Spending Christmas in the Florida Keys is an unforgettable escape from the usual winter chill, offering a sun-soaked, tropical twist on the holiday season.
Trading snowy landscapes for golden beaches with stunning ocean views and vibrant festivities filling the air sounds like a dream.
Instead of bundling up, dive into a world of outdoor adventures and lively celebrations, all under the warmth of the Florida sun.
Ready to discover the magic of a holiday by the sea? Read on for ideas to make your Christmas in the Keys an amazing experience!
Christmas In Key Largo
Spending Christmas in Key Largo means holiday family togetherness meets coral reefs and sandy beaches.
Things To Do
Christmas Snorkeling
- Location: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – 102601 Overseas Highway (MM 102.5), Key Largo, FL 33037
- Website: pennekamppark.com
Dive into the holiday spirit with a Christmas snorkeling adventure in the clear, warm waters of the Florida Keys. Explore vibrant coral reefs, swim alongside colorful tropical fish, and experience the natural beauty that makes this destination so special.
Meet The Dolphins
- Location: Dolphins Plus Bayside – 101900 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL
33037 - Website: dolphinsplus.com
Make your holiday even more memorable by meeting the dolphins at a local sanctuary. Get up close to these playful creatures and enjoy a heartwarming encounter that will add a magical touch to your Christmas celebrations.
The African Queen
- Location: 99701 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
- Website: calypsosailing.com/The-African-Queen
The famous steamboat The African Queen, made iconic by the 1951 film starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn, is docked at Marina Del Mar in Key Largo. Available for daily 1.5-hour canal cruises and private events, the vessel steams through the scenic Port Largo Canals to the Atlantic Ocean and back.
Festivals and Parades
Key Largo Christmas Boat Parade (December 14)
The Key Largo Christmas Boat Parade is a beloved holiday tradition where brightly decorated boats cruise through Blackwater Sound, showcasing festive lights and holiday cheer. Locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy this dazzling display, with prizes awarded for the best-decorated vessels.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks on Blackwater Sound (December 31)
To ring in the New Year, Key Largo hosts spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks on Blackwater Sound, lighting up the night sky with vibrant colors. The waterfront views make this event even more special, offering a perfect spot for families and friends to gather and welcome the New Year with a bang.
Christmas Dinner In Key Largo
Sharkey’s Sharkbite Grill
- Location: 522 Caribbean Dr, Key Largo, FL 33037
- Price: $$ – $$$
- Website: sharkeysgalley.com
Tucked just past Marina Del Mar and next to Rainbow Reef Dive Center at MM100, this canalside spot in Key Largo Harbour has been a local favorite since 2001 and is now a well-loved destination for tourists too.
The venue offers two floors, each with its own atmosphere: the second floor features a quiet, family-style dining room serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with the option to dine indoors in air-conditioned comfort or on the patio while watching boats head out for fishing and diving.
Favorite menu item: Fish Tacos – Beer batter fried mahi mahi soft flour tortillas with fresh pico de gallo, jack cheddar, shredded cabbage, & cilantro sauce
C&C Wood Fired Pizza
- Location: 99201 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
- Price: $$ – $$$
- Website: candcwoodfiredeats.com
If you’re craving Italian food in Key Largo, this establishment is a culinary haven offering exceptional cuisine, refreshing beverages, and an inviting atmosphere that consistently wins the admiration of its guests.
Favorite menu item: Wood Fired Pizza – Neapolitan pizza dough made fresh every day using only imported Italian Caputo 00 flour, fresh yeast, sea salt, and water. Each dough is hand stretched to order 12”-14” and cut into six slices burning only oak in the oven.
Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill
- Location: 104000 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
- Price: $$ – $$$
- Website: jjsbigchill.com
Located at Mile Marker 104, Bayside in Key Largo, Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill offers waterfront dining and entertainment daily, with stunning sunset views over the Florida Bay.
Favorite menu item: Some diners say they have the best pizza in town. Their Enrico’s traditional New York Style pizza includes mozzarella, Italian tomatoes, Parmesan and Romano cheeses, olive oil, and basil.
Christmas In Islamorada
Celebrate Christmas in Islamorada, the “Village of Islands.” The holiday spirit blends with world-class fishing, watersports, and peaceful island charm.
