10 Things to Do in Key West in December
With the arrival of December, the range of activities on offer in Key West increases. Celebrations such as Christmas and New Year's Eve turn the city into a very special place.
Sunset at Cayo hueso | ©Matthew Dillon
Key West is a small island in the state of Florida. It is a destination with a wide range of tourist attractions: historical and cultural sites, natural spaces, recreational and leisure activities. In December, this island city is transformed into a very special place.
You can enjoy many unique activities. The Christmas tree lighting, the annual Key Lime Pie Festival, taking advantage of the monthly shopping sales, swimming in the warm waters of the local beaches, and more are just some of the best things to do in Key West.
1. Enjoy the Christmas tree lighting
If your 3-day visit to Key West or longer coincides with the first week of December, then you can enjoy the town's Christmas tree lighting. It's a lively annual event that brings together locals and tourists alike.
To attend, head to the iconic Mallory Square. There, you'll see an impressive Christmas tree lit up with hundreds of colourful lights and original decorations. The backdrop is the marina, lined with palm trees, restaurants and bars. In the distance, the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean.
You'll find a truly celebratory atmosphere with live music, food and drink stalls. Plus, if you're in Key West with children, they can meet Father Christmas. After having an unforgettable time and taking lots of pictures, you can continue to discover the city. Perhaps take a bike tour of Key West.
Useful information
- Price: this activity is free of charge.
- Time: the tree lighting starts at approximately 18:00 hours.
2. Be amazed by the annual parade of illuminated boats
Another of the things to see and do in Key West in December is the illuminated boat parade, which takes place on the Saturday before Christmas Eve. You'll see a number of boats with Christmas decorations on the city's waters : Coast Guard boats, sailboats, rowboats, etc.
This parade usually starts from the Schooner Wharf pier to the Key West harbour and returns to the starting point. You can watch the parade directly from each of the harbours, as well as from Mallory Square or the Whitehead Street Bridge.
Whichever location you choose, you'll enjoy a breathtaking scene of Key West at night, the Atlantic Ocean and the colourful boats sailing in it. A must-see experience that you can incorporate into your itinerary along with a visit to the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum, a tour of the Old Town, and more.
Useful information
- Price: the show is free.
- Timetable: the boat parade starts at 18:00 hours. However, you should arrive at least a couple of hours before, as this is a very crowded event and you might not be able to get a good spot to watch it.
3. Make the most of the warm December temperatures on the beaches of Key West
Visiting the beaches of Key West is usually a good plan during December. During this month the weather is very pleasant, the sea water has an average temperature of 23ºC and the chances of rain are very low. Take advantage of these good weather conditions and spend a different kind of day outdoors.
In Key West you will find several options when it comes to beaches, some of them being the following:
- Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach, a beach without waves, with a pier, some monuments and bird watching.
- Smathers Beach; this is a public beach with white sand, crystal clear waters and beautiful palm trees, considered to be one of the largest on the island.
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Beach, a beautiful beach suitable for water sports such as snorkelling, paddle surfing, paddle boarding, paddle boarding, etc.
In addition to lying on the sand, swimming and water sports, you have the option of taking a sunset boat ride around Key West. For this you can head to Sunset Beach, as there is a wide range of such scenic tours on offer.
4. Check out the seasonal produce at the Truman Waterfront Market
While the Truman Waterfront Market is open all year round, during December you'll find a range of seasonal produce. Make the most of your time in the island city of Key West during the last month of the year and check out this picturesque spot.
Once at the market, you can wander through the dozens of open-air stalls at your own pace , finding the fragrant grapefruit, limes, lemons and oranges, which begin to be harvested from November through April. You'll also find local fish such as grouper, tuna, snapper and mackerel (which are only caught in December), as well as vegetables such as tomatoes, aubergines and peppers.
The market also has a craft section, with original Christmas decorations and a range of souvenirs to take home as a souvenir of your trip. At the end of this little tour, you could take advantage of the proximity of the Truman Little White House in Key West to visit it. It's only a 9-minute walk.
Useful information
- Price: admission to the market is free.
- Hours: The Truman Waterfront Market is open every Thursday of the year from 2:00 am to 7:00 pm.
5. Taste traditional December food
Whether you're in Key West for 2 days or more, during the month of December you can't miss out on the city's great food. You'll delight your palate with the traditional flavours of this island city and delve into its culinary culture.
For this gastronomic adventure, you'll find dozens of restaurants in the city: Latitudes, Pep's Café, Blue Heaven, among others. You can go on your own or join a gastronomic tour of Key West.
Either way, you'll be able to sample the most popular seasonal dishes in Key West. Such is the case of stuffed turkey and glazed ham. Also, sweet preparations such as gingerbread biscuits, fruitcake and eggnog.
6. Tour Key West in December aboard the famous Conch Train
December is a great time to enjoy the Conch Train tour of Key West. You'll be able to take an entertaining and educational ride around the island, observing the lights and decorations on the facades of the main buildings. You'll get a different perspective of the city than at any other time of the year.
You'll board the sightseeing train after sunset and, from the comfort of a carriage, you'll embark on a lively scenic ride. You'll enjoy some on-board narration that will help you learn about the history of the places you pass. Also, due to the Christmas season, you will hear some Christmas carols while you admire the lights.
Some of the places you will pass by on the Conch Train in Key West include the streets of the old town, Hemingway's house, Harry Truman's Little White House, among others.
Useful information
- Price: the Key West Conch Train tour costs approximately €42 per person.
