Sheet 15 · Vacation Planning
Key West in December: Weather, Events, and What to Expect
Christmas without the cold: dry 78°F days, the Holiday Parade and Lighted Boat Parade, historic home tours, New Year's Eve's midnight drops, sailfish season, and how to time a trip around the holiday rush.
On a Saturday evening in December, a slow line of boats strung with lights glides through Key West Bight. There are sailboats with glowing reindeer in the rigging, fishing boats dressed as Christmas trees and a schooner or two, while a crowd on the Harbor Walk watches in shorts and flip-flops, drinks in hand from the bar on the wharf. Palm trunks are wrapped in fairy lights, inflatable Santas lean off the balconies of wooden conch houses, and the evening air is mild. Key West in December is Christmas without the cold: an easygoing, slightly eccentric holiday season, followed by one of the country’s most famous New Year’s Eve parties. The trick is timing, because the first half of the month and the last ten days are almost two different destinations.
This guide covers December weather and water, the holiday parade, the lighted boat parade and the Harbor Walk of Lights, historic home and inn tours, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and its famous “drops”, crowds and prices through the month, winter fishing, what’s worth doing, what isn’t, and how December compares with November and January. Weather figures are NOAA 1991–2020 normals for Key West International Airport. Prices and dates were checked in October 2026; treat prices as the right order of magnitude and confirm the 2026 and 2027 schedules before you book.
Key West in December at a glance
| Detail | December |
|---|---|
| Average high | About 78°F |
| Average low | About 68°F |
| Sea temperature | About 74°F |
| Rainfall | About 2.2 inches, on around 6 days |
| Humidity | About 83% in the morning, 70% in the afternoon |
| Sunrise / sunset | About 6:55–7:10 a.m. / 5:40 p.m., the earliest sunsets of the year, edging toward 5:50 by New Year’s Eve |
| Hurricane risk | None. The season ended November 30 |
| Crowds | Peak season, busiest around the holidays |
| Hotel prices | Peak season; often higher around Christmas and New Year, so compare current rates |
| Key dates (2026) | Holiday Parade, traditionally the first Saturday; Lighted Boat Parade Saturday, December 12; Christmas Day; New Year’s Eve drops on Duval |
| On the plate | Stone crab, spiny lobster, and snapper and grouper from the reef |
What a December trip costs
December falls in Key West’s peak travel season, and hotel prices can climb higher around Christmas and New Year. Minimum stays vary by property: La Te Da lists three nights over Christmas and New Year’s Eve, and The Duval House five nights for New Year’s. Compare current rates and booking conditions for your dates. Here are the other benchmarks, checked in October 2026:
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lighted Boat Parade | Free | Parade at 8:00 p.m. in Key West Bight and the harbor, with pre-parade festivities on the Harbor Walk from 6:00 p.m.; bars and restaurants on the harbor fill early |
| Holiday Parade and Harbor Walk of Lights | Free | The Harbor Walk lights stay up through New Year’s Eve |
| New Year’s Eve on Duval | Free on the street | Ticketed parties, balconies and restaurant packages cost extra, sometimes a lot extra |
| Sunset at Mallory Square | Free | About 5:40 p.m. |
| Dry Tortugas ferry (Yankee Freedom) | Check the current fare | 8:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.; winter crossings can be rough on windy days |
| Bahia Honda State Park | $8 per vehicle + $0.50 per person | 8:00 a.m. to sundown |
| Stone crab claws | Market price | Sold by size; the classic Key West holiday splurge |
December weather: winter, Key West style
Key West’s winter is the reason half the eastern United States dreams about it. In December the average high is about 78°F and the average low about 68°F, relative humidity averages 83% in the morning and 70% in the afternoon, and rain falls on only about six days, adding up to a little over two inches for the month. A typical day is bright, breezy and warm enough for the beach by late morning, with evenings that call for a light layer when you eat outside.
