What’s your pleasure? Entertainment, culture, hands on art and craft activities, holiday celebrations, family fun. Find something for all tastes in Things to Do in Miami in December, 2026.

Here’s something different: Fort Lauderdale’s Water Taxi Holiday Lights Cruise, a magical journey through the city’s iconic waterways from now through January 3, 2026.

Guests can choose from two nightly departures at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Each 90-minute cruise features live musical entertainment, festive ambiance, and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Passengers will enjoy views of the Intracoastal Waterway’s beautifully illuminated docks, estates and shimmering holiday décor.A different ride every time, and always something for everyone. Water Taxi is more than just a boat ride: Gliding between 30+ stops, you’re connected to more than 60 “Cruise and Save” partners—while learning more about the area from knowledgeable guides and taking in a different view every single time.

Cruises depart from The Riverside Hotel/Stranahan House Museum, Stop One on the regular Water Taxi route, located at 335 SE 6th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Guests are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes prior to boarding.

Tickets are $45 for adults and $15 for children ages 4 and up. Children under 3 are free. Tickets may be purchased at watertaxi.com/tickets. Private charters are also available.

NOTE: There are no cruises on December 13 (Winterfest), December 24 (Christmas Eve) or December 25 (Christmas Day).

Parking: Parking is available within walking distance via metered street parking along Las Olas Boulevard or at the Las Olas Parking Garage at 620 East Las Olas Blvd.

For more information, visit watertaxi.com/events-listing/holiday-lights-cruises.

Well worth a visit to Miami Beach to check out these wonderful holiday events in Miami for all ages and many are free, plus free transport! The Ocean Drive Association invites locals and travelers to a wonderland of lights, music and festive energy by the beach to celebrate the holidays. From now through January 31, 2026, the iconic palm-lined drive will glow with holiday decor, twinkling light displays, public and private art installations, family-friendly experiences, and free musical performances featuring projection-mapping technology that reflects the city’s coastal charm and cultural vibrancy. For easy access to all the experiences, visitors will be able to use Ocean Drive’s free, on-demand transportation service during the month of December.

Seasonal highlights include:

• Miami Beach Holiday Festival of Lights – December 13-14 & 20-21

Presented by Miami Beach Classical Music Festival (MMF),this annual holiday spectacular will delight audiences of all ages with live orchestral performances; festive characters like Santa Claus, the Grinch and Elsa; and projection-mapping displays. The festival is free and open to the public, featuring performances outside The Betsy (1440 Ocean Drive) on December 13 at 6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., followed by a holiday drone show. Additional performances will take place on December 14, 20 and 21 at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

• City of Miami Beach Holiday Extravaganza – December 13

Taking place in Lummus Parkbetween 13th and 14th streets,City of Miami Beach Holiday Extravaganza will light up the sky with a holiday drone show at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. featuring cutting-edge aerial technology, creating dazzling, choreographed patterns above Miami Beach.

• Ocean Drive Promenade Music Series – Every Sunday in December

Presented by the Ocean Drive Association, with support from the City of Miami Beach and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), this free, weekly concert series invites visitors to enjoy live performances on the lawn at Lummus Park between 14th Street and 14th Place. Rain or shine, concerts begin at 5 p.m. on Sundays (with early start times at 4:30 p.m. on December 14 and 21). Bring a picnic blanket, lawn chair, or enjoy outdoor dining at one of the nearby local restaurants and enjoy enchanting evenings filled with talented and award-winning musicians.

• No Vacancy, Miami Beach – Public Art Projects – Through December 20

The City of Miami Beach, with the support of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) and the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA), presents No Vacancy, Miami Beach, a juried contemporary art competition presented across a selection of iconic Miami Beach hotels. Designed to spotlight and support local artistic talent, the program transforms hotel lobbies, courtyards and public-facing spaces into immersive, site-specific installations that blend visual art, architecture and storytelling. The annual initiative invites residents, visitors and art enthusiasts to explore Miami Beach through a curated cultural lens, turning hospitality spaces into pop-up galleries that celebrate creativity and community. Featured works include “A Soft Pixelation” by Andrea Myers at Avalon Hotel Miami (700 Ocean Drive) and “Portal to Niña” by LIZN’BOW at The Betsy (1440 Ocean Drive), along with many others around the city. 

