Once a month, for one Friday only, Riverside Theatre opens its doors to a small group of guests for an exclusive backstage tour -- a rare chance to go from “seat in the house” to true insider. And it's happening this Friday, December 5. Two sessions -- one at 10 AM and one at 2 PM . Led by the incomparable Oscar Sales , you won't want to miss it. In just under an hour and a half, you'll be guided across the main stage and into the wings, through the shops where sets are b

McKee Botanical Garden unveils its 19th annual Jungle Lights, an expanded and exquisitely crafted holiday experience opening this Wednesday, December 3.

Baerbel O'Haire moderates a panel on economic development featuring John Titkanich, Prashanth Pilly, Danny Markford and Keith Kite As growth and urban sprawl increasingly encroach on agricultural acreage, one question is on everyone's minds: what will farming and agriculture look like in Indian River County in 10-20 years...and who will decide? This Wednesday, December 3 , that question takes center stage at Let’s Talk Agriculture , the latest installment in Let's Talk Vero'

For more details on all upcoming events and to register for these, see " The Week Ahead " section here . Tuesday, December 2, 1-3 p.m. -- Indian River CARES Volunteer Recruitment Fair Tuesday, December 2, 1-3 p.m. -- Mitch Albom at Vero Beach Book Center Tuesday, December 2, 6-9 p.m. -- McKee Jungle Lights Member Preview Wedensday, December 3, 5-7 p.m. -- Let's Talk Agriculture at Riverside Theatre December 3-30, 6-9 p.m. -- Jungle Lights at McKee Botanical Garden Thursday,

I recently caught up with Barbara Schlitt Ford , Executive Director of the Environmental Learning Center and, as always, she’s quietly building something that brings our community closer together. Giving Tuesday, which takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, may be known for big global generosity, but Barbara is focused on something more local and just as powerful: the impact of simply giving your time. Communities with strong volunteer networks are more resilient, mor

Mark your calendars for the 41st annual Vero Beach Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 6 . Organized by Sunrise Rotary of Vero Beach , the parade route will roll down Ocean Drive, with main stage activities centered at Sexton Plaza. Pre-show festivities begin at 4:00 PM , followed by the parade itself, which begins at 6:00 PM . A complimentary shuttle service will be available from Riverside Park.

Riverside Theatre is staging its largest children's production ever this week with Alice in Wonderland JR. , featuring 52 young performers from the Riverside Theatre for Kids program. This 60-minute musical brings Lewis Carroll's tales and Disney's animated classic to life with the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, and the rest of Wonderland's iconic characters. Show tickets are just $10 -- arrive early and dine at the new Loop Kitchen and Bar led by

Registration for the Vero Beach Museum of Art's Winter 2026 classes opens one week from today on Monday, November 24, at 9 AM The Winter 2026 term, running January 6 through March 15 , promises a robust schedule of classes and workshops spanning weekdays and weekends. Prospective students can choose from five and ten-week sessions covering a wide array of mediums and topics, with options for both the first half (starting January 6) and second half (starting February 9) of t

Kick things off Wednesday morning with a walking tour led by Bobbie Secor, one of our most enthusiastic and knowledgeable local historians, who will guide you through 12,000 years of local history, from the pre-Columbian Indians to the pioneers that built the Vero we know today. See our previous article about the Heritage Center's downtown walking tour here . In the evening, get ready to dance with The Penny Creek Band  for the second in a series of bluegrass concerts raising

Join County Commissioner Susan Adams , guest speaker for tomorrow's Veteran's Day Observance at Veteran's Memorial Island Sanctuary, as Vero Beach gathers to honor our men and women who served. The MOAA Indian River Chapter has hosted this observance for years, and each November 11th, the community shows up in full force with an awe-inspiring level of reverence. The ceremony begins at 9:00 AM and will include full military honors and the Parade of the Colors, with performa

MusicWorks launches its highly anticipated 2025-26 season this Thursday  at the Emerson Center with the legendary Carl Palmer   and his Emerson, Lake and Palmer legacy band , fresh off a sold-out U.S. tour. Palmer, the last surviving member of the original trio, takes the stage with his ELP Legacy band for a night of prog-rock classics, alongside rare multimedia footage of his late bandmates Keith Emerson and Greg Lake from their 1992 Royal Albert Hall Show. Limited spots re

You asked for it...and we’re excited to announce the launch of our new podcast, More Than a Minute, hosted by Morgen Reynolds.

The countdown is on! Dancing with Vero’s Stars  is back, and the race for the Mirror Ball Trophy is officially underway. Ten community leaders are lacing up their dance shoes and raising money to support the Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition  and its mission to provide essential services for mothers, babies, and families in Indian River County, culminating in the big performance on May 16, 2026. Over the past 13 years, this event has raised more than $3 million  for

We have so many beautiful parks, but few realize how many of these special places exist because of the Indian River Land Trust (IRLT) . One of our standout trails is the Toni Robinson Waterfront Trail in Wabasso —a one-mile loop that offers a quiet, scenic escape just north of Vero Beach.​ This trail is a blend of Florida scrub, shaded oak hammocks, a boardwalk winding through dense mangroves, and a dock extending over the Indian River Lagoon. It’s a perfect walk for cooler

Downtown Friday returns for the season just in time for Halloween with the Main Street Monster Mash this Friday, October 31 , from 6 to 9 p.m. on 14th Avenue. Downtown Friday , held on the last Friday of each month through the season, features live music, local vendors, food trucks, and activities for all ages. This Friday, guests are encouraged to come in costume and join the fun with trunk‑or‑treating and costume contests by age group , while enjoying live music by The A

Settle in and celebrate the start of the season at McKee Botanical Garden's new Jungle Brunch  series, where you can savor brunch beneath the sweeping branches of McKee’s historic oak while basking in the tranquil calm and rarified beauty that is McKee -- a setting like no other. The menu includes mimosas, bananas foster French toast, Sexton’s shrimp and grits, quiche paired with McKee’s garden salad and more. Beginning in November ( November 2, 9, 16, and 23) from noon to

Advance tickets for McKee Botanical Garden's Jungle Lights go on sale this Wednesday, October 15 . Now in its 19th year, this annual holiday tradition returns with what promises to be its most ambitious display to date, with six distinct zones threading through the garden, each inspired by a different corner of the Amazon Rainforest. The illuminated journey will run from December 3-30 , plus two bonus evenings on January 2nd and 3rd. Gates open nightly from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Get ready, Vero Beach—history is about to roar to life! On Thursday, October 23rd at 6 p.m. , the Heritage Center welcomes Thomas Lockyear, the larger‑than‑life manager of the Museum of the Everglades , for a storytelling event packed with swamp secrets, larger‑than‑life characters, and true Florida grit.​ Why You’ll Love This Night Lockyear doesn’t lecture—he performs. Think hurricanes whipping through pioneer towns, moonlit smuggler chases, and a DEA drug bust so unbelievab

Tonight’s full Harvest Supermoon -- the first of three super moons this year, sets the perfectly eerie tone for the weeks ahead. Rising just after sunset, expect a golden lift over the eastern horizon, then a cool silver glow as it climbs, casting shadows and a bright path across the water. Peak fullness lands at 11:47 p.m. EST , but the show is strong all night. It's the first of three in a row, followed by November 5 (Beaver Moon) and December 4 (Cold Moon) . Step outside

Vero Beach Book Center has some exciting author reading and signing events scheduled for the month of October, ranging from action-packed...