Florida Keys Holidays to Sizzle with Sparkle and Warmth
FLORIDA KEYS - Sunny, breezy subtropical holidays in the Florida Keys & Key West are filled with warmth and good cheer throughout the 125-mile-long island chain. From Key Largo to Key West, the 2022 holiday season features spirited events such as lighted boat parades, historic inn tours, only-in-the Keys frivolity, sparkling waterfront celebrations and other island festivities.
Select Keys holiday events are outlined below, while additional Florida Keys & Key West events can be found at fla-keys.com/calendar.
Nov. 19: Light Up Key Largo. Key Largo. Sponsored by the Key Largo Community Preservation Foundation, the 12th Light Up Key Largo includes festive music and caroling, an ice-skating rink, wreath contest, Santa's workshop, vendors, food and drinks; and an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus to launch the Keys' seasonal spirit. A tree lighting and related activities are to be at the Murray E. Nelson Government Center and Key Largo Cultural Center, mile marker 102, from 5 to 9 p.m. Parking is at Rowell's Waterfront Park with a shuttle provided. Visit klcpf.org or call 305-394-7530 or 904-463-0513.
Nov. 20, Dec. 4, Dec. 18, Jan. 1: Artisan Market. Key West. A "shop local" holiday tradition, the open-air bazaar is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Indigenous Park at Higgs Beach, 100 Atlantic Blvd. Each event is given a theme and all feature Keys artists, authors, chef-made cuisine, craftspeople, performers, live music and adult beverages. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/
Nov. 23: Lighting of the Harbor Walk of Lights. Key West. The Harbor Walk of Lights at the Key West Historic Seaport stretches along the harbor past Greene, William and Margaret streets to the Key West Ferry Terminal. Activities include lighting of a 20-foot-tall Fishing Buoy tree, a 16-foot Nautical Christmas tree and a Key West Lobster Trap tree. Music is to begin at 5 p.m. with the lights coming on at 6 p.m. Visit keywestchristmas.org.
Nov. 23 – Dec. 31: Key West Holiday Fest. Key West. A merry range of celebrations during the island city's busy holiday season includes lighting of the Harbor Walk of Lights, Holiday Historic Inn Tours and a lighted boat parade with festively decorated vessels and good cheer. Visit keywestholidayfest.com.
Nov. 25: Black Friday Shopping Extravaganza, Truman Waterfront Park. Key West. Join the Key West Artisan Market, the Truman Waterfront Farmers Market and Shop Mom and Pop Key West members from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Meet Keys artists, crafters and makers offering one-of-a-kind-gifts, unique handmade items, art and delicious culinary delights and beverages, in a waterfront setting with views unlike those at any indoor mainland mall. Visit facebook.com/events/
Nov. 26: Big Pine & Lower Keys Island Art Festival. Big Pine Key. This popular family-friendly outdoor fair with distinctive gifts kicks off the holiday spirit, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, mile marker 31 oceanside. Scores of artisans and vendors are to showcase original Keys crafted wares including jewelry, stained glass, fragrant soaps, wearable art and savory gourmet foodstuffs. Visit lowerkeyschamber.com or call 305-872-2411.
Dec. 2: Wesley House Family Services Holiday Village and BeLighted Bike Ride. Key West. The annual family-friendly Holiday Village is hosted 4-8 p.m. with community vendor booths, food trucks, a best bike contest at 7 p.m. and photos with Santa. The festive bike ride, featuring a parade of bicycles decorated with holiday lights, leaves from the Coffee Butler Amphitheater at Truman Waterfront Park at 8 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children and free for kids age 4 and younger. To enter the best bike contest, there's a $30 donation, which includes a stocked swag gift bag. Visit WesleyHouse.org/
Dec. 2: Florida Keys Holiday Festival. Islamorada. Kids can frolic on a 30-ton snow hill during the 18th annual fest set for 4-10 p.m. at Founders Park, mile marker 87 bayside. Attractions also include popular gingerbread, Mister Gingerbread Man and Miss Sugarplum Fairy contests. Families can celebrate the return of Santa's Sweet Shoppe, view the 6 p.m. lighting of a 35-foot-tall tree with snow blowing through its branches, bid on Keys-crafted ornaments by 50 local artists during a silent auction, shop for gifts and enjoy live stage performances. A parade themed "Celebrating the Holidays Through the Centuries, 1823-2023," is to kick off at 7:30 p.m. with Santa, antique cars and floats. The theme honors Monroe County's 200th anniversary in 2023. Visit islamoradachamber.com/
Dec. 3: Lighting of the Lighthouse. Marathon. The annual lighting of the iconic Middle Keys lighthouse, hosted by Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club, 1996 Overseas Highway, is slated for 4-9 p.m. Attendees can enjoy food, music, performances and an appearance by Santa. Visit faroblancoresort.com or call 305-434-9035.
