10 Best Christmas Towns in Florida You Must Visit

Did you know that there are Christmas towns in Florida?

Looking for a festive getaway this winter that doesn’t include cold weather and snowstorms? Look no further than Christmas in Florida!

While Florida may not be your first instinct as far as Christmas trips go, the state actually has a handful of lovely Christmas towns among sandy shores, and we’re here to break down the best ones!

It is the perfect place for a warm holiday season!

So grab some hot chocolate, put on your favorite sweater and whip out the festive tunes; Christmas in Florida is starting now!

10 Festive Christmas Towns in Florida

Orlando

The epicenter of many popular Christmas activities, Orlando has no festive shortage, making it one of the best Christmas towns in Florida! Christmas starts on November 1st in the theme parks, so if you’re wanting to get the earliest start possible, this may be your ideal Christmas town in Florida.

Orlando has no shortage of festive activities, so whether you’re looking to check out Give Kids The World’s Night of a Million Lights, explore Gaylord Palm’s offerings or check out Universal Studio’s Grinchmas, your itinerary will be stacked. This is truly one of the best places to spend Christmas in Florida.

Disney World is an obvious pick for festive findings, with all 4 theme parks getting decked out in decor and treat offers. Make sure to check out our master post on the Best Time To Visit Florida including a breakdown by month, weather, events, and more!

Hollywood Studios usually hosts a holiday edition of their Frozen Sing-A-Long show and cast projections onto the Hollywood Tower Hotel, while Magic Kingdom has an after-hours, separately ticketed event called Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, with all you can eat Christmas treats and drinks, and special shows and parades.

However, if you’re not looking to whip out the cash for a theme park day, Disney Springs, the outdoor shopping center offers a Christmas Tree Trail scavenger hunt, a free game where you search for themed trees around the area to win a commemorative button.

Orlando is one of the best Christmas towns in Central Florida and it should top your list. Nobody does Christmas like Orlando.

Where to stay in Orlando:

The Delaney Hotel: Check rates on Hotels.com

Saint Augustine

Named as one of the top ten holiday light displays in the world, Saint Augustine is the home of Nights of Lights, a nightly festival of beautiful light displays. You can’t go wrong visiting Florida during Christmas and going to this town.

An art festival is also hosted within the event, where you can explore offerings from The St. Augustine Art Association.

This Christmas town in Florida even has its very own Christmas parade, with displays, floats, and even Santa Claus himself! A classic and cozy town to spend Christmas in. This is one of our favorite places to see Christmas Lights In Florida!

Where to stay in Saint Augustine:

Marker 8 Hotel and Marina: Check rates on Hotels.com

Miami

While Miami is quite far from being a town, it has its fair share of festivities, making it, in our book, one of the best honorary Christmas towns in Florida!

Considered to be the world’s largest holiday theme park, you can explore Santa’s Enchanted Forest, which runs from November to January. Located here is the biggest Christmas tree in south Florida, a light show, carnival rides and more. Or, for another family-fun-filled option, Zoo Miami hosts its own Christmas spectacle with 3D light displays and seasonal lights.

You won’t regret visiting Miami for your Christmas getaway in Florida, there is always something interesting going on! Make sure to check out all the best things to do in Miami!

Where to stay in Miami:

Aloft Miami Doral: Check rates on Hotels.com

Sanibel and Captiva

On Sanibel Island, locals are known to deck out their boats with elaborate Christmas decor, and in traditional Florida fashion, their palm trees as well! If you want a true Christmas town in Florida, Sanibel and Captiva have all of the offerings.

There are truly so many activities in Sanibel And Captiva all year round!

This is also a great place to find smaller Christmas villages in Florida because of the displays.

If you’re looking to explore a bit of national history on your trip, enjoy Edison and Ford Holiday Nights at their respective winter estates, using Edison bulbs! You can attend tours, or just admire the showcase on your own.

With the array of beaches from Fort Myers to Captiva, these closely located isles offer charming musical spectacles, Christmas cheer, and overall a quaint and classic vibe, sure to satisfy your need for some holly jolly.

They are truly some of the cutest Christmas towns in Florida!

