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Decorating For The Holidays

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

‘Tis the season…for holiday decorations, that is! While we know that the holiday season holds a deep meaning for individuals of all backgrounds, this time of year just wouldn’t be the same without all the fabulous holiday decor. Here at Bonnet House, we love seeing the ways in which people celebrate and decorate for the holidays each year. To ring in the holiday season, and help others get into the festive spirit, we are announcing a few unique opportunities for individuals and families to experience the magic of the holiday season together.

To kick off holiday celebrations at Bonnet House, we’ll be hosting our popular annual Holiday Magic Soiree on December 2nd, 2022 from 7:00pm – 10:00pm. The Main House and grounds will be lit up and sparkling all night. All of the trees, wreaths, and centerpieces throughout the house will also be lit and designed to delight.

This Holiday Soiree will include a full bar, catered dining by Alexander Event Catering, and live music with Kelly Dow and Julia Wadsworth. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, along with new characters from the award-winning storybook! This will be followed by an exclusive preview performance from the new POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance musical pre-Broadway.

There are so many creative ways to decorate for the holidays, and it can be a challenge to stay up-to-date with all the trends. To help you put together unique holiday arrangements, Bonnet House will also be hosting two Holiday Floral Arranging Classes on December 7th and 8th 2022 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm.

Attendees will learn how to create their very own holiday arrangement with Victoria Park Flower Studio on the beautiful Bonnet House Veranda. The class is limited to just 25 participants and is $55 per person. The fee includes a self-guided tour of the house from 6:00-8:00 pm where you can decide on your favorite trees, wreaths, and centerpieces designed by local artists. There will also be live music and libations available each night!

If you are unable to attend or participate in any of our special holiday events this year, you can still come by Bonnet House any day of the week from 11am – 4pm and enjoy the beautiful winter foliage that can be found throughout the estate and gardens.

We hope to see you at one of our special events this year! To learn more about our holiday activities, and decorative events, click here. 

Whimsical Wonderland & Evening Experiences At Bonnet House

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Are you looking for a unique way to create magical experiences for your family this holiday season? Well, look no further than Bonnet House Museum & Gardens! Each year, Bonnet House creates a variety of special holiday-themed activities that are fun for the whole family. This year, Bonnet House has been planning a family-friendly evening full of fun, excitement, and holiday whimsy.

On December 3rd, 2022, Bonnet House will be hosting Whimsical Wonderland from 5:30pm – 8:00pm. Join us for a Wonderland of live entertainment, a scavenger hunt, and storybook reading. There will be plenty of opportunities to capture your holiday family portraits. Guests will also get the chance to meet POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance along with the fun new characters from the award-winning storybook and coming musical!

But the festivities don’t stop there! Between December 7th – December 9th, 2022, Bonnet House will be hosting a series of Holiday Magic Sparkling Evening Experiences! You won’t want to miss these opportunities to see our estate and gardens lit up and sparkling with holiday magic. All of the trees, wreaths, and centerpieces set up throughout the house will be lit and designed to delight. Guests can decide on, and even purchase their favorite displays as they enjoy a self-guided tour of the house during this rare nighttime opportunity.

Live music and libations will also be available each evening. There will be a different special cocktail featured each evening, and wine and beer will be available as well. You can check out the performance schedule, here:

● Wednesday, December 7 – Gin & Jazz featuring Davis & Dow Jazz Duo, 6:30pm – 7:00pm & 7:15pm – 7:45pm
● Thursday, December 8 – The Yuletide Carolers, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
● Friday, December 9 – Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, 6:30pm – 7:00pm & 7:15pm – 7:45pm

The holidays are always better when we can all celebrate together. We hope that you and your loved ones will join us for Whimsical Wonderland and our Holiday Magic Sparkling Evening Experiences. To learn more about these events and to plan your next trip, click here.

2022 Call For Designers & Decorators

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

We have great news to share! Holiday Magic is once again returning to Fort Lauderdale in 2022!  For our team at Bonnet House, this means that we will be hosting a fundraising event like no other. Our fifth annual Holiday Magic event will kick off in December of 2022 with a team of designers decorating Bonnet House trees, wreaths, and centerpieces that will be on sale throughout the first week of December.

On December 2nd, the festivities will begin with a Soiree on the veranda. Following the Soiree, Bonnet House will be open for self-guided tours in the evenings on December 3rd and December 7th-9th. We will feature something special and exciting each night; including a visit from Santa, story-telling, and more. All items purchased can be picked up or delivered (delivery fee applies) on Monday, December 12th, or can be brought home at the time of purchase.

