Where pastel Art Deco, warm ocean breezes, and glowing holiday lights create a December unlike anywhere else.
While much of the country braces for snow, Miami celebrates Christmas with sunshine, sparkling water, swaying palms, and vibrant city energy. It’s a holiday season painted in neon, wrapped in sea breeze, and steeped in culture—from boat parades on Biscayne Bay to festive menus along Brickell’s waterfront, rooftop igloos in the sky, and South Beach’s Art Deco architecture lit up for the season.
Welcome to Christmas in Paradise, where holiday cheer meets tropical flair.
🌴 Why Miami in December Is Pure Holiday Magic
Miami doesn’t try to imitate a classic winter—it reinvents the season with bold, colorful flair.
Expect:
- Mid-70s temperatures
- Clear blue skies
- Outdoor celebrations everywhere
- Beach-to-city festivities
- Vibrant nightlife + cultural events
- Latin, Caribbean, and coastal flavors
It’s the kind of Christmas getaway where mornings start with oceanfront yoga and evenings end with mojitos under twinkling lights.
🚤 Bill Baggs Boat Parade & Holiday Paddleboard Flotilla — A Miami Holiday Classic Returns (December 13, 2025)
One of Miami’s most beloved community traditions returns this year as the Boat Parade & Holiday Paddleboard Flotilla lights up Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Taking place Saturday, December 13 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the celebration fills No Name Harbor with glowing paddleboards, decorated vessels, live narration, and that unmistakable Key Biscayne holiday spirit.
✨ Golden Hour Festivities Begin at 4 PM
The evening kicks off with the Holiday Paddleboard Flotilla, where participants loop around No Name Harbor in festive outfits—think twinkling lights, holiday pajamas, reindeer antlers, and even costumed pets. This year includes fun competition categories such as:
- Best Holiday Spirit
- Most Creative
- Best Holiday Outfit for Your Pet
- Best Shiny Lighthouse (a brand-new category)
Both paddleboards and kayaks are welcome, and a designated safety boat keeps watch over the harbor.
🌅 Sunset, Santa & Family Fun
While the flotilla circles the harbor, families can enjoy holiday activities along the shoreline. Expect:
- Photos with Santa
- A Santa-and-elves paddle
- Arts and crafts for kids
- Magic Snow Globe photo activation
- Food trucks and festive bites
For dining with a view, Boater’s Grill and The Cleat offer easy access to Cuban-inspired plates, seafood, and drinks right at the edge of the water.
🎄 The Boat Parade Glides in at Dusk
Around 6 PM, as the sun sinks and the sky shifts from gold to deep blue, the annual Bill Baggs Boat Parade takes center stage. Decorated vessels from the Key Biscayne Yacht Club illuminate the harbor, each one shimmering with holiday lights. The parade is accompanied by narration from MC Theo Holloway, adding fun facts, humor, and festive commentary as boats drift by.
Bring folding chairs or blankets and settle in along the shoreline—this is one of Miami’s most atmospheric holiday evenings.
🎟️ Event Details
- Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
- Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Location: No Name Harbor, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
- Cost: Event is free; standard park entry fee applies
- Paddleboard RSVP: Through Friends of Cape Florida
- Boater Participation: Contact the Key Biscayne Yacht Club
Set against the palms, water, and sunset glow of Cape Florida, this event captures the very heart of a Miami Christmas—community, creativity, and holiday joy by the bay.
🌟 Beachside Magic: Christmas on Miami’s Shores
Only in Miami can you spend Christmas morning swimming in turquoise waters and Christmas Eve admiring glowing palm trees.
South Beach Holiday Lights
Ocean Drive becomes a festival of color—Art Deco buildings draped in lights, holiday music echoing through the palms, and outdoor cafés buzzing well into the night.
Lummus Park Boardwalk Stroll
A sunset walk with twinkling palm trees on one side and ocean waves on the other—Miami’s version of a winter wonderland.
Holiday Movies on the Beach
Watch festive favorites under the stars, toes in the sand, hot cocoa (or a Coquito cocktail) in hand.
