A sundae under Christmas lights sounds right at home in Florida, especially at Cherry Smash in Coral Springs. The ice cream parlor has dressed up for the holidays with Lionel trains, reindeer, and a miniature Christmas village tucked among its antiques.
That collection gives the display its character. There are vintage finds to look at year-round, and the holiday lights give you another reason to linger after the last bite.
Look closely between the ornaments and you’ll start to see how much of the parlor’s personality was there all along.
Every Inch Gets Wrapped In Christmas, Inside And Out
Christmas doesn’t politely visit Cherry Smash Ice Cream Parlor. It moves in, unpacks everything, and covers the place from the sidewalk to the ceiling.
The shop calls the result an enchanting winter wonderland, and that’s a fair description. Lights, ornaments, and vintage holiday decor fill the space in what has been called a full Christmas explosion.
Sun State News reports that the 2026 Christmas pop-up is set to begin November 20, with holiday lights, animated decorations, and themed sundaes.
Some of the decorations even move, which gives the room a toy-shop energy. Many pieces lean classic, with a nod to older holiday movies that grown-ups will recognize instantly.
I believe that’s the secret to why it works so well. Kids get the sparkle, while parents and grandparents get a wave of nostalgia with their scoop.
In a state where December can still mean shorts, this display does heavy lifting. It brings the cozy holiday feeling that South Florida weather usually forgets to deliver.
My advice is simple. Slow down, look up, and give yourself time to spot the tiny scenes tucked between the big ones.
Yes, It Can Snow While You Wait For A Scoop
Cherry Smash has used a snow machine outside during past holiday displays. The artificial flakes add a wintry touch while guests wait for ice cream.
If your family wants to see the snow effect or meet Santa in 2026, check with the parlor for dates and times before heading out.
A little planning goes a long way here. Earlier visits on weekdays may feel calmer, since the shop opens at 1 PM Monday through Friday.
Dress for comfort and bring patience for the youngest members of your crew. Snacks in the car and a fully charged phone for photos are smart moves.
There’s also an outside window for ordering, so you get more than one way in. Check which option makes sense once you arrive and see the crowd.
Think of the wait as the opening act. When the doors finally open and the lights hit, the effort suddenly feels small.
A Snow Machine Brings A Wintry Touch
Black and white checkerboard tiles are only the starting point. Above and around them, neon signs, vintage posters, and collages compete for attention all year long.
The shop leans proudly into a maximalist, old-timey style. Nostalgic memorabilia covers the walls, and the ceiling gets decorated too, because why waste good space?
A funhouse mirror waits for anyone brave enough to check their reflection. Nearby, Zoltar the fortune-teller adds a touch of old boardwalk charm.
Founders Sal and Sheila Bellassai had already been collecting antiques for about 50 years when Cherry Smash opened in 2012. They started with Lionel trains and branched out into other vintage finds.
That kind of collection can’t be ordered from a catalog. It comes from decades of hunting, saving, and caring about objects other people might toss.
Some visitors might find it a lot, and that’s okay. The fun comes from noticing something new every time you turn your head.
Bring the kids and play a quick game of spot-the-oddity. Grown-ups can try naming the oldest item they recognize from childhood.
Don’t Skip The Restrooms, Seriously
Bathrooms rarely make anyone’s must-see list. At Cherry Smash Ice Cream Parlor, they quietly earn a spot on it.
The women’s restroom reportedly shows off an impressive Barbie collection. It’s a fun surprise for anyone who grew up with those dolls or still collects them today.
Over in the men’s room, the walls feature clippings from magazines and similar finds. It turns a quick stop into a mini reading session about the past.
I like how the theme doesn’t stop at the counter. The same collector spirit runs through every room, even the ones most businesses ignore.
That consistency says a lot about the owners. They clearly treat the whole building as one big display rather than a store with decorations.
Parents, a small tip here. A bathroom break might take longer than planned once your kids start pointing at everything.
So go ahead and wash those sticky sundae hands. You might leave with a fresh appreciation for vintage toys and old print ads.
Few ice cream stops can claim their restrooms are a conversation starter. This one can, and it wears that badge happily.
Forty Flavors Means Choosing Is The Hard Part
More than 40 flavors of ice cream fill the case. That’s a lot of decisions for one sugar-craving brain.
Classic scoops and cones keep things simple for purists. If you want something bigger, the sundae menu gets bold fast.
The Colossal sundae has a name that does most of the explaining. Then there’s the Elvis sundae, a fun nod to the King that fits the retro mood perfectly.