• The Betsy Orb Installation – Through December 31

A highlight of Ocean Drive’s public art scene, “The Betsy Orb” is an egg-shaped architectural sculpture that bridges The Betsy’s two buildings. The illuminated piece adds to the festive atmosphere by creating a striking visual along the avenue. The Betsy is also part of the Miami Beach Culture Crawl.

• New Year’s Eve Fireworks – December 31

Ring in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display over Lummus Park. Countdown to 2026 and enjoy the show from one of the many al fresco cafes on Ocean Drive.

• New Year’s Day Orchestra Concert – January 1, 2026

To celebrate the new year, City of Miami Beach presents a free orchestra concert performed by Miami Beach Classical Music Festival at Lummus Park on 11th street on New Year’s Day at 6 p.m.

• 100 Years of Art Deco: A World Celebration in Miami Beach – Through January 31, 2026

“100 Years of Art Deco: A World Celebration in Miami Beach” is an open-air exhibition at Galeria Ocean Drive that traces the global reach of the art deco design movement while highlighting Miami Beach’s signature tropical deco style. Featuring more than 100 images from around the world, the installation offers a visual journey through the evolution of art deco architecture and aesthetics. The exhibition also includes community-led cultural events celebrating the enduring art deco spirit.

Pinecrest Gardens transforms into an illuminated wonderland this December as its annual Nights of Lights festival returns for select evenings from now through Sunday, December 28, 2025. Thousands of lights will wind through the gardens’ pathways, casting a warm glow across the botanical landscape and creating an after-dark holiday experience for visitors of all ages.

The festival takes place on select December evenings, with most nights running from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and select Sundays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Pinecrest Gardens, 11000 Red Road, Pinecrest, 33156. Tickets are available at pinecrestgardens.org/nol and at the door, though advance purchase is recommended.

Guests can enjoy holiday traditions each night, including the East Coast H O Exhibitors Society train display, Santa visits and photos, story time sessions, and carolers. The Jolly Craft Corner is available with an add-on ticket. The accessible playground remains open during evening hours, and holiday vendors, treats, and signature drinks are available throughout the gardens. Each evening also includes a dynamic and ever-changing schedule of entertainment:

Live Performances: The Banyan Bowl amphitheater hosts a rotating schedule of free holiday concerts, included with Nights of Lights tickets, throughout the festival.

• The festival closes with live music by singer-songwriter Vic Kingsley on December 28.
• Select evenings feature special ticketed performances, including a performance by Chino Núñez presenting Parranda Navideña (a traditional Puerto Rican holiday celebration) on December 13. The Grammy-nominated Núñez has performed with icons of Latin music, including Tito Puente and Celia Cruz, and his energetic storytelling and band-accompanied performances will make for the perfect holiday celebration. Guests will also be able to purchase Puerto Rican holiday treats, such as arroz con leche and pasteles.
• Other select evenings include an intimate Candlelight concert featuring Christmas Carols on Strings (December 19), and A Jazzy Holiday with vocalist Christina Alexander, pianist Shawn Sutta, and their quintet (December 20), featuring her signature blend of R&B, funk, soul, jazz, and blues.

Special Programming and Family Activities: Select nights also feature unique experiences that vary each evening. Highlights include appearances by The Grinch and a screening of The Polar Express. Visitors are encouraged to wear Dr. Seuss costumes during The Grinch appearances.

Get tickets and see the full calendar.

All tickets are non-refundable and valid only for the selected date. The event takes place rain or shine. Complimentary parking is provided. No pets or outside food and beverages are permitted. All performances and activities are subject to change.

The Society of the Four Arts in  Palm Beach has a special exhibit on tap now, Edgar Degas, The Private Impressionist: Works on Paper by the Artist & His Circle. The French Impressionist is renowned for his paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings that capture the world of late 19th-century Paris. The Private Impressionist sheds light on the personality of the complex man and the artists he called friends, and reveals his eclecticism, both in diversity of subject matter and in his experimentation with techniques. First Friday tours are offered :  January 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.,Spend an hour in deep exploration of Edgar Degas and his circle with Four Arts’ Head of Fine Arts and Curator Rebecca A. Dunham.

