SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. - TelAve -- This holiday season, South Seas (https://www.southseas.com/) is giving traditional celebrations a tropical makeover. Throughout the upcoming festive season (https://www.southseas.com/events/festive-2026/), the Gulf-front resort will bring winter celebrations and New Year's traditions to life with twinkling lights beneath the palms, Santa-inspired adventures and winter games on the sand. With a variety of festive experiences designed for every generation, South Seas offers a refreshing way to embrace the spirit of the season while leaving the holiday hustle behind and enjoying the warmth and natural beauty of Florida's Gulf Coast.

At South Seas, the holidays aren't about leaving traditions behind but experiencing them in an entirely new way. From festive celebrations to outdoor adventures, the resort creates opportunities for families to reconnect and settle into the relaxed pace of island life while embracing beloved traditions.

South Seas proves that holiday magic doesn't require a winter wonderland with the destination's exciting festive programming (https://www.southseas.com/events/festive-2026/).

• The First Light: Harborside (https://www.southseas.com/club-captiva-experiences/dining/) comes alive with live music, festive performances and a magical nightly waterfront tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19 from 5-9 p.m. overlooking Harborside Marina.
• Holiday Marina Stroll: Featuring live music, letters to Santa, cookie decorating, ornament making, make your own holiday stuffed plushie and a visit from Santa, this event takes place throughout Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19 from 5-9 p.m. at Harborside Marina.
• Santa's Checklist: Armed with a festive checklist, children can explore the resort and discover seasonal treats, holiday activities, photo opportunities and island-inspired traditions before collecting a special surprise from the North Pole.
• The Not So Cold Winter Games: From building sand snowmen using treasures found along the Gulf Coast to foam-filled balloon battles, beach curling and bobsled-inspired relay races using pool floats, the festivities bring winter fun to the Florida sunshine. With ribbons awarded at each station, there's something for everyone to celebrate.
• Holiday Crafts & Festivities: The winter-themed celebrations continue throughout Dec. 11, 12, 18, 19 and 24, including cookie decorating, ornament making, holiday games and seasonal entertainment. Guests can also enjoy holiday wine tastings, s'mores at Harborside, fishing with Hawaiian Santa, magic shows, karaoke, movie nights and more.

The celebrations continue through New Year's Eve, giving resort guests one more opportunity to close out the year together against the backdrop of Captiva.

• New Year's Eve at South Seas (https://www.southseas.com/events/new-years-at-s...): Say goodbye to 2026 and welcome 2027 with an island-inspired celebration at Sunset Beach on Thursday, Dec. 31. Additional details will be announced closer to the celebration.

The experience extends beyond the holiday festivities. Children can explore Camp-Tiva's (https://www.southseas.com/kids-camp-tiva/) arts, crafts and interactive programming, while guests can enjoy guided shelling excursions, build sandcastles on Sunset Beach or enjoy Saturday evening Glow Golf at The Clutch (https://www.southseas.com/club-captiva-experien...).

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