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Tree lightings and free holiday events around Miami-Dade

Christmas tree lightings and winter fests are happening earlier and earlier each year. Here's where to watch when they flip the switch and hundreds of lights bring the tree to life! And even though we don't have much winter weather in Miami-Dade, there are winter festivals to be found.

City of Doral holiday happenings

The City of Doral is hosting a variety of Christmas events at their parks from a concert to a bazaar, to story time and a holiday celebration.

Friday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.
Park & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Doral Government Center, 8401 NW 53 Terr.
Santa Claus will be present to light the tree to mark the beginning of the holiday season. Photos with Santa available for $5. Buy tickets on Eventbrite.

Saturday, Dec. 7 at 4 p.m.
Holiday Bazaar
Downtown Doral Park, 8395 NW 53 St.
A great place to find unique artisanal holiday gifts.

Friday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.
Holiday Celebration at the Park
Doral Central Park, 3000 NW 87 St.
Bring the kids to enjoy inflatables, a snow slide, live performances and holiday character appearances. Tickets are $5 and can be reserved on Eventbrite.

Saturday, Dec. 14 at 5 p.m.
Miami Symphony Orchestra at the Park
Downtown Doral Park, 8395 NW 53 St.
Holiday concert

Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m.
Storytime with Mrs. Claus
Doral Cultural Arts Center, 8363 NW 53 St.

Miami Symphony Orchestra performs a holiday concert in Downtown Miami. Photo courtesy of Miami DDA.

Miami-Dade

Downtown Miami Holiday Spectacular presented by the Miami Downtown Development Authority. The 24-foot Christmas tree on Flagler St. will be lit, along with a menorah and The Miami Symphony Orchestra will perform. Friday, Nov. 15 from 6-8 p.m., Flagler St. and SE 3 Ave.

City of Hialeah Tree lighting ceremony Mr. and Mrs. Claus will preside over the tree lighting and flip the switch to light the tree! Friday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m., Veterans Park, 290 Palm Ave., Hialeah

Christmas Tree Lighting and story time with Mrs. Claus, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Thursday, Nov. 21 at 5:30 p.m., Westchester Cultural Arts Center at Tropical Park, 7930 SW 40 St. 

Fourth Annual Flagami Tree Lighting. City of Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes, District 4, hosts a tree lighting ceremony with live entertainment, hot chocolate, cookies and cafecito. Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m., SW 8 St. and 73 Ct., Miami. 

Bayfront Park Tree Lighting ceremony. Watch the lighting of the tree and bring an unwrapped toy for the Toys to Tots donation drive. Wednesday, Nov. 27 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami.

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Lighting of the tree with live bands, a barbershop quartet performance, holiday decorations, hot cocoa and seasonal treats provided by local businesses and circus acts adding to the festive atmosphere. Sunday, Dec. 1 from 6-9 p.m. at Fuller St. in Coconut Grove.

Light up North Miami. The annual tree lighting on the MOCA Plaza with hot chocolate and cookies, a visit from Santa Claus, musical performances, giveaways and fun photobooths. Thursday, Dec. 5 from 6-8 p.m., MOCA Plaza, 770 NE 125 St., North Miami.

Palmetto Bay Village Hall Tree Lighting. Lighting of the 40-foot tree, pictures with Santa, snow performances and holiday character appearances. Food will be available for purchase. Saturday, Dec. 7 from 6-9 p.m., Palmetto Bay Village Hall, 9705 E. Hibiscus St., Palmetto Bay.

Tree Lighting at Esplanade in Aventura Mall. Tree lighting plus, Santa hats for the first 200 children, live performances by holiday carolers, The Salty pop-up with seasonal limited-edition donuts, a take home activity hosted by LEGO and an appearance by Chip City mascot Chippy who will hand out seasonal cookies and be available for selfies. Sunday, Dec. 8 from 6-8 p.m., Aventura Mall Esplanade, 19505 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura.

Winter Wonderland in North Miami. North Miami's Vice Mayor Mary Estimè-Irvin hosts the Winter Wonderland event with a holiday market, music, rides and food for purchase. Friday, Dec. 20 from 6-8 p.m. at Griffing Park, 475 NE 125 St., North Miami. RSVP here.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES HAPPENINGS

City of Coral Gables Tree lighting ceremony. Grand opening of holiday park, tree lighting with Santa Claus, carnival games, and holiday craft and food items for sale. Friday, Dec. 6 from 5:30-10 p.m., Coral Gables City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables.

Hot Chocolate with Santa. Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa with Santa at Holiday Park at 405 Biltmore Way. Click here to find available dates and secure a spot!

Strolling Carolers. Holiday carolers from local high school choirs will stroll along Miracle Mile and Giralda Plaza from Thursdays to Saturdays from 7-9 p.m. Dates are Dec. 5-7, Dec. 12-14 and Dec. 19. Click here to see which high schools will be performing when.

Santa Claus on a Fire Truck. Don't miss the 14th Annual Coral Gables holiday tradition when the City of Coral Gables Fire Department parades Santa around on their shiny red fire truck. Dates are Saturday, Dec. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through Coral Gables.

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Strolling Carolers
When
Weekly on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday @ 7:00 pm-9:00 pm (December 5, 2024 - December 19, 2024)
What
Strolling Carolers
Where
Miracle Mile
Cost
FREE
When
December 13, 2024 @ 6:00 pm
What
City of Doral Holiday Celebration at the Park
Where
Doral Central Park
Cost
$5.00
Add to Calendar: Google Outlook/iCal
When
December 14, 2024 @ 5:00 pm-6:30 pm
What
Free holiday concert by the Miami Symphony Orchestra
Where
Downtown Doral Park
Cost
FREE
Add to Calendar: Google Outlook/iCal
When
December 17, 2024 @ 6:00 pm
What
Storytime with Mrs. Claus
Where
Doral Cultural Arts Center
Cost
FREE
Add to Calendar: Google Outlook/iCal
When
December 20, 2024 @ 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
What
Winter Wonderland in North Miami
Where
Griffing Park, North Miami
Cost
Add to Calendar: Google Outlook/iCal
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

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