The winter holiday season is in full swing! With near-perfect weather and so many fun things to do, Fort Lauderdale is surely the place to be! Check out what’s happening this week…

On December 21 & 22, you can enjoy the nostalgic charm of the holidays with the Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida's production of the classic ballet “The Nutcracker” at The Parker Playhouse (707 NE 8th Street). Performed to Tchaikovsky's memorable score, and based on the popular story by Ernest Hoffman, The Nutcracker is the ideal introduction to the magnificent world of ballet and perfect holiday entertainment year after year. Tickets start at $15 and the show begins at 7:00 pm on Friday and 3:00 pm on Saturday.

See the iHeartRadio & Y100 Jingle Ball 2013 Tour on December 20 at the BB&T Center (One Panther Parkway). The season's biggest annual music event captures the holiday spirit of the “iHeartRadio” app as it makes nearly a dozen stops from Los Angeles to Boston before ending its run right here in South Florida. Noted performers include Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Enrique Iglesias, Fall Out Boy, Flo Rida, Avril Lavigne, and Jason Derulo. The show begins at 7:30 and tickets start at $60.

College basketball fans should be looking forward to the 20th Annual MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic tipping off on December 21 at the BB&T Center (One Panther Parkway, Sunrise). Florida State University and the University of Florida return for the 2013 tourney sponsored by, and leading up, to the famous college football Orange Bowl to be played on January 3. This afternoon of great college basketball will feature the Florida Gators taking on the Fresno State Bulldogs at 2:00 pm and then the Florida State Seminoles will the U. Mass Minutemen immediately following at 4:30 pm. Tickets start at just $25 for you to go out and cheer on your home state teams!

On December 21, join sponsors Broward House, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Rosie's Bar & Grill, Bill's, and Alibi, as they present a day full of holiday fun at “Santa’s 5K Fun Run/Walk & Sleigh Race”. Beginning at 8am at the Shoppes of Wilton Manors (2262 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors), you can participate in a costumed 5K Fun Run/Walk taking you around the city of Wilton Manors while dressed as your favorite holiday character (think Santa, Mrs. Clause, Rudolph, Frosty, an elf, a dreidle, or anything that resonates the holiday season for you!). Following the run/walk, enjoy a festive cocktail while dancing to the sounds of a DJ and stage performers before the start of the 2nd Annual Santa’s Sleigh Bed Race. Each entry will feature a holiday-themed bed on wheels and have a crew of 5 piloting and outfitted to match. Beds will race down the street against each other until a winner is crowned the "Wilton Manors Bed Heads" and get to take home the coveted "Bed Head" trophy! All day admission/participation in the festivities is $25.

Don’t forget to check in with us each week as we share the exciting activities and events available in our community. In addition, you can browse our Fort Lauderdale Real Estate listings anytime by visiting www.Gayleborden.com or call us at 954-525-3355.