10 Things to Do in Miami in Winter

If you are one of those people who prefer a destination with warm weather, the best proposal for the winter is Miami. You can enjoy the beach, zoos, parks and any outdoor space.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to participate in cultural activities, go shopping, party in the style of the great Miami, surf on its beaches, attend music or culinary festivals and even celebrate the Art Deco week.

If you are in Miami during the first month of winter, a must-see destination is the Vizcaya Historic Village. In this garden area you will enjoy beautiful lights, music and Christmas decorations.

Book tickets for the Vizcaya Museum in Miami because it is a visit you should include in your list of the top 10 things to see and do in Miami at Christmas, especially if you are traveling with the little ones, as they will enjoy the magical atmosphere of this place.

Activities you can do

• Walk through the Vizcaya garden of approximately four hectares to enjoy an amazing natural landscape, covered by a rain of lights.
• You will contemplate the Christmas tree installed in the middle of the garden.
• Listen to a traditional pipe organ, whose sounds are generated live.
• You will taste sweet and savorysnacks during the visit.
• In the museum, you will see numerous antiques and ornaments, displayed in the 34 rooms of the mansion.

The winter season, which includes the months of December, January and February, is considered a good time to catch waves on the beaches of Miami. Therefore, visiting these natural spaces during your visit is usually a good idea for surf lovers.

To do so, book a cruise with water activities and make the most of **Miami'**s warm winter weather. Visit Lummus Park Beach, South Beach, Mid-Beach and Haulover Beach (nude beach), among other beaches. In any of them, you will enjoy many waves to practice on your surfboard.

In addition to one of the best water activities in Miami, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a breathtaking view of the ocean and, if you are with the little ones at home, they can mold some castles and dolls in the sand.

The last and first months of each year are two months of great deals in Miami, so if you're in town during this season you shouldn't think twice before shopping. Book a shopping excursion to Sawgrass Mills Mall, where you will find the best prices in its more than 350 stores and outlets of the top brands.

Include this activity among the things to see and do in Miami in December and January, and take advantage of sales on clothing, accessories, shoes, makeup, among other products.

In addition, you will find a wide variety of Christmas items and toys for the little ones of the house. All of them at great prices, especially the week after Christmas Eve, and take home bargains as souvenirs of your trip to Miami!

The month of February in the coastal city is one of the most awaited by lovers of gourmet food and fine wines. This is because a great culinary festival is held that brings together international chefs, great liquor producers and renowned winemakers. When attending the South Beach Food and Wine Festival you will be able to choose from several events:

• Culinary workshops where you will discover a variety of flavors: Mediterranean, Cuban, Haitian, Mexican, among others.
• Wine tasting. You will learn to distinguish the body and personality of each vintage.
• Conversation about the production of liquors.
• Asian Market. You will be able to taste from the mystical flavor of Japanese sushi to the traditional Korean egg rolls. You will enjoy the best of Asian street food.

The festival lasts four days and usually takes place the last week of February. In fact, days before the event you can check all the information regarding the schedules and places where each activity will take place on the festival's official website.

If your trip does not coincide with the dates of this event you can book a gastronomic tour of South Beach where a culinary expert will show you the best places to eat while you taste its delicacies.

If you have decided to visit Miami during the Christmas season or on New Year's Eve, it is because you want to celebrate these dates in the unique style that only this coastal city can offer you. Here you will find massive parties, family plans and much more.

You can wait for the arrival of Santa Claus with your children in one of the city's recreational parks that offer special activities. Also, if you walk the streets of Miami, you will find a lively atmosphere, lights to admire and stalls with delicious street food.

Regarding New Year's Eve, you will have several options:

• Book one of Miami's best dinnercruises and have an unforgettable evening until about 3 am.
• Head to Seventh and Ninth Streets in Miami Beach, where you will vibrate to the rhythm of the best local and international DJs. The celebration usually ends at 6 p.m.

The third Monday of January is the date designated for more than 40 years in Miami to honor Martin Luther King Jr. It is a commemorative parade where you will enjoy carnival dancers, music, bands from different high schools in the city and antique cars, among other things.

This traditional activity is ideal if you do not know what to see and do in Miami in 3 days during the month of January. You will live a fun day from 11 am to 6 pm. To do so, you will have to go to:

• Northwest Miami's 54th Street, as this is the starting point of the parade.
• 10th Avenue to 32nd Avenue, where this two-hour parade takes place.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Park, where you can attend a family festival until 6 p.m. in the evening. You will enjoy live musical performances, street theater, craft market to buy a souvenir of your visit, children's activities and street food.

