Miami family guide · 2026 holiday season
🎄 Christmas lights & holiday events for kids in Miami
Every holiday light show, tree lighting, Santa visit and snow day we could find across Miami-Dade and Broward for 2026, with dates, prices, and which ones are free.
Light shows & holiday attractions
Open for weeks, so you can pick the night that works. Weeknights are far less crowded than Fridays and Saturdays, especially after Dec 15.
Kendall
Christmas Wonderland at Tropical Park
📍 Tropical Park
🕒 Nov-Jan | Mon-Thu 5-11pm, Fri-Sat to midnight
5 million lights, Candyland spectacle, roller coasters, Ferris wheel, immersive installations, and culinary pop-ups. Free parking.
Parent tip: One of the biggest holiday events in Miami!
Downtown Miami
Jungle Island Luminosa Festival
📍 Jungle Island
🕒 November 14, 2026 - March 2, 2027 (select dates)
Extended light festival featuring holiday lights, music, animal shows, and themed entertainment displays throughout island venue.
Parent tip: Tickets valid after 5 PM for evening experience
Downtown Miami
Holiday Village — Magic City Flea
📍 Downtown Miami
🕒 Sat and Sun, Nov 16 - Dec 29
60+ local vendors, outdoor ice skating rink on Flagler Street, and Santa appearances.
Parent tip: Ice skating in Miami!
Kendall
Zoo Lights Miami
📍 Zoo Miami
🕒 Nov 27–28; Dec 4, 5, 11, 12, 18–23, 26–30, 2026 | 6:30–10 PM (select nights only)
Zoo Miami opens after dark for a wild wonderland of over a million lights, with a 26-foot LED holiday tree, animal presentations, character meet & greets, letters to Santa, themed photo spots, and a new train ride. Opening Night & Tree Lighting is Friday, November 27 at 7 PM.
Parent tip: Zoo Lights is a SEPARATE ticket — daytime admission and membership do not include it. Runs select nights only, so check the date list before you drive out. Buy online in advance; it sells out. Santa appears through Dec 23.
Redland
Pinto Farm — Holiday Lights and Fun
📍 Pinto Farm
🕒 Late Nov-Jan | Weekends
Holiday rides, paddle boats, tractor rides, pony rides, petting zoo, hay maze, and Santa meet and greets.
Parent tip: Great holiday tradition
FREEDoral
Holiday Celebration at the Park — Doral
📍 Doral Central Park
🕒 December 2026 (select dates)
Holiday celebration with ice skating, holiday crafts, live music, food vendors, and family activities.
Parent tip: Ice skating requires separate fee
FREEDoral
CityPlace Doral Holiday Events
📍 CityPlace Doral
🕒 December 2026 - January 2027
Seasonal events including holiday markets, tree lighting, Santa visits, and family entertainment.
Parent tip: Check website for specific date schedules
Coral Gables
Fairchild — A Very Merry Garden
📍 Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
🕒 Dec 1 - Jan 4 | 10am-5pm
Santa in the Garden, reindeer encounters, letter writing to Santa, gingerbread decorating, holiday stories with Mrs. Claus, and live music.
Parent tip: Members get free admission
Coral Gables
NightGarden at Fairchild — Holiday Lights
📍 Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
🕒 December 2026 - January 2027 (select evenings)
Garden transformed with holiday light displays, decorations, and festive botanical settings for evening strolls.
Parent tip: Bring cameras for photos with lights
Davie
Flamingo Gardens Winter Wonderland
📍 Flamingo Gardens
🕒 December 2026 - January 2027 (select dates)
Holiday-themed botanical celebration with light displays, holiday markets, and winter garden activities.
Parent tip: Located in nearby Fort Lauderdale, about 30 mins
Pinecrest
Pinecrest Gardens Nights of Lights
📍 Pinecrest Gardens
🕒 December 4–23, 2026 (select nights) | from 6:30 PM
Pinecrest Gardens transforms into a holiday wonderland with dazzling light displays, visits with Santa, Story Time, carolers, Grinch appearances, holiday crafts and wreath-making workshops, Bingo Night, a Holiday Movie Night, live performances, hot cocoa and seasonal treats.
Parent tip: Photos with Santa only on Dec 4, 5, and 17–23, 6:30–8:30 PM. Tickets are date-specific — buy in advance, all sales final with no date exchanges. Free parking; no pets or outside food. Last entry 30 min before close.
Friday, November 131 event
Saturday, December 52 events
Hialeah
Hialeah Santas Snow Blast
📍 Milander Park
🕒 Saturday, December 5, 2026
Winter wonderland event with snow play area, Santa photos, holiday crafts, train rides, and festive entertainment for families.
FREECoral Gables
Coral Gables Holiday Market & Tree Lighting
📍 Coral Gables City Hall
🕒 December 2026
Annual holiday celebration with tree lighting ceremony, holiday market, Santa photos, live performances, and family activities.
Free weekly email
Get the best holiday events every week
Every Thursday through New Year's: the 5 best kids' events in Miami for the weekend, including free tree lightings and Santa visits.
- ✓Weekend picks every Thursday
- ✓Free events flagged first
- ✓Unsubscribe anytime
Before you go: a few honest notes
- Buy timed tickets early. Zoo Lights, NightGarden and Nights of Lights sell timed entry, and the weekends before Christmas sell out. Book a weeknight if you can.
- Strollers and wagons. Most light walks are 1–2 miles. A stroller saves the night for under-5s; some venues rent wagons, but they go fast.
- Free tree lightings fill up. City tree lightings (Hialeah, Coral Gables, Doral) are free and packed. Arrive 30–45 minutes early for parking and a spot near the stage.
- Miami "winter". December nights can still be in the 70s. Light layers beat coats, and bring water for the walk.
Get the whole season in your pocket
Play Passport Miami is free. Save events, filter by age and neighborhood, and see what's on this weekend.
Download on the App Store