Dreaming of a warm Christmas without the snow but with all the spirit? Florida does the holidays its own way: twinkling lights wrapped around palm trees, festive boat parades on the Intracoastal and carolers strolling through historic downtowns.
And yes, there really is a town called Christmas, Florida. It sits in Orange County between Orlando and Titusville, its streets are named after Santa's reindeer, and holiday cards mailed from its post office in December carry a Christmas, FL postmark.
Here are the best Christmas towns in Florida for 2026, from Hallmark-style main streets to beachside light shows.
- St. Augustine, Florida
- Boca Raton, Florida
- Miami, Florida
- Naples, Florida
- Orlando, Florida
- Mount Dora, Florida
- Pensacola, Florida
- Christmas, Florida
- Key West, Florida
(For more information about Florida, check out our guides for best beaches in Florida, weekend getaways in Florida, and best places to visit in Florida.)
Also check out our Christmas city guides:
The Most Asked Questions About Christmas Towns in Florida
Are There Any Christmas Towns in Florida?
Absolutely, and one of them is literally called Christmas. Christmas, Florida is a small community east of Orlando that takes its name from Fort Christmas, which soldiers began building on Christmas Day 1837. Beyond the town with the festive name, Florida has plenty of places that go all out for the holidays, from the historic streets of St. Augustine to the vibrant displays of Miami. Whether you want a beachside celebration or a cozy small-town Christmas, there is a Florida Christmas town for you.
Where Is the Best Place to Spend Christmas in Florida?
If you're looking for a truly magical Christmas, you can't beat St. Augustine. The entire city comes alive for the holidays with the famous Nights of Lights celebration, where millions of twinkling lights drape the old Spanish architecture. You can even take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the lit-up streets, which feels like stepping into a real-life holiday story.
Is Christmas a Good Time to Visit Florida?
Christmas is a fantastic time to visit Florida! The state's warm weather and festive spirit make it a unique holiday destination. With plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures across the state, Christmas in Florida is a tropical winter getaway.
What is The Weather Like in Florida at Christmas?
The weather in Florida at Christmas is typically mild and pleasant. North Florida, around St. Augustine and Pensacola, can feel cool in the evenings, while South Florida and the Keys stay warm enough for the beach. Without the summer humidity, winter is perfect for outdoor activities like watching a holiday parade, strolling through Christmas markets or spending a day by the water. So while you may not have a white Christmas, you'll certainly have a warm and festive one!
Will It Snow in December in Florida?
Coconut shavings may be the closest thing you'll get to natural snow in Florida, but that doesn't mean you'll miss out on the holiday magic! Instead of snow, Florida offers palm trees decked out in lights, festive boat parades and holiday traditions that make Christmas in the Sunshine State a one-of-a-kind experience. If you're dreaming of snow, look out for the holiday events that create winter wonderlands with artificial snow and ice skating rinks.
Hallmark Christmas Towns in Florida
You don't need a snowy New England village to feel like you've walked onto the set of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Florida has its own small towns with lit-up main streets, tree lightings and holiday strolls, just with palm trees in the background. These are the ones that come closest to the feel-good holiday movie setting:
- Mount Dora: the classic pick. A walkable lakeside downtown, antique shops and the Light Up Mount Dora celebration make it Florida's most Hallmark-like Christmas town.
- St. Augustine: cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and Spanish colonial buildings glowing during Nights of Lights. It's the setting a holiday romance would choose.
- Christmas: a town with a name straight out of a movie script, reindeer-named streets and a post office famous for its holiday postmark.
- Winter Garden: this town west of Orlando was named one of 25 finalists in Hallmark's 2026 Merriest Christmas Towns contest, thanks to its historic downtown and community holiday spirit.
- Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island: a Victorian-era downtown on Centre Street that leans into old-fashioned Christmas traditions, in Florida's far northeast corner near the Georgia border.
If you're planning a full Hallmark-style holiday, base yourself in Mount Dora or St. Augustine and take day trips from there.
