Are you looking for the best events in Florida in December?
You’ve come to the right place!
Florida in December is packed from coast to coast with festivals, lights, and holiday cheer that’ll make your season merry and bright.
You can stroll through 3 million twinkling lights at the world-famous Nights of Lights in St. Augustine or skip the classics and check out the Indie‑craft bazaar of Misfit Makers, filled with quirky, one of a kind finds.
No matter what’s on your holiday wish list, these best things to do in Florida in December will sprinkle your month with fun.
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Key Takeaways:
- Celebrate the season in Mount Dora as the town shines bright with more than 2 million LED lights at the holiday street party
- Eat your way through the holidays at the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival
- Shop for cool and quirky gifts at the Atomic Holiday Bazaar in Sarasota
Keep reading for a full guide to the best things to do in Florida in December.
1. St. Augustine Nights of Lights
The award-winning Nights of Lights Festival kicks off the holiday season in St. Augustine, Florida.
Running for almost two months straight, your spirits will be bright with all the festive events happening.
Over 3 million lights adorn St. Augustine’s historic district, and riding the Old Town Trolley’s Nights of Lights Tour is my favorite way to see the Ancient City light up.
It comes with magic glasses, seasonal songs and cider, and a cookie after the ride for a merry ol’ time.
I recommend downloading the official Nights of Lights app so you don’t miss out on any of the holiday events, find out about parking and shuttles, live music, shopping, and more.
What makes this Florida festival special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Get into the holiday spirit with the “Light-Up Night!” on November 15th
- Celebrate beachside at the ceremonial lighting at the St. Augustine Beach Pier on November 22nd
- St. Augustine’s 68th Annual Christmas Parade takes place on December 6th
- Join in the recreation of historic Night Watches on December 6th
- The waters light up for a nautical festive competition on December 13th for the Regatta of Lights
Event Details of this Festival in Florida in December:
- Date: November 15th, 2025 until January 11th, 2026
- Time: Runs every night
- Cost: Varies by event, but is free to walk and explore the lights
- Location: Historic downtown St. Augustine, Florida
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2. Food and Wine Festival in Palm Beach
For those who appreciate the art of fine wine and are passionate food lovers, this Florida festival in December is for you!
Well over 50 restaurants, more than 150 wineries, and over 20 signature events and tastings make up this culinary festival taking place in the luxurious Palm Beach.
World-renowned chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists come together for the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival to wine and dine you under the sun with impeccable food and wine pairings.
What makes this Florida festival special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Experience “A Night at The Ben” with tasting stations, cool cocktails, wines, bubbly bevvies, and fun festivities.
- Watch chefs go head-to-head for a $10,000 prize benefiting a local charity in the Grand Chef Throwdown
- Meet celebrity chefs like Robert Irvine and Daniel Boulud
- Mingle poolside, nibble on savory small plates, and sip away at Bubbles & Bites: A Yacht Rock Experience
Event Details of this Festival in Florida in December:
- Date: December 11th through 14th, 2025
- Time: Find the event details and schedule here
- Cost: Varies for the event
- Location: Various locations in Palm Beach County, Florida
3. Dickens on Centre in Fernandina Beach
Historic downtown Fernandina Beach has you stepping back in time as it’s transformed into Victorian London during the Dickens on Centre festival.
The weekend brings characters in themed costumes, Victorian-inspired entertainment and music, festive food and drink, and of course, visits from Jolly Old St. Nick.
For those 21 and over, Dickens After Dark: Marley’s Masquerade is an exclusive Victorian costume party.
With stilt walkers, jugglers, dancing, a photo booth, a magician, and tarot card readings, this Florida festival in December has you feeling like you stepped into a classic Christmas story.
What makes this Florida festival special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Watch the Illuminated Procession on December 11th
- Shop the Victorian Christmas Market December 12th, 13th, 14th
- Visit with St. Nick and get your photo taken
- Reserve one of the 10 Christmas-themed globes for you and your besties in the Enchanted Village
- Take part in the 1-mile fun-run on Amelia Island Main Beach, Run Like the Dickens, and dogs are welcome too
- Check out the Annual Parade of Paws on December 13th, with prizes available to be won
- Visit the Old Vic Theatre movie alley in Tiny Tim’s Kid Zone for classic movies
Event Details of this Festival in Florida in December:
- Date: December 11th to 14th, 2025
- Time: Events all weekend long
- Cost: Free
- Location: Historic downtown Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida
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4. Holiday in the Park: S’Winter Wonderland in Fort Myers
Holiday in the Park in Fort Myers is back for another year, celebrating history and the holidays with The Lee County Black History Society.