Seasonal flavors also show up during the holidays. That gives Christmas visitors a reason to try something they might not find the rest of the year.
Not sure where to start? Picking one familiar favorite and one wild card is a smart way to cover your bases.
Sharing a sundae can also be a family-friendly move. It lets everyone sample more without needing a nap afterward.
I believe the best plan is to decide while waiting in line. You’ll have plenty of time, and the people behind you will thank you.
Whatever you choose, eat it among the lights and trains. A scoop just tastes more festive with Santa nearby.
Old-School Sips Steal The Spotlight Too
New York egg creams aren’t something you spot on every Florida menu. Here, they sit right alongside milkshakes, malts, sodas, and floats.
For anyone unfamiliar, an egg cream is a classic fountain drink with a famous name twist. It’s a fun throwback that matches the shop’s vintage personality.
Milkshakes and malts deliver that diner-style comfort many of us connect with family road trips. Floats bring the fizz and the scoop together in one glass.
Drinks can also be a smart choice for a long holiday outing. They’re easier to carry while you wander around admiring decorations.
Dietary needs get attention as well. Dairy-free and vegan options are available, which helps families with mixed preferences stay together on one trip.
Availability can shift, so it’s wise to ask at the counter. A quick question saves a little disappointment after a long wait.
I like that the menu respects old soda fountain traditions without feeling stuck in the past. It offers something for the grandparents and the grandkids at once.
Grab a straw, find a spot, and sip slowly. The trains aren’t going anywhere.
Before The Tinsel Comes A Spooky Takeover
Christmas gets the headlines, but fall brings its own spectacle. Before the winter switch, the shop undergoes a massive Halloween makeover.
Eerie decorations, animatronics, and spooky characters cover just about every inch of space. The result feels like a spooky wonderland with a side of sprinkles.
That means the team transforms the whole shop twice in a row. The effort alone deserves some kind of award, possibly a giant cherry on top.
Families can turn this into a two-visit tradition. Come in October for the creepy fun, then return in December to see the lights.
A friendly heads-up for parents of little ones. Some Halloween pieces may feel a bit intense for younger or sensitive kids.
Talking about it ahead of time can help. You might also visit earlier in the day when the mood feels less shadowy.
I can’t imagine the storage room behind all of this. Somewhere, a box marked skeletons sits next to one marked reindeer.
Either season, the goal stays the same. Make a simple scoop of ice cream feel like a full-blown event worth remembering.
A Neighborhood Hangout With A Collector’s Touch
Sal and Sheila Bellassai, residents of Coral Springs, created Cherry Smash Ice Cream Parlor. Their personal touch shows up in nearly every shelf and sign.
The grand opening happened on February 24, and the shop has been serving the area for over a decade. That’s a long run for any small business.
Beyond the decorations, the parlor works as a community gathering space. Staff are known for recognizing regular customers, which gives it a true neighborhood feel.
Recognition has followed too. Cherry Smash earned a 2026 Best of Florida Honorable Mention in the Ice Cream Parlors category.
When Cherry Smash opened, the collection already included an antique fire truck, old gas pumps, and a vintage barber chair. Those are the kinds of details that can keep families looking around long after they’ve picked their ice cream.
I like that the place feels built by people, not a brand team. Local roots tend to make a spot feel warmer and more welcoming.
So when you visit, you’re joining a story. It’s one sprinkle-covered chapter of a family’s long collecting adventure.
Map It, Time It, And Make A Night Of It
Getting there is the easy part. Cherry Smash Ice Cream Parlor sits at 8000 Wiles Road, Coral Springs, FL 33067, inside a shopping plaza.
Parking is in a lot shared with other businesses in the plaza. During busy holiday evenings, giving yourself extra time to find a space is a smart idea.
Hours vary by day, so plan around them. Monday through Thursday runs from 1 PM to 10 PM, and Friday stretches until 11 PM.
Saturday opens earliest, from noon to 11 PM. Sunday keeps shorter hours, running from 2 PM to 9 PM.
Here’s a helpful thought for the light display. Arriving around sunset lets you see the outside glow switch on while you wait.
Families driving in from other parts of Florida can turn this into a full evening. Grab dinner nearby, then save the shop for dessert and photos.
Check the shop’s own pages before heading out, since seasonal plans can change. A quick look keeps surprises limited to the fun kind.
Then load up the car, cue the holiday playlist, and go. A glowing scoop shop is waiting at the end of the road.