10 Things to Do in Miami in Winter

If you prefer a destination with a warm climate, the best option for winter is Miami. You can enjoy the beach, zoos, parks and any outdoor space.

You'll also have the opportunity to take part in cultural activities, go shopping, party Miami style, surf on the beaches, attend music or food festivals and even celebrate Art Deco week.

If you're in Miami during the first month of winter, a must-see destination is the Vizcaya Historic Village. In this landscaped garden area you will enjoy beautiful lights, music and Christmas decorations.

Book tickets to the Vizcaya Museum in Miami because it's a must-see on your list of top 10 things to see and do in Miami at Christmas, especially if you're travelling with the little ones, as they'll enjoy the magical atmosphere of this place.

Things to do

• Walk through the approximately four-hectareVizcaya Garden to enjoy the stunning natural scenery, covered in a shower of lights.
• See the Christmas tree in the middle of the garden.
• Listen to a traditional pipe organ, whose sounds are generated live.
• You will taste sweet and savourysnacks during the visit.
• In the museum, you will see numerous antiques and ornaments, displayed in the 34 rooms of the mansion.

The winter season, which includes the months of December, January and February, is considered a good time to catch waves on Miami's beaches. Therefore, visiting these natural spaces during your visit is usually a good idea for surf lovers.

For this, book a cruise with water activities and make the most of **Miami'**s warm winter weather. Check out Lummus Park Beach, South Beach, Mid-Beach and Haulover Beach (nude beach), among other beaches. At any of them, you'll enjoy plenty of waves to practice on your surfboard.

In addition to one of the best water activities in Miami, you'll also have the opportunity to enjoy a breathtaking view of the ocean and, if you're with the little ones, they can mould some castles and dolls in the sand.

The last and first months of every year are two months of great bargains in Miami, so if you're in town during this season, you shouldn't think twice about shopping. Book a shopping trip to Sawgrass Mills Mall, where you'll find the best prices at more than 350 shops and outlets selling top brands.

Include this activity among the things to see and do in Miami in December and January, and take advantage of the sales on clothing, accessories, shoes, make-up, among other products.

You'll also find a wide variety of Christmas items and toys for the little ones in the house. All at great prices, especially the week after Christmas Eve, and take home bargains as souvenirs of your trip to Miami!

February in the coastal city is one of the most anticipated months for lovers of gourmet food and fine wines. That's because there's a huge culinary festival that brings together international chefs, top spirits producers and renowned winemakers. When attending the South Beach Food and Wine Festival you can choose from a variety of events:

• Culinary workshops where you will discover a variety of flavours: Mediterranean, Cuban, Haitian, Mexican, among others.
• Wine tasting. You will learn to distinguish the body and personality of each vintage.
• Discussion about the production of liqueurs.
• Asian market. You will be able to taste from the mystical taste of Japanese sushi to the traditional Korean egg rolls. You will enjoy the best of Asian street food.

The festival lasts four days and usually takes place in the last week of February. In fact, days before the event you can check all the information about the times and places where each activity will take place on the festival's official website.

If your trip doesn't coincide with the dates of this event you can book a food tour of South Beach where a culinary expert will show you the best places to eat while you taste the delicacies.

If you've decided to visit Miami during the Christmas season or on New Year's Eve, it's because you want to celebrate the holidays in the unique style that only this coastal city can offer you. Here you will find massive parties, family plans and much more.

You can wait for the arrival of Father Christmas with your children in one of the city's recreational parks that offer special activities. Also, if you walk the streets of Miami, you'll find a lively atmosphere, lights to admire and street food stalls.

For New Year's Eve, you'll have several options:

• Book one of Miami's best dinnercruises and have an unforgettable evening until about 3am.
• Head to Seventh and Ninth Streets in Miami Beach, where you'll groove to the beats of top local and international DJs. The celebration usually ends at 6pm.

The third Monday of January is the date designated for more than 40 years in Miami to honour Martin Luther King Jr. It is a commemorative parade where you will enjoy carnival dancers, music, bands from different high schools in the city and vintage cars, among other things.

This traditional activity is ideal if you don't know what to see and do in Miami in 3 days during the month of January. You will experience a fun day from 11 am to 6 pm. To do so, you will have to go to:

• 54th Street in northwest Miami, as this is the starting point of the parade.
• 10th Avenue to 32nd Avenue, where the two-hour parade takes place.
• Martin Luther King Jr Park, where you can attend a family festival until 6pm. You'll enjoy live musical performances, street theatre, a craft market to buy a souvenir of your visit, children's activities and street food.

