What To Do This December in Florida
’Tis the season in the Sunshine State! Here’s our guide to vibrant, statewide soirees including sand-sculpted pines, jumbo shrimp and race cars ringing in the season—no reindeer required.
North
Nights of Lights
St. Augustine
Nov. 15–Jan. 11
The nation’s Oldest City shines with more than three million holiday lights, illuminating historic buildings like the Lightner Museum and Flagler College’s Ponce de Leon Hall to beloved spots like The Tini Martini Bar and town plaza.
Colors in the Wild
Jacksonville
Nov. 22—Feb. 8
Stroll through sparkling exhibits with hot cocoa in hand and admire one of the nation’s largest Asian lantern displays. Mystical creatures and holiday characters crafted from twinkling lights and delicate paper lanterns illuminate this wild wonderland, where interactive installations and full-day zoo access come together for a light show alive in more ways than one.
Snowball Derby
Pensacola
Dec. 4–7
Engines rev and checkered flags fly for a weekend of high-speed chases that culminate in the 300-lap white-knuckle namesake—with racing pros on the track and in the stands.
Dickens on Centre
Amelia Island
Dec. 11–14
Waltz through a Victorian Christmas market, sample charcuterie inside a giant snow globe, don a petticoat for a party at the storied Lesesne House and end the night with a 500-drone display over the harbor at this Charles Dickens-themed Christmas festival.
Shrimp Drop
Amelia Island
Dec. 31
This historic, small-town harbor has a quirky take on New Year’s Eve—instead of a ball dropping at midnight, people countdown a 7-feet long string-lit shrimp at 7 p.m. Join the crustacean celebration and amble through craft vendor booths, dance to live music and grub on holiday dining pop-ups.
New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop
Panama City Beach
Dec. 31
A ten-foot beach ball glimmers over Pier Park, with fireworks, live music and an additional early drop. Perfect for both those prioritizing their beauty-sleep and night owls, it’s one of the nation’s top spots for midnight magic.
Central
2025 Skechers World Champions Cup
Clearwater
Dec. 4–7
Tee off with top players at this three-day tournament, where pros—including World Golf Hall of Famers like Bernhard Langer and American icons like Jim Furyk—compete for Shriners Children’s Hospital. Food trucks and bars along the greens keep fans cheering (or politely golf clapping).
Streamsong Holiday Cup
Bowling Green
Dec. 19–21
Enjoy birdies, buddies and a weekend well spent at this luxury golf resort, where two-person teams will compete on both Red and Blue courses.
Mount Dora’s New Year’s Eve Celebration
Mount Dora
Dec. 31
Small-town charm meets big-city energy as this intimate downtown transforms into a lakeside street party. Enjoy live music, food trucks, al fresco bars and classic festival games before fireworks cap the night with a dazzling finale over Lake Dora.
New Year’s Eve on the Pier
St. Petersburg
Dec. 31
Don’t miss the chance to oooo and ahhh as central Florida’s grandest fireworks light up Spa Beach Park. Live DJs, food trucks, champagne bars and local vendors complement free front-row seats to the midnight lights and toasts.
2026 Ocala Winter Spectacular Show Series
Ocala
Dec. 31–Jan. 4
(Don’t) hold your horses! Week one of the World Equestrian Center’s Premier Hunter/Level 6 Jumper circuit gallops into town with some of the world’s top riders competing for big cash.
South
Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius
Miami
Now–April 5
From flying machines to the “Mona Lisa,” explore da Vinci’s brilliance via rare artifacts, quirky inventions and interactive exhibits on display at the Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science in collaboration with Rome’s Museo Leonardo da Vinci.
Woody De Othello’s “Coming Forth by Day”
Miami
Now–June 28
Pérez Art Museum Miami hosts Magic City native Woody De Othello for his first museum solo exhibition. His work features playful mosaics and sculptures in which everyday objects sprout legs and arms, bursting with life.
Johnsonville Night Lights in the Garden
Naples
Nov. 28–Jan. 4
Step into holiday magic as Naples Botanical Garden transforms into a tropical wonderland complete with glowing gardens, festive food and their beloved living bromeliad tree.
Miami Art Week
Greater Miami and Miami Beach
Dec. 1–7
This seminal 305 venture begins at the Miami Beach Convention Center with the signature fair, Art Basel, before hopping to satellite fairs like Design Miami. Marvel at installations along Lincoln Road, sip an Old Cuban at The Betsy Hotel’s jazz club and even glimpse The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne’s reopening.
Palm Beaches Holiday in Paradise
Palm Beach
Dec. 5—31
Step aside, Frosty. Sandi, the 35-foot 700-ton sand tree, steals the spotlight with nightly light shows, live music and special events like the Aloha Islanders Tropical Holiday Spectacular—where hula, fire dancing and island beats are a beachy twist to the holiday season.
Heritage Fire
Fort Lauderdale & Coral Gables
Dec. 7 and Dec. 14
Blazing feasts of wood-fired meats and parrilla-style cooking await at this food and beverage experience taking place on two separate weekends in South Florida: first at Pier Sixty-Six and then at The Biltmore Hotel.
Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival
West Palm Beach
Dec. 11–14
This four-day culinary celebration blends world-class wines, festive walk-around tastings and chef collabs like Clay Conley and Daniel Boulud. The event is all set against the beauty of The Palm Beaches.
Miami City Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”
Miami
Dec. 12–28
Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” whisks you away to the Land of Sweets with more than 100 dazzling dancers, the Sugar Plum Fairy and more holiday magic all from the heart of South Beach.
National Polo Center Winter Season
Wellington
Dec. 28–May 3
Don the fabulous hats this winter as top players storm U.S. Polo Association Field One for a premier tournament lineup—culminating in marquee moments like the Heritage Cup. Make a day of it with the club’s world-class Sunday brunch, toasting the sport of kings with Champagne and caviar.
The Biltmore’s NYE Dessert Soiree & Fireworks
Coral Gables
Dec. 31
Ring in the New Year at The Biltmore’s centennial-year kickoff with decadent desserts and vibey beats leading up to a midnight Champagne toast and a fireworks display.
