These Florida Coastal Destinations Are Perfect For A Warm-Weather Christmas Escape
There’s a special kind of rebellion in packing a swimsuit instead of a scarf for Christmas.
While everyone else is scraping ice off windshields and arguing over who burned the cookies, you’re watching pelicans glide over turquoise water and deciding whether your next stop is the tiki bar or the tide line.
In Florida, December doesn’t mean gray skies and frozen sidewalks – it means twinkling lights wrapped around palm trees, boat parades instead of sleighs, and sand so white it almost passes for snow (from a distance, anyway).
Whether you crave Key lime pie in the Keys, Gulf sunsets that stretch forever, or Atlantic breezes in laid-back beach towns, the Sunshine State turns the holidays into a warm-weather adventure.
These 12 coastal escapes prove you don’t need frost on the window to feel a little Christmas magic.
1. Islamorada, Florida Keys
Drive a little north from Key West and the mood softens into Islamorada’s village of islands, famous as the Sport-Fishing Capital of the World.
Winter here means clear water, breezy days, and boats heading out for sailfish while the rest of the country scrapes ice off windshields.
December also brings Islamorada Holiday Fest, with a towering tree, a parade, and even a snow mountain built just for fun.
Between cast-off piers, waterfront bars, and quiet stretches like Anne’s Beach, Christmas feels less like a break from winter and more like you’ve quietly slipped into another season entirely.
2. Miami Beach
If your idea of Christmas is neon reflections on the ocean, Miami Beach is the big-city version of a warm escape.
December highs sit in the upper 70s, perfect for strolling Ocean Drive’s Art Deco blocks in shorts by day and linen by night.
South Beach’s sands are still busy, but the humidity has eased, making long walks to South Pointe Pier feel easy.
Holiday events, concerts, and waterfront light displays spill through the month, and you can hop from Latin-inspired dinners to rooftop views without ever putting on a coat.
It’s the kind of place where you might spot a sand snowman by day and a festive DJ by night.
3. Key West, Florida Keys
In December, Key West feels like someone swapped pine trees for palms and kept all the twinkling lights.
Average highs hover in the mid-70s, warm enough for sunset sails and lazy afternoons at Smathers Beach while most of the country is in coats.
The island’s big seasonal show is the Harbor Walk of Lights, where fishing-buoy Christmas trees, glowing boats, and decorated docks line the Historic Seaport from late November through New Year’s Eve.
Evenings roll easily from strolling Duval Street to grabbing Key lime pie under string lights.
It’s Christmas, just with flip-flops and reef-blue water.
4. Hollywood Beach
Between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood Beach wraps its long, car-free Broadwalk in holiday energy.
December evenings bring one of Florida’s classic coastal traditions: the Candy Cane Parade rolling right along the oceanfront with floats, music, and families lining the path.
Daytime stays simple – bike rentals, ice-cream stops, and plenty of time stretched out on the sand with average temps in the mid- to upper-70s.
After dark, lights glow from beachfront hotels, and live music drifts out from open-air bars.
It feels distinctly South Florida: festive but relaxed, with the Atlantic only a few steps away, whatever you’re doing.
5. Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is for travelers who like their Christmas with canals, yachts, and plenty of patio seating.
Winter is one of the best times to be here: December averages hover around the low 70s, with warm, sunny days and very little rain.
Locals lean into the weather – water taxis glide past decorated condos, and outdoor restaurants stay busy well into the evening.
Spend the day on the broad city beach, then trade swimsuits for something light and wander Las Olas Boulevard’s shops and cafés.
It’s easy to forget that technically, this counts as winter at all.
6. Naples
On the Gulf side, Naples markets itself as a warm winter wonderland, and it lives up to the tagline.
December through early spring brings some of the best weather of the year, with daytime highs typically in the mid-70s to low-80s and low humidity.
White-sand beaches stretch along the Gulf, while palm-lined streets in Old Naples glow with wreaths, window displays, and outdoor dining under tiny lights.
