While dreams of a white Christmas often dominate media, that’s not everyone’s idea of the perfect Christmas. For those looking for milder weather without any of that white stuff, Christmas in Florida could be a dream come true. Planning a Florida Christmas vacation can let you enjoy the Sunshine State when it’s weather is better, and when the state is at it’s most festive. You’ll certainly find that these Florida winter vacations give plenty of options for how to experience Christmas in Florida, including one that does include snow! So, go ahead and pack your bags, grab your flip-flops, and prepare for a jolly journey to the sunniest state in the country for Christmas!
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Experience Nights of Lights in St. Augustine
The Nights of Lights in St. Augustine happen to be one of the best light displays in the entire country. They bring visitors from around the country and the world to enjoy the beautiful lights spread throughout a wonderful location. St. Augustine is the oldest continually inhabited city in America, so everywhere you walk you’ll see that history. The yearly celebration began in 1993, and will celebrate it’s 31st year from November 23rd to January 26th.
Visitors for this sparkling celebration have a large number of options available for seeing the lights. My preferred way is simply by walking through downtown. The city is compact enough that walking from end to end doesn’t take very long. It also means you can enjoy the buildings, lights, and other festivities up close and at your own pace. I think it’s really important to take your time here, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend or on Christmas Day in Florida. These will be very busy times, and some of the other transportation options (like the trolleys) may be full or just more uncomfortable than walking.
When making your Florida Christmas vacation plans in St. Augustine, you’ll need to consider where you want to stay. There are a couple of locations near downtown (like the Casa Monica), which would put you in the heart of the light displays. However, these are going to be your most expensive options by far.
Staying just on the other side of the Bridge of Lions is a good alternative and the extra distance from downtown is off-set by the stunning walk over the bridge when it’s all lit up. Depending on the weather, a stay in St. Augustine Beach at a place like the Embassy Suites by Hilton which opened up in the last couple years, could maximize your fun by letting you play in the ocean by day and then drive to Nights of Lights after dark.
St. Augustine isn’t just a beautiful city lit up at night. In fact, much of the town’s rich history is best explored during the day. As the oldest settlement in North America, you’ve got well over 500 years of history to enjoy. One of my personal favorite spots is the Castillo de San Marcos which is one of the oldest forts in the country. (Potentially put in a tour or other affiliate attraction here)
No matter how you choose to experience it, Nights of Lights in St. Augustine is one of the best ways to spend Christmas in Florida. I personally visited it nearly every year as a young adult living in the area. It makes for a fantastic way to spend time with family or to take that special someone on a date! It’s my favorite spot on this list, and it’s why I popped it at the very top!
A Tropical Key West Christmas
If there is one spot on this list that might pop in your head when someone says “Christmas in Florida” it’s probably Key West. This quintessential Florida town is home to a bustling Christmas scene and a popular tourist destination all winter long. In fact, thousands of people flock to the warm waters surrounding the entire Florida Keys to get away from their wintery blues each year.
There is plenty to keep you busy if you’re spending your taking a Florida Christmas vacation this year. Like St. Augustine above, Key West has it’s own annual light display, the Harbor Walk of Lights. While not as stunning as St. Augustine, it’s has it’s own unique Key West vibe and that really what you making the trip for anyways. Another great way to see some lights is with the Conch Train Festive Nights tour of the island and it’s best Christmas lights!
One of the best parts about making a trip to Key West for Christmas vacation is the ability to spend that time on the water. You’re going to be surrounded by it, so make the most of it! The water temps are still plenty warm in the winter, so snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding are all still awesome options to enjoy. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you could even rent a jet ski, or try out parasailing!
Key West also has a fascinating history all its own, thanks to it’s strategic location in the keys and interesting characters who called it home. While you’ll probably spend your Christmas Day in Florida relaxing on the beach, the rest of your trip can feature some cool museums. At the top of that list has to be a visit to the Ernest Hemmingway House. You could also take a trip out to one of the most remote national parks in the country, Dry Tortugas National Park.
To make the most of your Florida Christmas vacation to Key West, then consider where you want to book accommodations. Staying directly in Key West at places like the Opal Key Resort or the Hyatt Centric Key West will be more expensive, but also vastly more convenient during your trip. However, if you’ve got access to a car then you can stay further up the island chain. Consider then booking your vacation at the Faro Blanco Resort on Marathon which can be cheaper and give you easier access to other parts of the Keys while spending your Christmas in Florida.
Walt Disney World is for Kids of All Ages
If you’re looking to spend Christmas in Florida, then a magical trip to the Magic Kingdom could be a great way to do so for the whole family. Walt Disney World isn’t just for the kiddos, but really anyone who has a sense of wonder and joy in their lives. As someone who was a WDW Annual Passholder for more than a decade, I truly enjoyed just about every moment I spent at the parks during that time.
Many people choose to take their Florida Christmas vacation to Walt Disney World. Since you aren’t going to be the only one, keep this key fact in mind: It will be crowded and busy. That being said, there are ways to make the most of your trip and to limit the impact crowds will have on enjoying your Christmas Day in Florida.
The first way to do this is to plan out your day effectively using the tools Disney offers like Genie+. This will help navigate the park and crowds. The next way to limit disruption by crowds is to visit a park that isn’t the Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day itself. Magic Kingdom is by far the most popular location, so consider visiting it on a different day of your trip.