9 Magical Christmas Towns in Florida
1. Christmas in St. Augustine, Florida
Must see: Nights of Lights (November 21, 2026 to January 18, 2027)
Where to stay: Casa Monica Resort & Spa | ★★★★☆
St. Augustine is the ultimate Christmas town in Florida, offering a holiday experience steeped in history and charm. During the holiday season, the city's Spanish colonial architecture is illuminated by millions of tiny white lights as part of Nights of Lights (often searched as "Night of Lights"), one of the most beautiful holiday light displays in the country. Wander through the historic district, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, and enjoy festive events like the Holiday Regatta of Lights and the annual Christmas Parade. With its rich history and enchanting atmosphere, St. Augustine is a must-visit for a magical Christmas in Florida.
St. Augustine Nights of Lights 2026 at a glance:
- Light-Up! Night: Saturday, November 21, 2026, with festivities from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Season: November 21, 2026 to January 18, 2027
- Hours: the lights switch on every evening at dusk and stay on late into the night
- Cost: walking the lit-up streets is free; trolley, carriage and boat tours of the lights are booked separately
Light-Up! Night is the busiest evening of the season, so if you prefer quieter streets, plan your visit for a weeknight in early December.
2. Christmas in Boca Raton, Florida
Must see: Holiday Boat Parade and Boca Raton Festival of Trees
Where to stay: Boca Raton Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort | ★★★★★
Boca Raton shines during the holiday season with beautifully decorated homes, dazzling lights and community celebrations. Among the city's many seasonal events, the Holiday Street Parade brings cheer to the main streets, while the boat parade lights up the Intracoastal Waterway. If you're a sports fan, you can even catch the Boca Raton Bowl, a college football game that takes place during the holiday season.
3. Christmas in Miami, Florida
Must see: Santa's Enchanted Forest
Where to stay: The Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables | ★★★★★
Christmas in Miami offers a vibrant, multicultural holiday experience where seasonal cheer is infused with Latin rhythms and flavors. While it may not be the most traditional Christmas town in Florida, Miami is home to Santa's Enchanted Forest, a huge holiday theme park packed with rides, shows and festive attractions. Miami also dazzles with decorated Art Deco buildings, the Bayfront Holiday Village and festive events like the Miami City Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker and Zoo Miami's Zoo Lights.
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4. Christmas in Naples, Florida
Must see: Christmas on Third Street South
Where to stay: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples | ★★★★★
Naples offers a luxurious Christmas with elegant decorations and festive events that make it one of the best Christmas towns in Florida. At the heart of the festivities is Third Street South, where twinkling lights, holiday music and beautifully decorated shops create a magical atmosphere. For decades, this event has delighted visitors and locals with a Christmas tree lighting and the annual boat parade. Other holiday treats include the Trees & Teas Festival at The Naples Players, featuring artist-designed trees and holiday teas to sample. Naples captures the magic of Florida at Christmas, with visits from Mr. & Mrs. Claus, snowfalls, live music and extended shopping hours.
5. Christmas in Orlando, Florida
Must see: Disney's Christmas at Magic Kingdom
Where to stay: Four Seasons Resort Orlando | ★★★★★
Orlando is a magical place to celebrate Christmas for both kids and adults, especially with the iconic holiday festivities at Walt Disney World. From Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party to the decorations throughout the parks, Disney creates a spectacular holiday experience with favorite characters, bright energy and plenty of visual magic. Beyond the theme parks, Orlando also offers festive events like the Leu Gardens' Holiday Lights and the Orlando Christmas Parade. Orlando is also the easiest base for a day trip to Christmas, Florida, and Winter Garden's historic downtown. Whether you're exploring the parks or local holiday attractions, Orlando is a must for spending Christmas in Florida.
6. Christmas in Mount Dora, Florida
Must see: Christmas Walk and Light Up Mount Dora
Where to stay: Lakeside Inn | ★★★★☆
Nestled in Central Florida, Mount Dora has a small-town spirit that will make you feel like you're in a Hallmark Christmas movie. The holiday season kicks off with the annual Light Up Mount Dora event, featuring millions of twinkling lights, fireworks, a towering Christmas tree and a visit from Santa. Stroll through the charming downtown, enjoy carolers and live entertainment, and take in the lakeside views. With its cozy atmosphere and festive spirit, Mount Dora is one of the best Christmas places in Florida.
