Sandi Tree Lighting Set for Thursday, Nov. 30 at Clematis by Night

November 20, 2023 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE       

Contact: Meredith Westheimer
Phone: (561) 213-8192
Email: meredithw@themooreagency.com

Contact: Diane G. Papadakos, Director of Communications
Phone: (561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)
Email: dpapadakos@wpb.org

See Sandi Light Up for the First Time this Season at Annual
Clematis by Night Holiday Tree Lighting

The City of West Palm Beach will begin the holidays with Sandi’s first synchronized light and music shows,
Ferris wheel rides, live music, a holiday boutique and more!

WHO:  West Palm Beach City Commissioners
Residents and visitors of all ages
Sandi, the world’s only 35-foot-tall, 700-ton holiday sand tree
Ferris Powered by Land Rover Palm Beach, a Ferris wheel   

WHAT: West Palm Beach City Officials will lead a large and excited crowd through a countdown to mark the start of Holiday in Paradise Presented by FPL officially! Once he flips the oversized switch from the NewDay USA Stage, Sandi will light up for the first time this season. Come catch the magic and memories that take place for thousands of families!

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023
From 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
(Sandi and Ferris run until 10 p.m.; live music, Santa visits and Holiday boutique end at 9 p.m.)

 WHERE: Great Lawn: 100 N. Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

WHY:  Holiday in Paradise was recognized in 2021 as the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice for “Best Public Holiday Lights Display” – and is currently in a competition to regain the top spot. To vote for Holiday in Paradise, featuring Sandi, visit here or wpb.org/events.

About this year’s Holiday in Paradise:

The City of West Palm Beach is preparing to say ‘ahoy’ to another season of Holiday in Paradise Presented by FPL. At the center of the month-long celebration are Sandi, the world’s only 700-ton holiday sand tree, and Ferris Powered by Land Rover Palm Beach. The Ferris wheel debuted as part of Sandi’s cast of characters last year. The annual celebration features free entertainment, including 100 tons of other sand sculptures, nightly music and light shows and daily things to see and do. This year’s extravaganza will “Treasure West Palm Beach” and feature a pirate theme. In celebration, the City is adding a new element – Paradise Island Presented by Dunkin’. The addition is a 50-ton sandbox with holiday- and pirate-themed activities. Sandi, Ferris, and all activities will debut on the Great Lawn during the Clematis by Night Holiday Tree Lighting.

This year’s theme features a new character and chapter in Sandi’s annual story. While sailing the ocean sea on a pirate ship, Captain Pauly the Parrot sees the glittery lights of Sandi and Ferris from afar through his spyglass. His band of merry men send him to see what treasure awaits. When they all descend on Sandiland, they discover that the true riches of the holiday lie in celebrating with community, family, and friends.

Festive holiday activities during Clematis by Night Holiday Tree Lighting include:

• Sandi’s first music and light show of the year begins at approximately 7 p.m.
• Ferris wheel rides are available from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. for $5 per person per ride plus taxes and fees, and rules and restrictions apply. For rules, visit www.wpb.org/rules.  
• Paradise Island, a giant 50-ton sandbox with holiday and pirate-themed activities.
• Live music on the NewDay USA Stage by local band, The Music Machine, featuring Top 40s, classic rock, hip hop, ’90s and other genres.
• Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in attendance for children and families to visit, take photos and share Christmas wishes.
• Holiday boutique in the Lake Pavilion from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. will feature handmade and festive items.
• Kids games
• Roving entertainment

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 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.

For more information about Holiday in Paradise or other City events, please visit wpb.org/events or follow the City’s events pages on Instagram and Facebook @eventswpb. For all City news, follow @CityofWPB on Facebook, and @TheCityofWPB on Instagram and Twitter. 

PHOTO / VIDEO OPS: Sandi, the world’s only 35-foot-tall, 700-ton holiday sand tree, and her synchronized music and light show, Ferris the Ferris wheel, Paradise Island, a 50-ton sandbox with pirate theme activities, Santa and Mrs. Clause, a local holiday boutique, attendees of all ages, food and drink vendors, kids playing and more.

ADVANCE MEDIA CONTACT: Meredith Westheimer | meredithw@themooreagency.com | c: (561) 213-8192 

ON-SITE MEDIA CONTACTS: Steph Conti | stephc@themooreagency.com | c: (954) 802-7209  and
Stephanie Carrillo | stephaniec@themooreagency.com | c: (786) 294-5127

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Sponsors to date include Florida Power & Light, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Health Specialty Center, Dunkin’, Land Rover Palm Beach, Discover The Palm Beaches, NewDay USA, 97.9 WRMF, SUNNY 107.9, New Country 103.1, X 102.3, PARTY 96.3, News Talk 850 WFTL, FOX Sports 640 AM, WPBF 25 News, West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, The Inscription West Palm Beach, The Ben, Autograph Collection, Visit Palm Beach, Best Western Palm Beach Lakes, Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham West Palm Beach, WPB Magazine, Hilton Palm Beach Airport, Hilton Garden Inn, West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, The Palm Beach Post, Jolly Time Popcorn and Cox Science Center and Aquarium.

Collaborators to date include Historic Northwest Neighborhood, Northwood Village and Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach.

About the City of West Palm Beach:  
The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic City located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. With a rich history, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region, and the central City of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing, waterfront City that offers the business advantages available in the region, combined with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit us on our official website, or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and/or Linked-in.

Media and the public should also keep the upcoming Holiday in Paradise dates on their radar for family-friendly holiday fun:

• Screen on the Green | Friday, Dec. 8 from 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Holiday-themed double feature | FREE on the Great Lawn

  About Muppet Treasure Island (G): 

  The Muppets are back in action in another movie based on a classic novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson. Kermit the Frog and his colleagues go on a warfare against ruthless pirates. They also share their problem-solving journey on sea to rescue a treasure. 

   About Muppet Christmas Carol (G): 

  The Muppet Christmas Carol is a retelling of the classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, miser extraordinaire. He is held accountable for his dastardly ways during night-time visitations by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.  

• Soul in the City Jazz Experience – Guitarist and Producer Adam Hawley

  | Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Lake Pavilion (101 South Flagler Drive) | $25 – $31.25 per person

  Soul in the City Jazz Experience is an intimate and unforgettable jazz experience overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. Drinks are available for purchase.

  Guitarist and Producer Adam Hawley has burst onto the contemporary jazz scene as a celebrated and innovative artist, composer and band leader. Hawley will perform a dynamic combination of unique holiday arrangements and original contemporary jazz selections. and some of your favorites from Stevie Wonder, Demi Lovato, Gap Band, Chris Brown, John Legend, and more.

• Sandi and Santa’s Annual Pancake Breakfast | Saturday, Dec. 16 | Seating will be available on the hour from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Tickets will soon be available at wpb.org/events. Tickets are $17 per person, plus taxes and fees. The event includes visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, the only daytime ride on Ferris, and a splash of pirates and mermaids.

   

• Sunday on the Waterfront featuring the Aloha Islanders Tropical Holiday Spectacular| Sunday, Dec. 17 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. | FREE on the Great Lawn

  The annual vibrant, high-energy, and authentic Polynesian show is popular with guests    of all ages and is consistently the most popular Sunday on the Waterfront show                           annually. The Islanders take the audience on a journey through Polynesia using pulsating   drums, beautiful hula dancers, and exciting Samoan fire knife dancers to make guests    feel truly transported. The event will also feature the annual conch-blowing contest.

• New Year’s Eve | Sunday, Dec. 31 from 6 p.m. – midnight | Ring in the New Year in style with Sandi, Ferris, and friends with extra music and light shows.

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