December in South Florida: A Traveler’s Guide to Holiday Magic Under the Palms RitmoCity

December in South Florida is where holiday magic meets palm trees, ocean breezes, and warm nights under the stars

Ritmo!City®

12/1/20254 min read

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December in South Florida: A Traveler’s Guide to Holiday Magic Under the Palms

From Art Basel and glowing gardens to boat parades and New Year’s Eve on the bay

December in South Florida is where holiday magic meets palm trees, ocean breezes, and warm nights under the stars. If you’re planning a winter escape this year, here are some amazing things to do around Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach—now with direct links so you can start planning.

1. Dive into Miami Art Week & Art Basel

Early December is all about art in Miami Beach.

  • Art Basel Miami Beach returns December 5–7, 2025 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, with nearly 300 galleries from around the world. (Art Basel)

  • The broader Miami Art Week has satellite fairs, pop-ups, and public art all over the city.


Traveler resource:

2. Wander Through Enchanted Light Gardens & Zoos

NightGarden at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (Coral Gables)

NightGarden transforms 83 acres of tropical gardens into a glowing wonderland from November 7, 2025 through January 11, 2026. Expect neon-lit paths, talking trees, and AR “fairy quests.” (Greater Miami & Miami Beach)


Zoo Lights at Zoo Miami

On select nights November 21–December 30, 2025, Zoo Lights covers Zoo Miami in more than a million lights, themed nights, and family activities. (Zoo Miami)

3. Celebrate the Holidays on the Water

Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade (Fort Lauderdale)

The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade—the “Best Show on H₂O”—sails December 13, 2025, with a preshow at 5:30 p.m. and main parade and fireworks at 6 p.m. (Winterfest Boat Parade)


Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade

Farther north, the Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade kicks off the season on Saturday, December 6, 2025, traveling up the Intracoastal from North Palm Beach to Jupiter with a traveling fireworks display.

4. Coastal Christmas Charm: Beaches, Trees & Lights

Light Up the Beach – Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale’s Light Up the Beach decorates the beachfront with more than 50,000 holiday lights and a 20-foot beach snowman “Olas,” plus live music and a kids zone. (parks.fortlauderdale.gov)

Delray Beach’s 100-Foot Christmas Tree

The beloved 100-Ft Christmas Tree Lighting & Yuletide Street Festival in Delray Beach happens December 2, 2025, from 6–9 p.m. at Old School Square and Atlantic Avenue. (Delray Beach)

5. Family-Friendly Festivals, Markets & Holiday Guides

Beyond the marquee events, South Florida is packed with kid-friendly and budget-friendly activities: tree lightings, Santa brunches, menorah lightings, pop-up markets, and more.

Helpful roundups:


These are great tools to fill in your itinerary with local concerts, neighborhood festivals, and daytime family outings.

6. Soak Up Cuban & Latin Flavor in Little Havana

You can’t visit Miami in December without experiencing its Cuban heart in Little Havana.


Plan an afternoon stroll for Cuban coffee, pastelitos, and art galleries, then stay into the evening for live music, salsa, and Cuban son in classic venues along Calle Ocho.

7. Ring In the New Year: Miami-Style

Bayfront Park New Year’s Eve Celebration

Miami’s biggest New Year’s Eve party takes over Bayfront Park with live music, the famous Big Orange rise, and midnight fireworks over Biscayne Bay.


New Year’s Eve Cruises & Yacht Parties

If you’d rather celebrate on the water, look for NYE cruises and yacht parties departing from Downtown Miami and Miami Beach marinas:


These sites list multiple cruise options with fireworks views, open bars, and DJs.

8. Practical Tips for December Travel in South Florida

  • Check dates & tickets: Use official event pages above—many December events (Art Basel, NightGarden, Winterfest, Zoo Lights, boat parades, Bayfront NYE) have specific dates and often need timed tickets or advance reservations. (Art Basel)

  • Get an overview first:

  • Plan around traffic: Big events like Art Basel and Winterfest can cause heavy traffic; keep an eye on local transit updates, including a proposed free water taxi linking Downtown and Miami Beach during major Art Week periods.


Wherever you base yourself—South Beach, downtown Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Palm Beach—you can mix and match these experiences: world-class art fairs, glowing gardens, iconic boat parades, Cuban culture, and unforgettable New Year’s Eve fireworks over the bay.

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For bookings and information:
Ritmo!City Entertainment
Contact: Bobby Ramirez
Phone: 305-298-2380
Email: info@ritmocity.com

December in South Florida: A Traveler’s Guide to Holiday Magic Under the Palms
December in South Florida: A Traveler’s Guide to Holiday Magic Under the Palms
Ritmo!City®

Experience Latin entertainment for unforgettable events.

info@ritmocity.com

305-298-2380

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