Christmas in Miami
Miami's big Christmas tree is in Bayfront Park downtown, with a holiday village around it until Christmas night (the 2026 lighting date isn't out yet). The first lighting this season is Downtown Miami Holiday Lighting on Friday 20 November. December is warm: about 25 °C (77 °F) by day and 19 °C (66 °F) at night.
The tree lightings, in date order
Downtown Miami Holiday Lighting
Friday 20 November · 6:30 to 10 pm
The Miami Downtown Development Authority switches on Flagler Street's holiday lights, with a free performance by the New Deco Ensemble.
Where: Flagler Street at SE 3rd Avenue, Downtown Miami
Price: free
Check: One guide gives 14 November instead; the organiser's listing says 20 November.
Sources: soulofmiami.org.
Lincoln Road holiday tree lighting
Saturday 21 November · 6 to 9 pm
South Beach lights its tree on the Lincoln Road mall, with the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival's orchestra and singers at 7 and 8 pm, hot chocolate, and face painting and crafts for children.
Where: 660 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
Price: free
In Things to do · Sources: eventbrite.com, soulofmiami.org.
Zoo Lights at Zoo Miami
27 Nov to 30 Dec 2026 · 6:30 to 10 pm on 27 and 28 November; 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 to 23 and 26 to 30 December
More than a million lights through the zoo, a 26-foot LED tree lit on opening night (27 November, 7 pm), Santa until 23 December, a train ride and photo spots. Most animals are asleep.
Where: Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd Street, South Miami-Dade
Price: tickets online only (zoo's shop); expected to sell out
Sources: zoomiami.org.
Coconut Grove tree lighting and block party
Sunday 29 November · 6 to 9 pm
The Coconut Grove Business Improvement District and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church light the tree, with photos with Santa, a parade of decorated golf carts and the church choir. This year's theme is the Dr. Seuss Christmas story.
Where: Main Highway at Fuller Street, Coconut Grove
Price: free
Sources: miamiandbeaches.com, soulofmiami.org.
Not announced yet
These happen every year; we'll add the dates when the organisers publish them.
Bayfront Park Christmas tree and Holiday Village
2026 date not announced yet. Usually: Lit between late November and early December
Miami's big tree, with a holiday village around it until Christmas night. In past years the tree stood about 50 feet with a nightly light show, and the village had roller skating by the water, stalls, food and drink.
Where: Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Boulevard, Downtown Miami
Price: free to walk in
See the tree on our 3D map · In Things to do · Sources: bayfrontparkmiami.com, nbcmiami.com.
Shops at Merrick Park tree lighting
2026 date not announced yet. Usually: A Thursday in late November, from 5:30 pm (20 November in 2025)
Coral Gables' shopping centre lights its tree in the courtyard; the city also strings lights through the banyans on Miracle Mile.
Where: The courtyard, Shops at Merrick Park, Coral Gables
Price: free
Sources: coralgables.com, miamimomcollective.com.
Miami Beach Holiday Festival of Lights
2026 date not announced yet. Usually: Select December weekends (14, 20 and 21 December in 2025, at 6 and 7:30 pm)
The Miami Beach Classical Music Festival's holiday concerts on Ocean Drive, among lights.
Where: The Betsy, 1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
Price: free
Sources: miamibeachfl.gov.
Also on in December
- Art Basel and Miami Art Week1 to 6 December
- New Year's Eve at Bayfront Park31 December
The weather at Christmas
Over the last ten Decembers (2016-2025), days averaged 25 °C (77 °F) and nights 19 °C (66 °F), with rain on about 11 days of the month. Christmas Day reached 22–27 °C in nine of the last ten years; the exception was the 2022 cold snap, when it peaked at 9 °C. Pack for the beach, and a light layer for the evenings. From Open-Meteo's historical data for downtown Miami.
Hotel prices over the holidays
| Night | Typical hotel | vs a quiet night | Sold out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 31 Dec | $1,411 | 2.4× | 6 of 23 |
The same 23 hotels every night: lowest rate for 2 adults, before taxes and resort fees. Sold-out hotels count as dearer than any room on sale, so a "+" means at least that much. Sampled nights only; check the hotel before you book.
A quiet night in our panel costs about $597.
Compare hotels for Christmas
Last checked 12 November 2026. Dates come from the organisers; check with them before you go.