Where to travel this Christmas in Florida

This is the time of year when people overindulge in sumptuous treats, buy presents at Christmas markets, and flirt with one another. There are many beautiful Christmas places to visit in Florida if you want to accomplish these activities while strolling along a beach that is bathed in sunlight. Christmas is a lovely time of year, filled with twinkling lights, carolers, and memorable pictures with Santa. These picturesque cities spread throughout Florida go above and beyond to create an atmosphere filled with festivity and cheer. They are home to hotels with extravagant Christmas decorations and festive events. These cities in the Sunshine State go all out for December, with everything from ice slides and snowy vistas to the brilliant lights of a boat parade.

Florida may not be the most joyous location to visit during the most delightful time of the year, despite the fact that the winter weather is perfect and rarely drops below “chilly.” However, that is not the case in these communities, where Christmas cheer is still present despite the lack of snow and the rarity of reindeer sightings.

1. West Palm Beach:

You may put up a huge Christmas tree every year in your town, but only in West Palm Beach do locals and visitors assemble around a 35-foot, 700-ton sand Christmas tree. Each year, Sandi Tree and the “Sandi Land” neighborhood transform the West Palm Beach shoreline with nightly light and music shows, sand sculptures, picture opportunities, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, and more. It’s a fun location to be in, even though there are palm trees rather than pine trees in the background; it’s also totally free and accessible to everyone. Don’t forget to take the Polar Express on Bright line and stop at The Square for the evening “snowfall” while you are there.

2. St. Augustine:

From mid-November until the beginning of January, St. Augustine’s streets (and many of its homes) are covered in a wonderland of sparkling lights. More than three million lights are strung over ancient buildings, whirling around palm palms, and decorating charming brick-lined roads during this annual Night of Lights Festival. Book an Old Town Trolley Tour for a magical ride around the city to see them up close. Alternately, take to the water on a nighttime boat tour like Florida Water Tours’ Nights of Lights Tour. From the bay, everything appears more dazzling, and taking to the water is among the nicest things to do in Florida. One of the biggest Christmas parades in northeast Florida is held at St. Augustine, the town that celebrates the most in Florida.

3. Pensacola:

Pensacola, the capital of holiday entertainment, goes all out for its yearly Christmas extravaganza known as Winterfest. This family-friendly event is a one-stop shop for everything Christmas; there will be falling snow, hot chocolate, holiday performances, and trolley rides here. In addition to hosting a lighted boat parade close to the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk, this lovely region with its white-sand beaches also hosts a Surfing Santa Parade where you may wave to some of your favorite holiday figures.

4. Amelia Island:

Amelia Island has a festive atmosphere during the holidays in part due to its quaint downtown, which features Victorian-style architecture, decked-out storefronts, and extravagant light displays. Locals enjoy attending the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island’s lighting of the oceanfront Christmas tree ($10 entry required for those 10 and older; all revenues benefit local charity). The Amelia Island Holiday Home Tour, a docent-led tour of stately historic family homes lavishly decorated by neighborhood florists and interior decorators, Dickens on Center, a Victorian-themed Christmas street festival, and the Parade of Paws can also help you get into the holiday spirit on the island. Stay in town for the annual New Year’s Eve Shrimp Drop, a family-friendly community celebration with fireworks, pirates, live music, and more near the riverbank in downtown Fernandina Beach.

5. Miami:

Christmas is only one of the many amazing events that take place all year long in Miami, Florida’s liveliest city. Although Santa’s Enchanted Forest is the biggest Christmas-themed amusement park in the world, it is also a great place for families and children despite its reputation as a party destination. Take a spin on one of the park’s 100 rides, or take in the interactive activities and petting zoo. For a more relaxed way to get in the holiday mood, visit Bayfront Park in downtown Miami to behold the 50-foot Christmas tree decked out in sparkling lights.

6. Apalachicola:

Visit Apalachicola for a Christmas celebration that is off the main road. The city’s historic downtown is home to an annual holiday event that is worth bragging about. The holiday season in Apalachicola officially begins the day after Thanksgiving, when Santa Claus arrives on a shrimp boat and the city’s Christmas trees are lit. There are stores, lights, and possibly even Grinch sightings.

7. Sarasota:

In Sarasota, you may enjoy both traditional Christmas events and a sunny vacation. Your little ones may play in the snow, go down big snow slides, and enter a massive snow globe at Lakewood Ranch’s Snow Fest Sarasota. Visit Santa, ride ponies, and check out the Candy Cane Hula Hooper’s when you’ve had your fill of the snow. Holly Days and Mangrove Lights are held at historic Spanish Point, where you may stroll through shimmering woodlands, view festively adorned farmhouse structures, and take part in outdoor caroling. Attend the Sarasota tree lighting, put bells on your shoes for the annual Jingle and Jog, and travel to Main Street to look for Santa in the holiday parade.

8. Key West:

It’s always wonderful to travel to Key West, and it’s still enjoyable as one of the best Christmas getaways in Florida. All ages are catered for during the holiday season in Key West. The Key West “Bight” before Christmas, with its Holiday Celebration and “Harbor Walk of Lights,” is one of the distinctive venues Key West has to offer. A bight is a curve in the shoreline that enlarges the harbor, and Key West surely goes all out for the holidays along its expansive port. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, the Harbor Walk of Lights takes tourists past numerous Key West Christmas customs, such as the Fishing Buoy Tree, a Nautical Christmas Tree, and the original West Lobster Trap Tree.