Practical information

• Address: The parade starts at 54th Street in Northwest Miami and ends at 32nd Avenue, specifically at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
• Time: The parade lasts two hours starting at 11 am. Afterwards, the activities continue at Martin Luther King Jr. Park until 6 p.m.

Every year, the North Beach Bandshell becomes the meeting place for hundreds of people who enjoy music. Celebrate with them at the South Beach Jazz Festival and, at the same time, support people with disabilities, which is the main purpose of this event.

The festival lasts three days and usually starts the first weekend of January, right after the Three Kings celebration. During these days you will find several free jazz presentations and others for which you will have to pay an entrance fee.

In each recital you will listen to a wide repertoire of the attending groups that will take you through the progressive Brazilian jazz style , Afro-Cuban, among others. In addition, during the presentations, you will notice that the musicians have some kind of disability. This promotes their integration into society.

Practical information

• Address: Most of the activities of this festival take place at the North Beach Bandshell Theater, although some performances are also held at the Faena Theater, North Beach Acoustic Shell, Power Access Main Stage and Jazz for Tomorrow Stage.
• Price: The cost starts at $35 (approximately €32). However, some of the activities are free.
• Hours: Performances take place between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Art Deco Week end is considered the city's biggest cultural event. Starting on the third Friday of January you can enjoy for free a series of art exhibitions, architecture shows, music and much more. So, if you don't know what to see and do in Miami in 1 day, this traditional celebration with more than 40 years of history could be a good option.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Attend a lecture in which you will be taught the history and evolution of the peculiar Art Deco architectural style.
• Observe some sketches and models that show the formation of the Art Deco district in Miami.
• Take a guided walk through the streets of this neighborhood and see the buildings up close.

Also, in this festival you will find a craft market, special activities for children and a daily musical show. Check out all the information on the official website.

Practical information

• Address: Miami Art Deco Week is held on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach.
• Price: All activities are free.
• Hours: Activities start at 10 am and last until 8-22 pm, depending on the day.

The traditional Miami Half Marathon is held annually during the month of February. It is a sporting event that brings together hundreds of American marathoners and other athletes from approximately 80 countries around the world.

In addition, the 13.1-mile (just over 21 kilometers) route on which athletes will test their endurance is selected by the USA Track & Field organization, also known by the acronym USATF, so this is a course that offers the best conditions for running. Therefore, this is a track that offers the best conditions for getting around.

During the marathon you will be able to line up along the street with other people who, like you, want to experience this exciting race up close and cheer on the athletes. In addition, it is possible to enjoy a beautiful natural landscape surrounded by palm trees and have a panoramic view of the sea.

In the bohemian neighborhood of Coconut Grove, for more than 50 years, there has been a busy art festival that bears the same name of the district. In this celebration you can see photographic and painting exhibitions, jewelry shows, sculptures, among others.

To attend the Coconut Grove Arts Festival you must be in Miami in mid-February. Generally, the selected date is from the 19th to the 21st, but this can change depending on the year. Therefore, during your visit to the city you should check the programming calendar.

At the festival you will enjoy the work of more than 300 artists, an entertaining atmosphere thanks to live music and the best culinary demonstrations. And if you don't know what to do in Miami with children, this festival is a good option for the little ones to have fun in the family activities area.

Practical information

• Address: This outdoor event takes place on South Bayshore Drive in the Coconut Grove neighborhood.
• Price: Admission starts at $20 (about €18) per person per day.
• Hours: The festival is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm. Meanwhile, on weekends the hours are extended until 7 pm.

The winter season in Miami covers the months of December, January and February. During this period, the weather in the city drops, but continues to be warm, ideal for enjoying all the things to see and do in Miami.

Therefore, you will notice that during the day the thermometer marks a maximum of 25 ºC, that is, 5 ºC lower than in summer. At nightfall, on the other hand, the minimum temperature can drop to 13 ºC.

In addition, winter in Miami marks the end of the hurricane season, but the winds remain strong, which could be annoying for some people. On the other hand, humidity in the city is high due to the proximity to the sea.

No matter what time of the year you visit Miami, the city will always have a large influx of tourists in its streets, beaches, bars, restaurants and virtually all tourist attractions.

Therefore, it is ideal that you plan your trip in advance and have several options when it comes to tours. This way, you will avoid bad times.

For example:

• Don't make impromptu decisions and, instead, make an itinerary of activities for each of the days of your visit to Miami.
• Make sure that the places you want to visit are open during the days you will be in the city and check if you need to reserve your place. This is especially true if you are booking a celebrity house cruise, a guided tour of Miami or a bus tour of Miami.
• Remember to make your hotel reservations.