Three Christmas light displays in and around Miami and Fort Lauderdale have 2026 dates: all walk-throughs. None are free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 10 p.m. at Zoo Lights Miami. All three are in Miami. Each card has stroller notes where the venue gives them, the 2026 price and a link to tickets.
Last checked · How we choose
Every card has hours, price and what it’s like with a little one.
Checked Oct 28 on the official page
Report a problem
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden · 10901 Old Cutler Road, Miami, FL 33156
Checked Oct 28 on the official page
Report a problem
Checked Oct 28 on the official page
Report a problemNothing is lit yet. NightGarden at Fairchild opens first, on Nov 12. Christmas Wonderland at Tropical Park runs into the new year.
In early December the sun sets around 5:30 p.m. in Miami (the dashed line). Here’s when each display opens, on a scale from 4 to 9 p.m.
10 p.m. start · plan about an hour
6:30–10pm
10 p.m. start · plan about an hour
Sun–Thu 6–10pm; Fri–Sat 6–11pm
No drive-thru with 2026 dates in town yet.
Picks: Zoo Lights Miami, NightGarden at Fairchild, Christmas Wonderland at Tropical Park
Mittens on a stringLittle hands get cold fast after dark.
Warm drink in a thermosA treat to look forward to at the halfway point.
Hat and a blanketFor the stroller, or the car once the heat is off.
PJs before you goSo a car-seat nap can turn straight into bedtime.From each venue’s own page. Check whether a price is per car or per person before you book.
| Display | Price | Little kids | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoo Lights Miami | Separate ticket; daytime admission doesn’t include it | See the venue | Walk-through |
| NightGarden at Fairchild | Ticketed; kids 3 and under free | kids 3 and under free | Walk-through |
| Christmas Wonderland at Tropical Park | Ticketed; weekday tickets cost less | See the venue | Walk-through |
See all 6 Santa outings in and around Miami: breakfasts, photo spots and evening visits, with 2026 prices.
Santa in Miami →
None of the light shows with 2026 dates that we found are free. The lowest prices are listed in “2026 prices at a glance”.
We didn’t find a drive-thru with 2026 dates yet. Walk-throughs (three here) are better for kids who want to run around.
The earliest evening starts: Zoo Lights Miami at 10 p.m. and NightGarden at Fairchild at 10 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime.
Little ones get in free at NightGarden at Fairchild (kids 3 and under free). With a baby, a drive-thru keeps everyone warm in the car.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. How we choose and check.
Keep planning: This week in Miami · Miami and Fort Lauderdale city guide · Visiting Miami
One short email every Thursday evening with what works for ages 0–6 in Miami that weekend, including the Santa and light-show dates worth knowing.
By month
Things to do with kids in Miami and Fort Lauderdale in November · Things to do with kids in Miami and Fort Lauderdale in December
More holiday outings
The Nutcracker with kids in Miami and Fort Lauderdale: 3 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances.