In the spirit of the season, we wanted to gift you with what we know how to do best — unveiling the coolest things to do in Miami! With December and the holidays just around the corner, there are tons of merry and bright things to be enjoyed in the city.
So without further ado, here are some of the most wonderful things to do in Miami this December:
From $31
One of the many spectacular light shows you’ll find around Miami this time of year is Fairchild’s NightGarden. This unmissable celebration of light takes over the 23-acre botanic gardens annually, with several beloved installations returning this year, as well as new lights for the season! Click here to get your tickets to NightGarden.
From $88
December in Miami can only mean one thing: Art Basel! The city’s most highly anticipated cultural affair returns to the Miami Beach Convention Center from December 5 to 7 (with VIP previews December 3 and 4). This year’s edition is set to feature nearly 300 leading galleries from more than 40 countries, showcasing works by thousands of emerging and established artists. Learn more.
From $17
Make time this December to stop by Superblue for a sensory detour. From the nature-inspired mirror labyrinth and the enthralling Lightfall, this innovative museum utilizes advanced technology to create unforgettable multi-sensory encounters. Don’t miss your chance to engage with this dynamic art world by getting tickets here!
Hit up SoundScape Park this month for the return of Soundscape Cinema Series, a free, weekly event presented by the City of Miami Beach. Every Wednesday, the New World Center transforms into a 7,000-square-foot projection movie screen for the perfect night outing. Moviegoers can bring along blankets, chairs, drinks and snacks for showings at 8 p.m. Check out the full lineup of movies here.
No festive season to-do list would be complete without a tour of Miami’s best holiday lights! The most anticipated displays, twinkling lights and glittering decorations are returning in full force this year. Here are a few you can check out:
- The Enchanted Place of North Miami
- Christmas Wonderland
- Winter Festival at The Berry Farm
From $20
Turn your world upside down at Wynwood’s Paradox Museum, the ultimate mind-twisting experience for all ages. Immerse yourself in a tunnel that spins around you, pose on an iconic Miami Beach lifeguard stand — upside down — and even sit with dozens of versions of yourself on a table full of mirrors. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture these distorted realities! Get tickets to Paradox Museum Miami now.
Hit the ice at one of South Florida’s real outdoor skating rinks (seriously)
It may feel like it’s summer all year-long here, but that doesn’t mean we can’t partake in wintery activities like ice skating. And while most rinks in Miami are always open, some new arrivals use cool new technology to keep the ice completely frozen — while outdoors!
Up in West Palm Beach, The Ben’s Winter Wonderland is back for its second year, with a holiday market, winter tree forest and real outdoor ice skating, of course! Over in Homestead, Losner Park is welcoming an outdoor rink with real ice, alongside food vendors, night markets, an annual tree lighting and more. We can’t think of a better way to get into the holiday mood!
From $30
From holiday specials to ballet classics and iconic tributes, let beautiful melodies wash over you in an illuminated setting this December. It’s a beautiful experience with your family, friends, a date or a solo trip! There are multiple Candlelight concerts to choose from this holiday season:
- Candlelight: Tribute to Adele
- Candlelight: Tribute to Queen
- Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA
- Candlelight: Ed Sheeran Meets Coldplay
- Candlelight Ballet: Swan Lake
- Candlelight: Christmas Special Featuring “The Nutcracker” & More
- Candlelight: Christmas Classics
- Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
- Candlelight Open Air: Rings and Dragons
Get into the holiday spirit(s) at a boozy pop-up bar
‘Tis the season for holiday bars and several of the city’s restaurants and bars are transforming into twinkling wonderlands, with drink specials and festive decor to get you into the spirit of the season. Check out the following pop-up bars:
- Miracle at Carousel Club
- JohnMartin’s The Christmas Bar Pop-Up
- Frosty’s Hideaway at the InterContinental
From $40
Take in stunning views and sip cocktails while you listen to one of Florida’s best jazz vocalists singing a catalog of Holiday tunes “Old Blue Eyes” loved to sing, from “Fly Me To The Moon” to “The Christmas Song.” This special Concerts Under the Stars event takes place at the beautiful Marriott Biscayne Bay, and you can grab tickets here.