One of the best parts about visiting Walt Disney World during this time of year is that it’s all decked out for the season. Magic Kingdom goes 110% on making it truly feel like a Christmas wonderland, but the other parks get in on the action as well. There are also specially ticketed events during the season for those wanting to find some extra cheer. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party runs from November 8th through December 20th, so it can be a great way to enjoy some Christmas cheer without having to be in the parks on Christmas Day.
Additionally, there are other great reasons to spend a Florida winter vacation at Disney World. From a weather perspective, it’s often one of the best times of year to visit. There are far fewer rainy days during the winter and temperatures are usually mild (though there can be hot days and chilly nights to account for). Visiting during Christmas Week is definitely the busiest time of year, but if you can still go mid-week vs a weekend you can still minimize crowds. Finally, staying on site at Disney means you can reduce the headaches of having to leave the parks for anything and maximize your Christmas vacation fun!
Pensacola Winterfest is a Florida Winter Wonderland
If you’re a fan of Dr. Suess and the Grinch, then you’ll definitely want to consider planning your Florida Christmas vacation for Pensacola. The town’s iconic Winterfest, heavily features the lively characters from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, bringing these characters to life for a weekends all throughout the holiday season.
Pensacola Winterfest is unique among the destination options for spending Christmas in Florida thanks to it’s focus on themed tours you can book each night of the event. Starting on November 6th, and running through December 24th, you can take a variety of tours around downtown Pensacola. These tours are like a moving show, with characters from both The Grinch and Polar Express being a part of them during their 25-minute runtime. If you’re not entirely sure which show you want to see, check out the trailers hosted on the Pensacola Winterfest website.
The city of Pensacola also plays host to their annual Pensacola Elf Parade. While this parade isn’t exactly on Christmas Day (it’s actually November 29th in 2024), if you’re Christmas vacation to Florida is a bit earlier in the year you can certainly still take part in it. Even if you don’t make it for the parade, downtown remains lit up throughout the holiday season for everyone to enjoy.
Like many of the other “stereotypical” Florida destinations on this list, you’ll want to enjoy some time on the beaches in and around Pensacola during it’s Winterfest celebrations. The best way to do this is by booking your hotel stay along one of it’s iconic Gulf Coast beaches. One option for a gorgeous stay right on the beach is the SpringHill Suites Pensacola Beach. If you want a more resort style stay for your Christmas in Florida, then check out the Portofino Island Resort.
Enjoying a White (Sand) Christmas on Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is an excellent place to spend Christmas in Florida! Sanibel and its surrounding islands have drawn visitors from colder climes for over a century. That includes a few very well known individuals by the names of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Visitors to the islands can visit their estates, which put on a wonderful display of lights every holiday season. Plus, many of the residents decorate their palm trees, which is certainly a very Florida Christmas vibe!
Sanibel Island isn’t just a beach paradise that’s great for a Florida winter vacations, it’s also an awesome place to pickup some gifts from nature. If you or someone you know loves seashells, then you’ll find plenty on the beaches of Sanibel Island. The best time to get out and do some beach combing is early in the morning before the rest of the tourists make their way on the beach. That means not only will you have less people on the beach with you, but you’ll even have a chance to enjoy one of the best sunrises in Florida at Sanibel Lighthouse!
If you weren’t already convinced that Sanibel Island is a great place to spend Christmas Day in Florida, then perhaps you’re looking for a more natural Christmas experience. Well, you’d be in luck here as well! Almost half of the island is protected as a preserve. This means that if you want to explore a more natural version of Florida, you’ll have the opportunity to do that as well. Sanibel Island at Christmas is a perfect mix of the season and Sunshine State for everyone to enjoy!
Tips for a Festive Christmas in Florida
Hopefully, you’ve picked out one of these great destinations for your Florida Christmas vacation. However, finding a place to go isn’t the only part of making that trip a stunning success. To help with that, I’ve put together a few additional tips that can make this trip the best Christmas in Florida that you could possibly have. If you have additional suggestions, drop them in the comments below for everyone to benefit from!
- Pack clothes for warm days and cool nights. While much of Florida is beautiful during December, it can still get quite chilly especially in more northern parts of the state like Pensacola or St. Augustine.
- For a cheaper trip, consider planning it for the days immediately following Christmas but before New Years to take advantage of a slight lull in travelers coming to the state.
- Don’t be afraid to pack some lights and put them up in your hotel room, B&B, or wherever you’re staying! Everyone enjoys a bit of Christmas cheer and it’s a great way to be part of the fun if you’re close to one of the light displays.
- Maximize the good weather and minimize the time you spend inside. The best weather of the year is often over the winter, so don’t miss out on it by staying inside all the time.
- Keep your eyes peeled for Santa Claus! Almost all of the places featured here will have an opportunity to meet him, because we all know Santa loves to spend Christmas in Florida just like you!
Final Thoughts on Your Florida Christmas Vacation
Spending your Christmas in Florida is a wonderful way to have a memorable holiday, no matter if you’re traveling as a family, a couple, or even solo. Floridian’s love the Christmas season and love to share their holiday spirit with visitors. I’m personally a huge fan of St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights thanks to regularly visiting as a kid and adult, so of all the places on this list it’s the one I recommend the most. However, visiting any of them will let you have a fun and unique Florida Christmas vacation!
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