Things To Do
Islamorada Chamber Holiday Ornament Auction (Dec 1)
- Location: Founders Park – 87000 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
- Website: islamoradachamber.com/holiday-fest
Over 50 artists are set to create original holiday ornaments for the silent auction at the Annual Islamorada Holiday Fest. The festival, taking place on the Great Lawn at Founders Park, will feature the auction as part of its Holiday Gift Bazaar. Each artist has been given an unfinished ceramic piece as a base for their ornament, with no creative limits beyond their imaginations.
Mister Gingerbread Man and Miss Sugarplum Fairy Contest (Dec 6)
- Location: Founders Park – 87000 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
- Website: islamoradachamber.com/holiday-fest
Open to children under 8 years old, contestants should come dressed in their best holiday outfits. Each child will have the chance to meet Mrs. Claus on stage and share a holiday wish. One boy will be crowned Mister Gingerbread Man 2024, and one girl will be named Miss Sugarplum Fairy 2024.
Festivals and Parades
Source: Islamorada Chamber of Commerce
Florida Keys Sea of Trees (November 24 – January 7)
More than 100 uniquely decorated and sponsored trees will illuminate the area nightly from 6:00 to 9:00, starting November 24th through January 7, 2024. Along with the stunning lights and trees, visitors can enjoy photo opportunities and shopping experiences.
Annual Islamorada Holiday Fest (December 6)
Islamorada Holiday Fest’s main highlight, the Holiday Fest Snow Mountain, features 30 tons of real snow, perfect for children (and playful parents!) to enjoy. Throughout the evening, Islamorada’s 35-foot holiday tree will add to the festive atmosphere, with magical snow gently drifting through its branches.
Christmas Dinner In Islamorada
Lazy Days
- Location: 79867 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
- Price: $$ – $$$
- Website: lazydaysislamorada.com
In Lazy Days, you can enjoy dining indoors, on the patio, by the beach, or on the porch. Seafood dishes are exquisite!
Favorite menu item: Either blackened, grilled, broiled, sautéed, or fried – their hogfish is quite famous!
Morada Bay Beach Cafe
- Location: 81600 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
- Price: $$ – $$$
- Website: moradabaykeys.com/dining/beach-cafe
The Morada Bay Beach Diner is a sand-filled, outdoor Mediterranean cafe. This is the ideal Islamorada restaurant to begin your holiday and set the mood for relaxation.
Favorite menu item: Tacos – they have Mahi Mahi Street Tacos and Thai Key West Tacos to choose from, which both taste good!
Pierre’s Restaurant
- Location: 81600 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
- Price: $$$$
- Website: moradabaykeys.com/dining/pierres-restaurant
Pierre’s Restaurant, a stunning two-story white house overlooking the Florida Bay and offering breathtaking sunset views, evokes the old colonial-style residences of West Africa in its exterior design. Inside, however, it draws inspiration from diverse cultures around the world.
Favorite menu item: People are seriously raving about their foie gras
Discover hidden-gem beaches, explore the Florida Keys food scene, find the perfect accommodation, experience the Keys’ stunning waters, and much more.
Christmas In Key West
If you’re in for a quirky and vibrant celebration, spending Christmas in Key West is the way to go.
Things To Do
Historic Inns Holiday Tour
- Location: Florida Keys Lodging Association – 818 White Street, Suite #8, Key West, FL 33040
- Website: keywestinns.com/holiday-fest
A key part of Key West’s historic charm comes from its quaint bed-and-breakfast hotels, which get beautifully decorated during the holidays. This year, the guided tour of these Historic Inns will take place over two nights, offering a festive glimpse into the island’s heritage.
Santa Claus – Meet and Greet
- Location: Mallory Square – 400 Wall Street, Key West, FL 33040
- Website: mallorysquare.com/christmas-in-key-west
Santa is trading snow for sunshine and heading to The Shops at Mallory Square! Families are invited to meet Santa, and kids can snap a photo with Jolly St. Nicholas in a fun, sunny setting.
The Nutcracker Key West
- Location: Tennessee Williams Theatre – 5901 College Rd, Key West, FL 33040
- Website: nutcrackerkeywest.com
Key West has been staging its own version of The Nutcracker since 2005, and it has grown into the largest stage production in the Florida Keys, adding a unique local flavor to the beloved Christmas classic.
