The Mangrove Swamp Band provided musical entertainment Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at tthe 2025 Lignumvitae Christmas celebration at Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park off Islamorada, Fla. The event was organized by the Friends of the Islamorada Area State Parks in conjunction with the Florida State Parks. Photo by Andy Newman. Photo by Andy Newman.
Some 250 Keys residents and visitors participated in the annual Lignumvitae Christmas celebration at Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park on Dec. 6.
The secluded island off Islamorada preserves a virgin tropical hardwood hammock environment once common throughout the Upper Keys. It is named for the native Lignumvitae tree — whose wood is one of the world’s densest and has been used for items such as bowling balls, steamship propeller shafts, gears and mallets.
Visitors toured the historic Matheson House, a century-old coral rock and Dade County pine caretaker’s home that was decorated in a Christmas theme.
Guided nature hikes provided the opportunity to explore the flora and fauna of the island. Other activities included holiday arts and crafts, seasonal live music by the Mangrove Swamp Band and 1930s-era games.
Florida Keys historian and writer Brad Bertelli shared stories throughout the day about early residents of Lignumvitae Key, the island’s connection to nearby Indian Key and other topics.
The event was presented by the Friends of the Islamorada Area State Parks in conjunction with the Florida State Parks.
Becky Collins, a Florida State Parks’bBiologist for the Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, shows eco tour participants a Lignumvitae tree, the namesake for the park during the 2025 Lignumvitae Christmas celebration Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the botanical state ark off Islamorada, Fla. The event is organized by the Friends of the Islamorada Area State Parks in conjunction with the Florida State Parks. Photo by Andy Newman.Lignumvitae Christmas celebration attendees look at the Matheson House Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the 2025 Lignumvitae Christmas celebration at Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park off Islamorada, Florida State Parks Ranger Dee Anne Berry is at right. The event was organized by the Friends of the Islamorada Area State Parks in conjunction with the Florida State Parks. Photo by Andy Newman. Photo by Andy Newman.
