The Best Christmas and Holiday Events in Miami 2022

There will likely be no white Christmas in South Florida this yr. There hasn’t been snow recorded right here since 1977 — and that was extra of a hint of snow than a winter wonderland. But simply because the palm tree tops right here by no means glisten and youngsters by no means hear sleigh bells within the snow doesn’t suggest Miami is devoid of the vacation spirit.

South Florida has its personal traditions for the vacations — from a 700-ton Christmas tree product of sand to a 12-mile vacation boat parade — that give Christmastime a novel vibe. Below, in chronological order, are the most effective of these sunny South Florida traditions and occasions to make your holidays merry and vibrant.

The Night timeGarden

Remember when Ye (FKA Kanye West) made headlines for speaking to a tree (AKA Archie) in Miami? That convo happened on the Night timeGarden at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. You can also get in your one-on-one time with Archie and expertise an interactive gentle show — which incorporates holograms and rainbow-colored pathways — in contrast to another in South Florida. Also again this yr: the FairyScope augmented-reality app that lets you discover hidden fairies. 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday and 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday till January 8, 2023, at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables; 305-667-1651; thenightgarden.com. Tickets value $25 to $44.

Santa’s Enchanted Forest

The magical tunnel of lights, browsing Santa show, and Christmas music and reggaeton soundtrack await you at this most Miami of vacation traditions. Now situated in Medley after spending final yr in Hialeah Park, Santa’s Enchanted Forest returns with most of the similar carnival rides and greasy meals you already know and love. 5 p.m. to midnight via Sunday, January 8, 2023, at 7400 NW 87th Ave., Miami; 305-892-9997; santasenchantedforest.com. Tickets value $34.58 to $42.99.

Historic Holiday Décor: A Jazzy Holiday

Charles Deering’s outdated digs as soon as once more will flip again the clock for its annual vacation decorations. This yr’s theme? The Nineteen Twenties, in honor of the one hundredth anniversary of the Deering Estate’s Stone House. Expect nods to the rise of jazz and the golden age of cinema. 10 a.m. to five p.m. via Friday, January 6, 2023, on the Deering Estate, 16701 SW 72nd Ave., Miami; 305-235-1668; deeringestate.org. Tickets value $7 to $15.

Zoo Lights

The animals at Zoo Miami take a again seat to the holiday-lights shows, stated to be made up of over one million lights. The widespread Snowman’s River Boat Rides return ($5 per particular person), and jolly ol’ St. Nick will likely be readily available every evening via Friday, December 23. Theme nights embrace superhero nights, ugly sweater nights, and PJ & onesie nights. 6:30 to 10 p.m. via Wednesday, December 30, at Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St., Miami; 305-251-0400; zoomiami.org. Tickets value $18.95 to $20.95.

Ski Chalet & Santa Ski Lift

Here’s one put up workplace you will look ahead to visiting this vacation season. Santa’s put up workplace — situated throughout from the Ski Lift picture op in Brickell City Centre’s Ski Chalet — invitations friends to put their letters to Santa within the designated mailbox. You can even communicate immediately with the jolly fats man himself. Santa will seem at this eye-catching pop-up on choose days without cost picture ops. Through Saturday, December 24, at Brickell City Centre, 701 S. Miami Ave., Miami; 305-350-9922; brickellcitycentre.com. Admission is free.

Holiday Village

The 100-foot Christmas tree situated in Delray Beach’s Holiday Village is among the tallest Christmas timber within the state. Is it actual? No, however neither is the Santa at your native mall. Other Holiday Village actions embrace a carousel, skating rink, and pictures with Santa. Through Saturday, December 31, at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 561-243-7250; 100footchristmastree.com. Admission is free; the carousel and skating rink are $4 every.

Holiday in Paradise

Who wants a balsam fir or white spruce when you possibly can have a Christmas tree made out of sand? “Sandi” — situated at West Palm Beach’s Holiday in Paradise — is available in at 35 toes tall and a whopping 700 tons. A music and lightweight present accompanies Sandi each evening on the quarter-hour. New this yr is the Ferris wheel. 6 to 10 p.m. via Saturday, December 31, at 100 N. Clematis St., West Palm Beach; 561-822-1515; wpb.org. Admission is free; the Ferris wheel is $5.

Winterfest Boat Parade

There may not be a much bigger vacation occasion within the space than this 12-mile boat parade in South Florida, which is alleged to attract round one million spectators annually. The self-proclaimed “Greatest Show on H2O” options non-public boats, showboats, and mega yachts embellished with lights and Christmas decor. Some of the extra prime viewing factors can be found through tickets or resort and restaurant packages, however you possibly can nonetheless rating a great spot without cost in case you’re prepared to indicate up early. ‘N Sync’s Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick and fellow singer Taylor Dayne will function this yr’s grand marshals. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, December 10, from the New River to the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale and Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach; 954-767-0686; winterfestparade.com. Admission is free, however seats within the grandstand viewing space value $20 to $25.

Nights of Lights

There are loads of gentle shows round Miami come Christmas time. Hell, there’s in all probability a gaudy one or two in your neighborhood. But few are as spectacular as those you will discover strolling round Nights of Lights at Pinecrest Gardens. Besides 1000’s of lights, the annual occasion additionally features a maze made up of lit fir timber and, on sure nights, vacation concert events within the Banyan Bowl. 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, December 11, via Sunday, January 1, 2023, at Pinecrest Gardens, 11000 Red Rd., Pinecrest; 305-669-6990; pinecrestgardens.org. Tickets value $15 to $20 through eventbrite.com.

The Nutcracker

Miami City Ballet as soon as once more is bringing the Land of Snow to South Florida this vacation season. But this yr, the 100-plus dancers and reside orchestra will carry out George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker in two South Florida cities somewhat than three. (Sorry, Fort Lauderdale.) Friday, December 16, via Saturday, December 24, on the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; and Wednesday, December 28, via Friday, December 30, on the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; miamicityballet.org. Tickets value $39 to $150.

Victorian Christmas Tours

The oldest residence in Fort Lauderdale invitations you to expertise what Christmas was like lengthy earlier than the Elf on the Shelf and ugly-Christmas-sweater events. Enjoy Victorian-style vacation decor and tour guides in old style Christmas apparel for that old-timey really feel. 6 p.m. Friday, December 16, via Friday, December 23, at Stranahan House Museum, 335 SE Sixth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954-524-4736; stranahanhouse.org. Tickets value $30.

Jingle Bell Jog

Hundreds of Santas will likely be hauling ass on the streets of South Florida as a part of this holiday-themed run, which takes place nationally in a number of cities, together with Delray Beach and Fort Lauderdale. The race gives runners with a Santa go well with and hat somewhat than a typical race shirt and bells to tie onto their trainers for that festive jingle impact. The little ones are invited to take part as properly within the Kids Elf Dash. 7:30 a.m. Saturday, December 17, at 340 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach; and eight a.m. Saturday, December 24, at Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; jinglebelljog.web. Registration is $45 for the 5K race and $20 for the Kids Elf Dash through runsignup.com.