Location: Esther B. O’Keeffe Building, 102 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach.
Hours: Sunday – 1 to 5 p.m.; Monday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday – 1 to 5 p.m. (Four Arts members only on Tuesdays); Wednesday through Saturday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets: $10, no charge for Four Arts members are available at the door or may be reserved in advance. Walk-ins are welcome.

And while you’re in Palm Beach be sure to head over to see the Rembrandt exhibit at the Norton Museum. In case you missed my post on it, click here.

Been wanting to end the year or start the new year doing something creative? Oolite Arts ,924 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach,has a terrific lineup of art classes in Miami for everyone from seasoned artists to beginners. Here’s the lineup:

• Portrait Drawing Fundamentals Two-Day Workshop, where students will explore the essential principles of portrait drawing through demonstrations, guided exercises, and hands-on practice with a live model.
• Fiber Art: Macramé Essentials with Reiniery Mariani Alvarez: A one-day workshop where you’ll discover the timeless art of knotting cord to create stunning, functional designs like a wall or fruit hanger.
• Mixed Media: Tactile Sculpture Workshop with Karen Starosta-Gilinski: A hands-on, one-day workshop for all skill levels using air-dry clay to learn foundational techniques for three-dimensional artwork.
• Collage as Symbol with Carol Jazzar: Participants will use collage as a technique to explore their inner selves, with an invitation to create handmade holiday collage cards.
• Painting Workshops with Raul Perdomo and Will McGaul:
  • Intro to Painting Workshops (Two-Day): Designed to guide beginners step-by-step through the fundamentals of painting.
  • Painting from Sketches Workshops (Two-Day): Learn to transform your quick studies and detailed sketches into vivid, expressive finished works of art.
• Drawing Workshops with Will McGaul and Raul Perdomo:
  • Urban Sketching: Transform everyday scenes into memorable art by exploring the landscapes of Miami Beach. Available as a Four-Week Course or a One-Day Workshop.
  • Intensive Human Figure Drawing Workshop: A five-hour session to develop basic perceptual skills in drawing the human figure, progressing from gesture and proportion to anatomy and form.
  • Figure Drawing Studio with Willie Báez: An uninstructed studio session offered on Mondays and Thursdays, providing artists the opportunity to work from a live nude model.

          Printmaking Workshops with Matthew Forehand:

• • • Monotype Printmaking: A unique one-day workshop to introduce you to the versatile, “painter prints” technique that produces one-of-a-kind, expressive prints.
    • Open PRINTshop Lab: A flexible studio session available by reservation, providing access to professional printmaking equipment like silkscreen and etching presses.
• Don’t miss the chance to weave your creativity, explore new techniques, and create unique artwork this season!

• Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius at Frost Science  is open at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, offering what they’re calling “ the most comprehensive and immersive look into the life and legacy of one of history’s greatest minds”. This special exhibition features interactive experiences, digital galleries, and life-size replicas of da Vinci’s inventions. Highlights include a 360-degree replica of the Mona Lisa, digital displays of The Last Supper and Vitruvian Man, and rare artifacts that showcase da Vinci’s groundbreaking work in art, science, and engineering. Address: 1101 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132. It runs now through April 5, 2026

Celebrate the magic of the season as Miami Children’s Museum– which transforms into a snowy paradise with the return of Winter Wonderland: Sock Skating. Step into the Museum’s transformed What’s New Gallery, where snowflakes sparkle, socks slide, and winter fun comes to life for the whole family—no skates required! The beloved annual installation invites children and families to glide, play, and explore in a whimsical indoor winter landscape, perfect for South Florida’s warm-weather holiday spirit.

Guests can enjoy a full day of hands-on programming and interactive experiences, including the premiere of The Lost Pirate Show, a brand-new family-friendly performance full of adventure and imagination. Visitors are also invited to visit Professor Flurry’s Lab, where the Museum’s kooky winter scientist will be conducting “snow-tastic” experiments that blend science and seasonal fun.

The Winter Wonderland Sock Skating Exhibit will be taking place at Miami Children’s Museum – 980 MacArthur Cswy, Miami, FL 33132. Parking for families is available at the Miami Children’s Museum. Tickets are available for purchase HERE. The exhibit runs through February 2026.