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Santa sightings and holiday events in Miami

There's nothing like a tree lighting or a visit from Santa to put you in the Christmas mood.

Below are the events we have found so far, but keep checking back as we will continue to update and add more as we find them!

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Santa’s Wonderland returns to Bass Pro Shops: Santa’s Wonderland returns to Bass Pro Shops with several social distancing guidelines and mask covering requirements in place. Visits are by appointment only this year. Through Dec. 24. Click on the link above for full details.

Events at Miami MallsPhotos with Santa, snowfalls, tree lightings and a meet and greet with Dr. Seuss's The Grinch are just some of the holiday festivities happening at local malls.

Winter Wonderland and Ice Skating at Miami Children's Museum: Holiday-themed exhibition and sock skating rink, wear socks and glide around this “ice” skating rink. 

Coral Gables Holiday Spectacular:  Holiday tree lighting ceremony Friday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m., Merrick Park in front of City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables featuring the grand opening of holiday park, a three-hour show, carnival games, holiday craft and food vendors and a special appearance by Santa Claus. 

From LOTC Dropbox.

Brightline's Holiday Marketplace: Visit the MiamiCentral station at  on weekends throughout December and enjoy rotating holiday activities including an edible cookie decorating station, a station for letters to Santa and pictures and story time with Mrs. Claus. Local vendors will also be on hand with holiday gift selections as well as treats, chocolates and gift wrapping. Dates open: Dec. 3 and 4, 9-11, 16-18 and 23 and 24. Fridays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Dec. 24 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

City of North Miami Tree Lighting: Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., MOCA Plaza, 770 NE 125 St., North Miami. The annual tree lighting ceremony with festive music by local performers, hot chocolate and holiday treats and a visit from Santa. 

Santa's Circus: An interactive show and Christmas holiday village at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, with plenty of lights, elves, meet and greet with Christmas characters, Santa's renowned circus show, North Pole carnival games, mailbox for letters to Santa, photos with Santa, Elf's Snow Factory, Mrs. Claus Land, Gingerbread Square and much more. Tickets start at $15.99 and discounts are available. Nov. 26 through Jan. 1, times vary, click here to buy tickets and view timesDiscount 50% off promo code THANKS50 Nov. 26 and 27 only.

Palmetto Bay Light Up Your Holidays Celebration:  Light Up Your Holidays event Saturday, Dec. 3 from 6-9 p.m. at Village Hall, 9705 E. Hibiscus St. with giant Christmas tree lighting, musical and dance performances, snow flurries, face painting, caricatures, holiday arts and crafts and letters to Santa. Shuttle service available from Palmetto Bay Park, 17535 SW 95 Ave.

Coral Gables Merrick House Holiday Celebration: Saturday, Dec. 10 from 2-5 p.m. at Merrick House, 907 Coral Way, Coral Gables. Carolers, vendors, music and food along with an appearance from Santa. Free but RSVP required.

Holiday Village at The Wharf Miami. Photo courtesy of Breakwater Hospitality Group

Riverside Holiday Village at The Wharf: Come see a whole host of oversized holiday decorations and over 100,000 holiday lights through Dec. 25. The Wharf is located along the Miami River at 114 SW N. River Dr.

Lincoln Road Tree Lighting and Parade: Kick off the holidays Friday, Nov. 25 from 5-8 p.m. at the Euclid Oval, 660 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach. Festivities include crafts for kids at 5 p.m. with the first 200 children receiving a Santa hat and foam glow stick then at 6 p.m. is the holiday parade followed by tree lighting at 7 p.m. with Santa throwing the switch on the 30-foot tree. 

North Bay Village Winter Wonderland & Tree Lighting: Holiday celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 6-9 p.m. at Vogel Park, 7920 West Dr., North Bay Village, with musical performances, an ugly sweater contest, slide and bounce house, meet and greet and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, giveaways, a holiday, popcorn and cotton candy and food truck fare available for purchase. 

City of Miami Springs Tree Lighting Ceremony: Tree lighting ceremony and pictures with Santa on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 6 p.m., Miami Springs on the Circle at Royal Poinciana Blvd. and Curtiss Pkwy., Miami Springs.

Christmas at the Gazebo: Fun holiday festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 6-9 p.m. at Miami Springs on the Circle at Royal Poinciana Blvd. and Curtiss Pkwy., Miami Springs. Pictures with Santa, rides, snowfall and food for sale. Wristbands required and for sale at the Community Center for residents for $5, $10 day of event; non-residents $20.

Bayfront Park's Christmas tree

Bayfront Park Tree Lighting:  Watch as the huge Christmas tree is lit on Friday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. at Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd. in Downtown Miami. The event will also feature a visit from Santa, live music, the Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida performing vignettes from “The Nutcracker,” plus food for purchase.

