‘Tis the season to be jolly! And what better way to do that than exploring the many fun and festive things going on in Miami this year? From fun holiday pop-up bars to the most magical light shows, here are some of the best things to do in Miami this holiday season!
1. Spend a luminous evening at Night at the Garden
One of the many spectacular light shows you’ll find around Miami this time of year is Fairchild’s Night at the Garden. This unmissable celebration of light takes over the 23-acre botanic gardens, transforming it into an enchanting wonderland filled with technicolor flowers, rainbow-colored pathways, motion sensing technology and outdoor holograms. Click here to join the waitlist for NightGarden: A Magical Light Experience!
2. Witness the dazzling return of Luminosa
The stunning Luminosa experience is returning to enchant the city! Lighting up 1.35 miles of Jungle Island with a kaleidoscope of colors, you’ll walk through dozens of stunning lamp scenes crafted by artisans and — not to mention —surrounded by a million LED lights! The theme for this year is a wonderland adventure with bigger and better lantern structures than last year. Secure your spot to Luminosa here.
3. Enjoy a magical candlelit concert of holiday classics
Step into Miami’s most exquisite spaces to experience some of the most treasured holiday classics. This season, you’ll be able to enjoy four different special concerts series including:
❄️ Dec. 18: Candlelight Open Air: Holiday Special featuring “The Nutcracker” and More
❄️ Dec. 21: Candlelight: Holiday Jazz
❄️ Dec. 22: Candlelight: Holiday Special Featuring “The Nutcracker” & More
❄️ Dec. 22: Candlelight Open Air: Christmas Carols on Strings
4. Hit the ice at one of these skating rinks
It’s always an ‘ice’ day to go ice skating! We may only get the heat here, but high temps are the perfect excuse to go out and glide on ice and pretend you’re part of your own holiday movie special. Check them out:
5. Marvel at these holiday and tree lighting displays throughout Miami
If there’s one thing Miami does a LOT of when the holidays are in full swing, it’s lights. Whether it’s festive displays, the lighting of a giant tree or a street lined with merry and bright twinkling lights, they’re difficult to avoid. We’ve gathered the most anticipated holiday lights returning in full force, from Bayfront Park and Zoo Lights to The Enchanted Place of North Miami. See the full list here.
6. 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 the upcoming Concerts Under the Stars at at Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay this season:
❄️ Dec. 15: A Very Bossa Nova Christmas at Marriott Biscayne Bay
❄️ Dec. 21: A Very Sinatra Christmas Special at Marriott Biscayne Bay
7. Check out the Miami Beach Holiday Festival of Lights
This December, South Beach will come alive with delightful Christmassy imagery and musical performances! This festive experience, named the Miami Beach Holiday Festival of Lights, will feature cutting-edge projection mapping technology that will play off buildings’ various shapes in perfect unison with the rhythm of the music. Get tickets to marvel at breathtaking musical performances and projections!
8. Catch a show of Miami City Ballet’s The Nutcracker
One of the most coveted Christmas shows, the Miami City Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, is returning to spread holiday magic across the 305! This year, the spectacular experience will run from December 13 to 24 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.
9. Spend a perfect festive night out at Christmas Wonderland
The holiday theme park is officially returning to Tropical Park for its second year, bringing tons of fun by the sleigh load. From picture-perfect themed trails and a light show to heart-racing rides and family-friendly entertainment, Christmas Wonderland has it all! It will open this year on November 14th. Learn more here.
10. Cheers to the season with some coquito
With its velvety coconut cream, sweet condensed milk, warm cinnamon and a bit (or a lot) of rum, there’s nothing quite like a good cup of coquito to cheer to the festive season. The Puerto Rican delight offers a wonderful way of getting into the holiday season. So grab a bottle at one of these awesome spots and let the coquito flow!
11. Take in lights on the water at the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
Nicknamed the “Best Show on H2O,” the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade has been illuminating the waterways for 52 years and it only gets bigger and brighter! Featuring beautifully decorated and over-the-top boats, this year’s parade makes its dazzling return on December 14. Learn more here!
12. Get into the holiday magic at this Christmas pop-up
Just in time for the season, Miracle Mile is getting a brand new, Christmas-themed store. But it’ll only be here for a limited time! Known as Joy By, it’s famous for transforming spaces into true Christmas wonderlands and specializes in high-end decor. During its stay, the pop-up store will also host interactive activities, including ornament-making classes and photo ops with Santa. Open now through December 30.
13. Catch a free Christmas flick on the water
Everyone has their favorite Christmas movie, and if you ask us, one of the very best is “Elf” (2003). On December 19, Pérez Art Museum Miami is hosting a free screening of the Will Ferrell holiday classic as part of its Floating Films Series, in partnership with Ballyhoo Media. You’ll get to watch the film from a 60-foot floating screen and can even bring along your own blanket or a lawn chair!
14. Be dazzled by The Berry Farm’s annual winter festivities
Starting November 22nd, the Redland farm will be receiving its wintery glow up: the 5th Annual Winter Festival! This year’s celebration will be their most enchanting yet — filled with festive decor, classic holiday music, photos with Santa and all their regular amenities like water pillows and hayrides. By night, their Berry Bright Winter Nights will bring a twinkling wonderland with tens of thousands of lights, a holiday walking path, carolers, movies on the lawn and much more.
15. 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! Learn more here.
16. Get transported to Downtown Doral’s first-ever World of Nutcracker
This winter, Downtown Doral is debuting World of Nutcracker. Presented by the Downtown Doral Arts and Culture Foundation, the approximately 45-minute journey will take visitors through scenes and retellings of the iconic story, blending live performances with captivating projections. It’ll all kick off on Nov. 30!