‘Tis the season to be jolly! And what better way to do that than exploring the many fun and festive things going on in the city this year? From fun holiday pop-up bars to Miami’s most dazzling displays, here are some holly jolly things to do in Miami this holiday season!
1. Spend a luminous night at the NightGarden
One of the many spectacular light shows you’ll find around Miami is Fairchild Botanical Gardens’ NightGarden. This unmissable celebration of light takes over the 83-acre gardens annually, with several beloved installations returning this year, as well as new lights for the season! Click here to get your tickets.
2-4. 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 three different special concerts series including:
- Candlelight Ballet: Featuring Tchaikovsky and More – Dec. 17 at the Scottish Rite Temple
- Candlelight Open Air: Holiday Special featuring “The Nutcracker” and More – Dec. 18, 22 at The Plaza Turf in Jungle Island
- Candlelight Open Air: Holiday Jazz and Soul Classics feat. Ella Fitzgerald – Dec. 21 at the Curtiss Mansion
5. Get into the holiday spirit at this beloved pop-up bar in Wynwood
No festive season to-do list would be complete without a Christmas-themed pop-up bar. And this year, the enchanting Miracle pop-up bar has returned to Gramps Wynwood to offer up the best in seasonal cocktails, festive photo ops, and holiday cheer. Read more here.
6. And at Bodega’s holiday-themed pop-up
While we’re on the topic of legendary pop-up bars, the city’s beloved taco joint is transforming into a cozy winter dreamland decked out in twinkling lights, festive garlands and drink specials (in partnership with Patron) to get you into the spirit of the season.
See also: 7 Festive Pop-Up Bars To Check Out In Miami This Holiday Season
7. See Pinecrest Gardens’ Nights of Lights
Nights of Lights has finally returned to Pinecrest Gardens, giving the botanical landscape a winter wonderland makeover dotted by thousands of twinkling lights and displays. This year, the gardens will also be adding on sections of sparkling holiday lights and an even bigger holiday-themed maze! Read all about it here.
8. Visit Urbanspace’s Lincoln Road Holiday Market
Christmastime is swiftly approaching and many of us have already worked on our holiday shopping lists. If you’re just getting started, that’s what holiday markets are here for. Get your Christmas spirit on while helping out local vendors and getting your shopping done at the Urbanspace Lincoln Road Holiday Market! The outdoor marketplace showcases a broad range of exciting gifts like decorative home goods, children’s toys, apparel, accessories, jewelry, books and prints, art, artisan food products, as well as food and beverages.
9-12. Go ice skating!
It may feel like it’s summer all year long here in Miami but that doesn’t mean we cannot indulge in wintery activities like ice skating. And while most ice skating rinks are open all year long, this quintessential winter activity is perfect for getting into the holiday mood and feeling extra festive! That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best spots to goice skating in Miami:
- Scott Rakow Youth Center
- Kendall Ice Arena
- Basement
- Pines Ice Arena
13. Enjoy Christmas in Las Olas
The LOOP Ft. Lauderdale is hosting “WONDERLAND,” a series of holiday events, performances, and markets running through Dec. 24. Visitors can experience an array of sights, sounds, and special events, including expanded holiday markets featuring strolling characters, live music, visits with Santa, holiday movies, the introduction of Boogie Wonderland and a Silent Disco experience.
14. Pay a visit to Zoo Miami for some dazzling Zoo Lights
Giant glowing elephants, one million dazzling tree lights and a magnificent 26-foot LED holiday tree are but a few wondrous things you’ll find at Zoo Miami’s annual Zoo Lights. This year, special themed nights will be sprinkled throughout the event, from PJ & onesie nights to galactic nights, that are sure to brighten up everyone’s day!
15. Drive through a spectacle of lights in Homestead
Experience your favorite holiday scenes and magical characters without having to leave your car! There are so many awesome lights displays and shows throughout Miami over the holidays, but Magic of Lights, which is currently taking over the Homestead-Miami Speedway, is quite the spectacle.
16. Catch a show of Miami City Ballet’s The Nutcracker
The Miami City Ballet is going on the road with George Balanchine’s magical production of The Nutcracker to spread the holiday magic across the 305. This year, the production will be at the Adrienne Arsht Center from Friday, December 16, through Saturday, December 24; and at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach starting Wednesday, December 28, through Friday, December 30!
17. Have a fabulously festive time at The Wharf Holiday Village
Both of The Wharf’s locations in Miami and Fort Lauderdale are getting into the holiday spirit as they light up the riverfronts with their annual Holiday Village. You can expect full holiday decor with oversized inflatables, thousands of twinkling lights, holiday-inspired cocktails and live activations such as toy drives and visits from Santa himself!
18. Visit the totally bitchin’ Stranger Things Store!
If you haven’t yet visited the epic pop-up store based on Netflix’s smash sci-fi drama Stranger Things, then now’s the time to do so! Explore all of your favorite locations from the show, like Hawkins High, Starcourt Mall or even the Palace Arcade all while shopping for an array of exclusive merch like rad tee-shirts, awesome posters, and nostalgic candy favorites. Reserve your spot to skip the line here.
19. Marvel at this North Miami residential light display
One of Miami’s best-kept holiday secrets, the Enchanted Place of North Miami, is a must-visit with all its merriment. For decades, this group of houses on North Miami’s NE 137th Terrace have gotten all dressed up for the holidays and each year is just as merry and bright as the one before!
20. Play in the Florida snow at Snowcat Ridge, the state’s only snow park!
Yes, the drive up to Dade City is about four hours, but seeing as snow is an all-impossible phenomenon here in Florida don’t let that deter you from experiencing the cold alpine weather and go snow tubing in the heart of our tropical state! This totally awesome snow park houses a massive snow tubing hill, a giant igloo, a dazzling alpine village, and snow much more winter fun that you won’t want to miss out on. Click here to read more.
21. Put on your PJs and hop aboard the ‘Polar Express’ train
Get your golden ticket and hop aboard the magical Polar Express Train for a dazzling journey to the North Pole. Brightline is bringing back this holiday classic based on the beloved Christmas movie to transport you away to the land of reindeer and Santa Claus this upcoming holiday season. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of this story while enjoying some hot chocolate. Find out more here.
22. 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!
23. Or sip on some awesome holiday-themed cocktails!
The holidays are a time for feeling merry, cheering to the new year, and gathering up with friends, so what better way to celebrate the most festive season of all than sipping on some holiday-themed cocktails? From holiday pop-ups to specialty menus, Miami has been flooded with tons of jolly cocktail options. Check out some of our favorites here. Salud!
24. Experience Santa’s Circus and Holiday Village at Jungle Island
And last but certainly not least, Santa’s Circus and Magical Village is bringing all the holiday fun to Jungle Island this year! Awaken your inner child and transport to a Christmassy universe with their sparkling lights, festive music, carnival games, stunts, acrobatics and all-around entertainment perfect for the entire family.