Where to see the most spectacular Christmas lights in Miami

What is it? Get your festive carnival fix at Tropical Park during Christmas Wonderland, a local holiday production that's grown into the largest of its kind in the U.S. Now in its third year, this 14-acre spectacle features six immersive holiday worlds, 50-plus rides, dazzling light shows and nightly entertainment like fireworks shows, acrobatic acts and even Santa as a human cannonball.

Why go? The grounds are lined with photo-worthy moments, starting with the Wonder Portal, an LED archway that leads into Tinsel Trail, a half-mile of synchronized lighting displays, installations and whimsical backdrops. At the heart of the midway, the IG’loo 360-Dome surrounds guests in a 3D-mapped immersive visual experience.

Time Out tip: The midway is also where you'll find the fair's main food and drink offerings, including plenty of local food trucks and seasonal brews from Cervecería La Tropical.

What is it? The Downtown Development Authority is bringing all the cozy seasonal vibes to our subtropical paradise for its annual Holiday Village on Flagler, running on December 7, 14 and 21.

Why go? It's the closest you'll get to feeling like it's Christmas in Manhattan, and a great reason to support the businesses in Downtown. Downtown's charming historic thoroughfare will transform into a festive pop-up village complete with twinkling décor, local vendors and interactive stations where kids can craft ornaments, snap photos and enjoy sweet seasonal treats. 

Time Out tip: Other highlights include a menorah lighting on December 14, a toy giveaway on December 21 and a New Year's Day celebration from 3 to 8pm featuring live music, family fun and surprise guests, all free and open to the public.

What is it? In tandem with the holiday season, Jungle Island's enchanting festival of lights returns for a fourth year with a new production featuring more than 37 monumental, handcrafted silk lantern scenes created by a global team of artisans, graphic designers, seamstresses and more.

Why go? This year, Luminosa takes visitors on a vibrant trail of themed vignettes representing different ecosystems, from the Amazon rainforest to African savannahs, complete with cutting-edge animatronics, holograms and interactive storytelling.

Time Out tip: The popular Holiday Village also makes a return this year (through January 4), featuring Christmas trees, holiday treats like churro donut holes and coquito, a seasonal bazaar and a 30-foot Christmas tree centerpiece. Adult tickets range from $30.78 on weekdays to $46.88 on weekends, while child tickets (ages four to 12) range from $21.58 to $33.08. 

What is it? The Miami Beach Holiday Festival of Lights returns to Ocean Drive with two weekends of live music, festive characters, immersive light displays and seasonal food and drinks. Presented by the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival and artistic director Michael Rossi, the free community shows transform a strip of Art Deco oceanfront into an enchanting open-air theater complete with a 20-foot Christmas Tree.

Why go? Expect a full symphony orchestra, appearances by Santa, the Grinch and Elsa, plus mesmerizing animated light shows splashed onto the historic buildings' façades. Performances take place on December 14, 20 and 21 at 6:00 and 7:30pm, and on December 13 at 6:15 and 7:15pm outside The Betsy Hotel.

Time Out tip: On December 13, the City of Miami Beach presents a special Holiday Extravaganza featuring a grand drone show viewable from Lummus Park.

What is it? The sprawling Gulfstream Park Village property gets illuminated by more than 250,000 sparkly LED lights this season, all set to the sounds of holiday favorites and jolly pop hits. Shop for gifts, dine, catch a horse race and soak in all the festive cheer through December.

Why go? A 10-minute light show will begin at the top of every hour from 6 to 11pm. Snap photos with Santa on his chair under an elegantly decorated archway as he joins the festivities on December 13, 20 and 24 from 6 to 9pm.

Time Out tip: While you're there, stop in at the trackside Carousel Club for a bit of boozy merriment at the Miracle Bar holiday pop-up.

What is it? A much-anticipated precursor to the holiday season in Miami, NightGarden returns in November for its seventh season at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, promising even more psychedelic scenery, family-friendly activities and interactive artwork than ever before. 

Why go? Running from November 7 through January 11, NightGarden invites guests to frolic around a neon-lit wonderland of tropical trails lined with holographic sculptures, secret sunken ponds and hidden fairy worlds. Expect several enticing new activations this year, including the Tree of Life, a monumental centerpiece with lights and projections activated by guest touch. 

Time Out tip: You'll find new immersive domes with themed photo backdrops, a Secret Garden Laser Light Show, movie nights and more. Tickets start at $28 and vary based on date and time, with discounts for Fairchild members and seniors. Children three and under are free.

What is it? Christmas gets a freaky twist at this holiday carnival in Hialeah. Expect all the usual rides, midway games and festive displays, plus entry to Ripley’s exhibition of strange and unusual oddities and artifacts.

Why go? New sideshows roll out weekly, too, like contortionists, sword swallowers, foot archers and the Shortest Woman in the World.

Time Out tip: Other experiences include the shimmering Fairyland Journey pathway and Dinner at Santa's, a cozy sit-down meal at Santa’s North Pole home.

What is it? Known by many as South Florida’s best-kept holiday secret, the Enchanted Place has been shining bright every holiday season since 1988.

Why go? It’s a community effort spearheaded by neighbors who decorate their street in North Miami every year with thousands of twinkling lights.

Time Out tip: Everyone is welcome to drive by nightly from 6 to 11pm and pose for photos among illuminated Santas, Christmas trees, snowmen and Menorahs. 1800 NE 137th Ter; Free

What is it? If it doesn’t feel like Christmas where you live, just wait until you set foot inside Pinecrest Gardens. The botanical gardens transform into a winter wonderland draped in a blanket of sparkling lights. 

