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 wonderful things to do in Miami this December:
1. Go snow tubing, make snow angels, ride through a festive forest and more at Snow Carnival
Seeing as snow is an impossible phenomenon here in Florida, you can experience the closest thing to a flurry of snowflakes, throwing snowballs and going snow tubing here in the city! This magical winter wonderland known as Snow Carnival houses joyful characters like reindeer and a friendly Yeti, festive pathways, a dazzling tree and snow much more winter fun you won’t want to miss out on! Get tickets to Miami’s first-ever Snow Carnival here.
2. Experience a mesmerizing night walk through NightGarden
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 83-acre botanic gardens annually, with several beloved installations returning this year, as well as new lights (and snowfall) for the season! Click here to get your tickets to NightGarden.
3. Catch Fort Lauderdale’s bright Winterfest Boat Parade
This classic of the holidays in South Florida is back on Dec. 16, with beautifully-decorated boats of all sizes in store. With over a million viewers along the 12-mile route, the parade where the floats really float is a Fort Lauderdale institution that can’t be missed! Click here to learn more.
4. Stop by Bodega Taqueria’s festive holiday pop-up
‘Tis the season for holiday bars that deserve a spot on your winter bucket list! One of our favorite taco joints is transforming into a winter dreamland decked out in twinkling lights, festive garlands and drink specials (in partnership with Patrón tequila) to get you into the spirit of the season. Check it out here.
5. Take in the last of free movie screenings at Soundscape Park
Spend your Wednesday nights at SoundScape Park because Miami Beach’s SoundScape Cinema Series is continuing on! From “Barbie” to “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” they’ll be screening a range of films on the 7,000-square-foot projection wall outside the New World Center this month. Check out their full lineup of movies here.
6. Be dazzled by Luminosa: A Festival of Lights
For the first time since 2019, Luminosa is returning to Jungle Island, lighting up 1.35 miles of the park with a kaleidoscope of colors and millions of LED lights, in addition to live acrobatic acts and artisan vendors. This year’s event is set to be larger and more awe-inspiring than ever, with more than 40 stunning lamp scenes crafted by 150 artisans. Find tickets to Luminosa here.
7. Get your fill of holiday cheer and music at Jingle Ball
iHeartRadio always throws the best Christmas concerts every year, and this year’s Jingle Ball lineup features performances by Nicki Minaj, Marshmello, AJR, Flo Rida, Ludacris, Nicky Jam, Shaggy and more. The show is at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Saturday, December 16!
8. Watch Van Gogh’s paintings come to life
Although not exactly holiday-themed, the incredible immersive Van Gogh exhibition at the Olympia Theatre is the perfect plan to add to your holiday bucket list for some extra magic. Step right inside Van Gogh’s iconic works with state-of-the-art video mapping and projections. Reserve your tickets today!
9. Go ice skating!
It may feel like it’s summer all year long here in Miami but that doesn’t mean we cannot partake in wintery activities like ice skating. And while most ice skating rinks in Miami are open all year long, this quintessential winter activity is perfect for getting into the holiday mood and feeling extra festive!
- Scott Rakow Youth Center, Miami Beach
- Kendall Ice Arena
- Basement, Miami Beach
- Pines Ice Arena, Pembroke Pines
10. Enjoy soothing holiday classics by candlelight
From holiday specials, enchanting dinners, ballet classics and iconic tributes, let beautiful melodies wash over you both for an intimate night in an illuminated setting that’s sure to put you at ease. There are multiple concerts to choose from this month:
🎁 Dec. 14: Candlelight Open Air: Holiday Jazz and Soul Classics feat. Ella Fitzgerald
🎁 Dec. 15-16: Candlelight: Holiday Special featuring “The Nutcracker” and More
🎁 Dec. 21: Candlelight: Holiday Jazz and Soul Classics feat. Ella Fitzgerald
🎁 Dec. 22-23: Candlelight Open Air: Holiday Special featuring “The Nutcracker” and More
Here are a couple more Candlelight concerts to look forward to in the new year:
👱♀️ Jan. 7: Candlelight Open Air: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
🪩 Jan. 21: Candlelight Open Air: A Tribute to ABBA
11. Spend an evening watching Pretty Woman: The Musical
Based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, catapulting Richard Gere and Julia Roberts into stardom, Pretty Woman: The Musical makes its Miami debut at the Arsht Center this December! It features a powerhouse creative team led by two-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell and delivers on all the iconic moments you remember. Find more Miami Broadway shows here.
