18th Annual Children’s Holiday Brings Yuletide Cheer To North Campus

By Nikole Valiente and Sabrina Toro 

Everyone knows Santa Claus lives in the North Pole. 

But last week, old Saint Nick traded icy weather for some South Florida sun. 

On Dec. 7, hundreds gathered under deep blue skies at North Campus to celebrate the 18th installation of Children’s Holiday. 

The event, known for attracting more than 5,000 people annually, featured rides, bounce houses, dance performances, arts and crafts and food trucks. 

“It brings everyone together—different types of people, different types of families, different cultures—they’re all here,” said Cindy Delgado, a nursing student at Hialeah Campus who brought her eight-year-old sister Amy to the event.

The celebration kicked off with Santa’s arrival—via helicopter at 10 a.m.—and a parade. 

Marching bands from Miami Carol City Senior High School, Miami Norland Senior High School and North Miami Senior High School marched down East Road, filling the air with punchy snare drums, rich trombone tones and sizzling cymbals. 

They were accompanied by princesses, elves, dancers, police cadets and characters like Finn and the Chick-Fil-A cow, who greeted families with smiles and waves.

“[Children] were so happy to see us,” said freshman Karen Zamora, who participated in the procession as Princess Elena of Avalor. “I had never walked in a parade before. Seeing all the acts, the drummers, the dancers, it was really cool.”

On campus, kids were greeted with an array of activities, including slides, face painting, rock climbing, pony rides and a dog show. 

Many snapped photos with Santa and gathered around Mrs. Claus to hear holiday stories. 

Others waited in line to ride the Polar Express and munched on donuts and drank frozen lemonades. 

“[Kids] need to get out of the house and touch grass for a little,” said 11-year-old Aaron Jimenez, who attended the event with his mom Andreina Aguado Jimenez, chair of North Campus’ chemistry, physics and earth science department. 

When Christmas classics like Winter Wonderland and Last Christma weren’t playing, the 4000 building hosted performances by marching bands and Hawaiian dancers. 

But the event’s main attraction was the educational tents. 

The Real Food Academy tent, which has been featured at the event for more than a decade, taught kids how to make turkey and cheese quesadillas and fruit bowls with homemade whipped cream. 

“[This workshop] begins to teach children at an early age the importance of food and how what you put into your body affects your health,” said early childhood education professor Christina Muelle. 

Little Hands for Human Rights, a Children’s Holiday staple since 2009, featured booklets containing the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“The ultimate goal is to make everyone aware that every human being on the planet has a right to be here, and no one can just go and annihilate them and act like it didn’t happen,” said School of Justice associate professor Selena Respass. 

Festivities concluded with a performance by the Hip Hop Kidz. But volunteers like 18-year-old Daniel Dieujuste said the memories kids made at the event will last a lifetime. 

“It gives children a childhood,” Dieujuste said. 

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