Miami in December means warm, mostly dry weather, with average highs near 78°F, and one of the biggest art weeks in the world. Art Basel Miami Beach runs December 4 to 6, 2026 (VIP days December 2 and 3), surrounded by a week of satellite fairs, then the month shifts to holiday performances, lights and New Year’s Eve celebrations on Biscayne Bay and the beach.
December is also one of the busiest and most expensive months to visit Greater Miami, so timing matters. This guide covers the weather, the key dates for Miami Art Week and the holidays, and how locals plan around the crowds.
Miami in December 2026: key dates
| Dates | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| December 1 | Untitled Art VIP and press preview | On the beach, Miami Beach |
| December 2 to 6 | Untitled Art, Miami Beach | On the beach, Miami Beach |
| December 2 and 3 | Art Basel Miami Beach VIP days | Miami Beach |
| December 4 to 6 | Art Basel Miami Beach public days | Miami Beach |
| December 11 to 27 | Miami City Ballet’s George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker | Adrienne Arsht Center, Downtown Miami |
| December 12 | Wynwood Art Walk (second Saturday) | Wynwood |
| December 31 | New Year’s Eve celebrations | Bayfront Park, Miami Beach and citywide |
What is the weather like in Miami in December?
December weather in Miami is warm and dry, with average highs around 78°F, lows around 64°F and about 2.4 inches of rain for the whole month, based on NOAA’s 1991 to 2020 normals for Miami International Airport. Most days are sunny with low humidity, which makes it one of the most comfortable months for walking around the city.
A few cold fronts usually pass through in December, dropping nighttime temperatures into the 50s for a day or two and bringing breezy, cooler beach days. The ocean is cooler than in summer but still swimmable for most visitors on warm afternoons. Pack shorts and sandals, plus a light sweater or jacket for evenings, especially if you will be outdoors at night for art events or New Year’s Eve. For a month-by-month comparison, see the best time to visit Miami.
When is Art Basel Miami Beach 2026?
Art Basel Miami Beach 2026 is open to the public Friday, December 4 through Sunday, December 6, with VIP preview days on Wednesday, December 2 (from 4pm) and Thursday, December 3. It is the flagship fair of Miami Art Week, bringing hundreds of the world’s leading galleries to Miami Beach. Tickets, hours and the exhibitor list are on the official Art Basel Miami Beach site.
The Art Basel Miami Beach event listing on The FL Guide tracks the dates. A few planning tips:
- Book early: hotels across Miami Beach and downtown fill months ahead, and rates during Art Week are among the highest of the year.
- Go on a weekday afternoon or Sunday: Saturday is usually the most crowded public day.
- Skip the car: traffic on the causeways and Collins Avenue is heavy all week. Walk, bike or use rideshare, and allow extra time between venues.
- Use guided tours: the fair offers guided tours during show hours if you want help navigating hundreds of booths.
What is Miami Art Week?
Miami Art Week is the larger week of art fairs, museum openings, parties and public art that surrounds Art Basel, running roughly the first week of December across Miami Beach, Wynwood, the Design District and downtown. Many events are free or low-cost, so you can enjoy it without a fair ticket.
Untitled Art, Miami Beach
Untitled Art, Miami Beach returns to the sand for its 15th edition, December 2 to 6, 2026, with a VIP and press preview on December 1. It focuses on contemporary art in a large tent on the beach, and many visitors pair it with a walk along the shore.
Other satellite fairs
Fairs such as Design Miami, NADA Miami, SCOPE and Art Miami + CONTEXT have traditionally run the same week, spread between Miami Beach, the Design District, Wynwood and the mainland waterfront. Each publishes its own dates and venues, so check their sites before building your schedule.
Museums during Art Week
Miami’s museums open major exhibitions for Art Week, and they are worth a visit before or after the fairs.
- The Bass, at 2100 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5pm, with $15 general admission. It is closed Christmas Day.
- Pérez Art Museum Miami, at 1103 Biscayne Boulevard downtown, is open Thursday through Monday, with $18 adult admission and free entry on Thursdays after 5pm. Tickets can sell out during Art Week, so buy online.
- Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, in the Design District, is free, with advance tickets recommended for guaranteed entry.