Dec. 3: Key West City Hometown Holiday Parade. Key West. Local holiday spirit abounds in this eagerly awaited 7 p.m. parade that features marching bands, school groups, creatively styled floats and community participation. The parade kicks off at Bayview Park's White Street and Truman Avenue location. Seeing Santa is a highlight for kids. Call 305-809-3881.
Dec. 3, 4: Bethlehem in the Florida Keys! Marathon. A Christmas-themed dinner theater event takes place at Marathon Community Church, 3010 Overseas Highway. Doors open at 6 p.m. Saturday. Dec. 3, with the event at 7 p.m. Doors open at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, with the event at 3 p.m. Tickets are $50 for the dinner and $30 for the matinee. Visit keystix.com or call 305-481-7233.
Dec. 4: Eaton Street Christmas Stroll. Key West. Arts, theatrical and cultural venues and churches unite for this annual community Christmas stroll, slated to begin at 4 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 401 Duval St., with secular and religious music. The venues of Old Stone First United Methodist Church, Tropic Cinema, Studios of Key West, Williams Hall and SALT Gallery each host a holiday offering. Admission is free, but reserved tickets are recommended for guaranteed seating. Visit tropiccinema.com/event/2022-
Dec. 4: Pet Pictures with Santa. Key West. Pets and their humans can meet Santa for pics and treats for all at the 16-foot-tall Nautical Christmas tree on the Harbor Walk of Lights at William Street. Photos with Santa are priced at $20 each (cash only) and benefit Boys and Girls Club of the Florida Keys. The event is hosted by the All Animal Clinic with photos by photographer Mary Martin. Call 305-294-5255.
Dec. 7-11: Nutcracker Key West. Key West. Eighty Florida Keys children and adults appear with 18 professional dancers from the New York Dance Project in a stunning Keys-themed adaptation of the classic holiday ballet. The performance depicts the island's colorful history, vibrant coral reef environment, a breathtaking Sea Star Fairy and even free-roaming local roosters. Six performances are scheduled, with tickets priced from $25 to $45 per person, at Tennessee Williams Theatre, 5901 College Road. Visit nutcrackerkeywest.com.
Dec. 7-10: Zonta's Festival of Trees. Marathon. The Zonta Club of Marathon, a women's service organization, offers a free-admission display of decorated trees free at its 12th Annual Festival of Trees at Marathon Garden Club, 5270 Overseas Highway. Attractions also include Lunch with the Grinch Saturday, Dec. 10. The upscale ticketed Toast to the Season is scheduled that evening at the garden club with champagne, music, libations and tasty treats. A drawing for all trees and holiday baskets is set for 9 p.m. While admission to the Festival of Trees is free, raffle tickets can be purchased for a chance to win a favorite tree. Visit zontaclubofmarathon.com or call 305-289-1221.
Dec. 8-23: Old Town Trolley's Holiday Sights & Festive Nights Tours. Key West. The popular green and orange trolleys, festively adorned with holiday lights, showcase Key West's best-decorated neighborhoods, buildings and homes on fun-filled 60-minute excursions. Tours depart each evening from Mallory Square at 6:30, 7, 8 and 8:30 p.m. Visit trolleytours.com/key-
Dec. 8, 11-13, and 16-23: Conch Tour Train's Holiday Sights & Festive Nights Tours. Key West. Lively Conch Tour Train tours depart from Key West High School, 2100 Flagler Ave., at 6:30, 7, 8 and 8:30 p.m. Included are holiday lights glasses as keepsake items. The tour takes riders past the island's most elaborately decorated houses, buildings and neighborhoods, with holiday caroling. Visit conchtourtrain.com/key-
Dec. 8: I Love Stock Island's Taste of Stock Island Trolley Tour, Holiday Edition. Stock Island. Guests are encouraged to wear Hawaiian-style holiday attire to board the Old Town Trolley for an early-evening culinary tour of favorite Stock Island restaurants. Attractions include a small plate and beverage pairing at each stop as well as insights from the chef, owner, sommelier and/or brewmaster. Tickets are required; check-in is dockside along the parking area at the Perry Hotel, 7001 Shrimp Road. For participating restaurants and trolley schedule, visit ilovestockisland.org.
Dec. 9: Key West Art & Historical Society Holiday Bazaar. Key West. The Key West Art & Historical Society hosts its sixth annual concert and holiday shopping event on the sweeping porch and walkway of the historic Custom House Museum at 281 Front St. The 5-9 p.m. free-admission event features a holiday light show produced by Key West High School's Conch 5 Studios, unique gifts crafted by local artisans, musicians, choirs, food, libations and photos with Santa. Visit kwahs.org/upcoming-event/
Dec 9, 10 and 11: Lighted Boat Parades. Stock Island, Key West, Key Largo and Key Colony Beach. Lighted and festively decorated boats are to cruise waters surrounding the Florida Keys. For details about the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade of Stock Island (Dec. 9), visit keywestrotary.com. For the Key Largo Boat Parade on Blackwater Sound, themed "A Cartoon Christmas," visit keylargoboatparade.com. For the Schooner Wharf Bar/Absolut Vodka Lighted Boat Parade (Dec. 10) around the Key West Historic Seaport and harbor, visit schoonerwharf.com. For the Key Colony Beach Christmas Boat Parade (Dec. 11), visit kcbca.org/boatparade.htm.
