Jingling bells, sparkling lights and Santa Claus, every year on the first day of December excitement fills the air of Miami. Small children jump with joy as they await Christmas morning and all of the gifts it will bring. But the holiday is not just for kids, adults of all ages come together to show their love for one another during this season. Christmas in Miami does not follow the typical description of a snowy, white Christmas, but this does not mean that the holiday spirit is lacking. There are various affordable celebrations fit for everyone regardless of age or interests and each one is guaranteed to bring out Christmas fever.
Winter Wonderland at Tropical Park
Opening its doors in early November and continuing into the new year, Winter Wonderland is a popular destination for many. With attractions, rides, games, food and drink vendors and special events occurring each day, there is something appealing for every Christmas enthusiast. Activities include the recreation of some of the most famous Hallmark movies, walking down Sweet Street, writing letters to Santa in Toy Town, experiencing life in an igloo and visiting Santa’s village. Children cannot resist meeting Santa and they happily whisper their Christmas wishes in his ear. While the elves seem extra busy crafting toys, there are also over 40 rides for visitors to experience at Winter Wonderland.
From a classic cyclone roller coaster to an “Eye in the Sky” ferris wheel, the amusement park has rides for all those who attend. Thrill seekers may be enticed to experience the zero-gravity or swinging ship ride, whereas more easy-going guests may prefer the giant fun slide or bumper cars. Despite the fair being pricey, the variety of options available at the park makes it a must-go location for the holiday season, as the warmth of Christmas and the excitement of different rides is a perfect combination. On every Friday night there is even a fireworks display, creating a romantic, beautiful setting for couples, families and friends. Watching the fireworks from the ferris wheel seems to be a great way to conclude a night of shared smiles, laughter and Christmas spirit.
“One Christmas tradition that I have in my family is buying a new ornament for our Christmas tree every year. Usually we get something that represents what has happened that year. When we lived in France, we got an ornament of the Eiffel Tower. When I was a baby, we got an ornament of a toy I used to play with. By keeping this tradition we have managed to keep our Christmas tree looking very full,” junior Nathaniel Woods said.
Holiday Village on Historic Flagler Street
In the streets of Downtown Miami, celebrating the holiday season comes in multiple different forms. Hosting a monthlong celebration filled with music, family activities and seasonal cheer, each Sunday Flagler street transforms into a village of entertainment. Although things such as their yearly dance event and Hanukkah celebration have already occurred, locals can still look forward to meeting Santa Claus on Dec. 21 from 2-6 p.m. This event is open to anyone looking to make his Christmas wishes come true, whether that be by talking to Santa himself or through holiday themed activities. At no cost, the music, lights and excitement in the air cause visitors to embrace the Christmas spirit as a community coming together to celebrate.
“Nine days before Christmas I start to celebrate Novena, which is a holiday tradition in Colombia. Every day until Christmas my family and friends host a party, where we pray, dance and enjoy dinner together. Usually we dance salsa and have treats like buñuelo. It is a really different way to spend the holidays here, but most families in Colombia celebrate this way,” senior Alejandro Monroy said.
Zoo Lights at Zoo Miami
A special event only occurring around Christmas, Zoo Lights at Zoo Miami is a unique way of celebrating Christmas. Open to visitors of all ages, the event transforms the zoo into a twinkling landscape of over one million lights each and every night. Open through Dec. 30, an evening at the Zoo consists of holiday music, sweet treats of all kinds, Santa greetings and special interactive shows. It is certainly not something to miss out on and the price is just right for most families.
In an attempt to blend holiday storytelling with interesting wildlife facts, the Zoo showcases several presentations for visitors to not only learn more about animals, but to immerse themselves in the overall feeling of Christmas. Because this event is exclusive for only the months of November and December, it is an especially popular attraction for Miami locals and prospective guests are further enticed by the park’s nightly dress code themes. From “Country Christmas” to “Ugly Christmas Sweaters,” it seems to be easy to find something to grab out of the closet. Dressing up only helps to amplify the holiday spirit, ultimately making it the perfect visit for any unscheduled evening.
“For the last four or five years since my dad and stepmom have been married, they have made it a tradition that on Christmas morning we all have to wear custom PJs. They get all of us unique shirts, pants and accessories to take pictures and then open our gifts together. This year, my stepmom got shirts that had a little Christmas hats with our names on them. We even got an outfit for our dog to match with us,” senior Lauren Puig said.
While there are countless other Christmas events occurring throughout the Miami area, these are just a few that are both enjoyable and will not break the bank. Ranging from no entry price to only about $20, there is something for everyone. Each of these activities is destined to relieve the boredom of daily routines and to evoke the magic of Christmas. Miami may not have snow, but Dec. 25 comes just the same. When searching for a way to spend this upcoming holiday, remember that fun, adventure and Santa Claus are around every corner of Miami.
“For Christmas, Key Biscayne decorates the entire island with lights, giant ornaments and a Christmas tree. It is a really beautiful area just to walk around and stop by. Personally, I love to go to the Christmas tree and take pictures. There is a festival around that area every weekend, but it is not too crowded and you can really feel the Christmas spirit. I also think that Miracle Mile is a great spot. They decorate it perfectly for Christmas and the shopping scenery is amazing. I usually celebrate by going to both of these places,” senior Anastasia Sanders said.
