So there’s not much of a nip in the air most days, but the holidays in Boca Raton can dazzle nonetheless.

There are plenty of local traditions to get the family in the holiday spirit. Give the season a tropical twist at the boat parade. See the lights in Downtown Boca. Take in a performance of The Nutcracker.

You won’t miss the snow a bit. Here are some favorite holiday happenings for the family:

HOLIDAY LIGHTING EXTRAVAGANZA

The city of Boca Raton holds its annual tree lighting, with a live ice sculpture demonstration, Santa Claus, a big pile of “snow,” food, kiddie rides and other activities. Mayor Susan Whelchel flips the switch to light the holiday tree. Bring a new unwrapped gift to donate to the Spirit of Giving network. 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 23 at Mizner Park Amphitheater.

THE NUTCRACKER

Boca Ballet Theatre presents its annual performance of the holiday classic. Show times are 7 p.m. Nov. 23, 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 24 and 2 p.m. Nov. 25. Tickets are $35 for adults; $25 for kids 17 and under. Call 561-995-0709.

You can also catch the Miami City Ballet production Dec. 14-16 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale.  Call 877-929-7010 or visit browardcenter.org.

HOLIDAY STREET PARADE

Entertainers and floats from organizations all over town cruise up Federal Highway in this annual parade. It runs from Southeast Eighth Street north to Mizner Park. Free. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Enjoy a pancake breakfast, train rides, a visit with Santa, crafts and more. 8:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 8, Boca Raton Children’s Museum, 498 Crawford Blvd. Admission is $10; free for infants. Reserve in advance at 561-368-6875.

BOCA RATON BOAT PARADE

This floating holiday tradition runs along the Intracoastal Waterway, beginning at the C-15 canal on the Delray Beach border. Bleacher viewing at Red Reef and Silver Palm Parks. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8.

KABBALAH FAMILY FUN CARNIVAL

The Kabbalah Center of Boca Raton presents a family celebration of Hanukkah, including astrology readings, a bounce house, face painting and more. Call 561-488-8826. 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 9 at Mizner Park Amphitheater. Call 561-488-8826.

PICTURES WITH SANTA

Santa will be holding court at Town Center through Dec. 24. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Nov. 30; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday Dec. 1-23; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 21-22; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24. Avoid the line and schedule an appointment online.

WORTH A DRIVE

Some other sights worth seeing around South Florida:

HOLIDAY FANTASY OF LIGHTS

Just a few minutes south, you can take a ride through a fabulous three-mile light display. It’s open 6 to 10 p.m. nightly through Jan. 5 at Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Rd., Coconut Creek. Admission is $13 a carload; $10 Monday-Wednesday.

WINTERFEST BOAT PARADE

This is the big one, which goes up the New River and Intracoastal Waterway from Fort Lauderdale to Pompano Beach. You can watch from any place you can find along the banks of the waterways. Or you can buy grandstand seats in advance at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Sunrise Boulevard and the Intracoastal. Grandstand tickets are $22 for adults; $18 for kids.  Call 954-767-0686 or visit winterfestparade.com.

If you’re staying in town for the holidays and need to find something for the kids to do, or need child care while you work, there are some great camps offered during the break, from basketball to gymnastics to drama.

Many of the programs also offer some flexibility, whether you need them for the whole break, or just a day or two.

Here are some ideas:

Boca Hoops: The recreational basketball league’s Holiday Mini Camp has two sessions for girls and boys age 7-15: Dec. 27-30 and Jan. 3-6. Both run 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Olympic Heights Community High School, 20101 Lyons Rd. Call 561-395-7372, ext. 106.

City of Boca Raton: Recreational camp for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade at the Boca Raton Community Center, 150 Crawfod Blvd. Offered Dec. 23; Dec. 26-30; Jan. 2-6; and Jan. 9. $30 a day per child for residents; $43 for non-residents. Call 561-393-7888 to register.

Tennis: Junior Winter Camp for ages 3-16 is offered at two locations.