🏙️ Festive Dining in Brickell: Holiday Flavors With a View
Brickell comes alive during the holidays with waterfront dining, rooftop lounges, and international cuisine served with seasonal twists.
Terras (Little Havana meets skyline views)
Holiday cocktails inspired by Caribbean flavors and skyline views sparkling with lights.
La Mar at Mandarin Oriental (Brickell Key)
A festive atmosphere with Peruvian holiday dishes, waterfront views, and one of the best Christmas Eve dining experiences in the city.
Dirty French Steakhouse (Brickell)
Glam, high-energy, and perfect for festive dinners—holiday dining with flair.
Bakan (Brickell City Centre)
Mexican coastal cuisine, holiday margaritas, and lively outdoor seating with holiday décor.
Brickell becomes a true celebration hub—every restaurant leaning into seasonal culinary creativity.
🎨 Decked-Out Deco: Christmas in the Art Deco District
Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District becomes a pastel snow globe during the holidays—without the snow.
What Makes It Magical:
- Art Deco hotels outlined in neon holiday colors
- Palm trees wrapped in glowing lights
- Holiday markets along the promenade
- Live jazz, Latin music, and pop-up performances
- Festive Art Deco walking tours
Nothing captures Miami’s holiday vibe like strolling Ocean Drive under pink, blue, and gold lights reflected off vintage façades.
🎁 Miami Holiday Experiences You Can’t Miss
✨ Vizcaya Museum & Gardens’ Holiday Evening Experience
Candlelit pathways, jazz, and seasonal treats in a dreamy European-style estate.
🎄 Zoo Miami’s Zoo Lights
Light tunnels, glowing animal sculptures, and a family-friendly holiday atmosphere.
❄️ Rooftop Holiday Igloos
Several Miami hotels and lounges create winter-themed rooftop pop-ups with igloos, faux snow, and festive cocktails—Miami’s stylish take on winter.
🎅 Santa’s Enchanted Forest
The world’s largest holiday theme park—rides, shows, carnival food, and massive light displays.
🛍️ Holiday Shopping: Sunshine + Style
Brickell City Centre
Luxury brands, festive décor, and stylish holiday crowds.
Lincoln Road Holiday Market
Artisan gifts, handmade goods, jewelry, food vendors, and tropical holiday vibes.
Miami Design District
Architectural installations, high-end shopping, and photo-ready holiday displays.
🏨 Where to Stay for a Magical Miami Christmas
The Goodtime Hotel – South Beach
Glam, pastel, playful—perfect for a stylish tropical holiday.
The Setai Miami Beach
Serene luxury with Asian-inspired elegance and private beachfront.
EAST Miami – Brickell
Skyscraper views, festive rooftop parties, and direct access to Brickell City Centre.
Andaz Miami Beach, by Hyatt
Colorful, retro-chic, and beautifully decorated for the holidays.
🎉 Nightlife With Holiday Flair
Miami’s nightlife scene doesn’t slow down for Christmas—it sparkles brighter.
Holiday parties & events include:
- Festive rooftop celebrations in Wynwood
- Beachside Christmas Eve parties
- Holiday DJ nights at South Beach clubs
- Rum punch + Coquito specials in Little Havana
Miami does Christmas with rhythm.
🌞 A Christmas Unlike Anywhere Else
Christmas in Miami is for those who dream of holiday cheer drenched in warm weather, turquoise water, neon lights, and global flavors. It’s festive without the frost, magical without the mittens, and full of traditions that reflect the city’s vibrant cultural mashup.
Whether you’re watching a boat parade drift across the bay, savoring tropical holiday cocktails in Brickell, or wandering the glowing Art Deco District at night, Miami delivers a Christmas that feels joyful, bold, uplifting, and unforgettable.
🌴 San Diego: Christmas by the Coast
Make your holiday season shine with San Diego: Christmas by the Coast, your guide to the city’s sun-kissed festive charm. Dive into coastal celebrations, waterfront lights, and breezy winter escapes that will inspire your next seaside holiday getaway.
Get Inspired
❄️ Bozeman, Montana: A Snow-Kissed Winter Escape in Big Sky Country
🌆 Denver: A Rocky Mountain Christmas in the City