Naples Bay hosts a Christmas boat parade, turning the water into a moving string of floating ornaments.
Families bounce between shelling at the pier, visiting the zoo, and catching sunset over the water – no scarves required.
7. Sanibel & Captiva Islands
Sanibel and Captiva’s Christmas story in recent years has been one of resilience.
After heavy hurricane damage, the islands have steadily reopened, with most beaches accessible again and hotel capacity climbing sharply in 2025 as rebuilt resorts come online.
December visitors now find quiet shell-strewn beaches like Bowman’s, which recently ranked among Florida’s top stretches of sand.
Holiday lights twine around palms, small inns host festive dinners, and sunsets over the Gulf feel even more special, knowing how much work went into bringing the islands back.
It’s a softer, slower kind of Christmas – more porch swings and bike paths than big events – perfect if you want warm weather and room to breathe.
8. St. Pete Beach
Just down the coast, St. Pete Beach leans fully into its laid-back label.
It’s a classic winter escape for snowbirds: mild weather, walkable neighborhoods, and a shoreline that recently ranked among Florida’s very best.
December days are made for wandering Pass-a-Grille at sunset, poking into beach bars, and watching the sky turn sherbet colors over the Gulf.
Holiday boat parades in nearby communities light up the Intracoastal, and downtown St. Petersburg’s museums and markets give you a reason to pull yourself away from the beach for an afternoon.
It’s casual, colorful, and easy to fall into a routine of sunrise walks and evening relaxation.
9. Destin, Emerald Coast
Farther northwest, Destin trades tropical humidity for crisp, bright winter days.
December is cooler here than in South Florida, but still mild enough for beach walks and patio dining, with the bonus of smaller crowds.
The emerald water and sugar-sand shoreline stay beautiful year-round, and the holiday spirit really gathers around the harbor.
The Destin Harbor Lighted Boat Parade sends glowing boats across the water, followed by fireworks over the marina.
Local shops lean into coastal Christmas decor – think fishing-net garlands and pelican ornaments – and seafood restaurants stay cozy with chowders and Gulf-fresh catches.
10. Anna Maria Island
Seven miles of low-rise, low-stress coastline west of Bradenton, Anna Maria Island feels like a small beach town that stubbornly refused to grow up.
Winter here is mild, with December highs usually in the low to mid-70s and gentle Gulf breezes.
Holiday lights run along Pine Avenue’s boutiques, and the island historical society hosts a Holiday Walk of Treasures, turning the museum and nearby shops into a festive stroll.
Days stretch out with paddleboarding in calm water, biking between Coquina Beach and Bean Point, and lingering over seafood at dockside restaurants while the sky goes orange.
It’s Christmas at half speed – in the best way.
11. Siesta Key (Sarasota Area)
Siesta Key is where people go when they want a white Christmas made of quartz sand instead of snow.
Siesta Beach’s powder-soft, 99% quartz sand has earned it spots on world-best beach lists and keeps cool even under strong sun.
December brings cooler, pleasant air and a full lineup of holiday events, from the long-running Sandy Claws Beach Run to Christmas-themed celebrations in the nearby village.
Between sand-sculpting festivals, beach walks, and café-hopping in Sarasota, you get that rare mix of festive energy and calm shoreline – plus a good chance you’ll be in shorts on Christmas morning.
12. Amelia Island
On Florida’s northeast coast, Amelia Island offers a slightly cozier version of a warm-weather Christmas.
Winter days are usually dry and comfortable, with December highs around the mid-60s Fahrenheit – jacket weather up north, light-sweater weather here.
Instead of palm-lined skyscrapers, you get Victorian architecture in Fernandina Beach, quiet dunes, and long, windswept walks along the Atlantic.
Holiday decorations glow in the historic district, and inns offer seasonal packages that feel more storybook than resort.
You might not spend all day in the water, but sunrise beach walks, golf, and marsh-side kayaking fill the hours between festive dinners and small-town parades.