Special Events & Festivals

The City of Sunrise plays host to numerous events that attract and delight residents of all ages. Just a few of these annual favorites are highlighted below:

Woodstock Arts & Crafts Festival

According to some annual festival-goers, Woodstock marks the beginning of the holiday season in Sunrise. This popular City-sponsored event was founded in 1980, and draws approximately 15,000 visitors - and 200 vendors - a year.

In addition to handmade crafts, Woodstock features international foods, roving entertainment, and children's rides and games. For details, please visit the Woodstock Web site.

July 4th events are always a hit with residents. Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks

Each year, Sunrise pulls out all the stops to celebrate our nation's birthday. In 2008, the City honored the traditions of years past - and created a few new ones! Treasured favorites, including Family Fun Night and the July 4th Parade, remained in the lineup. And thanks to a public/private partnership between Sunrise and the BankAtlantic Center - in cooperation with Sawgrass Mills - residents could take part in a large-scale July 4th evening celebration featuring fireworks, live music and more.

Jingle Bell Jog

Sunrise is the site of the Jingle Bell Jog - a Florida tradition for 21 years. This popular 5K run and fitness walk, held each December, winds through the tree-lined streets of Sawgrass International Corporate Park - the largest office park in South Florida.

The Jingle Bell Jog welcomes entrants in a wide range of age categories, including kids 12 and under, teens 13 to 14, and adults in five-year increments up to 70+. Award medals are presented to the first three finishers in each age group, as well as to overall male and female winners. In addition to competitive runners, the event's 1,000+ participants include costumed fun seekers wearing jingle bells.

The race capitalizes on Sunrise's beautiful weather, while providing some of the most memorable sights and sounds of the season. As is fitting for a holiday event, it's also for a good cause: All of the proceeds from the Jingle Bell Jog benefit the Wellness Center at Broward General Medical Center.

BMW Tennis Championship

Each Spring, the City of Sunrise hosts the BMW Tennis Championship. This prestigious tournament - next scheduled for March 15-22, 2009 - provides South Floridians with a rare opportunity to see some of the top men's professional tennis players in action.

In 2008, the event marked its third year in Sunrise after a move from Boca Raton, Florida. The tournament's home, Sunrise Tennis Club, has earned numerous accolades, including the United States Tennis Association's 2001"Outstanding Facility" award.

The BMW Tennis Championship consistently draws a competitive field, thanks to its prime scheduling between the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, near Palm Springs, California, and the Sony Ericsson Open (formerly the NASDAQ-100 Open) in Miami.

The BMW Tennis Championship is the only Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) event held in Broward County, and one of only three major tournaments in the state of Florida. The ATP is the organizer of the principal worldwide men's tennis tour.

As a special benefit to residents, Sunrise households have been eligible for free tickets to the tournament through the City's Grand Slam Giveaway program.

September 11th Remembrance Ceremony

Each year on September 11, the City hosts a Remembrance Ceremony in honor of the victims, heroes and survivors of the 2001 terrorist attacks on America. All members of the community are welcome to attend.

The ceremony features distinguished speakers, as well as music and the presentation of colors. The City also displays a small piece of the Twin Towers, salvaged from Ground Zero, as a tangible reminder of the lives - and the way of life - lost on that day.

Other Events

Other annual - and highly anticipated - events include the City's Halloween Happenings and the outdoor "Sunrise at Sunset" concert series. For more information regarding any of the events listed here, please call the City's Leisure Services Department at 954-747-4600.