Festivals and Parades
Source: Key West Before Christmas
Annual Key West Holiday Parade (December 3)
Join Santa Claus as the holiday spirit kicks off with a parade starting at 7 p.m., beginning at Truman and Eisenhower and finishing at Duval and Front Streets.
Annual Lighted Boat Parade (December 10)
Before settling down for the holidays, Key West locals dive into the Lighted Boat Parade, where boat owners and decorators spend weeks crafting spectacular displays. This unique annual event draws thousands of spectators and features a panel of judges at Schooner Wharf Bar, awarding winners in several categories.
Old Town Trolley’s Holiday Lights Tour (December 8 – December 23)
For the best views of the island’s festive lights, hop aboard the Holiday Lights & Sights Tour by Old Town Trolley. This 60-minute tour, complete with cookies and cider, is the perfect way to experience Key West’s holiday decorations after checking out the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square.
Christmas Dinner In Key West
A&B Lobster House
- Location: 700 Front St, Key West, FL 33040
- Price: $$$$
- Website: aandblobsterhouse.com
A&B Lobster House, one of the Key West restaurants loved by locals and tourists, that has been dishing up some of the region’s most sumptuous delicacies since 1947. Although the dining area is pleasant and has an elite steakhouse vibe, you should be on the wraparound balcony with stunning harbor views.
Favorite menu item: (Of course) Lobster – Caribbean Lobster Risotto, Lobster Bisque, Caribbean Lobster Thermidor, and many more!
Nine One Five
- Location: 915 Duval St #5, Key West, FL 33040
- Price: $$$$
- Website: 915duval.com
Nine One Five Bistro and Bar is nestled in a magnificent Victorian house, circa 1850. Since its opening in 2002, the restaurant has garnered national and international acclaim, including two invitations from the prestigious James Beard Foundation.
Favorite menu item: Soul Mama Seafood Soup – Key West pink shrimp, clams, local fish, mild thai green curry, gluten free
The Stoned Crab
- Location: 3101 N Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040
- Price: $$ – $$$
- Website: stonedcrab.com
The Stoned Crab restaurant serves Key West’s freshest seafood, with a focus on its signature dish—stone crab. Located next to Ibis Bay Beach Resort, the restaurant boasts two private fishing boats that deliver daily catches of stone crab, lobster, Key West shrimp, and a variety of local fish.
Favorite menu item: Old Bay Stone Crab Steamer – Stone crab, Dungeness crab, and Key West shrimp. Enamelled steel pots full of steaming shellfish, corn on the cob, potatoes, and hot butter
Spend Christmas On A Sunny Day
Spend your holidays in the Keys!
Christmas in the Florida Keys brings a twist to your winter season. You’ll still get to enjoy all the Christmas classics, like eggnogs and mulled wines, but imagine them by the beach.
And you can always hop into some outdoor and underwater activities while celebrating your holidays!
Discover hidden-gem beaches, explore the Florida Keys food scene, find the perfect accommodation, experience the Keys’ stunning waters, and much more.
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Christmas In The Florida Keys FAQs
Yes, Christmas is an excellent time to visit the Florida Keys. The weather is warm and sunny, perfect for outdoor activities like snorkeling, boating, and enjoying the beaches. Many festive events and celebrations also take place, making it a fun and lively holiday destination.
Absolutely! Key West is vibrant and fun during Christmas, with festive decorations, lighted boat parades, and holiday events. The island’s quirky charm shines through in its unique holiday traditions, making it a memorable spot to celebrate.
Yes, you can swim in Key West at Christmas! The water temperature in December typically stays in the mid-70s, making it comfortable for swimming and other water activities.
The weather in the Florida Keys during Christmas is typically mild and warm, with daytime temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to low 80s and cooler evenings in the 60s. It’s ideal for enjoying outdoor activities without the winter chill.
Key West is considered the most festive Christmas town in the Florida Keys, thanks to its lively holiday parades, decorated streets, and quirky island traditions that make the season extra special.
In December, lightweight clothing is ideal for the warm days in the Florida Keys. Think shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, and sandals for daytime, with a light sweater or jacket for the cooler evenings. Don’t forget your swimwear for the beach!
