10 Things to Do in Miami at Christmas

Miami has always had a worldwide reputation for doing everything in style. The annual festivities are celebrated in a special way in this city and if you've decided to come and visit during the Christmas holidays, I can assure you that you'll have a great time with all the activities I'm going to suggest.

It's true that Miami has a lot to see and do all year round, but when the cold and winter months arrive in the city, everything transforms and adapts, especially during the Christmas month. Lights switch on, parades everywhere, Christmas themed dinners, Christmas markets and much more await you - don't miss out!

If there's one thing this charismatic city is famous for, it's its enormous coastline, which has been the backdrop for many great series and programmes. However, at Christmas time, the whole beachy Miami Beach vibe is somewhat disguised and the focus is on the harbour side, where a rather interesting event takes place every year: the Winterfest Boat Parade.

If you've been on holiday in Miami, you've probably got the itch to take one of the many boat tours on offer. However, you've never seen anything quite like the Winter Fest Parade, a Christmas boat parade in which every year the participants show off their best themed decorations.

It's usually held every December 15th and consists of an event where the boats are paraded along the coast with their best decorations and lights and there are even parties on board with cocktails and Christmas carols. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Interesting details

• Price: Entry to the parade is usually around €25 and entry to the boats starts at €35.
• Place: The bridle routes change but always start from a pier along the coast.
• Date: Usually takes place on 15 December.

Miami kicks off the Christmas season with the spectacular Christmas lights switch-on, which takes place every year at the Miami City Hall plaza, where a huge Christmas tree is installed. This event usually takes place on the first Saturday in December and people come from all over the city to witness the moment when the switch is flipped - and not just the tree, but the whole square and the main streets are illuminated.

In Florida they don't skimp on decorations. Just as houses in the USA have become internationally famous for their decorative work on their facades, in Miami the decoration of streets, trees, lampposts and buildings follows the same line. If you want to fill your family with light and make one of the many plans that Miami has at night, this is one of the best to welcome the Christmas holidays.

You can also take advantage of the Miami sightseeing bus routes to see the Christmas lights. An ideal way to tour the city and learn about its many attractions.

Details of interest

• Price: it is a free event.
• Venue: at Miami City Hall Plaza, 3500 Pan American Dr.
• Date: First Saturday evening in December.

If you've decided to say goodbye to the year away from home and come to Miami, I can assure you that you'll have a great time because you're in one of the cities where partying and fun are guaranteed. Each country has its own customs and, in Miami, there are also special events that you can attend on New Year's Eve.

Despite all the repertoire of parties that you can choose from after midnight, there are two popular options for you to experience the 00h according to local customs.

• In the South Beach area, people gather every year to watch the fireworks reflected against the sea and the beach.
• If you're more inclined to spend it indoors, another location is Bayfront Park, a huge event hall that usually hosts concerts on the night and offers a fun-filled, music-filled New Year's Eve.

Interesting details

• Price: Both events are free, although at Bayfront Park you can buy a VIP pass for almost €200.
• Venue: South Beach and Bayfront Park, located at 301 Biscayne Blvd.
• Date: The evening of 31 December.

One of the most anticipated activities with the arrival of Christmas is the installation of themed markets where you can buy all kinds of decorations, crafts and, of course, typical food and drink such as cinnamon rolls, hot chocolate or gingerbread biscuits.

If you want to take a stroll through one of these markets, soak up the Christmas spirit and buy some unique decorations to take home with you when you return from the holidays, there are several dotted around the city and almost all of them are free.

One of the most popular is the one in Coral Gables, where every year they organise a whole enclosure full of stalls with all kinds of handmade products, Christmas carols play and even Father Christmas himself is there to listen to the requests of all the children.

Interesting details

• Price: Access is free, depending on how much you want to spend inside.
• Location: The Coral Gables Flea Market is located at 220 Miracle Mile, Ste 234.
• Date: Open during the first three weekends in December.

One of the most special nights of the year is December 24th. It is traditional for families to get together for dinner at home and make typical Christmas dishes, such as roast turkey or various salads. If you're looking for a home-cooked American-style meal, every year the Redland Restaurant and Hotel hosts Christmas dinners with a special menu. You have to book in advance, but the atmosphere is fantastic.

For something a little more original, you can also book a table at 94Miami, an old warehouse on the outskirts of the city that hosts dinners and a big party in the evening. You can even celebrate Christmas on the high seas on a boat.

But if, above and beyond the food, you want to make it an unforgettable night, you can always get on board the Polar Express and experience a Christmas night out. The Polar Express Ride organises during the festive season, and especially on the night of the 24th, a spectacular show aboard a train where Father Christmas will be on board and sweets and hot chocolate will be served to recreate the popular fairy tale.

Interesting details

• Price: The average Christmas menu can cost around €40 and the Polar Express ticket is around €70.
• Location: Redland is at 5 South Flagler Avenue, 94Miami is at 1395 N.W. 57th Avenue and the Polar Express Ride is at 600 NW 1st Ave.
• Date: During the night of 24 December.