Dec. 9 and 16: Holiday Historic Inn Tours. Key West. Old Town Key West is filled with unique historic inns, and two Friday evenings of 6-8 p.m. tours offer a chance to glimpse lavish decorations and experience holiday cheer, treats at bed-and-breakfast properties and two popular Key West attractions. Visit keywestholidayfest.com or keystix.com or call 305-296-4959.
Dec. 10: Parade of Paws and Holiday Bazaar. Key West. The ninth annual pet parade at Higgs Beach Dog Park at Atlantic Boulevard and White Street supports the Florida Keys SPCA animal care fund. Attractions at the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. event include photos with Santa, wares by local vendors, entertainment and the popular "Smooch a Pooch" booth. Visit fkspca.org/events-and-news/
Dec. 10: Pops in the Park Concert "Joy to the World." Islamorada. The family-friendly, free-admission holiday concert themed "Joy to the World" offers traditional and pops music by the Florida Keys Community Concert Band. The Burton Bell Ringers are to be special guests. Attendees can bring chairs and blankets to the 4-5 p.m. outdoor concert at Founders Park's amphitheater, mile marker 87 bayside. Visit keyscommunityconcertband.org or call 305-451-4530.
Dec. 11: Christmas on the Sheriff's Animal Farm. Stock Island. Children and adults love visiting the unique Monroe County Sheriff's Office Animal Farm, just northeast of Key West at 5501 College Road. The farm, open 1-3 p.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, is educational for visitors and a haven for feathered, furry and fluffy creatures that are nurtured and cared for by jail inmates. Holiday highlights include photos with Santa. Call 305-293-7300.
Dec. 15: Third Thursday Art Walk. Islamorada. Showcasing the area's fine arts, music and culinary nuances, the Morada Way Arts & Cultural District features national and local artisans whose work is showcased in galleries at Morada Way between mile markers 81 and 82, as well as beer tastings and live music, 6-9 p.m. Admission is free to this outdoor pre-holiday celebration. Art Walk is held the third Thursday of each month. Visit moradaway.org or call 305-664-2471.
Dec. 17: Annual 5K Rudolph Red Nose Run. Key West. This spirited early morning run kicks off at 7 a.m. at Southernmost Beach Café, 1405 Duval St. Visit keywestinns.com or call 305-295-6550.
Dec. 17: Winter Wonderland at Crane Point. Marathon. At Crane Point Hammock Museum & Nature Trails, 5550 Overseas Highway, families can enjoy an evening winter wonderland. Attractions are to include reindeer ponies and Santa Claus, holiday decorations, a chocolate fountain, other seasonal treats and alcoholic drinks for purchase - plus a forecast of snow! Visit cranepoint.net or call 305-743-9100.
Dec. 28 and 29: Home Tours "Holiday Style." Key West. The Old Island Restoration Foundation's Key West Home Tours are among America's oldest and longest-running, dating from 1960. This 63rd series features self-guided tours of several Key West homes and gardens, each festively dressed. Three additional tour weekends are scheduled in 2023, with dates set for Jan. 13-14, Feb. 17-18 and March 17-18. Visit oirf.org or call 305-294-9501.
Dec. 31: New Year's Eve "Drops" in Key West. Ring in 2023 with a "conch shell drop" at Sloppy Joe's Bar, 201 Duval St.; the 25th anniversary of the descent of a super-sized red high-heel shoe carrying drag queen Sushi at the Bourbon St. Pub/New Orleans House complex, 724 Duval St.; the lowering of a pirate wench at midnight from atop a tall ship's mast at the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St.; and a huge replica of a Key lime wedge splashing down into a larger-than-life margarita glass, paired with a performance by The Beatle Band, at Ocean Key Resort & Spa, 0 Duval St. Revelers can also witness the "flight" of a uniformed "stewardess" in a section of a replica aircraft and enjoy a ticketed Gatsby-style party at First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery, 301 Whitehead St., known as the birthplace of Pan American Airways. In addition, there's a "tuna drop" at the Smokin' Tuna Saloon, 4 Charles St. Visit sloppyjoes.com, bourbonstpub.com, schoonerwharf.com, facebook.com/
Florida Keys events calendar: fla-keys.com/calendar/
Florida Keys visitor information: fla-keys.com or 1-800-FLA-KEYS (1-800-352-5397)
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