Why go? Every night brings new forms of fun like movie nights, mariachis, character experiences and even concerts at the sunken Banyan Bowl stage. For families, there are sit-downs with Santa, storytime, carolers and more.

Time Out tip: Watch out for the Seuss-themed nights, which are sure to be great fodder for this year's Christmas cards. 

What is it? Deering Estate is a fascinating historic landmark in Miami. The 450-acre estate is home to eight natural habitats, museum exhibits, archaeological sites and fun-in-the-sun activities that make for an exciting visit any time of year.

Why go? We’re partial to wintertime, when Deering Estate’s Designer-in-Residence, Alfredo Brito, and a team of local designers transform historic rooms into immersive wonderlands.

Time Out tip: Plan your visit around Mistletoe & Martinis (Dec 12), Story-Time & Photos with Santa (Dec 13), Holiday Bay Cruise (Dec 14), Holiday Twilight Tour & Campfire (Dec 17) and Winter Camp (Dec 22–Jan 2).

What is it? When it comes to holiday lights, the zoo goes wild. One million bright, animal-shaped lights illuminate the premises during Zoo Lights Miami, which takes on select dates through December 30.

Why go? Families can stroll around while sipping hot chocolate and listening to carolers, and if you're lucky, you might just get a glimpse of Santa or the Grinch. There will be rides, a 26-foot holiday tree, themed photo spots, character meet-and-greets and a station for writing letters to Santa, just in case he hasn't already gotten the message.

Time Out tip: Check the Zoo Miami website to see what the theme is for the weekend (Galactic Night should be interesting) and don't miss the new animated special “Jingle Paws & Santa Claws” at the Sami Family Amphitheater (7:30 and 8:30pm showtimes). 

What is it? You're not hallucinating: Santa and his elves just paddled by. Experience holiday lights Miami-style at No Name Harbor during this free community celebration as the decorated Key Biscayne Yacht Club boat parade glides by from 6 to 7:30pm, with a paddleboard flotilla launching from Boater’s Grill between 4 and 5pm.

Why go? A beloved Key Biscayne tradition returns as paddlers and boaters dress up, loop the harbor and compete for prizes like Best Holiday Spirit, Most Creative, Best Pet Outfit and the new “Best Shiny Lighthouse,” while spectators watch from the waterfront with blankets and chairs as the sun sets over the bay. Snap pics with Santa, partake in festive arts and crafts and ogle a giant snow-globe—one of our favorite waterfront bars, The Cleat, will be open too.

Time Out tip: RSVP to reserve your spot and learn more about how to participate.

What is it? The sixth annual Winter Festival at The Berry Farm is a family-friendly holiday event with acres of holiday-themed activities from morning to night. There are meet-and-greets with Santa, holiday hay rides and tons of Instagram-worthy photo backdrops.

Why go? At night, the farm lights up with thousands of tiny bulbs—not to mention the 42-foot Christmas tree—during their Berry Bright Winter Nights. Plus, the hot chocolate is complimentary this year! By day, cuddle with Scottish Highland cows and frolic on the shaded water pillows.

Time Out tip: From 6 to 8pm, catch festive movies on the lawn, complete with free popcorn.

What is it? Assemble along the 12-mile, 2.5-hour route to watch the "World's Most Watched Boat Parade," in which dazzling displays and illuminated vessels of all sizes travel down the Intracoastal Highway with the likes of Rudolph, Santa Claus and other Christmas favorites.

Why go? This year's procession, appropriately themed around "Yacht Rock of the Ages," begins at 6pm with live bands, celebrities and radio personalities providing entertainment throughout the night. The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade will stage from the Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park on the Southeast corner of Las Olas Boulevard and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Time Out tip: You could probably watch the parade anywhere along the route, but the parade viewing area brings you opportunities to pose with Santa and grab a hot chocolate or a cocktail. 

What is it? South Florida doesn’t do winter. At least, not the frosty, scarf-necessary, hot-cocoa-as-survival-fuel kind. Which is why the return of real ice skating to downtown West Palm Beach feels like a minor miracle, powered by equal parts holiday spirit and serious refrigeration tech. Winter Wonderland is back at The Ben Hotel starting November 1, transforming the waterfront lawn into a glittering holiday playground with twinkling trees, Aspen-style chalets and, of course, a 50-by-66-foot rink made of the real stuff. Yes, ice. In Palm Beach. Again.

Why go? Around the rink, expect plenty of festive distractions: chalet vendors slinging gifts and sweets; a holiday bar for hot chocolate, s’mores, grown-up toddies and the debut of a Holiday Tree Forest created in partnership with local nonprofits, including Habitat for Humanity and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County.

Time Out tip: Expect themed events like Live Music Saturdays and Santa Sundays, ornament-making workshops and an opening-day curling exhibition (yes, Palm Beach now has curling athletes and, no, the tropics do not care about your winter stereotypes). Entry is free unless you’re lacing up, in which case tickets start at $25 for adults and $10 for kids 11 and under.

It’s nothing but manses for miles the moment you enter the Village of Pinecrest (celebrities who’ve called the neighborhood home include Timbaland, Romero Britto and Pitbull) so expect light displays as grand as the homes. The brightest lights tend to be on main arteries SW 104th Street and Ludlam Road (67th Avenue).

In Coral Gables, the Merrick Park in front of City Hall (405 Biltmore Way) and surrounding areas are festooned with impressive illuminations and a giant mailbox where children can drop off letters for Santa.

Downtown, not all skyscrapers lining Brickell Avenue will be in the holiday spirit, but areas near Fifth Street will. Stroll through the plaza at 600 Brickell—which is typically decked out with an oversized wreath and palm trees lit by green, red and white lights—and up the Brickell Avenue Bridge for the best views.