7. Christmas in Pensacola, Florida
Must see: Winterfest and Christmas Parade
Where to stay: The Pensacola Beach Resort | ★★★★☆
Pensacola becomes a coastal winter wonderland during the holiday season, with a perfect blend of festive cheer and seaside charm. As one of the top Christmas towns in Florida, the month-long Winterfest celebration lights up downtown with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights. Hop on a holiday trolley tour to see the lights, meet Santa and catch the lively Pensacola Christmas Parade with festive floats and holiday characters. While there's no snow, the holiday spirit is strong, with events like the Polar Express tour, a Grinch-themed trolley ride and boat parades that make it feel like a stop at the North Pole, minus the chill. For those seeking the best places to go for Christmas in Florida, Pensacola is a destination you don't want to pass up.
8. Christmas in Christmas, Florida
Must see: The Christmas, FL post office and Fort Christmas Historical Park
Where to stay: Take a day trip from Orlando to visit this Christmas town in Florida
Christmas, Florida, is a real place, and the name says it all. This small unincorporated community in Orange County sits on State Road 50, roughly halfway between Orlando and Titusville, so it's an easy detour on the way to the Space Coast. The town is named after Fort Christmas, which soldiers began building on December 25, 1837, during the Second Seminole War. Today, Fort Christmas Historical Park has a full-size replica of the fort, a collection of historic pioneer homes and a Cracker Christmas festival during the holidays.
The biggest draw is the small post office. Every December, holiday cards and letters to Santa mailed here get a special Christmas, FL postmark, so bring your cards stamped and ready. Drive past the streets named after Santa's reindeer and look out for Swampy, the 200-foot alligator-shaped building at Jungle Adventures. Quirky, tiny and festive all year round, Christmas, Florida, is a charming detour and one of the best places for Christmas in Florida, even in the summer!
9. Christmas in Key West, Florida
Must see: Holiday Fest and Lighted Boat Parade
Where to stay: The Marquesa Hotel | ★★★★☆
For a tropical twist on Christmas, Key West is the perfect beach escape Christmas town in Florida. The island comes alive with the month-long Key West Holiday Fest, featuring the beloved Lighted Boat Parade where festively decorated boats cruise through the harbor. Stroll down Duval Street to soak in the holiday lights, or take the Walk of Lights from Lazy Way Lane to the Ferry Terminal. With its laid-back vibe and cheeky holiday traditions, Key West offers a one-of-a-kind Christmas that's as bright as the local sunshine.
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Want to explore more Christmas towns across the US?
- 12 Best Christmas towns in the US
- Christmas towns in Georgia
- Christmas towns in Colorado
- Christmas towns in California
- Best places to visit in December in the US
Frequently asked questions
When is Nights of Lights in St. Augustine in 2026?
Nights of Lights 2026 runs from Saturday, November 21, 2026, to January 18, 2027. The season opens with Light-Up! Night on November 21, with festivities from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and the lights then switch on every evening at dusk.
Is St. Augustine Nights of Lights free?
Yes, walking through the historic district to see the lights is free and no ticket is needed. Trolley tours, carriage rides and boat tours of the lights are paid extras, and they sell out on the busiest nights, so book ahead for weekends.
Is there a town called Christmas in Florida?
Yes. Christmas, Florida, is a small unincorporated community in Orange County, east of Orlando on the road to Titusville. It's named after Fort Christmas, built in 1837, and its post office is famous for the special Christmas, FL postmark it puts on holiday mail in December.
What is the most Hallmark-like Christmas town in Florida?
Mount Dora is the closest Florida gets to a Hallmark Christmas movie, with its lakeside downtown, antique shops and Light Up Mount Dora celebration. St. Augustine is a close second for its carriage rides and historic streets, and Winter Garden was named a finalist in Hallmark's 2026 Merriest Christmas Towns contest.
What is the best small Christmas town in Florida?
For a small-town Christmas, choose Mount Dora for festive main-street charm or Christmas, Florida, for a quirky day trip from Orlando. Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island is a good pick if you'd rather combine a Victorian downtown with the beach.
What can you do in Christmas, Florida?
Mail your holiday cards from the post office to get the Christmas, FL postmark, visit the replica fort and pioneer homes at Fort Christmas Historical Park, and spot Swampy, the giant alligator-shaped building. Most visitors spend a couple of hours there as a day trip from Orlando or on the way to the Space Coast.