For South Florida’s Caribbean American community, Christmas is more than a single day on the calendar — it’s a season shaped by music, food, faith and gathering. Across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, holiday celebrations often blend traditional Christmas customs with the rhythms, cultures and communal spirit of the Caribbean. From family outings and cultural showcases to ballets, light displays and end-of-year festivals, the region offers no shortage of ways to celebrate the season together.
Whether it’s attending a community festival, taking children to see holiday lights, enjoying a classic performance of The Nutcracker, or closing out the season with a Kwanzaa celebration, these events reflect the diversity that defines South Florida — a place where Caribbean traditions live comfortably alongside longtime holiday favorites. Below is a roundup of Christmas and holiday events happening across the region.
1. Miami City Ballet’s The Nutcracker
A holiday tradition in South Florida, featuring George Balanchine’s iconic choreography and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score.
📅 Through Dec. 28
📍 Adrienne Arsht Center, Miami
2. The Nutcracker (Fort Lauderdale)
Arts Ballet Theatre transports audiences to a magical winter wonderland filled with snowflakes and sugar plums.
📅 Dec. 19–21
📍 The Parker, Fort Lauderdale
3. Christmas Wonderland
An immersive holiday experience with festive displays, live shows, interactive attractions and a carnival-style midway.
📅 Through Jan. 4
📍 Tropical Park, Miami
4. Zoo Lights
Twinkling light displays, festive music and themed nights make this a favorite seasonal outing.
📅 Select nights through Dec. 30 (Zoo Miami) / Jan. 4 (Palm Beach Zoo)
📍 Miami; West Palm Beach
5. Winter Wonderland at Flamingo Gardens
A botanical holiday escape featuring themed light displays, a 35-foot Christmas tree, live music and Santa appearances.
📅 Through Dec. 30
📍 Flamingo Gardens, Davie
6. NightGarden / Night at the Garden (Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden)
A magical evening experience featuring glowing pathways, immersive light effects and whimsical garden installations.
📅 Through Jan. 11
📍 Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables
7. Nights of Lights (Pinecrest Gardens)
Pinecrest Gardens transforms into a sparkling holiday wonderland with thousands of lights on select evenings.
📅 Select nights through Dec. 28
📍 Pinecrest Gardens
8. Ilumina: A Tropical Garden Lantern Festival
Nature, art and imagination come together in this after-dark lantern festival set inside a botanical garden.
📅 Wednesdays–Sundays through Jan. 11
📍 Mounts Botanical Garden, West Palm Beach
9. Winter Festival (Margate)
A lively, family-friendly festival featuring live performances, kiddie rides, Florida-style snow and photos with Santa.
📅 Dec. 19
📍 Margate Sports Complex
10. Wilton Wonderland
A cheerful community event with holiday activities and opportunities for children to meet Santa.
📅 Dec. 20
📍 Hagen Park, Wilton Manors
11. Aloha Islanders Tropical Holiday Spectacular
A unique cultural celebration featuring Polynesian drumming, hula dancers and Samoan fire knife performances with a holiday twist.
📅 Dec. 21
📍 Waterfront Commons, West Palm Beach
12. Just for Me: Snowy Holiday
A sensory-friendly program designed for families and individuals with diverse accessibility needs, blending science and holiday fun.
📅 Dec. 20
📍 Frost Museum of Science, Miami
13. Kwanzaa Celebration
An afternoon honoring African heritage and culture through music, storytelling, gift-making and art activities.
📅 Dec. 26
📍 Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, Delray Beach
14. Noon Year’s Eve
A kid-friendly way to ring in the new year with music, dancing and a midday ball drop.
📅 Dec. 31
📍 Museum of Discovery and Science, Fort Lauderdale
15. Lantern & Light Experiences (Various Locations)
Across South Florida, additional community light walks, lantern festivals and drive-through displays continue through late December and early January, offering free and low-cost options for families looking to extend the holiday season.