Practical information

• Address: The parade starts at 54th Street in Northwest Miami and ends at 32nd Avenue, specifically Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
• Time: The parade lasts two hours starting at 11am. Afterwards, the activities continue at Martin Luther King Jr. Park until 6 p.m.

Every year, the North Beach Bandshell becomes a meeting place for hundreds of music lovers. Celebrate with them at the South Beach Jazz Festival and, at the same time, support people with disabilities, which is the main focus of this event.

The festival lasts three days and usually starts the first weekend of January, just after the Three Wise Men celebration. During these days you will find several free jazz performances and others for which you will have to pay an entrance fee.

In each recital you will listen to a wide repertoire of the attending groups that will take you through the progressive Brazilian jazz style , Afro-Cuban, among others. In addition, during the performances, you will notice that the musicians have some kind of disability. This promotes their integration into society.

Practical information

• Address: Most of the festival's activities take place at the North Beach Bandshell Theatre, although some performances are also held at the Faena Theatre, North Beach Acoustic Shell, Power Access Main Stage and Jazz for Tomorrow Stage.
• Price: The cost starts at $35 (approximately €32). However, some of the activities are free.
• Times: Performances take place between 4pm and 9pm in the evening.

Art Deco Week end is considered the city's biggest cultural event. Starting on the third Friday of January, you can enjoy a series of free art exhibitions, architecture shows, music and much more. So, if you don't know what to see and do in Miami in 1 day, this traditional celebration with more than 40 years of history could be a good option.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Attend a lecture in which you will be taught the history and evolution of the peculiar Art Deco architectural style.
• Observe some sketches and models showing the formation of the Art Deco district in Miami.
• Take a guided walk through the streets of this neighbourhood and see the buildings up close.

You'll also find a craft market, special activities for children and a daily musical show. Check out all the information on the official website.

Practical information

• Address: Miami Art Deco Week is held on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach.
• Price: All activities are free.
• Hours: Activities start at 10am and run from 8pm to 8pm to 10pm, depending on the day.

The traditional Miami Half Marathon is held annually during the month of February. It is a sporting event that brings together hundreds of American marathoners and other athletes from approximately 80 countries around the world.

In addition, the 13.1 mile (just over 21 kilometres) route on which athletes will test their endurance is selected by the USA Track & Field organisation, also known by the acronym USATF, so this is a course that offers the best conditions for running. Therefore, this is a track that offers the best conditions for getting around.

During the marathon you will be able to line up along the street with other people who, like you, want to experience this exciting race up close and cheer on the athletes. You can also enjoy the beautiful natural scenery surrounded by palm trees and have a panoramic view of the sea.

For more than 50 years, the bohemian Coconut Grove neighbourhood has hosted a popular arts festival that bears the same name as the district. At this celebration you can see photography and painting exhibitions, jewellery shows, sculptures and more.

To attend the Coconut Grove Arts Festival you must be in Miami by mid-February. Generally, the selected date is from the 19th to the 21st, but this can change depending on the year. Therefore, during your visit to the city you should check the programming calendar.

At the festival you will enjoy the work of more than 300 artists, an entertaining atmosphere thanks to live music and the best culinary demonstrations. And if you don't know what to do in Miami with children, this festival is a good option for the little ones to have fun in the family activities area.

Practical information

• Address: This outdoor event takes place on South Bayshore Drive in the Coconut Grove neighbourhood.
• Price: Admission starts at $20 (around €18) per person per day.
• Hours: The festival is open to the public Monday to Friday from 10am until 5pm. Meanwhile, on weekends the opening hours are extended until 7pm.

The winter season in Miami covers the months of December, January and February. During this period, the weather in the city drops, but remains warm, ideal for enjoying all there is to see and do in Miami.

Therefore, you'll notice that during the day the thermometer reaches a maximum of 25ºC, which is 5ºC lower than in summer. At nightfall, meanwhile, the minimum temperature can drop to 13°C.

In addition, winter in Miami marks the end of the hurricane season, but the winds remain strong, which could be annoying for some people. On the other hand, humidity in the city is high due to the city's proximity to the sea.

No matter what time of year you visit Miami, the city will always be bustling with tourists on its streets, beaches, bars, restaurants and virtually every tourist attraction.

Therefore, it's best to plan your trip in advance and have several options when it comes to sightseeing. This will help you to avoid disappointment.

For example:

• Don't make impromptu decisions and, instead, make an itinerary of activities for each of the days of your visit to Miami.
• Make sure that the places you want to visit are open during the days you will be in the city and check if you need to reserve your place. This is especially true if you are booking a celebrity house cruise, a guided tour of Miami or a bus tour of Miami.
• Remember to make hotel reservations.