Wynwood during Art Week
Wynwood becomes one of the busiest parts of Miami Art Week, with pop-up shows, brand activations and new murals going up on the neighborhood’s walls. The regular Wynwood Art Walk falls on Saturday, December 12, 2026, the week after Art Basel, which is a calmer time to see the new work. Our guide to things to do in Wynwood covers the Wynwood Walls, galleries and where to eat.
What holiday events are in Miami in December?
After Art Week, December in Miami turns to holiday performances, lights and family events, mixed with the warm-weather traditions of a South Florida winter.
The Nutcracker at the Arsht Center
Miami City Ballet performs George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker from December 11 to 27, 2026 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, at 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, with the Miami City Ballet Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s score live. It is a long-standing local holiday tradition, and weekend performances near Christmas sell out, so book early.
Holiday lights and seasonal events
Neighborhoods, parks and shopping districts across Miami-Dade put up lights and host seasonal markets through December. Lincoln Road in South Beach and downtown’s Bayfront Park are good places to start for an evening stroll. Many events change year to year, so check the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau events calendar for current listings.
Christmas week
Christmas week is one of the busiest of the year on Miami Beach, as families arrive for school holidays. Book restaurant tables in advance for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and remember that some attractions close: The Bass is closed December 25, and the Miami Design Preservation League’s Art Deco walking tours do not run December 24 or 25. Beaches and parks stay open, and a Christmas morning swim is a local tradition for many families.
Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Miami
The biggest public New Year’s Eve celebration in Miami is traditionally at Bayfront Park downtown, where crowds gather for live music and fireworks over Biscayne Bay and the Big Orange rises up the side of a downtown hotel at midnight. On Miami Beach, many people watch fireworks from the sand in South Beach, and oceanfront hotels and restaurants host ticketed parties.
- Arrive early: downtown and Miami Beach traffic builds from the afternoon, and road closures are common near Bayfront Park and Ocean Drive.
- Use rideshare or transit: parking is scarce and expensive, and surge pricing peaks right after midnight. Consider walking from your hotel.
- Book dinner well ahead: many restaurants offer set menus on December 31 and fill up weeks in advance.
- New Year’s Day: some museums close January 1, so plan a beach day or a slow brunch instead.
In early January, Coconut Grove’s satirical King Mango Strut parade is a fun, very local way to wrap up the holiday season.
Is December a good time to visit Miami?
December is a great time to visit Miami for weather and events, and a harder time for budgets. The first week (Art Week) and the last two weeks (holidays) are the most crowded and expensive. The quieter window from about December 7 to 18 often offers the best mix of good weather, lower rates and easier restaurant reservations.
If you are coming for the beach, South Beach puts you closest to Art Basel and the oceanfront New Year’s scene; downtown puts you near the Arsht Center, PAMM and Bayfront Park. Our guide to where to stay in Miami compares the neighborhoods, and the South Beach area guide lists local places near the fairs.
What to pack for Miami in December
- Light clothing, swimsuits and sandals for warm days.
- A light sweater or jacket for cool evenings and air-conditioned galleries.
- Comfortable walking shoes for fair halls and mural walks.
- Sunscreen and a hat; the December sun is still strong.
- A small umbrella for the occasional passing shower; if one sets in, see our ideas for things to do in Miami when it rains.
FAQ
Is Miami warm in December?
Yes. Average highs are around 78°F and lows around 64°F, with mostly sunny, dry days. A passing cold front can bring a cooler day or two with nighttime temperatures in the 50s.
What are the dates for Art Basel Miami Beach 2026?
Art Basel Miami Beach 2026 has VIP preview days on December 2 and 3 and public days from Friday, December 4 through Sunday, December 6. Satellite fairs such as Untitled Art (December 2 to 6) run the same week.
Can you swim in Miami in December?
Most visitors can. The ocean is cooler than in summer, and windy days after a cold front can feel chilly, but warm, sunny afternoons are common. Many hotels also have heated pools.
Is Miami expensive in December?
December is one of the most expensive months, especially during Art Week in the first week and from Christmas through New Year’s. The middle of the month is usually more affordable and less crowded.
Where can I see fireworks on New Year’s Eve in Miami?
Bayfront Park in downtown Miami traditionally hosts the largest free public celebration, with fireworks over Biscayne Bay. South Beach is the other popular spot, with views from the sand and parties at oceanfront hotels.