Holiday season arrives in the Gables with tree lighting, Santa visit

December 10th, 2012
Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Crowds stream to the Holiday Spectacular. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Cast of 'A Christmas Carol' performs for the crowd. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

The city's holiday tree fully aglow. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Eduardo Castellanos and Laura Garcia in front of a gingerbread family. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Merrick Park becomes a holiday wonderland. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Gingerbread house at the winter wonderland. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

George Merrick enjoys the best perch for the Holiday Spectacular. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Kids enjoy a prime view of Santa's motorcade. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Kids and families at the Holiday Spectacular. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Holiday revelers ready to welcome Santa. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Kids and parents line up along Santa's route. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Jamie Martin participates in face painting. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Junior Orange Bowl mascot Jobie with the Royal Court. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Junior Orange Bowl royalty with toy soldiers. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Young guests get creative with arts and crafts. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Kids and parents at the fun house. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Mayor Jim Cason, Vice Mayor Bill Kerdyk, Commissioner Frank Quesada join Santa and friends in song. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Natalia Zea takes the stage with distinguished guests. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Guests test their skill at carnival games. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Santa and the Junior Orange Bowl Royal Court strike a pose. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Santa Claus visits with a little girl and her dad. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Santa arrives in grand style at the city's Holiday Spectacular. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Santa waves to the crowd from atop a Gables fire engine. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular

Kids help pull the lever to light up the city's tree. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Crowds stream to the Holiday Spectacular. Photo by Betty AlvarezCast of 'A Christmas Carol' performs for the crowd. Photo by Betty AlvarezThe city's holiday tree fully aglow. Photo by Betty AlvarezEduardo Castellanos and Laura Garcia in front of a gingerbread family. Photo by Betty AlvarezMerrick Park becomes a holiday wonderland. Photo by Betty AlvarezGingerbread house at the winter wonderland. Photo by Betty AlvarezGeorge Merrick enjoys the best perch for the Holiday Spectacular. Photo by Betty AlvarezKids enjoy a prime view of Santa's motorcade. Photo by Betty AlvarezKids and families at the Holiday Spectacular. Photo by Betty AlvarezHoliday revelers ready to welcome Santa. Photo by Betty AlvarezKids and parents line up along Santa's route. Photo by Betty AlvarezJamie Martin participates in face painting. Photo by Betty AlvarezJunior Orange Bowl mascot Jobie with the Royal Court. Photo by Betty AlvarezJunior Orange Bowl royalty with toy soldiers. Photo by Betty AlvarezYoung guests get creative with arts and crafts. Photo by Betty AlvarezKids and parents at the fun house. Photo by Betty AlvarezMayor Jim Cason, Vice Mayor Bill Kerdyk, Commissioner Frank Quesada join Santa and friends in song. Photo by Betty AlvarezNatalia Zea takes the stage with distinguished guests. Photo by Betty AlvarezGuests test their skill at carnival games. Photo by Betty AlvarezSanta and the Junior Orange Bowl Royal Court strike a pose. Photo by Betty AlvarezSanta Claus visits with a little girl and her dad. Photo by Betty AlvarezSanta arrives in grand style at the city's Holiday Spectacular. Photo by Betty AlvarezSanta waves to the crowd from atop a Gables fire engine. Photo by Betty AlvarezKids help pull the lever to light up the city's tree. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Riding atop a Coral Gables fire engine, Santa Claus came to town Friday evening, Dec. 7, delighting hundreds of residents and visitors at the city’s annual Holiday Spectacular.

Celebrants enjoyed carnival rides and games, bounce houses, art & crafts, face painting and more at the festivities outside City Hall.

Live entertainment included scenes from A Christmas Carol, presented by Actors’ Playhouse Children’s Theatre.

Santa joined children and dignitaries on stage to pull the switch and light up the city’s tree. The festivities also opened a winter wonderland at Merrick Park, just across from City Hall.

The magic of the holidays continues at Merrick Park daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. until Dec. 25. Come take pictures with Santa at the park on Thursdays and Fridays (5-10 p.m.) and Saturdays & Sundays (noon-10 p.m.) until Dec. 23

For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Division at 305-460-5600.

Photos by Betty Alvarez / Events Photographer