- Duration: Generally, this tour on the Conch Train lasts 90 minutes.
7. Do some shopping and enjoy the low December prices in Key West
December in Key West is a high season month, so many shops offer significant discounts on their products. Visit the main shops and boutiques of this island city and take advantage of the low prices to do some shopping.
On the island you will find several shopping areas with dozens of shops with souvenirs, souvenirs, fashion, handicrafts and much more. For example, take a stroll along Duval Street, which is lined with boutiques; the historic Key West Harbor, with marine shops and galleries; Mallory Square, which hosts a number of arts and crafts sales.
You'll have a fun day exploring the town and enjoying the bargains. Definitely one of the best Key West tours you can undertake on your own. Afterwards, if the timing of your itinerary allows, you could take a pub crawl around Key West to discover the nightlife of this vibrant island.
8. Join the lively Christmas parade
The Christmas par ade is another must-do on your December itinerary in Key West. It's an annual event, usually held during the first week of the month, and it brings out the ingenuity of the locals.
Make your way to Bayview Park, which is the parade's starting point. You can also head to Duval Street and Truman Street. Both are part of the route and offer a good view of the floats, parades and more.
You'll be enveloped in a celebratory atmosphere. You will see iconic characters such as Father Christmas in his sleigh, a giant snowman, the famous Grinch and others passing in front of you. You won't be able to avoid dancing to the rhythm of the troupes.
Useful information
- Price: participation in the parade is free of charge.
- Time: The Key West Christmas parade usually starts at 7pm. However, you should arrive early so that you can get a good spot.
9. Celebrate the night before Christmas at the historic Sloppy Joe's bar
An original way to celebrate the night before Christmas in Key West is to visit Sloppy Joe's Bar. This is a historic and busy place where you'll enjoy a truly celebratory atmosphere until dawn. In addition, you will taste a delicious dinner.
When you arrive at Sloppy Joe's you will be amazed by the extravagant decorations on the walls. You can sip a glass of wine or beer while listening to live music. Afterwards, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a dinner of traditional local dishes: ham, turkey, fruitcake. You'll feel like a local.
To continue the evening, you can go to the ballroom to enjoy the lively music of the DJs or sit in the bar area and try the different drinks on offer. And, if you're interested in the history of Ernest Hemingway, don't hesitate to ask one of the waiters, they'll tell you a bit about this iconic character, who used to frequent the bar.
10. Welcome the New Year in Key West and experience an unforgettable night
In the island town of Key West you'll find plenty of options to welcome in the New Year: street parties, fireworks displays, special events at local bars and restaurants, and more. Join these celebrations and experience an unforgettable night.
You can head to Duval Street, which is the main street of the city. Here you'll find a wide range of bars and nightlife venues which, during this celebration, are usually open until dawn. Also, if you head to Mallory Square you'll find an open-air atmosphere of celebration: live music, DJs and more.
Another good alternative is the Key West Marina, lined with bars, restaurants and nightclubs. There, whether you're in the dock area or on a terrace, you'll be able to enjoy the fireworks display, which lights up the whole scene.
Temperatures in Key West in December
Key West in December is a warm but cool place. Temperatures usually range between 19ºC and 24ºC, rainfall averages around 77 millimetres (at least a couple of rainy days) and seawater temperatures average 23ºC.
In December you'll enjoy ideal weather conditions for all kinds of outdoor activities without fear of heat stroke. Perhaps join a dolphin-watching and snorkelling tour in Key West, swim in the waters of Smathers-Beach, among many other things.
<div class="post-button" markdown="1""><span data-type="non-translate-span" translate="no"></span><a href="link|text=Book a dolphin watching tour|element=pa-3777">Book a dolphin watching tour</a><span data-type="non-translate-span" translate="no"></span></div><span data-type="non-translate-span" translate="no"></span><h2 data-number="">The influx of tourists to Key Bone in December</h2><span data-type="non-translate-span" translate="no"></span><figure><figcaption href="image|size=medium|url=https://res.cloudinary.com/hello-tickets/image/upload/v1710189868/post_images/key-west-145/best-to-do/2275496475_40c529bd9c_o_Cropped.jpg|caption=Sunset and boat in Key Bone | ©Joshua Duggan">Sunset and boat in Key Bone</figcaption></figure><span data-type="non-translate-span" translate="no"></span>Key Bone in December is a place with a <strong>high tourist influx</strong>.</strong> Especially from <strong>the middle of the month,</strong> the city welcomes dozens of people who want to take advantage of the island's warm but cool weather and celebrate both Christmas and New Year's in a different way.<span data-type="non-translate-span" translate="no"></span>It's important to bear in mind that in December the <strong>hotels and restaurants are usually full,</strong> so you should plan your trip and make some reservations. You'll also notice the crowds at Mallory Square or when visiting destinations such as the <strong>Key West Aquarium,</strong> the <a href="link|text=Sails to Rails Museum|url=https://www.trolleytours.com/key-west/sails-to-rails-museum">Sails to Rails Museum</a>, etc.<span data-type="non-translate-span" translate="no"></span><div class="post-button" markdown="1"><span data-type="non-translate-span" translate="no"></span><a href="link|text=Buy tickets for the Key West Aquarium|element=pa-3789">Buy tickets for Key West Aquarium</a><span data-type="non-translate-span" translate="no"></span></div><span data-type="non-translate-span" translate="no"></span></div><span data-type="non-translate-span" translate="no"></span>.