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Warm Hearts, Cool Scenes: ICE! Bliss in the Sunshine State

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ICE! at Gaylord Palms Unleashes Two Million Pounds of Frozen Fun to Bring ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ to Life.

December 28th, 2023

ICE! at Gaylord Palms Resort is a winter wonderland extravaganza that brings the magic of the holiday season to life in sunny Florida. Beyond the breathtaking main ice exhibit, the event offers a range of additional activities for an extra cost, ensuring there’s something for everyone. From gingerbread house making to snow tubing slides, a snowball toss, story time with Mrs. Claus, and a live show of Cirque: Spirit of Christmas, the array of options keeps the festive spirit alive.

The Alpine Village area complements the experience with merchandise, snacks, refreshments, and a beautiful Christmas tree display. This charming section of the event provides ample opportunities for photos, and the atmosphere remains inviting without ever feeling overcrowded.

The highlight of ICE! is undoubtedly the meticulously crafted ice scenes, a labor of love by 30+ Chinese artisans investing over 12,000 carving hours. The result is a mesmerizing snow-covered paradise featuring beloved Peanuts characters like Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Sally, Linus, and Peppermint Patty. Navigating through the exhibit for at least 30 minutes, visitors also get the thrill of plunging down a two-story ice slide. The staggering 2 million pounds of ice and 20,000 square feet of frozen fun contribute to an immersive and memorable experience.

Maintaining a chilly 9 degrees at all times, the provided parka is essential, but it’s advisable to come prepared with gloves, closed-toed shoes, long pants, and earmuffs or hoodies for additional comfort. The attention to detail in recreating scenes from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is impressive, capturing the essence of the classic story, including Charlie Brown’s sad Christmas tree, Snoopy’s Doghouse, Lucy’s psychiatric help stand, and the iconic holiday dance auditorium.

While the $37 parking charge may be a deterrent for some, the overall experience and the opportunity to create a unique holiday tradition in Florida make it worthwhile. The Gaylord Palms Resort itself adds to the charm, especially during the holiday season, with its festive decorations, atrium area, and resident alligators.

As you exit the exhibit, the gift shop beckons with a chance to warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or a delicious Cinnabon, providing a sweet conclusion to a frosty adventure. Overall, ICE! at Gaylord Palms Resort offers a delightful escape into the holiday spirit, making it a great tradition for locals and a unique experience for visitors from warmer climates.

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

  • ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms Resort with A Charlie Brown Christmas. ©South Florida Insider

Coach is South Florida Insider's Owner, President, Webmaster, as well as a Reporter and Photographer covering events all over the world. Born in West Palm Beach, Coach continues to call the sunny Florida area home. He received his Associate degree from the University of South Florida, then transferred to the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Journalism & Communications. During his journalistic career, which has been featured in local newspapers and magazines as well as national publications, Coach has also continued his love of being an educator. It’s through both endeavors that he’s actively got students interested in following in the field of journalism. Coach loves sharing the world of entertainment with others and giving people the opportunity to step out of the everyday life.

Events

Melissa Odabash Brings the French Riviera to PARAISO Miami Swim Week

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The glamour of the French Riviera arrived in Miami Beach as Melissa Odabash presented Riviera: La Côte d’Azur during PARAISO Miami Swim Week.


May 29, 2026

Before the runway began, guests explored sponsor activations throughout the venue, including cocktails from Empress 1908 Gin, pours from Maker’s Mark, refreshments from LaCroix, Australian Gold sun care products, and sweet treats from Tony’s Chocolonely. A crystal-covered MINI convertible featuring a sparkling pink palm tree quickly became one of the evening’s most photographed attractions.

As guests settled into their seats, the atmosphere shifted from Miami Beach to the Mediterranean coast.

Inspired by the timeless elegance and relaxed luxury of the French Riviera, the runway showcased the effortless resort style that has become synonymous with the Melissa Odabash brand. Models floated down the catwalk in sophisticated swimwear, airy coverups, crochet pieces, flowing dresses, and polished resort looks that felt equally at home in Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Monaco, or Miami Beach.

A palette of crisp whites, soft neutrals, shimmering metallics, and ocean-inspired blues reinforced the coastal aesthetic, while lightweight fabrics and elegant silhouettes captured the ease of luxury vacation dressing.

The presentation celebrated more than swimwear. It embraced an entire lifestyle centered around sunshine, travel, seaside glamour, and effortless sophistication. Each look reflected the idea that great resort fashion should feel both elevated and wearable, whether spent poolside at a beach club or dining waterfront at sunset.

By blending timeless resort pieces with the romantic spirit of the Côte d’Azur, Melissa Odabash delivered one of the week’s most transportive runway experiences. For a few moments inside the PARAISO Fashion Tent, guests were no longer on Collins Avenue. They were somewhere along the sun-soaked shores of the French Riviera.

Feeling inspired to plan your next getaway? The looks featured on the runway and additional resort wear styles can be purchased through MelissaOdabash.com, offering shoppers the opportunity to bring a touch of Côte d’Azur elegance to their own summer travels.

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Neutrogena’s Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party Brought SPF and Swim Week Energy to Strawberry Moon

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The Miami Swim Week® The Shows event mixed model casting, poolside glamour, sunscreen touch-ups, and a very South Beach kind of scene.


May 26, 2026

Miami Swim Week® The Shows is known for runway lights, bold swimwear, and a little bit of beautiful chaos, but Neutrogena brought the action poolside with its Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party at Strawberry Moon.

