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Holiday Lightings, Candy Cane Parade, and More Great Things to Do in Miami This Weekend with Kids

Usher in the season with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Candy Cane Parade. Photo courtesy of Hollywood Florida Government
Usher in the season with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Candy Cane Parade. Photo courtesy of Hollywood Florida Government
12/3/25 - By James Smith

Looking for the best things to do in Miami and South Florida this weekend? Here are some great family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

Welcome to the Christmas season, Mommy Poppins South Florida families. If our traditional list of weekend events seems extended this week, it is because there is so much going on in the Miami area we did not know where to start—or finish.

Fun holiday activities are so plentiful in the area this weekend that we chose not to limit ourselves. There are holiday lightings in Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, and Wilton Manors; parades in Pompano Beach and Hollywood; and Nutcracker performances in Miami and West Palm Beach.

In true South Florida fashion, holiday water taxi cruises begin in Fort Lauderdale; and the man of the hour—Santa—makes an appearance in Cooper City, Fort Lauderdale, and Hallandale Beach. Mrs. Claus is the guest of honor in Davie, while Ebenezer Scrooge takes center stage (literally), when A Christmas Carol, The Musical comes to Coral Gables.    

For even more weekend inspiration, check out our South Florida Activities Calendar, which is updated regularly with the best Miami and South Florida happenings for kids and families. As always, if you have an event we should check out, feel free to e-mail us. Don't forget to bookmark this page and share with a friend. 

More Things to Do in Miami this Week with Kids: 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Best Things To Do This Weekend in Miami with Kids

Wilton Manors Holiday Lighting Ceremony

Wilton Manors—FREE
Thursday, December 4
The City of Wilton Manors welcomes one and all to kick off the holidays at the annual lighting of the holiday menorah, kinara, and the Wilton Manors Christmas tree. READ MORE

Yuletide on Atlantic Parade

Pompano Beach—FREE
Thursday, December 4
The annual Yuletide on Atlantic holiday parade brings the festive spirit to life with floats, performances, and music that transform Atlantic Boulevard into a winter wonderland. Families and friends are invited to enjoy holiday cheer, treats, and a special visit from Santa. READ MORE

Holiday Mingle With A Cop

Miami—FREE
Thursday, December 4
Miami International Mall and the Doral Family Journal invite the public to Holiday Mingle with a Cop. Celebrate the holiday season with coffee and lite bites while connecting with our community. READ MORE

Island City Stage presents Ruthless! The Musical

Fort Lauderdale—FINAL WEEKEND
Thursday, December 4-Sunday, December 7
Buckle up for Ruthless! The Musical,  the hilariously twisted comedy where the spotlight can be deadly, launching Island City Stage’s 14th South Florida season on November 6. READ MORE

Water Taxi Holiday Light Cruises

Fort Lauderdale
Thursday, December 4-Sunday, December 7
Set sail on a festive journey with Fort Lauderdale’s Holiday Lights Cruise. Experience the magic of the season with live music and beautifully illuminated waterways. READ MORE

Luminosa: A Festival of Lights

Miami
Thursday, December 4-Sunday, December 7
Be transported to Luminosa, a lush jungle illuminated with breathtaking and larger-than-life lanterns. Traverse through hundreds of artistic lanterns highlighting the spirit of Miami, with an ambiance and vibe found nowhere else in the world. READ MORE

Seussical: Smart Stage Matinee Series

Fort Lauderdale
Friday, December 5
Seussical brings the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss to life on stage with a talented group of student performers. This colorful, energetic production weaves together beloved Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, and the Cat in the Hat, in a heartwarming tale of friendship, bravery, and imagination. READ MORE

Light Up Sistrunk

Fort Lauderdale—FREE
Friday, December 5
Get ready for dancing in the streets at the hottest holiday light-up event in town—Light Up Sistrunk. This one-of-a-kind celebration features the lighting of a giant holiday tree, live bands, outstanding entertainment, a free toy giveaway, health fair, food trucks, a kids zone complete with Santa, bounce houses, slides, and arts and crafts, plus a teen area with a DJ, activities, and more.  READ MORE

Coral Gables Holiday Tree Lighting

Coral Gables —FREE
Friday, December 5
Join members of the Coral Gables City Commission for the lighting of the holiday tree at Merrick Park in front of City Hall. This event is FREE and open to the public. READ MORE