Holiday Magic is one of Bonnet House’s largest fundraisers and is dedicated to the preservation of the estate. Because 100% of the proceeds from tree, wreath and centerpiece sales will directly benefit the Bonnet House estate, we are asking designers and decorators to donate their time, talent, and decorations to this worthy cause. Bonnet House will provide high-quality trees, wreaths, and centerpieces at no cost to the designer/decorator and can be picked up at Bonnet House. All designers will be able to choose the theme and color scheme of their piece and put their creative skills to good use!

The specific size details of the provided pieces include:
● TREE SIZE: Tree sizes vary from 4’ and 7’. All trees will be pre-lit. Stands are provided with each tree.
● WREATH SIZE: Door wreaths will be 36, 30 inches, and 24 inches.
● CENTERPIECES: Undecorated artificial centerpieces will be 36 inches.

If you are a talented designer or decorator, we hope that you will consider volunteering your time and talents to create a unique piece to benefit Bonnet House. If you are interested in decorating a tree, wreath, or centerpiece for our fifth annual Holiday Magic event, please complete and submit this form by Thursday, November 10th, 2022.

Holiday Magic

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Holiday Magic Returns!

The house and grounds are lit up and sparkling during this five-day holiday celebration. All of the trees, wreaths, and centerpieces throughout the house will be lit and designed to delight and for sale. 

The Holiday Magic celebration kicks off Friday, December 3rd with our annual sold-out Holiday Magic Soiree.

We will also be offering our very popular family night, Whimsical Wonderland, December 4th from 5:30pm – 8:00pm.

And Evening Experiences December 8, 9 & 10 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.

There’s something exciting every night; from Santa and his elves to Christmas storytelling to strolling carolers, and much more.  We will be offering holiday cheer during each evening tour which will include general admission to the house and two drink tickets.

Click on the links below to learn more about each of these exciting evenings.

Soirée
Whimsical Wonderland
Evening Experiences

 

For sponsorship information, please email [email protected].

Holiday Magic Soirée

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The Holiday Magic five-day celebration kicks off Friday, December 1st with our annual sold-out Holiday Magic Soirée.

The house and grounds are lit up and sparkling during this Holiday Soirée with a full bar, catered dining by Alexander Event Catering, and live music. Meet POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance along with new characters from the award-winning storybook followed by an exclusive preview performance from the new POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance musical pre-Broadway.  Created & Directed by Broadway Director and Cirque Dreams Founder Neil Goldberg.

All of the trees, wreaths, and centerpieces throughout the house will be lit and designed to delight and for sale.  Soirée attendees have the opportunity to view and purchase these works of art first.

 

VIP:  6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Pre-registration is required.
(Includes Exclusive Admission to our VIP Reception with a Veuve Clicquot station by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Gift Bag, Welcome Drink by Redemption Rye Whisky, Full Bar, Live Music by Kelly Dow and Julia Wadsworth, and a Fully Catered Affair by Alexander Event Catering)
All sales are final and tickets are non-refundable

General Admission:  7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Pre-registration is required. (Includes Fully Catered Affair by Alexander Event Catering, Full Bar, Photo Booth, exclusive preview performance from the new POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance musical pre-Broadway, and Festive Holiday Music)
All sales are final and tickets are non-refundable

We will also be offering Evening Experiences which include live music and libations on December 2, 6, 7 & 8, 2023 with something exciting every night; from Santa and his elves to Christmas storytelling to strolling carolers, Gray Whale Gin & Jazz, and much more.  We will be offering holiday cheer during each evening tour which will include general admission to the house and two drink tickets.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets for our Evening Experiences.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Click here for more information.
Interested in becoming a designer/decorator?  Click here for more information.

Sponsored by: Alexander Event Catering, John Knox Village, Victoria Park Flower Studio, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Christmas Central, J.M. Design Lighting & Fabric, The Media Lab, Virginia Becart & Norman Keller, Tom Woodham & Wilson Ellis, Ted & Kathy Drum, Bill & Kim Kent, Joe & Nora Dyke, Gini Vyvfinkel, Sondra St. Martin, Jim & Lynn LaBate, Patty & Miles McGrane, George Castleman & Yoshihiko Shigenari, Diana & Ralph Rau, Jose & Mary Copeland Gonzalez, Theo & Connie Folz, Truist, Alice W. Smith, Dr. & Mrs. Ernest Costantino, The Palmer and Lindsay Families, Stephen Draft & Allen Peterson, William Brown & Michael Scott.

 

Live Holiday Music Happenings In Fort Lauderdale

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

With December right around the corner, the holidays are fast approaching. Here at Bonnet House, the holiday season means that beautiful music can be heard frequently throughout our estate. This year, during our Holiday Magic series in December, Bonnet House will be hosting a variety of musical talents that will be sure to entertain and spread holiday cheer! Join us to see the house and grounds lit up to delight, and enjoy listening to musical groups including the Pride Jazz Ensemble, the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, and the Yuletide Carolers at Bonnet House December 7th – 13th, 2019.

