International Festivals and Events Association, “Most Innovative Project” by the Florida Festivals and Events Association and, most recently, a Henry Award from VISIT FLORIDA. Sandi has been featured in/on The Huffington Post, Thrillist, CNN, Martha Stewart, Travel + Leisure, and The Ellen Show. She also has her own closely-followed social media accounts @Sanditreewpb.
Holiday in Paradise sponsors-to-date include the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, Land Rover of Palm Beach, Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Heath Specialty Center, Florida Power & Light, FPL Manatee Lagoon, Discover The Palm Beaches, Burkhardt Construction, West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority, The Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach Daily News, 97.9 WRMF, SUNNY 107.9, New Country 103.1, X 102.3, PARTY 96.3, News Talk 850 WFTL, FOX Sports 640 AM, Best Western Palm Beach Lakes, Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham West Palm Beach, WPB Magazine, West Palm Beach Marriott, and WPBF 25 News. Partners-to-date include Northwood Village, Historic Northwest Neighborhood, and Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach. Visit wpb.org/cra for more information on additional holiday activations around the City of West Palm Beach.
All patrons are expected to follow current CDC guidelines, and hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the venue. Holiday in Paradise takes place on the Great Lawn (100 N. Clematis Street). For more information about Holiday in Paradise and other city events, visit www.wpb.org/events, call (561) 822-1515 (TTY: 800-955-8771) or follow the City of West Palm Beach on Facebook @CityofWPB and on Twitter and Instagram @westpalmbch. Follow the West Palm Beach GreenMarket on Facebook and Instagram @WPBGreenMarket.