Hallandale Beach's Holiday in the Park

Hallandale Beach
Friday, December 5
Each year, the City of Hallandale Beach kicks off the holiday season at Holiday in the Park on the first Friday of December. This family-friendly event features children's activities, holiday crafts, community performances, visits with Santa, holiday music, inflatables, amusements, food trucks, and more. READ MORE

Old Town Untapped Holiday Edition

Pompano Beach—FREE
Friday, December 5
Guests are invited to kick off the season with twinkling lights, festive cheer, and an array of holiday-themed vendors. The sounds of the Jeff Llyod Band will fill the air, bringing live holiday music to keep everyone’s spirits bright. READ MORE

Light Up Cooper City

Cooper City—FREE
Friday, December 5
Families can start the holiday season by lighting up the park with holiday cheer,  visiting with Santa, and enjoying a holiday bazaar and performances. READ MORE

Mrs. Claus' Davie Christmas

Davie
Saturday, December 6
Mrs. Claus is coming to the Old Davie School. Kick off the holiday season with a magical, family-friendly experience everyone will love. READ MORE

A Christmas Carol, The Musical

Coral Gables
Saturday, December 6
The Charles Dickens classic takes a musical turn in this festive holiday favorite. Tiny Tim and the entire Cratchit family join three unearthly spirits in trying to convince Ebenezer Scrooge to change his Bah Humbug ways. This musical adaptation written especially for family audiences will warm your heart as it reveals the true meaning of the holidays. READ MORE

Candy Cane Parade

Hollywood—FREE
Saturday, December 6
The Candy Cane Parade on Hollywood Beach is one of the longest-running holiday parades in the country. It was started in the mid-1950s by a group of Hollywood merchants as a way to draw patrons to their shops and businesses. Today, it features dozens of lighted floats and vehicles along the parade route entertaining the thousands of spectators who line Broadwalk. READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at Galleria Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale
Saturday, December 6
Galleria Fort Lauderdale welcomes families for Breakfast with Santa, its cherished holiday tradition at Seasons 52. This festive event invites guests to enjoy a morning filled with holiday cheer, interactive fun, and magical moments with Santa Claus.  READ MORE

Pinecrest Gardens Nights of Lights

Pinecrest
Friday, December 5-Sunday, December 7
Step into a magical world of twinkling lights, festive treats, Santa sightings, a holiday bazaar, live performances in the historic Banyan Bowl, and more. READ MORE

Ballet Palm Beach Presents The Nutcracker

West Palm Beach
Friday, December 5-Sunday, December 7
The cherished holiday favorite returns to the stage with Ballet Palm Beach’s breathtaking production of The Nutcracker. Join Marie on her whimsical journey as she is whisked away by the enchanting Nutcracker Prince into a dazzling winter wonderland. Marvel at the captivating dancing snowflakes, witness thrilling battles of toy soldiers, and delight in a host of festive surprises that will fill the air with magic. READ MORE

Oakland Park Holiday Village

Oakland Park —FREE
Saturday, December 6-Sunday, December 7
The annual Oakland Park Holiday Village transforms Jaco Pastorius Park into a festive winter wonderland. Event highlights include a holiday lighting ceremony, letters to Santa, visits with Santa and holiday characters, an artisans and crafters market, a Christmas tree decorating competition, and an ugly T-shirt and sweater contest. READ MORE

Miami Railfest

Miami
Saturday, December 6-Sunday, December 7
Miami Railfest features train rides and a model train show, as well as vendors, food, tours, and fun. READ MORE

Miami Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker

Miami
Saturday, December 6-Sunday, December 7
Enjoy a little girl’s dreamlike journey to the magical Land of the Sweets with the Sugarplum Fairy, dazzling costume characters, and Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score. The cast features professional ballet dancers and students from Miami Youth Ballet. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Miami International Mall
Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Old Davie School Museum & Event Venue
Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
Hollywood Beach Boardwalk
Kravis Center for the Performing Arts

About the Author

James Smith
James Stephen Smith is a seasoned journalist who transitioned from reporting at Newsday to a more relaxed life as a father and director of media relations at St. John's University. He manages the university’s messaging while also contributing to Mommy Poppins, a site he discovered after his third daughter was born in 2011. Fun fact: James nearly made it on Jeopardy but missed a Final Jeopardy question on art history—only to watch a colleague nail it and become a two-time champion.
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