Guides · Miami
Miami in December: Art Basel, South Beach & Orange Bowl
By Viktorija Dvariskyte · Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
Miami in December is warm, dry and full of events. Highs reach around 25°C, the ocean stays near 24°C, and the humidity of summer is gone. The month opens with Miami Art Week, when Art Basel Miami Beach takes over the city from 4 to 6 December 2026, and closes with the Orange Bowl. This guide covers 5 things to do in Miami in December, from free open-air concerts in South Beach to the art of the Design District and the bayfront calm of Coconut Grove.
Each entry includes the exact address, the nearest Metrorail, trolley or bus route, its distance from Downtown Miami, and a practical Pro Tip. Prices are given in US dollars with euro equivalents. Two entries are in Miami Beach, two are on the mainland in the Design District and Coconut Grove, and one is in Miami Gardens, north of the city.
Pair Art Basel with Lincoln Road during Art Week, and the Design District with Coconut Grove on another day. The ocean is still warm enough to swim, so leave time for the beach between sights. During Art Week, expect heavy traffic and much higher room rates, and check the Orange Bowl date before booking.
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1Art Basel Miami Beach - 4 to 6 December 2026
Art Basel Miami Beach is the largest contemporary art fair in the Americas. The 2026 edition is open to the public from 4 to 6 December at the Miami Beach Convention Center, after invitation-only preview days on 2 and 3 December. More than 280 galleries from over 40 countries show painting, sculpture, photography, film and digital work, and day tickets typically cost around $55-75 (about €50-70).
The main fair is the centre of Miami Art Week, which runs from 30 November to 6 December 2026. More than 20 satellite fairs open in tents on Ocean Drive, warehouses in Wynwood and spaces across the city, and museums host free talks and installations. Public art in Collins Park, a few blocks east of the convention center, is free to see.
2Lincoln Road and SoundScape Park - South Beach After Dark
Lincoln Road is a pedestrian promenade running eight blocks across South Beach, redesigned in 1960 by architect Morris Lapidus with fountains, shaded follies and palm-lined gardens. In December it gets a large holiday tree and decorations, and outdoor cafe tables stay busy late into the warm evenings. On Sundays, a farmers market sets up along the promenade.
A block north, the New World Center, designed by Frank Gehry and opened in 2011, is home to the New World Symphony. During its season, the orchestra runs free WALLCAST concerts, projecting live performances onto the building's 7,000-square-foot outer wall for audiences in SoundScape Park. Bring a blanket and join locals on the lawn under the palm trees.
3Miami Design District - Public Art and Free Museums
The Miami Design District mixes luxury fashion boutiques with architecture and public art, and it is at its liveliest during Art Week in early December. Look out for Buckminster Fuller's Fly's Eye Dome in Palm Court, along with large sculptures and murals throughout the streets. Many of the district's buildings were designed by leading architects, and the facades themselves are part of the attraction.
Two strong museums here are free. The Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA Miami) shows international contemporary art in its galleries and sculpture garden, and the nearby de la Cruz Collection displays a large private collection of contemporary works. During Art Week, the district usually hosts special installations, talks and evening events.
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See what is available on your dates.
4Orange Bowl - College Football at Hard Rock Stadium
First played in 1935, the Orange Bowl is one of the oldest college football bowl games in the United States, and today it forms part of the College Football Playoff. The game is held at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, around the New Year period. The exact date and matchup for the 2026-27 game depend on the playoff schedule, so check before you book.
Ticket prices vary widely, from about $100 (around €90) for upper-level seats to several hundred dollars, depending on the teams. The Orange Bowl Committee also runs events through December, and the stadium car parks fill with fans hours before kick-off. Even without a ticket, sports bars across the city show the game.
5Coconut Grove - The Barnacle and Miami's Oldest Neighbourhood
Coconut Grove is one of Miami's oldest neighbourhoods, settled before the city was even incorporated, and it still has a leafy, village feel. At its heart is The Barnacle Historic State Park, home of yacht designer Ralph Munroe, whose 1891 house is the oldest in Miami-Dade County still standing on its original site. The shady lawn runs down to Biscayne Bay and makes a peaceful break from the city.
Entry to the park costs just a few dollars, and guided tours of the house run on a regular schedule. Nearby, Peacock Park and the Dinner Key marinas are good for a bayfront walk at sunset. In late December, the Grove usually hosts the King Mango Strut, a satirical community parade that pokes fun at the year's news.
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Miami in December: Art Basel, South Beach & Orange Bowl - FAQ
Not in one day, because two entries depend on dates. Art Basel Miami Beach runs 4-6 December 2026, and the Orange Bowl is played around New Year. Lincoln Road, the Design District and Coconut Grove fit into one long day on any other date.
Start in Coconut Grove in the morning, then head north to the Design District in the afternoon. Cross to Miami Beach for the evening and finish on Lincoln Road or at a WALLCAST concert. During Art Week, pair Art Basel with Lincoln Road, and plan the Orange Bowl around the confirmed game date.
Art Basel Miami Beach and the Orange Bowl need tickets bought in advance. ICA Miami is free but asks visitors to reserve a timed entry. Lincoln Road, WALLCAST concerts in SoundScape Park and The Barnacle need no advance booking.
Excluding the Orange Bowl, expect roughly $70-100 (about €65-90) per person. Art Basel day tickets cost around $55-75 and The Barnacle a few dollars, while Lincoln Road, WALLCAST concerts, ICA Miami and the de la Cruz Collection are free. Orange Bowl seats add $100 or more.
South Beach, Wynwood Walls, Little Havana and Vizcaya are the classic additions, and the Everglades are at their best for wildlife in the December dry season. On New Year's Eve, Bayfront Park hosts the city's main fireworks over Biscayne Bay.
Yes, Miami in December is warm enough for the beach. Highs average about 25-26°C and the ocean stays around 24°C, with low humidity and little rain. Occasional cold fronts can drop evening temperatures to the mid-teens, so bring a light jacket.
