Feeling stuffed from Turkey Day? Enjoy these top 5 holiday events in Palm Beach County

The holidays are here and there's only so much time to pack in as much happiness as possible before it's over.

Sure, you're fueled up on enough Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole and assorted pies to probably run two marathons, but you need direction. It's time to turn that hibernation-inducing amount of protein, carbs and "good healthy fats" into high-octane jet fuel and start hunting down that holiday happiness.

From boat parades, to holiday lights, tree lightings, Santa appearances and festivals there are literally dozens of awesome events happening around Palm Beach County.

Though it's impossible to hit them all, here are few tried-and-true hits:

1. Holiday in Paradise, West Palm Beach

Stretching throughout the month of December and kicking off with the Clematis by Night Holiday Tree Lighting on Nov. 30, this is one of the area's blockbuster holiday happenings. Not only will that kickoff feature live music by The Music Machine, it will star the world's only 700-ton holiday sand tree. With thousands of lights synchronized to music, this one-of-kind sand sculpture will come to life and signal the start of the holidays. Can't make it that night? No worries as Sandi will strut her stuff with music and lights from 6 to 10 p.m. every night through Dec. 31.

There will also a special Screen on the Green featuring "The Muppet Christmas Carol" on Dec. 8, the Sandi and Santa Annual Pancake Breakfast on Dec. 16, Sunday on the Waterfront on Dec. 17 featuring the Aloha Islanders Tropical Holiday Spectacular and much more.

West Palm Beach Holiday in Paradise will run from Nov. 30 to Dec. 31, at 100 N. Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Information: wpb.org.

More holiday happenings: 30+ ways to celebrate the holidays in Palm Beach County

2. Zoo Lights at the Palm Beach Zoo

Celebrating five years, this popular event will once again transform the zoo into a cascading canopy of over one million holiday lights and animal sculptures. The centerpiece of the show is their 24-foot tall animated, RGB tree featuring choreographed lights in the middle of Fountain Plaza. Presented by FPL SolarNow, the event will use solar energy as well as environmentally-friendly lights.

The event is 5:30 to 9 p.m. on select nights through Jan. 7, at 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach. Prices vary depending on time and date. Adults range from $20 to $26; children from $15 to $21. Discount of $5 for zoo members. Information: palmbeachzoo.org/zoolights.

3. Winterfest, Wellington

Once again featuring music icon, philanthropist, home renovator and actor Vanilla Ice, this annual event will get the western communities hopping with holiday fun. There will be food vendors, multiple lounges for adults, a snow globe photo booth, opportunities for some holiday shopping, dance and musical performances on two stages, a silent disco, a kids and teen interactive Blizzard Beach and even a visit from the "Big Guy," aka Santa.

The event will be 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8., Village Park, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington. The event is free. Information: wellingtonfl.gov

4. Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade

This multi-municipality event is a partnership between the towns of Hypoluxo and Lantana and the cities of Boynton Beach and Delray Beach. This annual parade will light up the Intracoastal Waterway as dozens of boats, decked out in dazzling lights, holiday décor, costumed captains and crews, slowly cruises from the Ocean Avenue Bridge in Lantana south to the C-15 Canal in Delray Beach.

Though there are many restaurants and parks from which to see the festive flotilla, the official watch location is the Boynton Harbor Marina at 735 Casa Loma Blvd.

Activities at the marina will include music and a special visit from Santa. There will be food and beverages available at Two Georges. Guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots.

The event is 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at Ocean Avenue Bridge in Lantana to C-15 Canal in Delray Beach. Information: boyntonbeachcra.com

5. Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade and Toy Drive

A county as big as ours can't have just one boat parade. Here's another of the many: The 29th annual parade and toy drive will benefit Toys for Tots and Little Smiles. The event will feature all types of watercraft from small boats and sailboats up to mega yachts, they will be adorned with millions of holiday lights and illuminate the waterways.

There will be a $500 cash prize for Best Boat of the Parade as well as $500 for Fan Favorite boat. They will be judged on lights, enthusiasm and themed décor. The procession will be led by a traveling Zambellifireworks display as it moves the Intracoastal Waterway from North Palm Beach to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.

The event is 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, on the Intracoastal Waterway from North Palm Beach to the Jupiter Lighthouse. Information: marinepbc.org.

Are you the type that likes to overdo it at the holiday? Someone who doesn't want to stop at a mere five holiday events? We've got you covered. Check out TGIF Friday, Nov. 24 for these five and another 24 things to do this season.

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Best holiday events in Palm Beach County: Zoo Lights; Sandi Tree