• The Patch Reef Park Tennis Center, 2000 Yamato Rd., offers the program Dec. 26-30 and Jan. 2-6. 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for ages 6-16; 9 a.m. to noon for ages 3-5. Call 561-367-7090.
• The Racquet Center, 21626 St. Andrews Blvd., offers Junior Winter Break Camp Dec. 26-30 and Jan. 2-6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for ages 6-16, all levels. Drills, match play, arts & crafts and swim break. Weekly rate: $210 for residents; $262.50 for non-residents. Daiy rate: $55 for residents; $68.75 for non-residents. Pee Wee camp for ages 3-6 runs 9 a.m. to noon same dates. Weekly rate: $135 for residents; $168.75 for non-residents. Daily rate: $35 for residents; $43.75 for non-residents.

YMCA: Its Winter Break Camp at the Peter Blum Family Center, 6631 Palmetto Cir. S., runs Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-30. Members $140 for four days or $40 a day; for non-members, $240 for four days or $70 a day.

Rising Stars: Gymnastics Holiday Camp, 1088 S. Rogers Cir., runs Dec.23 and Dec. 26-30; Jan. 2-6 and Jan. 9. Rates for all 12 days: 1/2 day, $300; 3/4 day, $340; full day, $380. Weekly rates: 1/2 day, $130; 3/4 day, $145; full day, $165. Daily rates: 1/2 day, $27; 3/4 day, $33; full day, $38.

Museum of Discovery & Science: Winter break camp for kids 6-12 at the museum, 401 SW Second St. in Fort Lauderdale, includes an IMAX movie.

• Dec. 19-23, campers will explore the science behind each of the museum’s new exhibit halls. Step into a whirling tornado, watch otters at play, and explore the Florida Water Story.

• Dec. 26-30, campers will journey into the science of lines, angles, and high thrill rides through the K’NEX exhibit. Build simple machines and watch them go. Experiment with basic architecture and different building materials. See how roller coasters are designed to make gravity work for them. Then test out these theories on the MaxFlight rollercoaster simulator. Camps run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Before- and after-care available. Rates are  $55 for one day; $90 for two days; $200 for four days; $225 for five days. Call 954-713-0930 to register.

Twisters: Gymnastics Winter Holiday Camp, 3100 NW Boca Raton Blvd, #308, runs Dec. 23 and Dec. 26-30. Winter-themed gymnastics fun, games, movies and arts & crafts. Daily rates: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $47; 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., $67; 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., $77. Weekly rates: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., $187; 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., $267; 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., $297.

Showtime: Campers at this performing arts program will learn songs, scenes and choreography from Footloose. Dec. 26-Jan. 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Extended day 8 a.m.-6 p.m. available.  Performance on Jan. 6. 561-394-2626. Showtime is at 503 SE Mizner Blvd., Suite 73, Royal Palm Place. www.showtimeboca.com.

If you have other ideas, post in the comments.

Who’s ready for a long weekend – a day at the beach, some lovely explosives? Here are some of the July 4th events around town, culminating in fireworks on Monday night.

EAST BOCA

The city of Boca Raton’s annual July Fourth event starts at 6 p.m. Monday at Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd. There will be music, food and games until 9 p.m., when the fireworks start. Bring blankets and chairs. It’s all free.

WEST BOCA

Palm Beach County celebrates starting at 6:30 p.m. with a concert by Soul Survivors at Sunset Cove Amphitheater, 12551 Glades Rd. Fireworks start after the show. Admission is free. Bring a picnic and lawn chairs.

DELRAY BEACH

Delray Beach’s July 4th celebration goes all day long. It starts at 8 a.m. with a sand-sculpting contest on the beach at Atlantic Avenue and Ocean Boulevard. The contest runs till noon, with winners announced at 1 p.m. At 2 p.m., a giant American flag will be raised over the beach. At 4 p.m., register your bike or scooter for the patriotic parade for all ages at Veterans Park on Atlantic Avenue and the Intracoastal  Waterway. The parade to State Road A1A starts at 4:45 p.m. In between, there are other food and fun activities, culminating in fireworks at 9 p.m. It’s all free. (If your weekend plans include ditching the kids for awhile, Boston’s on the Beach is having a blues festival that starts Friday night.)

DEERFIELD BEACH

Deerfield Beach’s Independence Day event starts at 1 p.m. Monday with free live entertainment till 9 p.m., ending with fireworks at the pier. A free shuttle will run 11 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. from the Cove shopping center. The Hillsboro Boulevard bridge will be closed to vehicles until after the fireworks show.

BEACH CONDITIONS

Check Boca beach conditions online, via webcam or call 561-393-7989.