Happy Tuesday, West Palm Beach. In today’s edition: A tropical garden lantern festival, Flagler Museum organ and tree lighting, Zoo Lights, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Deals drive holiday rush: Black Friday packed malls in Palm Beach County, surpassing last year’s turnout as many hit the NRF’s $890 average. Lines stretched at Nike and Gap, while Lululemon was crowded — see where crowds gathered.

Gilded Age sounds return: Henry Flagler’s 1902 Palm Beach mansion featured a custom 1,249-pipe Odell organ. The treasured instrument still fills Whitehall with music, including at the Flagler Museum’s Dec. 7 Christmas tree-lighting celebration — see event details and history.

Council maps path forward: Loxahatchee Groves council acknowledged communication breakdowns and plans improvements, choosing cost-effective fixes while advancing a March charter referendum and winning backing for a limited fireworks bill — get all the details.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Wander tropical gardens aglow with lanterns
• Shop Buckler’s 35th Holiday Craft Fair
• Honor heroes at luncheon with Clinton Romesha
• Enjoy Phoenix5 with Sandi the sand tree
• Experience Lea Salonga’s Broadway and Disney hits
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

Connecting people and pets: Palm Beach County just took its Doggie Day Out program to the commission chambers. Under Mayor Maria Marino’s first-ever Ambassador Edition, shelter pups spend workdays at the County Governmental Center to spur adoptions. Marino also proclaimed November 2025 Volunteer Appreciation Month. Bonus: Edison (“Eddie”) was adopted by a county property appraiser after the event. Read the full story.

Shimmering lakeside tradition: The ninth annual Wellington Holiday Boat Parade returns Saturday, Dec. 13, with about 50 lighted boats looping Lake Wellington. Viewing is best from the Town Center Promenade (festivities 5:30 to 8 p.m., boats launch at 6:15). Judges will hand out more awards than usual, and neighbors throw shoreline parties. Bring your own seating. Get all the details.

Neighborhood burrito intel: When the craving hits, Taqueria Las Marías rolls Tex-Mex from a roaming truck, serving classic asada and al pastor burritos. Need extra fuel? Try the Mega Burros size. Easy, satisfying, and perfect for busy weeknights.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

🧀 Raclette Night @ Pistache French Bistro | Wednesday (12/3) at 5:00pm – Whether you ski or just après, this is the French Alps without the TSA. Pistache is melting raclette tableside, with potatoes, charcuterie, cornichons, and seasonal veg. Bring your sweater with forgiving seams, book a table, and call it self-care.

🏮 A Tropical Garden Lantern Festival @ Mounts Botanical Garden | Wednesday (12/3) at 5:30pm – Holiday evenings call for a stroll that outshines your neighbor’s inflatable penguin. Mounts Botanical Garden turns into a glowing tropical dream, with 500 handcrafted silk lanterns, flamingos and orchids, and a 195-foot dragon on the lake. Easy walk, kid-approved, date-night worthy.

🎄 Lilly Lovers Holiday Tree Lighting & Ornament Exchange @ Batch New Southern Kitchen | Thursday (12/4) at 5:30pm – If your ornament stash could use Palm Beach sparkle, come sip cocktails at Batch New Southern Kitchen and swap something shiny while they light the tree, Lilly-style. Bring a wrapped ornament and cash, snag the $8 ticket online, then stroll to Sandy for group photo.

🍳 Holiday Breakfast @ West Palm Beach Marriott | Friday (12/5) at 7:30am – Ready to swap another awkward office party for a breakfast that actually does some good? Leadership PBC is serving coffee with a side of silent auction, wine pull, food drive, charity gift drive, and civic pride. Grab tickets or nominate a charity at https://tinyurl.com/HolidayBreakfast2025.

🛍️ Holiday Market @ Tanger Outlets Palm Beach | Friday (12/5) at 10:00am – Skip the big-box panic and wander Center Paseo, near The Food Pavilion, for a holiday market that actually feels local. Handpicked goods from Florida makers, one-of-a-kind gifts, and enough cheer to make you forget the palm trees are in charge.

This weekend

🌿 Conservation Connections@ Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area | Saturday (12/6) at 8:00am – Whether you’ve hiked Loxahatchee since it was just the Slough, or only admired it from Bee Line, this guided 3.5-mile wander with Conservation Florida and the County’s Environmental Resources Management brings birds, big skies, and conservation stories. Expect sand, science, and zero HOA drama. RSVP.

✂️ 35th Annual Christmas Craft Fair @ South Florida Fairgrounds | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Take a break from big-box chaos and wander rows of handmade ornaments, stained glass, gourd lamps, and fudge at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Kids are free, admission is $7 cash or $8 credit, and a canned good knocks a buck off, plus karma.

🍷 Wine Tasting@ West Palm Beach GreenMarket | Saturday (12/6) at 11:00am – Give your palate a refresher at GreenMarket with a Chardonnay tasting led by Hunter Rivers of Kobrand. Sample Burgundy, California, Oregon, and South America, learn why climate, terroir, and winemaking matter, enjoy light bites, then admit you’re buying a bottle or three at the pop-up.

❄️ Winter in Paradise @ Heart & Soul Park | Saturday (12/6) at 5:00pm – Whether you still have your Motown moves or come for free food, Winter in Paradise turns Heart & Soul Park into a free block party in the Historic Northwest. Think lighting ceremony, Fire Rescue on the grill, roller skating, snow-blasting firetruck, Junkanoo, and N2Nation.

✨ Zoo Lights @ Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society | Sunday (12/7) at 5:30pm – Zoo Lights is taking over Palm Beach Zoo with eco-friendly glow, festive music, a dazzling light show, and enough twinkle to make HOA jealous; stroll pathways, sip cocoa, and watch a 24-foot animated tree sync to holiday favorites. Low stress, high charm, no ladder required.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/5 BJ Parks @ Salute Market – 6:30 pm
• 12/5 Jeremy Piven @ Kravis Center – 7 pm
• 12/6 The Dinner Detective @ DoubleTree Palm Beach Gardens – 6 pm
• 12/6 Lucianna Coelho @ Salute Market – 6:30 pm
• 12/11 The Lush Guitar @ Norton Museum – 7 pm
• 12/12 Chris MacDonald @ The Paddock – 6:30 pm
• 12/13 Last Flight Out @ The Crazy Horse Saloon – 9 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Greg Forest (SERHANT.)

Historic bones, 2025 brains. This 3,942 sq ft jewel serves 4 ensuite bedrooms, 4.5 baths and a private office, all behind impact glass. White oak underfoot, custom millwork everywhere, a marble fireplace for drama. The showpiece chef’s kitchen stares at the pool and lush grounds, flanked by a summer kitchen. New plumbing and electrical keep the past polished, while spa baths keep the mornings civilized. Ten-year tax abatement, because beauty and brains earn perks.

Prestigious Southland Park puts beaches, Flagler Drive, and Worth Avenue on quick dial, with world-class dining moments away.

Take a peek inside →