This year, the grand reopening of Roberto Clemente Park will be taking center stage as the community comes together for one incredible winter wonderland extravaganza.
There will be toy giveaways, a snow play zone, a Soul Santa parade, a beautiful tree lighting, and so much more!
What makes this Florida festival special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Visit Toy Lane and have fun in the bounce house
- Hop on the trackless train rides for both kids and families
- Watch the Soul Santa Parade and the living museum
- Fill up on the yummy treats from the food trucks and local vendors
- Enjoy live music and the band performances at the new amphitheater stage
Event Details of this Festival in Florida in December:
- Date: December 6th, 2025
- Time: 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Cost: Free
- Location: Roberto Clemente Park, 1936 Henderson Ave, Fort Myers, Florida
5. Christmas Walk in Mount Dora
Don’t be fooled by the name, the Christmas Walk isn’t a quiet stroll through downtown.
This is a full-out, family-friendly holiday street party in downtown Mount Dora.
Downtown bars and restaurants are open, shops stay open late for holiday shopping and browsing, the streets are filled with lively entertainment, there are food and toy vendors, and even a petting zoo.
What makes this Florida festival special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Take free photo ops with Santa by the Christmas tree in Sunset Park on December 5th
- Pick up your holiday gifts while the local shops stay open late
- Enjoy Mount Dora’s old-fashioned Christmas parade on December 6th
- Bring a blanket or a lawn chair for live holiday performances on December 6th in downtown Donnelly Park
- Watch the waters light up at the Annual Lighted Boat Christmas Parade on Lake Dora on December 6th
Event Details of this Festival in Florida in December:
- Date: December 5th and 6th, 2025
- Time: Events throughout both days and nights
- Cost: Free
- Location: Throughout Mount Dora, Florida
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6. Blues Festival in Lakewood Ranch
It’s 10 hours of non-stop live blues on one stage at this December event in Florida, when the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival comes to town with a lineup of top blues artists.
Don’t worry about parking!
There will be a free Park & Ride Trolley shuttle service that picks you up and drops you off right at the ticket gate. At the end of the day, it also takes you back to your vehicle and runs from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.
What makes this Florida festival special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Pack a blanket, towel, or chair, and kick back and enjoy the sounds of the blues
- Kick off the blues party a little early on December 5th at Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch for music and dancing
- Bring in chairs with canopies since it is an open-air park with minimal natural shade coverage
- Grab a drink at one of the adult beverage bars on site
Event Details of this Festival in Florida in December:
- Date: December 6th, 2025
- Time: Gates open at 9:00 a.m.
- Cost: Advance tickets $75, at the gate tickets are $95, and reserved seats are $150
- Location: Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch, Florida
7. Atomic Holiday Bazaar in Sarasota
If you are looking for something creative and one-of-a-kind for that impossible to shop for friend, then the Atomic Holiday Bazaar is your must visit Florida event in December.
Now in its 17th year, this iconic Florida event is anything but your typical holiday craft show.
This holiday tradition is an indie-craft show for South Florida filled with Misfit Makers with hard-to-find treasures, affordable and original arts, crafts, home goods, vintage finds, and more.
What makes this Florida festival special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Shop for weird, wild, and interesting local goods and gifts
- Find original gifts you won’t find in any big-box store
- Be one of the first 100 adult attendees and score a free Atomic Holiday Bazaar swag bag filled with goodies
- Come hungry and fill up at the yummy food trucks
Event Details of this Festival in Florida in December:
- Date: December 5th and 6th, 2025
- Time: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Cost: $6 Adults, 12 and under free
- Location: Robarts Arena at SRQ Fairgrounds, Sarasota, Florida
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Wrapping Up the Best Things to Do in Florida in December
Don’t be afraid of the holiday crowds, they are manageable for most of the month.
Many holiday festivals in Florida start in November and run right through to the New Year.
It’s that final stretch, the week before Christmas through New Year’s, when you’ll want to pack a little extra patience.
But don’t let that dim your holiday spirit!
Get out there and enjoy all the Florida festivals in December and have a merry good time!
What’s your favorite Florida festival in December? Let us know in the comments section below!
Until next time, Happy Florida Travels Hipster!
About the Author
Sarah Jordan is a solo traveler enthusiast, professional travel writer, and proud mama to her rescue dog Coconut.
With a love for destinations across the globe, she made Epcot her first theme park and still treasures her EPCOT World Showcase passport to this day.
After finally following her inner wanderlust, she discovered the freedom and empowerment that solo travel brings.