Come on Barbie, let’s go shopping! The Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Tour is turning up the nostalgia and serving major street-style looks as it pulls into Aventura Mall! For one day only, December 13, check out exclusive merch you won’t find anywhere else, from retro-inspired accessories to limited-edition apparel and pink-core collectibles. Read more.
Known for his vivid, cinematic style and iconic portraits of stars, David LaChapelle is returning to South Beach with a new exhibit at VISU Contemporary: “Vanishing Act”! Running through January 31, the photographic legend is highlighting over 30 works, including the world premiere of nine pieces debuting right here in the city. During Miami Art Week, you can even catch a special appearance by LaChapelle himself! Learn more.
From $48
Picture this: A dark mansion. A storm. Six suspects. And just 80 minutes of classic who-dunnit fun to solve the crime. The hilarious stage production of Clue is making its Miami premiere at the Adrienne Arsht Center from December 2 to 7, and it’s every bit as witty and chaotic as the beloved board game and movie.
From $48
Here’s another show to add to this month’s plans! Y100’s Jingle Ball is going down at the Kaseya Center this December 20th, with a star-studded lineup including Feid, Kehlani, mgk, Monsta X & more! Get all the details here.
From $38
If you like planning ahead, add this one to your list: Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA brings an enchanting taste of Mexico to Miami beginning February 2026! This vibrant new show blends Mexican culture, nature and mythology with stunning visuals and breathtaking acrobatics, all fueled by 2,600 gallons of water. You can join the waitlist now to secure your spot for this unforgettable production.
Slide down Aventura Mall’s tower
If you’re up for a ride, Aventura Mall’s 93-foot tall shiny slide tower is reopen to the public in December and we’re all about reliving our best childhood memories in style!
Watch Miami City Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
From $45
Miami City Ballet is once again spreading holiday magic across the 305 with George Balanchine’s magical production of The Nutcracker. This year, the production will take place at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts from December 12 to 28.
From $40
This first-of-its-kind tennis event is set to take over the home of the Miami Marlins on December 8th, with world-class players Carlos Alcaraz, Amanda Anisimova, Emma Raducanu and João Fonseca. Matches start at 7 p.m. and you can find out more here.
Witness the lighting of Florida’s largest Christmas tree
Did you know that Delray Beach’s massive Christmas tree is the tallest in all of the state? You won’t want to miss out on the lighting of this 100-foot tree and its many jolly activities at their Holiday Village, from ice skating to a holiday carousel! It all goes down on December 2nd, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Get toned at Little River’s newest pilates studio
Rooted in the angel number symbolizing reflection and inner alignment, 727 Pilates Studio is the city’s new design-forward sanctuary for movement and recovery. Founded by Arantxa Salazar, the studio merges Reformer and Mat Pilates, Sculpt, and Contrast Therapy (infrared sauna and cold plunge) within a beautifully designed space featuring rich tones of maroon and gold. Beyond signature classes, the studio offers a holistic experience where members can quiet the mind and reset the body in a dedicated Recovery Sanctuary.
From $53
Forget everything you think you know about tragic romance! This jukebox musical flips the script on Shakespeare’s classic and asks the ultimate question: what if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? The score is quite the pop spectacle with Max Martin hits like “Since U Been Gone,” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” & Juliet will have its South Florida premiere this December, with University of Miami graduate Joseph Torres starring as Romeo in this national tour. Read more.
With a century-long legacy from Hollywood, Yamashiro is the city’s newest dining destination and a must visit this month! The nearly 9,000-square-foot space blends refined Japanese aesthetics like wood, bonsai trees and fire pit installations with a vibrant Miami energy. Savor artful Japanese cuisine with a local flair, including expertly crafted sashimi and robata-grilled mains by Corporate Chef Charbel Hayek. Learn more.
Ring in 2026 with David Guetta at the Fontainebleau
From $250
With the arrival of December also comes the countdown to a new year, and if you’re looking for NYE plans, the Fontainebleau Miami Beach will once again set the stage for an incredible celebration! This December 31st, global superstar David Guetta will take over the resort’s legendary oceanfront poolscape to deliver a high-energy performance. The evening will also feature a virtual ball drop countdown, elevated open bar packages and a family-friendly experience.