Who doesn’t dream of a Florida Keys Christmas? It’s the perfect time of year to visit, with balmy tropical temperatures that will make you say, “F*** it!” when it’s time to return home to the snowy north. Here, we put our holiday lights on palm trees and Santa rides into town on dolphins. Who doesn’t love a rousing rendition of Rudolph the Red Rhostrumed Dolphin over a cup of hot buttered rum and then staggering barefoot to the beach for the traditional Christmas Eve swim? Christmas in Key West is festive and fun, and Jimmy trumps Bing.
Is Key West nice for Christmas? If you’re looking to hit the slopes or go ice skating on the lake, it’s not for you. But if you’re more interested in hitting the sandbars, grilling some fresh caught lobster tails on the patio, or boating out to the reef for some snorkeling, then Key West might be your ideal Christmas vacation getaway.
The Weather in Key West at Christmas
You may be wondering what Christmas in Key West weather looks like. We know there’s probably not going to any snow. It’s a few degrees cooler than Key West in November, but not by much.
Truth is, December is one of the best times to visit the Florida Keys. What’s the temperature in Key West on Christmas? The average temperatures range from 76 in the day to a nighttime low of 68 — it just doesn’t get much more perfect than that. You can definitely leave your heavy winter coat and boots at home. Plus, the southerly latitude means more hours in the day. Key West gets 10.5 hours of daylight on the winter solstice, compared to only 9.2 hours one would get in New York.
If you want to go swimming, snorkeling, or diving, you’ll be pleased to learn that the average water temperature is still in the mid-70s. It’s fine for quick dips. If you’re going in for long, you might want to bring a shorty wetsuit.
Christmas is one of the peak times of tourist season in Key West, with many snowbirds coming down to escape the Polar Vortex (or whatever other horrors the Weather Channel dreams up). Key West weather is welcoming year-round, but mid-December through April are busy with folks just trying to keep warm. Be sure to book your tickets and make your hotel reservations early!
Christmas in Key West 2026 Events
You don’t have to worry about being bored if you’re spending the holidays on the island — there are plenty of Christmas events in Key West to keep everyone happy.
Key West Lighted Boat Parade
The first event to look out for is a Florida tradition: the Christmas Boat Parade. The date changes each year, so be sure to look it up online. For 2026, it will be on Saturday, December 12th from 7:00 to 9:30 pm.
If you’d like to be in the parade for a Santa’s-eye view of the action, some of the big charter catamarans and the Schooner Appledore have special parade cruises to join in the fun. Watch the highlights from the 2023 parade on YouTube.
There’s also a smaller boat parade on the night of December 8. This one is at the Perry Hotel on Stock Island, presented by the Key West Rotary. The Stock Island Boat Parade is a little less crowded and less commercialized than the event in Key West, but they’re both super fun and neat to see. The Casual Monday actually won best float in 2025.
In addition to the parade of boats, there are numerous tree-lighting ceremonies around town. The lobster trap Christmas Tree is an island tradition you won’t find anywhere else. Tree lightings typically happen around the island on the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Holiday Concert and Bazaar
December 11th, 2026
The Key West Holiday Concert & Bazaar at the Historic Custom House is one of those events that reminds you why the holidays feel a little different on this island. Instead of shopping malls and crowded parking lots, you’ll find local artists lining the porch and streets with handcrafted gifts, holiday decorations, paintings, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind finds you won’t see anywhere else.
Live music from talented local musicians and choirs fills the air while food vendors, festive drinks, and a spectacular holiday light projection across the front of the Custom House create an atmosphere that’s equal parts tropical and traditional.
It’s free to attend, family-friendly, and a great way to support local artists while soaking up the laid-back holiday spirit that makes Key West such a memorable place to celebrate the season.
Lighting of the Harbor Walk of Lights
November 26th 2026 thru December 31st 2026
Once the lights are on, a festive atmosphere fills the island all month. You’ll want to take a stroll along the seaport and harbor to view all the lights — what the city calls the ‘Harbor Walk of Lights.’ Basically, just walk around Mallory Square and north toward the Key West Bight Marina and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season. The lights and decorations go past Greene, William, and Margaret Streets and you get to see several unique Key West holiday trees, including the lobster trap tree.
Key West Hometown Holiday Parade
December 6th, 2025 @ 7pm
The Key West Hometown Holiday Parade is one of the island’s most beloved seasonal traditions, rolling joyfully down Truman Avenue and Duval Street each December. This family-friendly event features brightly decorated floats, marching bands, community groups, and plenty of classic holiday cheer. Kids and adults alike line the streets of Old Town to wave, cheer, and collect candy as the procession passes by. And of course, the grand finale is the arrival of Santa Claus, greeting the crowd and kicking off the Key West holiday season in true island style.
Christmas Eve In Key West
December 24th, 2026
Christmas Eve in Key West is no less lively than any other day during the holiday season. Things are open, and you’ll see plenty of holiday cheer all around the islands. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding a place to eat, but you’ll probably want to make reservations early.
When Key West Christmas events are over, it’s time to bring in the New Year. Up north, they drop big apples or big bears or whatever — but in Key West, we drop a big conch! The big event happens on the corner of Duval and Greene, right over the famous Sloppy Joe’s Saloon.
While the conch drop is the most famous, there are actually several different New Year’s celebrations around the island. Over on the harbor, Schooner Wharf drops a pirate wench.
Finding Christmas Dinner in Key West Florida
During Christmas in Key West, many businesses know that you’re coming from out of town and can’t cook your own festive dinners. So, quite a few restaurants around the island offer Christmas dinners and are open right through the holidays. Restaurants that are located at resorts typically have a higher likelihood of staying open, but there are plenty of spots to pick from around the island. If you do find a spot, reservations are certainly recommended! Here are three that come to mind.
- A&B Lobster House
- Cafe Marquesa
- Matts Stock Island @ The Perry Hotel
A good source for finding what’s available is the site Open Table, which is a reservation service used by many of Key West’s eateries. Right from their list, you can see who has reservations available and who does not.
Christmas in Key West Activities
Of course, not everything has to be Christmas-related. While we’re festive in December, it’s still the Keys and there’s still plenty of tropical island stuff to do. The island’s best beaches are still beautiful, the water’s inviting, and the weather will make you want never to leave.
So trade in your winter boots for flip-flops and spend Christmas in Key West this year. While you’re in town, hit me up, and we’ll take the boat out. Sandbar hopping, snorkeling, dolphin or birdwatching in the backcountry, you name it.
