Miami in December: the weather, what is on in 2026, and what to pack
December in Miami runs from about 80 down to 77 degrees by day and 66 to 62 at night. Here is the 2026 calendar, the crowds and what to pack.
En bref
- Daytime: Average highs from 80°F on December 1 to 77°F by the 31st.
- Night: Average lows from 66°F down to 62°F; bring one warm layer.
- Rain: About 2.4 inches for the month, less than November's 3.5.
- Big week: Art Basel Miami Beach, December 4 to 6, 2026.
- Holiday lights: Zoo Lights at Zoo Miami on select nights through December 30.
December is one of the easiest months in Miami: warm days around 77 to 80 degrees, cool evenings near the low 60s and little rain, with Art Basel week on December 4 to 6 as the one stretch to book early.
Miami weather in December, with November and January for comparison
| Month | Average high | Average low | Average temperature | Rain, monthly normal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 83°F falling to 80°F | 71°F falling to 66°F | 77°F to 73°F | 3.5 in |
| December | 80°F falling to 77°F | 66°F falling to 62°F | 73°F to 69°F | 2.4 in |
| January | about 76 to 77°F | about 59 to 62°F | about 68 to 69°F | 1.6 in |
Daily climate normals for 1991 to 2020 at Miami International Airport, published by the National Weather Service Miami office. Ranges run from the first to the last day of the month; rain is the sum of the daily normals. Normals are averages: a cold front can bring a few nights in the 50s, and a warm spell can push a day into the 80s.
National Weather Service Miami, Daily Normals 1991-2020, Miami International Airport (weather.gov/mfl), checked October 2026
What the weather feels like
Days are warm and mostly dry. Early December still feels like a late-summer afternoon at 80 degrees; by Christmas the average high is 77. That is beach weather for most visitors, though the wind off the ocean can make the sand feel cooler than the number.
Evenings are the change. Average lows slide from 66 to 62 degrees over the month, so a rooftop dinner or a boat ride after sunset calls for a light jacket. Rain drops off compared with November: the daily normals add up to about 2.4 inches for December, against 3.5 in November.
December is also after the official Atlantic hurricane season, which NOAA sets from June 1 to November 30.
What is on in Miami in December 2026
| Event | Dates | Where | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Basel Miami Beach | December 4 to 6, 2026 | Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Dr | Confirmed on artbasel.com; the Convention Center lists the event from December 2, which covers the days before the public dates |
| Zoo Lights | November 27 and 28; December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 to 23 and 26 to 30; 6:30 pm to 10 pm | Zoo Miami | Confirmed; tickets online only and expected to sell out |
| New Year's Eve at Bayfront Park | December 31 | Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd | The 2026 edition was not announced in October 2026; check bayfrontparkmiami.com |
| Capital One Orange Bowl | January 14, 2027, 7:30 pm ET | Hard Rock Stadium | Not a December game this season: it is a College Football Playoff semifinal in January |
artbasel.com, miamibeachconvention.com, zoomiami.org, orangebowl.org, checked October 2026
Crowds and prices
Two stretches set the price of a December trip. Art Basel week, around December 4 to 6, fills Miami Beach and downtown with collectors, galleries and parties; hotels near the Convention Center go first, and the garages on 17th Street and Convention Center Drive fill early. The second is the holiday run from Christmas to New Year's Eve.
The first two weeks outside Art Basel and the days just before Christmas are usually the calmer part of the month. We do not quote hotel prices here because they move week to week; compare a few dates before you book.
Selon la situation
| You want art and parties | Art Basel week, December 4 to 6, and book the hotel now |
| You want the beach and quieter streets | the second week of December, after Art Basel |
| A family trip | the week before Christmas, with Zoo Lights on one evening |
| New Year's Eve | plan around Bayfront Park downtown, and confirm the 2026 event once it is announced |
Avant de partir
- Swimsuit and sandals: days average 77 to 80 degrees
- A light jacket or sweater for evenings in the low to mid 60s
- One pair of closed shoes for a cool night or a cold front
- Sunscreen: the sun is still strong at midday
- A small umbrella is enough; December is one of the drier months
- Book Zoo Lights tickets online in advance; there is no box office sale
Les questions qu’on se pose
What is the weather like in Miami in December?
Warm and mostly dry. National Weather Service normals for Miami International Airport give average highs from 80°F on December 1 to 77°F on December 31, average lows from 66°F to 62°F, and about 2.4 inches of rain for the month.
Is it warm enough to go to the beach in Miami in December?
For most visitors, yes: average highs are 77 to 80 degrees. Evenings cool to the low 60s, so take a layer for after sunset, and check the day's forecast for cold fronts.
When is Art Basel Miami Beach 2026?
December 4 to 6, 2026, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, according to artbasel.com. The Convention Center lists the event from December 2, which covers the days before the public dates.
Is the Orange Bowl in December 2026?
No. The Capital One Orange Bowl is a College Football Playoff semifinal on January 14, 2027, at 7:30 pm ET at Hard Rock Stadium.
Is December hurricane season in Miami?
No. The Atlantic hurricane season runs to November 30, so December is outside it.
Autres guides
Miami beaches: which one to pick, and when to goBeaches · Outdoor · 10 min de lecture
Museums in Miami worth your time, and the free days that make them cheaperMuseums · Art · 8 min de lectureParking in Miami Beach: city garages, lots, meter rates and the appsSouth Beach · Parking · Practical · 5 min de lectureClimate normals from the National Weather Service Miami office (Daily Normals 1991-2020, Miami International Airport); hurricane season dates from NOAA; Art Basel dates from artbasel.com and the Miami Beach Convention Center; Zoo Lights from zoomiami.org; Orange Bowl from orangebowl.org; all checked October 2026.