👋 What’s Up, Palm Beach County!
Happy Tuesday! The New Year is right around the corner, and there’s a fresh, exciting energy in the air. From end-of-year celebrations to community events and new experiences to kick off the year, Palm Beach County is ready to welcome what’s next.
Let’s dive into what’s happening this week as we count down to the New Year! ✨🎉
📰 In Today's Edition:
Wellington Sets January Grand Opening for New Aquatics Center
Holiday in Paradise
Lantern & Lights Safari Nights - A Magical After‑Dark Experience
📅 Weekend event calendar (Oct 24-27)
Wellington Sets January Grand Opening for New Aquatics Center
Wellington is making a splash in the New Year with the highly anticipated January grand opening of its new Aquatics Center. Designed to serve residents of all ages, the state-of-the-art facility will feature modern pools, upgraded amenities, and expanded space for swim lessons, fitness programs, and community events.
The new Aquatics Center aims to enhance recreational opportunities while supporting water safety education and competitive swimming programs. Local officials say the project reflects Wellington’s continued investment in quality-of-life improvements and family-friendly facilities.
Residents can look forward to a fresh, modern space to cool off, stay active, and connect with the community as Wellington kicks off 2026 with a major addition to its parks and recreation offerings. 🏊♀️✨
What to expect:
🏊♂️ State-of-the-art pools designed for recreation, lap swimming, and training
👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly amenities for all ages and skill levels
🧒 Swim lessons & water safety programs for kids and beginners
💪 Aquatic fitness classes and wellness-focused activities
🏆 Space for competitive swimming and community swim events
♿ Accessible design features to accommodate all visitors
🌴 Modern facilities & upgraded amenities for comfort and convenience
Holiday in Paradise
Time is running out to experience Holiday in Paradise, West Palm Beach’s festive waterfront celebration. As the season wraps up, this is your last chance to soak in the holiday magic-twinkling lights, waterfront views, family-friendly activities, and that unmistakable Palm Beach holiday vibe.
Whether you’re stopping by for a stroll, snapping a few photos, or enjoying the festive atmosphere with friends and family, Holiday in Paradise is the perfect way to close out the season on a high note.
Visit before it ends and make one more holiday memory in paradise!
Event highlights:
✨ Festive waterfront light displays
🎄 Holiday-themed décor and photo spots
👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly activities for all ages
🌴 Scenic views along the West Palm Beach waterfront
📸 Perfect spots for holiday photos and memories
🎶 Seasonal atmosphere with a lively, cheerful vibe
🏗️ Delray Beach Sets Groundbreaking For New $300M Water Treatment Plant
Delray Beach officials have announced a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2026 for a major new water treatment facility — a nearly $300 million investment that city leaders are calling the largest infrastructure project in Delray Beach’s history.
📍 What’s Being Built
The project involves replacing the current water treatment plant — which has served the community for more than six decades — with a modern membrane water treatment facility at the same Swinton Avenue site.
This state-of-the-art plant will use advanced nanofiltration technology to significantly improve drinking water quality and ensure compliance with evolving federal drinking water standards.
Residents and businesses can expect cleaner, safer, and more reliable water that better meets regulatory requirements and supports long-term growth.
🛠️ Goals and Benefits
City officials have highlighted several key goals for the project:
Improved public health protection through enhanced water quality.
Greater system reliability, including upgraded backup power to maintain operations through storms or outages.
Long-term resilience — building infrastructure that will serve Delray Beach for decades rather than patching problems year by year.
Delray Beach City Manager Terrence R. Moore said the investment goes beyond construction: it reflects a serious commitment to stewardship of public services and future readiness for the community.
💰 Funding & Delivery
The project — valued at roughly $287 million — will be delivered through a progressive design-build approach with CDM Constructors, Inc. to help manage complexity and cost certainty.
Funding is planned via two revenue bonds for water utility improvements, meaning the project does not draw on the city’s General Fund.
📈 Why It’s Needed
The existing facility is over 60 years old, and state and federal drinking water standards have become stricter over time. Updated regulations, especially around contaminants, helped drive the city toward a full replacement rather than a smaller upgrade.
Beyond quality, the plant will also expand capacity and operational flexibility to support future population and regulatory demands.
Lantern & Lights Safari Nights - A Magical After‑Dark Experience
Get ready for a glowing adventure at Lion Country Safari with Lantern & Lights Safari Nights, a breathtaking nighttime festival that transforms the park into a luminous wonderland you won’t want to miss!
This festive experience runs on select evenings through January 18, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM — perfect for a family night out, date night, or a memorable local outing under the stars.
Best plan:
🌟 60+ larger‑than‑life illuminated exhibits inspired by wildlife from around the world and a Prehistoric Land of Legends that light up the safari after dark.
📸 Interactive displays — glowing swings, tunnels, and photo‑worthy moments at every turn.
🍹 Festive holiday cocktails and a Wild Eats menu to enjoy while you explore.
🎅 Special appearances by Santa on select nights in December, adding an extra touch of holiday magic.
Whether you’re coming for the lights, the food, or the fun, Lantern & Lights Safari Nights is one of West Palm Beach’s most magical seasonal experiences, and still going strong as the holidays continue!
Exciting This Week
🎭 Arts & Entertainment
Sandi The Holiday Tree Night Shows
📅 Dec 30–31, 2025
📍 Downtown West Palm Beach
Daily synchronized light and music shows with WPB’s festive Sandi sand tree and holiday displays — a magical seasonal experience for all ages
Past the Eyes & Full Circle Exhibition at Armory Art Center
📅 Dec 30–Dec 31, 2025
📍 Armory Art Center, WPB
Two thought‑provoking art exhibitions exploring perception and balance — great for daytime cultural visits.
Morikami Museum Oshogatsu / Year of the Horse Weekend
📅 Jan 3, 2026
📍 Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach
Celebrate the Japanese New Year with paper craft fun, ceremonial archery demonstration, and family activities that honor tradition, renewal, and good fortune.
🎶 Music & Performances
Sandi’s New Year’s Eve with Ferris & Fireworks
📅 Dec 31, 2025 • 8:00 PM–Midnight
📍 The Great Lawn, Downtown WPB
Bring in 2026 with live music from rock band On The Roxx, a DJ set, holiday lights, Ferris wheel rides, and a spectacular 15‑minute fireworks show over the Intracoastal Waterway to ring in the New Year together.
⚽ Sports & Wellness
Floatilla Party Cruise & E‑Bike Tours
📅 Jan 1–Jan 2, 2026 (mornings)
📍 Downtown WPB Waterways
Start the New Year with fun outdoor activities including festive group boat cruises, scenic e‑bike tours, and Sip & Dip cruises that offer fresh air, activity, and views of the waterfront.
Hosted weekly in Palm Beach County parks. Group fitness, guided nature walks, and community yoga sessions are available.
✅ More Events & Details:
Thanks for reading The Palm Beach Digest! Let’s chat again on Friday!
✉️ Contact: [email protected]