The best Christmas light shows in Miami to brighten your holiday season

Feeling nostalgic for Santa’s Enchanted Forest? Fret not, dear reader. The spirit of Christmas and carnival rides lives on at Tropical Park with Christmas Wonderland, a local holiday production with rockin’ roller coasters, dazzling light displays and the largest traveling Ferris wheel in North America. Now in its second year, Christmas Wonderland returns with a Candyland-inspired spectacle made with five million lights, giant lollipops, swirly-twirly gumdrops and six immersive installations that make for epic photos. Plus, culinary pop-ups and boozy coquitos from local vendors, unlimited rides and complimentary parking. Pro tip: book online for a $10 discount!

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, dine, catch a horse race and soak in all the festive cheer through December. 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 14, 21 and 24 from 6 to 9pm.

Miami’s most iconic Christmas tree is up and glittering through the end of the holidays with a stunning view of Biscayne Bay as a backdrop. And you can continue the magic right down Flagler Street where they've decked the aisle out with tens of thousands of holiday lights, with weekend holiday flea markets and orchestral performances sprinkled in for good measure. Hey, 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. 301 Biscayne Blvd; Free

A much-anticipated precursor to the holiday season in Miami, Night at the Garden returns for its sixth season at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, promising even more psychedelic scenery and interactive artwork than ever before. Running through January 2025, Night at the Garden invites guests to frolic around a neon-lit wonderland of tropical trails lined with holographic sculptures, secret sunken ponds and hidden fairy worlds. Follow winding paths to the disco dance party, snap a pic in front of LED dandelions or visit Archie, the talking tree for a bit of age-old wisdom.

Known by many as South Florida’s best-kept holiday secret, the Enchanted Place has been shining bright every holiday season since 1988. It’s a community effort spearheaded by neighbors who decorate their street in North Miami every year with thousands of twinkling lights. Everyone is welcome to drive by and pose for photos among illuminated Santas, Christmas trees, snowmen and Menorahs. 1800 NE 137th Ter; Free

From November 30 to January 3, Downtown Doral is getting decked out for the holidays with its new World of Nutcracker experience. Step into the classic Christmas tale at this ticketed event that includes live performances, animated light projections and decadent seasonal treats. The immersive show features a variety of iconic Nutcracker vignettes, including the epic duel between the Nutcracker Prince and the Mouse King. Running Tuesday through Sunday from 5 to 9:30pm, the timed-entry experience lasts around 45 minutes. General admission tickets cost $35 for adults and $18 for kids. VIP tickets cost $60 for adults and $35 for children and include paintable nutcracker keepsakes, fast-pass photos with Santa and discounts at The Doral Yard and Main Street restaurants.

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. We’re partial to winter time, when Deering Estate’s Designer-in-Residence, Alfredo Brito, and a team of local designers transform historic rooms into immersive wonderlands. This year’s design theme is inspired by classic holiday carols like “Frosty, The Snowman” and “Jingle Bells” (roasted chestnuts, anyone?). Plan your visit around the 7th annual Mistletoe & Martinis event, a seasonal soiree with lavish hors d’oeuvres, artful pastries and a whole lotta martinis.

On select nights from December 6 through January 4, Pinecrest Gardens hosts its annual Nights of Lights, inviting families to roam the sprawling grounds during the evening as the gardens come alive with shimmering lights and special holiday activities. For the kids, expect pajama parties, photos with Santa, face-painting, storytelling hours and more. Adults can enjoy themed cocktails and partake in an ugly sweater contest. A full schedule of festive dance performances and holiday concerts at the iconic Banyan Bowl is available to peruse on the Pinecrest Gardens website.

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 place every weekend between November 29th and December 30th. Families can stroll around while sipping hot chocolate and listening to carollers and if you're lucky, you might just get a glimpse of Santa, or The Grinch. Check the Zoo Miami website to see what the theme is for the weekend (Galactic night should be interesting) and don't miss Merry Meadow from December 20 to 23. There will be rides, a human snow globe photo spot and a gaming trailer where you can try out new games to add to your holiday shopping list.

The fifth 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, hay rides and tons of Instagram-worthy photo backdrops and at night, the farm lights up with thousands of tiny bulbs during their Berry Bright Winter Nights. (Great news: your day and evening tickets are the same). Depending on when you go, you can catch classic holiday flicks on the lawn or live music and as a special gift from Mother Nature, strawberry-picking season kicks off in December! 

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. The procession begins at 6:30pm with live bands, celebrities and radio personalities providing entertainment throughout the night. You could probably watch the parade anywhere along the route, however the parade viewing area brings you opportunities to pose with Santa and grab a hot chocolate or a cocktail. 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.

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.

With thousands of twinkling bulbs to adorn its 50-foot tree, Merrick Park’s holiday display is one of the highlights of the season in Coral Gables. 358 San Lorenzo Ave