Festival of Lights at Normandy Fountain: Festival of Lights with the South Beach Jazz Festival on Sunday, Nov. 28 from 5-7:30 p.m. at Normandy Fountain, 7802 Rue Vendome, Miami Beach. The Christmas tree and Menorah will both be lit and enjoy musical performances by Ari Reinoso and Carla Bordonada with Rolando Grooscors and his band.

Miami Lakes Main Street Festival of Lights: The Main Street Merchants and The Graham Companies are hosting the 37th Annual event on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 3:30-7:30 p.m., tree lighting is at 6:15 p.m.  Event includes a special appearance by Santa, music by local DJ's, live performances by Miami Lakes school groups, face painting, holiday character appearances, arts and crafts, carnival style food and pictures with Santa.

City of Doral Park and Tree Lighting Ceremony: On Friday, Dec. 2 from 6-9 p.m., Downtown Doral Park at 8395 NW 53 St. holiday festivities take place including the official tree lighting, entertainment by carolers, face painting, holiday character appearances, family holiday activities and pictures with Santa for $5.

Holiday Celebration at the Park: Friday, Dec. 9, 6-9 p.m. at Doral Meadow Park, 11555 NW 58 St., Doral. Enjoy a festive holiday evening with pictures with Santa for $5, plus holiday-themed live entertainment and performances.

 

A Very Merry Garden: Reindeer Round-Up at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: Dec. 1 through Jan. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 10901 Old Cutler Rd. Visit the garden and look for the reindeer hidden throughout the garden, soaking up the Miami sun! Find all of Santa's reindeer and be entered for a chance to win a prize. Admission $11.95-$24.95.

Gold Coast Railroad Museum Holiday Express: Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10 and 11; Dec. 17 and 18 at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. at 12450 SW 152 St. Holiday train rides, pictures with Santa, fun with elves and more! Tickets $25.

City of North Miami Winter Wonderland: Friday, Dec. 22 at 5 p.m. at Cagni Park, 13498 NE 8 Ave., North Miami with marching bands, holiday performances and more! 

Children's Holiday at North: Saturday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. at Miami Dade College North Campus, 11380 NW 27 Ave. The campus is transformed into a winter wonderland with a parade featuring Santa's helpers, toy soldiers, Disney characters and marching bands all leading to Santa's arrival. Take photos with Santa and also watch live performances and enjoy arts and crafts at Santa's Pavilion. Free

Tree Lighting in Coconut Grove: Sunday, Dec. 4 from 4-8 p.m. at Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove. A Christmas Carol Crawl and tree lighting ceremony in Downtown Coconut Grove.

City of North Miami Police “Let it Snow”: Saturday, Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon at North Miami Police Department, 700 NE 124 St., North Miami. Have fun playing in a ton of snow, along with pony rides, a petting zoo, holiday music, tasty snacks and special surprise guest appearance. Scan the QR code in the flyer to pre-register for activities.

Winter Wonderland at North Shore Park: Friday, Dec. 16 from 6-9 p.m., North Shore Park, 501 72 St., Miami Beach. Tree lighting ceremony, rides, games, music and holiday themed performances. $5 wristbands for unlimited rides. 

City of Miami Beach Holiday Drone Show: Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m., Lummus Park and 12-13 Streets, Miami Beach. Enjoy a short but illuminating 10 minute holiday-themed drone show above the skies of the park.

City of Miami Beach Photos with Santa: Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 10 a.m., Muss Park, 4300 Chase Ave., Miami Beach. Arts & crafts, hot cocoa and meet and greet with Santa. $10.

City of North Miami Beach Snow Fest & Holiday Parade: Saturday, Dec. 10 from 5-10 p.m. at City Hall, 17011 NE 19 Ave., North Miami Beach. Climb a snow mountain, watch a holiday parade with dancers, bands and more, listen to live music. Food will be available for purchase.

City of Hialeah Triangle Park Tree Lighting Ceremony: On Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. Veterans Park at 290 Palm Ave. is transformed into a winter wonderland with over 20,000 lights meet take pictures with Rudolph and Frosty, watch Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrive on a City firetruck and enjoy live entertainment. Food will be available for purchase.

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More free and cheap holiday events

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Holiday events in Broward

Josie Gulliksen

About Josie Gulliksen

Josie Gulliksen is a freelance writer and major arts advocate and enthusiast who loves everything cultural and is excited to live in such a thriving community as Miami. A Miami native, aside from Miami on the Cheap, she currently writes for Artburst Miami and contributes to Edible South FL and Miami Media Group. She has contributed to Miami.com, Biscayne Times and Miami New Times. She worked for nearly a decade at Miami Today as Calendar Editor and arts writer and then worked for 13 years in public relations. She has her own blog Scene Around South FL at josiegulliksen.com

Living on the CheapMiami on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap.

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