Set against the hotel’s dreamy pastel pool deck, the event felt less like a traditional casting call and more like a sun-soaked Swim Week hangout with a purpose. Models moved around the pool in swimwear, guests mingled under turquoise umbrellas, and the whole scene had that perfect Miami mix of fashion, beauty, heat, and “wait, is this a casting or a party?” energy.

The pool became the runway for the afternoon, with models walking along the water in front of Miami Swim Week® The Shows signage. It was casual, but still camera-ready. Instead of a stiff casting room, Neutrogena created a setting that felt alive, social, and very on-brand for Miami. There were bikinis, heels, palm trees, pool reflections, and enough sunlight to make the SPF message feel extremely relevant.

At the center of the event was Neutrogena’s bright activation area, complete with Ultra Sheer sunscreen products, yellow-and-white towels, and the perfect pool party reminder: “Arrive. Apply. Unwind.” Guests could check out the sunscreen lineup while taking in the casting atmosphere around them. It gave the whole afternoon a smart beauty angle without taking away from the fun.

The best part was how naturally everything fit together. Miami Swim Week is all about swimwear, bodies, beach culture, and confidence, so a sunblock casting pool party made perfect sense. Neutrogena did not just set up a table and call it a day. The brand turned SPF into part of the event experience, making sunscreen feel like the accessory everyone actually needed.

The atmosphere was playful and relaxed, with guests moving between the pool, the Neutrogena station, and nearby brand activations. Liquid Youth also added to the beauty-meets-wellness vibe with colorful collagen drinks, giving attendees another reason to stop, sip, and stay a little longer.

By moving the casting call into a pool party setting, Neutrogena gave Miami Swim Week a daytime moment that felt fresh, social, and easy to enjoy. It had the structure of a fashion event, the vibe of a South Beach pool day, and just enough glam to remind everyone that this was still Swim Week.

In a city where the sun is basically a main character, Neutrogena’s Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party was a natural fit. It brought together models, beauty lovers, swimwear energy, and SPF in one bright, splashy afternoon.

At Strawberry Moon, the message was simple: show up, get seen, protect the glow, and maybe get cast while you’re at it.

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Events

Surfside’s Paddletopia 2026 Served Up Sunshine, Sweat, and Veggie-Packed Bites

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Veggies Made Great helped fuel a family-friendly weekend of free workouts, paddleboarding, coffee, small bites, and feel-good fun at 96th Street Park.


May 18, 2026

Surfside brought the good vibes this weekend with Paddletopia 2026, a two-day wellness and outdoor lifestyle event that turned 96th Street Park into a sunny little hub for movement, community, and family-friendly fun.

Held on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event welcomed kids, adults, fitness lovers, coffee drinkers, paddleboarders, and anyone looking for a fresh-air weekend by the water. The best part? So many of the experiences were free, making it easy for families and locals to drop in, move around, and enjoy the day without overthinking it.

The workout classes were a highlight, bringing plenty of energy to the park with approachable, upbeat sessions that made wellness feel fun instead of intimidating. Between the fitness classes, paddleboarding, live music, wellness activations, and relaxed outdoor atmosphere, Paddletopia had that perfect South Florida mix of active and easygoing.

Of course, no great weekend event is complete without good bites. Veggies Made Great, an official event partner, kept guests fueled with complimentary samples of their veggie-packed favorites, including the Spinach Egg White Frittata and Lemon Blueberry Muffin. The samples were a smart fit for the day: light, wholesome, tasty, and easy to enjoy between activities. Paired with coffee and other small bites available throughout the event, it made for the kind of simple, satisfying spread that both kids and adults could get behind.

The event also had a thoughtful environmental angle through the “Paddle for Plastic” initiative with Plastic Fisherman, encouraging attendees to help clean Surfside canals in exchange for eco-friendly rewards. It added a meaningful layer to the weekend, blending wellness, community, and environmental care in a way that felt natural for a coastal town like Surfside.

Overall, Paddletopia 2026 felt like exactly what a South Florida weekend should be: outdoorsy, welcoming, active, delicious, and just a little bit sun-kissed. From free fitness classes to better-for-you snacks and community-focused fun, Surfside gave families a reason to get outside and enjoy the best of wellness by the water.

To bring a little of that Paddletopia feel-good energy home, check out more of the veggie-packed muffins, frittatas, and easy breakfast favorites from Veggies Made Great at https://www.veggiesmadegreat.com/ 

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Events

A Mother’s Day Escape with Gale Force Flavor

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Gale Miami Pairs Skyline Views, Serene Spa Moments and Casa Gianna’s Italian Comfort for a Downtown Mother’s Day Escape.

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Morikami Turns Mother’s Day into Lasting Memories

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Morikami Serves a Mother’s Day Worth Savoring with Garden Views, Homemade Flavor and Heart.
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Events

30th Annual Las Olas Wine & Food Festival

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Las Olas Wine & Food Festival Celebrated Three Decades of Culinary Chaos, Cocktail Creativity and Charitable Goodness. (more…)

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Events

Inside Tequila Town Where Culture and Cocktails Collide

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No Chaser Needed as Tequila Town Delivers Straight Shots of Culture, Connection and Cocktails With a Kick in Miami.
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Events

Beach Bites and Breezy Sips at SAVOR SoFLO

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Sips, Sand and Small Bites Set the Tone as SAVOR SoFLO Festival Serves Up a Beachside Tease of What Could Grow Into Something Bigger. (more…)

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