If Miami is already beautiful all year round from above, it is even more so at Christmas time with all the typical Christmas lights. Every year, many people take the opportunity to live a unique experience flying over the city of Miami to see it from a totally different perspective. Moreover, if you do this activity during the day, you will have the opportunity to see the beautiful coastline from above.

Do you dare to see Miami from another point of view? This activity is usually done with an expert guide who will tell you interesting facts about the city while you see it from above.

If you're travelling with your family and you're an animal lover, a great place to visit is the Jungle Island Zoo. This park is open all year round and has a great selection of species that you can come and see, but during the month of December they all dress up to welcome you.

Jungle Island decorates its entire infrastructure for Christmas and, as well as filling the park with light, organises themed shows with animals such as parrots, kangaroos, penguins and iguanas. The Chinese acrobatics shows and the festive atmosphere are also famous.

If you want to visit a zoo in a different way and celebrate with your family, you can come and see the zoo in the afternoon session so that you can see the whole park lit up.

Details of interest

• Price: general admission is around 30€.
• Location: Jungle Park Zoo is at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail.
• Date: Events and decorations run throughout December and into early January.

If you are travelling with your family and are looking for a plan that has entertainment for both adults and children, Santa's Enchanted Forest is definitely the place to be. The famous Christmas amusement park is an excellent choice if you are coming to Miami with children.

During the month of December, the entire park is specially decorated and illuminated, Christmas carols are played in every corner and the rides are adapted to have a Christmas theme. To top it all off , Father Christmas has his own space in the park and all the kids can visit him.

Adults will have all the comforts to spend a very special day while the children have a great time and soak up the spirit of the festive season.

Details of interest

• Price: Tickets to the park cost around €20.
• Location: Santa's Enchanted Forest is located at 3100 E 4th Ave, Hialeah.
• Date: This theme park is usually open throughout the month of December, starting in November and ending in early January.

If you like nature and natural spaces, one of the most beautiful parks to visit in Miami is the Fairchild Garden botanical garden, a space full of unique species and with a guided tour to learn more about the flora of the area. However, despite being an interesting plan all year round, if you like Christmas, the garden will be your favourite place at this time of year.

With a natural setting like no other, Fairchild Gardens hosts Christmas concerts every year during the month of December so that everyone can come and listen to live music. In addition, the park's professionals are on hand to put up a whole network of lights around the park to decorate without harming the plants.

Most concerts are usually held during the first few days of the month as a way of welcoming in the festive season and it is very moving and solemn to be able to come and see everyone singing Christmas carols together with such a beautiful natural backdrop.

Interesting details

• Price: to see the concerts you will have to pay the entrance to the gardens for about 25€.
• Location: The Miami Botanical Gardens are located at 10901 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables.
• Date: The illumination is on throughout the month of December but the concerts are usually the first week.

In general, the entire state of Florida tends to have fairly stable temperatures throughout the year, making it virtually impossible to get snow during the winter. However, one of the emblems of Christmas is that the roofs of the houses and the streets are snowed in.

To solve this, every December, the shopping centre chain Cocowalk organises a whole event and, with large machines, they spread tons of artificial snow all around the mall.

Children and not so children can come and play with this artificial snow and get to throw balls and even make dolls. Moreover, its composition is non-toxic, so families with children of all ages can come along.

Interesting details

• Price: it is free of charge.
• Place: The event is held at the Cocowalk shopping centre, located at 3015 Grand Ave, Coconut Grove, and snow covers the entire vicinity.
• Date: Saturdays in December.

There is no sport that is more appealing when the cold weather arrives than ice skating and gliding around the rink. When the cold season arrives, from the end of November, there are several ice rinks in the city of Miami that prepare for Christmas and take care of everything so that you can enjoy a unique experience.

One of the best known rinks is Kendall Ice Arena, which during the month of December usually has a themed atmosphere with DJ music and various exhibitions to celebrate Christmas. The entrance is suitable for all ages and you have the option of renting skates there.

If you want a plan for adults without giving up skating on your skates, Basement has thought of you, as during the Christmas party they have managed to merge the atmosphere of the discotheques with skating, creating an underground rink with disco music in which you can skate for half an hour to the rhythm of the music.

Interesting details

• Price: Both venues cost between €15 and €30.
• Location: Kendall Ice Arena is at 10355 Hammocks Blvd and the Basement is at 2901 Collins Ave, Miami Beach.
• Date: Open all year round but the themed parties are held during the month of December.

Miami is a city that does not stand out for being particularly cold during the winter. Generally, if you come at Christmas time, you can expect an average of 19ºC to 22ºC. However, being a coastal city, the humidity can be lower. However, being a coastal city, the humidity can give a lower thermal sensation.

A good option to see the city comfortably and without having to calculate the warm clothes to wear during the day is to get on one of Miami' s tourist buses to be able to see all its essential parts and, if you come at Christmas time, all its decoration and illumination.

Miami is a city that will surprise you no matter what time of the year you come. But, if you decide to visit it at Christmas, I assure you that you will live one of the most unforgettable experiences.