Where to stay in Sanibel and Captiva:

Lani Kai Beachfront Resort: Check rates on Hotels.com

Tampa

This riverside Christmas town in Florida has some great offerings! In the middle of Tampa’s beautiful downtown area is Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park, the home of a popular outdoor ice rink overlooking the riverwalk.

Curtis Hixon tops our list of the top things to do in Tampa!

This space also hosts special events, a mini Christmas train and of course food and drink offerings, perfect for a chilly night.

However, if chills combined with thrills are more your style, you can check out Busch Gardens theme park and their Christmas Town event, where along with checking out roller coasters and animal exhibits you can explore the tree maze and meet Santa among festive decorations and lights!

Christmas Town has a lovely Christmas village in Florida to check out and the food and fun is one of our favorite things every year!

Tampa is one of the more unexpected Florida Christmas towns and you shouldn’t miss it.

Where to stay in Tampa:

The Barrymore Hotel: Check rates on Hotels.com

Key West

The home of the key lime pie, Key West is a cozy and quaint option for the holidays. From the annual parade to meet and greets with Santa Claus himself, festive cheer won’t be hard to find within this Christmas town in Florida.

Exploring Key West at night is a great way to experience the city, especially during the holidays!

The Old Town Trolley Holiday Lights Tour is a local staple, with a 60-minute tour of the island and treats and cider to match. Or, if a historical venture is more your vibe, explore the holiday architecture with the Historic Inns.

Key West is truly one of the best places for Christmas in South Florida. Make sure to check out our tips for Visiting Key West In December!

Where to stay in Key West:

The Garden House: Check rates on Hotels.com

Naples

Heading to the beach for your not-so-winter Christmas getaway in Florida? Naples, Florida has sun and sand for days, with a handful of must-do annual holiday traditions.

Victoria Park and Third Street offer free entertainment from local parades to live music, or check out the Naples Botanical Gardens for some luscious wandering. Illuminated with Christmas lights, the sculptures and plants have a holiday overlay, and you can round out your night by grabbing themed cocktails.

Naples may not instantly top your list of the best Christmas towns in Florida, but you would be wrong! There are so many things to do in Naples at any time of year.

Where to stay in Naples:

Bellasera Resort: Check rates on Hotels.com

Celebration

If a classic (as classic as you can get in the sunshine state) winter wonderland is more your style, check out Celebration Florida, and Celebration’s Winter Wonderland.

This Disney-built town has random “snowfalls,” horse-drawn carriage rides and other festivities to make you feel like you’ve been placed in a Hallmark film, like boutique shopping and the Christmas express train.

If you are looking for a quaint and classic Florida Christmas town, this is the place to be!

Where to stay in Celebration:

The Grand Orlando Resort: Check rates on Hotels.com

West Palm Beach

The sandy shore of West Palm Beach is the home of Sandi, the 700-ton Christmas tree made entirely of sand, so if that’s not enough to make you want to visit this Christmas town in Florida, not sure what is!

Snow falls from the 32-foot tall banyan tree covered in twinkling lights, and you can take classes to craft wreaths and ornaments. This town is a beautiful sight if you skip the Ugly Sweater Brunch of course.

There are so many things to do in West Palm Beach year round making it one of the best places to spend Christmas in Florida!

Where to stay in West Palm Beach:

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham: Check rates on Hotels.com

Amelia Island

Amelia Island and the town of Fernandina Beach is truly one of the best Christmas towns in Florida!

For one weekend each December, downtown Fernandina is turned into a classic Victorian village with decorations and Christmas lights.

There is also caroling and street vendors selling food and Christmas goodies. This is truly a Christmas village in Florida comes to life.

The best part? The beach is right down the street and you won’t be cold. No snow in sight! Downtown Fernandina Beach was already one of our favorite things to do in Amelia Island, but it is even prettier during Christmas!

Ritz Carlton Amelia Island: Check Rates on Booking.com

We hope you enjoyed learning about some of the cutest Christmas towns in Florida and that you have some new things to add to your bucket-list! There are so many options for spending Christmas in Florida, you really can’t go wrong with whatever you choose.