Get ready to fill up the calendar with loads of free and cheap things to do with your family this December! We’ve got tons of family-friendly events around Miami, Florida like Christmas light displays, free museum days and loads more. Scroll through to discover the best things to do with your kids this month in Miami.
Visit Bayfront Holiday Village
Bayfront Holiday Village will transform Bayfront Park into a shopping and entertainment destination for locals and tourists alike. The Village will become one of Miami’s most iconic offerings during the holiday season. Event details.
Free First Saturday at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum
The Gold Coast Railroad Museum is dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and operating historic equipment. It houses over 40 historic rail cars including Presidential Rail Car 'Ferdinand Magellan,' and Florida East Coast Steam Locomotive #153. Visit on the first Saturday of the month for free days. Dec. 7. Event details.
Visit Santa's Enchanted Forest
Christmas is in the air in Santa's Enchanted Forest, Miami's holiday theme park. This venue has been a South Florida holiday tradition for more than 30 years. The whole family will enjoy the holiday light show, Christmas karaoke, holiday displays, Mistletoe Lane, and the tallest Christmas tree in South Florida. There are also magic shows, a freestyle motocross event, an aerial performance, a circus, thrill rides for big and little kids, animal shows, and a carnival. Event details.
Check Out Wings of the Tropics
Enjoy having hundreds of butterflies from all over the tropical world fluttering around you. Want to learn everything there is about these winged wonders? Then come to the Wings of the Tropics exhibit at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for an exciting and interactive learning experience that will make your kids beg you to bring them back. Event details.
Museums on Us Weekend
Bank of America cardholders can get free admission to many museums the first full weekend of the month, including the Miami Children's Museum. Event details.
Ride the North Pole Limited
Come to the Gold Coast Railroad Museum to kick off the holiday season in a very special way. See Santa's Magical Toy Workshop come to live and then mingle with the Kringles before you board the train to the North Pole. Event etails.
Free Art Making at PAMM
Every first Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., visit the Perez Art Museum Miami for this free monthly program featuring art-making sessions in the galleries, inspired by works on view. Dec. 5. Event details.
North Pole Pajama Party at the Museum of Discovery and Science
Start a family tradition and wear your pajamas or elf costumes for this festive event! Enjoy all Museum exhibits and a holiday science show, sip hot chocolate, concoct elf slime and decorate holiday ornaments. Your Pajama Party ticket also includes an invitation to journey to the North Pole in our IMAX theater. Dec. 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-22. Event details.
Nights of Lights at Pinecrest Gardens
Pinecrest Gardens transforms into a winter wonderland dotted by thousands of twinkling holiday lights that go up, through and around the whimsical botanical landscape. Dec. 13-Jan. 1. Event details.
Santa's Wonderland Comes to Bass Pro
Santa’s Wonderland returns to Bass Pro Shops and families are invited to enjoy this magical Christmas village offering free photos with Santa and free family holiday activities including fun crafts and games. Features include rustic Christmas cabins, holiday characters and live elves set amongst a dazzling backdrop of snow-covered hills and illuminated Christmas trees. The Santa’s Wonderland Christmas village offers remote control trucks, laser/foam toy arcade, Lincoln Logs building area and much more. Kids can also spend time at one of the activity tables where they can write a letter to Santa, color and do fun crafts, all for free. Event details.
Night Hike & Campfire at the Deering Estate
Explore the woods and it’s wildlife as it comes to life at night! After the guided hike, gather around a campfire and enjoy complementary s’mores. Ages 4+. Dec. 11. Event details.
Little Lizards Program at Pinecrest Gardens
This drop-in, informal program will feature new activities every Wednesday relating to a monthly theme. Lizards will read, explore, create and imagine while learning about the wonders of nature. No prior registration necessary. Weather permitting. Ages 3-10. Event details.
Visit The NightGarden
The NightGarden 2019 will feature more lights, new fun and interactive surprises, an expanded footprint that is 3X larger than last year, expanded parking, and an all-new, free AR augmented reality Fairy Quest challenge. Plus, The NightGarden is bringing back last year’s crowd favorites, including Archimedes, the Talking Tree, the flying fairies, the New Year's Eve fireworks spectacular, Miami’s finest food and beverage, and a new and more challenging lost fairy puzzle. Event details.
Free Third Friday at the Miami Children's Museum
Check out what's new at this awesome kids' museum for FREE on the third Friday of the month. Due to large crowds, it is suggested that strollers be left at home. Dec. 20. Event details.
All Aboard the Polar Express
Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a magical one-hour trip to meet Santa. Once on board, your hosts will work their way through the car and punch your golden ticket before hot chocolate and a delicious cookie are served by dancing chefs. Passengers then read along with the classic children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Event details.
Build a Christmas Countdown Calendar at Home Depot
Create your own countdown to the holidays, and have a blast with your child while doing it. Kids develop hands-on skills with sanding, nailing and applying stickers. With help from parents and store associates, your child will make a merry memory this holiday season. Dec. 7. Event details.
—Kate Loweth
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