12. Catch upcoming releases on the big screen at a discount
You can enjoy discounted movie ticket prices all month long, thanks to these AMC Black Tickets! Some of the most anticipated films of the month include Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce, Wonka, Godzilla Minus One, Anyone But You and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
13. Enjoy a sultry evening at NaughtyAirOtic
Gift yourself with a night out at this ‘naughty’ burlesque show. Taking place at Wilton Manors, Naughty AirOtic features unbelievable stunts, seductive choreography and incredible costumes — all with a holiday twist! Enjoy these stunning performances unlike any other you’ve seen, so make sure to snag your tickets to Naughty AirOtic: A Circus-Style Burlesque Show here.
14. Slide down Aventura Mall’s tower
If you’re up for a ride, Aventura Mall’s 93-foot tall shiny slide tower has recently reopened to the public and we’re all about reliving our best childhood memories in style. Click here to find out how you can get a ride.
15. Watch Miami City Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
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 be at the Adrienne Arsht Center from December 15-24, the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale from December 8-10 and at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach on December 28-30!
16. See Miami’s most dazzling holiday lights!
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:
- Santa’s Enchanted Forest
- Miami Beach Holiday Festival of Lights
- Christmas Wonderland
- The Enchanted Place of North Miami
- Shops at Merrick Park
17. Take in a Christmas Concert Under the Stars
Take in stunning rooftop views and sip a cocktail while you listen to jazz tunes and soothing bossa nova jingles. Here are two upcoming Concerts Under the Stars at at Elevar Rooftop in Wynwood this season:
🎶 A Very Sinatra Christmas Special at Elevar Rooftop on December 22
🎶 A Very Bossa Nova Christmas at Elevar Rooftop on December 23
18. Enjoy a lovely bike ride
Get on your bike and feel the breeze along these bike trails across the city! It’s not only a great way to spend your time but to honor your body and health so check out our round-up of enjoyable biking spots:
- Shark Valley Trail, Everglades
- Old Cutler Trail, Coral Gables
- South Pointe Park, Miami Beach
- Venetian Causeway
19. Jam out at Riptide Music Festival
Good vibes are on the horizon as the ultimate end-of-the-year party, Riptide Music Festival, returns to Fort Lauderdale Beach Park for two days (December 2-3). Headliners The Black Keys and Jelly Roll will be joined by Bleachers, Lovejoy, Cannons, Silversun Pickups, Misterwives, Beach Weathe and more.
20. Check out Lincoln Road’s newest art installation, straight from Burning Man
Keep your eyes peeled for this 45-foot-tall sculpture brightening up Lincoln Road all winter (literally — it has LED lights). Named “R-Evolution,” the larger-than-life piece by artist Marco Cochrane will be on display through April of next year. Read all about it here.
21. Step into a giant sand maze at Faena Beach for Art Week
An interactive, sand-covered labyrinth by Chilean artist Sebastian Errazuriz is hitting Miami Beach this month as part of Faena Art’s Art Week programming. Opening on December 5th, ‘Maze: Journey Through the Algorithmic Self’ is not meant to get lost in, but rather to “find ourselves,” the artist describes. Learn more.
22. Go ziplining above Jungle Island
If thrilling activities are more your thing, Treetop Trekking will take you out of your comfort zone with an unforgettable adventure through nature. Known as South Florida’s only aerial zipline adventure park, strap in and marvel at the magnificent views of the city and the animals underneath you at Jungle Island. There are three thrilling courses to choose from, with the lowest at 3 feet and the highest at 55 feet. Click here to read more.
With pristine weather and tons of activities taking place this month, we’d argue there’s simply no better place to spend the holidays than Miami. From out-of-this-world light displays to holiday-themed bar revamps, these are the most magically festive things to do in Miami this December. So head on out and celebrate the season!