Trade the parkas for flip-flops. In Key West, Christmas means warm breezes, twinkling palm trees, and a holiday season that feels like nowhere else on the map—sunny by day, glowing by night, and never short on island charm.
The Vibe
Warm, sunny, and laid-back—December averages a comfortable 77°F by day and 70°F at night, so it’s all the Christmas spirit without a single coat. Locals string lights on palm trees, boats get decked out in tinsel, and Duval Street trades its usual buzz for a holiday glow.
Signature Holiday Events
- Key West Hometown Holiday Parade—Duval Street bursts with holiday spirit in early December as community floats, marching bands, and costumed performers turn the island’s main drag into a parade route like no other.
- Harbor Walk of Lights—Three blocks of dazzling displays at the Historic Seaport feature Christmas trees, holiday music, and nightly appearances by Santa, glowing from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.
- Lighted Boat Parades—Festively decorated boats cruise the waters around the Florida Keys in mid-December. Grab a waterfront spot and watch the harbor light up.
- Holiday Lobster Trap Tree Lighting—A truly Key West tradition, this Christmas tree is built from 45 lobster traps and wrapped in twinkling lights, garland, and red ribbon to honor the island’s maritime heritage.
- Eaton Street Christmas Stroll, Nutcracker Key West & Old Town Trolley Light Tours—Round out the month with a classic holiday stroll, a beloved seasonal ballet, and a guided tour past some of the island’s best light displays.
Don’t Wait: Key West Home & Garden Tours
Run by the Old Island Restoration Foundation since 1960, the Home & Garden Tours open 20 different private residences over a season spanning four months, beginning in December. Each month showcases a new lineup of homes, and December’s tours highlight holiday decorations at their finest. Tours run from 1–4 p.m.
Tickets are $55 per person in advance, $45 for OIRF members, or $60 on tour days. Parking is limited, so biking or taking the free Duval Loop Bus is the easiest way to get around.
Book your Key West stay early—the best properties near the tour route tend to go first.
Make Yourself at Home
Skip the crowded hotel lobby and settle into a home of your own this holiday season. Seven Keys Vacations offers handpicked properties across Key West, many just steps from the parade route, the Harbor Walk, and the island’s best holiday lights.
Browse Key West vacation rentals and spend Christmas the way Key West does it best: barefoot, breezy, and glowing.