Our Holiday Magic event series kicks off on Saturday, December 7th, 2019 with evening tours from 5:30-8:30pm. To get Holiday Magic started, the Pride Jazz Ensemble will perform a selection of Christmas and other holiday music from 6:30-7:10pm and again from 7:30-8:10pm. On Sunday, December 8th, the Broward Center Spotlights will perform at our Whimsical Wonderland family event. Aside from the live music at Whimsical Wonderland, this evening will also consist of arts and craft opportunities, story-telling, and even a visit from Santa Claus on a fire truck!

As the week continues, the Dillard Jazz Trio will perform at Bonnet House on Wednesday, December 11th from 6:30-7:30pm. The Yuletide Carolers will follow on Thursday, December 12th, and will sing a variety of classic Christmas carols from 6:30-7:30pm. Finally, to close out our Holiday Magic series, the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida will perform on Friday, December 13th from 6:30-7:00pm and again from 7:45-8:15pm.

In addition to fun, live holiday music, each evening will include a wine bar, as well as plenty of opportunities to tour our beautiful estate and grounds and enjoy samples of Old Fashioned. General admission to Bonnet House during our Holiday Magic event series is $20, but if you’d like to add some holiday cheer (includes two drink tickets), admission is $30. For kids between the ages of 6-12, admission is $5, and children under 6 are free of charge.

This holiday season, we hope to see you and your family and friends as we celebrate the joy of the season with a variety of musical performances. For more information, to purchase tickets, or register for the event, click here, or give us a call at (954) 563-5393.

Holiday Magic

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

Fort Lauderdale’s Charming and Whimsical Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
Kicks Off its 100th Anniversary Celebration with Dec. 6 Holiday Magic Soirée

The enchantment of the holidays is bringing many celebrations to Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, including the kick-off of the storied home and estate’s 100th anniversary. The Friday, Dec. 6 Holiday Magic Soirée, the official 100th anniversary kick-off event, will be followed by a special Holiday Magic Week of events to continue the celebration.

The Dec. 6 Holiday Magic Soiree, a fully catered affair by A Alexander Event Catering, will kick off the centennial celebration in style with live entertainment by electric violinist Jared Burnett and electric harpist Deanna Defrancesco. A full bar, holiday music and plenty of festive décor will welcome guests. Designer-decorated trees, wreaths and centerpieces will adorn Bonnet House during the event, and will be on sale throughout the week.

The Holiday Magic Soirée will take place from 6:30–9:30 p.m. A VIP reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. and include an early viewing of the trees, wreaths and centerpieces displayed throughout the house, along with a fully catered champagne reception in the citrus courtyard, and 100th anniversary commemorative holiday ornament. The cost per person for the Soirée is $75; the cost for the Soirée and VIP Reception is $100 per person. The 2018 event hosted a sellout crowd of 500 people. For sponsorship information, email [email protected].

On Dec. 7, 8, 11, 12 and 13, 2019 from 5:30–8:30 p.m., the Holiday Magic Evening Experience will open Bonnet House for self-guided tours with something exciting every night from Santa and his elves, to Christmas story telling, to strolling carolers and much more. In honor of its 100th Anniversary, during each evening tour, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens will be offering holiday cheer, including general admission to the house ($20 per person) and admission with cheers (including two drink tickets) for $30 per person. $5 for kids 6–12 and free for kids under 6.

The Holiday Magic Evening Experience performance schedule is:

  • Pride Jazz Ensemble ― Saturday, Dec. 7; performance times: 6:30–7:10 p.m. & 7:30–8:10 p.m.
  • Whimsical Wonderland ― An Evening for Families: Broward Center Spotlights ― Sunday, Dec. 8,
    5:30–8:30 p.m. Includes Santa arriving on a fire truck, face painting, stocking making, punch and cookies.
  • Dillard Jazz Trio ― Wednesday, Dec. 11; performance time: 6:30–7:30 p.m.
  • Yuletide Carolers ― Thursday, Dec. 12; performance time: 6:30–7:30 p.m.
  • Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida ― Friday, Dec. 13; performance times: 6:30–7 p.m. & 7:45-8:15 p.m.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please call (954) 703-2614 or visit https://bonnethouse.org/calendar/.

Sponsored by: A Alexander Event Catering, Josh Cellars, Redemption Whiskey, Friends of Bonnet House at Corinthian Condominium, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and John Knox Village.

The Holiday Magic Comes To Bonnet House: Christmas Events In Fort Lauderdale

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

It’s that time of year again! After October ends, it’s time to start focusing on the festivities of the
holiday season. Here at Bonnet House, we are already preparing to celebrate the holiday
season in grand fashion. But it’s not just the holidays that are worth celebrating this year.
Starting in December, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens will begin celebrating our 100th
anniversary! Our official kickoff will commence with our Holiday Magic event series December
6-13, 2019 and will continue with various events throughout 2020.

Beginning on December 6th, 2019, Bonnet House will be hosting our third annual fundraising
event that begins with a fully catered Soiree and exclusive VIP reception, followed by a full week
of festivities that will be fun for the whole family. The festivities will kick off on December 6th with
a classy, holiday Soiree on the veranda. This fantastic event will be catered by Alexander Event
Catering and will feature live entertainment as well as a full bar. Guests will have the opportunity
to see Bonnet House sparkle like never before while celebrating the holiday season and Bonnet
House’s 100-year legacy. This year, we are offering tickets to our Holiday Soiree (6:30pm –
9:30pm) for $75 per person, and our VIP Reception (5:30pm – 9:30pm) for $100 per person
(includes admission to the Holiday Soiree as well). This event typically sells out, so be sure to
buy your tickets early!

As part of the Holiday Magic Christmas festivities, Bonnet House will also be open for
self-guided evening tours on December 7th, 8th, and 11th-13th from 5:30pm – 8:30pm. A team
of talented designers will decorate trees, wreaths and centerpieces that will adorn the estate
and be on sale throughout the week. We will have something exciting each night for adults and
kids alike, from Santa and his elves, to strolling carolers to Christmas storytelling and even a
Whimsical Wonderland evening. In honor of our 100th Anniversary, we will be offering holiday
cheer during each evening tour which will include general admission to the house and two drink
tickets. Performers include the Pride Jazz Ensemble , on Saturday, December 7th, the Broward
Center Spotlights on Sunday, December 8th, the Dillard Jazz Trio on Wednesday, December
11th, the Yuletide Carolers on Thursday, December 12th, and the Gay Men’s Chorus of South
Florida on Friday December 13th. Last year, this celebration was a tremendous success with a
sellout crowd of 500 people. To learn more about the Holiday Magic evening experiences, and
to purchase tickets, click here.

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens may be located in sunny Fort Lauderdale, but our estate is
never more spectacular than it is during the Christmas season. This is why we invite you to
celebrate the holidays and our 100th anniversary with us starting on December 6th with our
Opening Reception & Soiree and continuing with our Holiday Magic evening festivities. To learn
more, or purchase tickets for either event, visit our Holiday Magic events page.

HOLIDAY MAGIC CALL TO DESIGNERS & DECORATORS

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Holiday Magic 2019: Festival of Trees, Holiday Cheer & Sounds of the Season

Holiday Magic is returning to Fort Lauderdale!

For Bonnet House that means a third annual holiday event like no other. It will all start in December 2019 with a team of designers decorating Bonnet House trees, wreaths and centerpieces that will be on sale throughout the week.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ENTRY PACKET
Once entry form is completed, please email to [email protected]

On December 6th, we will kick off the festivities with a Soiree on the veranda (designers receive 1 complimentary pass -$75 a ticket for designer/decorator guests).

Bonnet House will also be open for self-guided tours at night on December 7 & 8 and December 11-13 with something exciting each night; from Santa and his elves, to Christmas story telling, to strolling carolers and much more.

All items purchased can be picked up or delivered (delivery fee applies) on Monday, December 16th or can be brought home at the time of purchase.

  • THEME: Designer/decorator may choose a specific theme and colors for each creation. This information must be included on the “Holiday Magic Entry Form”
  • TREE SIZE: Only three 3’ tress remain. All trees will be pre-lit.  Stands are provided with each tree.
  • CENTERPIECES: Undecorated artificial centerpieces will be 36″L. Only 10 centerpieces remain.
  • Bonnet House will provide high-quality trees, wreaths and centerpieces at no cost to the designer/decorator and be picked up at Bonnet House.

 Sales
Holiday Magic is a major fundraiser for the preservation of Bonnet House. All trees, wreaths and centerpieces will be for sale starting the night of December 6th and sales continue throughout the following week. 100% of the proceeds go to Bonnet House.  Therefore, we are asking designers and decorators to donate their time, talent, decoration and ornaments, etc.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019 – DEADLINE FOR ENTRY FORMS

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ENTRY PACKET
Once entry form is completed, please email to [email protected]

Holiday Floral Arrangement Class

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Learn how to create your very own holiday arrangement with Victoria Park Flower Studio on the beautiful Bonnet House Veranda.

The class is limited to 25 and is $55 per person. The fee includes a self-guided tour of the house from 6:00-8:00 pm where you can decide on your favorite trees, wreaths, and centerpieces designed by local artists. Live music and libations each night!

Fresh Flowers · Gorgeous Centerpiece · Renowned Victoria Park Flower Studio · Night Tours with live entertainment · Gin & Jazz featuring Davis & Dow Wednesday, December 7 · The Yuletide Carolers Thursday, December 8 · And 2 drink tickets. All for $55

 

Sponsored by: Victoria Park Flower Studio