The weather comes in cycles driven by cold fronts, which reach the island more often as winter deepens. When one passes, the wind swings to the north, a band of cloud or showers moves through, and for two or three days afterward it’s clear, breezy and cooler. Highs may reach only the low 70s, and nights can dip into the low 60s. Once in a while a strong front brings a genuinely chilly night in the 50s, which locals greet with sweaters and complaints. (The December record low at the airport is 44°F.) Then the wind drops, the warmth returns, and the cycle begins again.
The sun sets earliest in early December, around 5:40 p.m., and only a few minutes later by New Year’s Eve. Build your afternoon around being near the water by 5:15. Our Mallory Square sunset celebration guide explains how to do sunset well.
The water in December
The sea averages about 74°F in December. That’s warm by Atlantic standards and cool by Key West’s. On a sunny, still afternoon, a swim at Fort Zachary Taylor is lovely. On a windy day after a front, most people stay on the sand. For snorkeling, a thin wetsuit or at least a long-sleeved rash guard makes a big difference, and most snorkel boats have them to rent.
Wind is the main thing that shapes December on the water. After a front the breeze can pick up and the seas turn choppy, and snorkel trips or the Dry Tortugas ferry may be cancelled, so check each operator’s notices before you go. Between fronts the reef can be calm and very clear. Keep boat plans flexible, and book the morning departure. See our Key West snorkeling guide.
December events
Key West dresses up for the holidays in its own way, which means palm trees instead of pines, boats instead of sleighs, and a New Year’s Eve that involves a giant shoe. Our Key West Christmas events guide covers the season in full.
The Holiday Parade
The season’s small-town side opens with the Key West Holiday Parade, traditionally held on the first Saturday of December; check the City of Key West’s events calendar for the 2026 date. It’s a homemade, cheerful parade of floats, school bands, local businesses and community groups, with Santa bringing up the rear. It’s great with kids, and a nice reminder that Key West is a real town with real neighbors under the tourist gloss.
The Lighted Boat Parade
The highlight of the Key West Christmas season is the Schooner Wharf Bar Lighted Boat Parade, usually on the second Saturday of December. The 2026 edition, the 35th, is on Saturday, December 12: pre-parade festivities start on the Harbor Walk at 6:00 p.m., and the parade itself gets under way at 8:00 p.m. Dozens of boats, from classic schooners and working fishing boats to private yachts, are dressed in lights and paraded through Key West Bight and the harbor. Watch from the Harbor Walk around Key West Bight, or grab a waterfront table early. The bars around the seaport are packed by five.
The Harbor Walk of Lights
Through the season, the Harbor Walk around the Historic Seaport is strung with lights and decorations, and it makes an easy, free evening stroll before or after dinner. The lights stay up through New Year’s Eve.
Historic homes and inns
December is when some of Old Town’s historic houses and guesthouses open their doors. The Old Island Restoration Foundation runs tours of private historic homes one weekend a month from December through March, and many of the island’s historic inns decorate for the season and host their own holiday tours. It’s a lovely way to see inside the conch houses and Victorian mansions you’ve been admiring from the sidewalk. Check the current year’s dates before you go. Our Key West architecture guide explains what you’re looking at.
Christmas Day
Christmas in Key West is relaxed and warm. Some visitors spend the morning on the beach, some go to services at one of Old Town’s historic churches, and nearly everyone goes out for Christmas dinner, so book a restaurant weeks ahead. Many open special holiday menus, and plenty of places stay open. It’s a good day for a sunset sail too, if you can get a spot. See our Key West sunset cruise guide.
New Year’s Eve
Key West’s New Year’s Eve is one of the most famous in the country, and it has several midnight “drops”, each very Key West. At Sloppy Joe’s, 201 Duval Street, rooftop festivities build to the midnight drop of a conch shell. Farther up Duval, a drag queen is lowered from a balcony in an eight-foot red high-heeled shoe, a tradition that has become the island’s best-known countdown. In the Historic Seaport, at Schooner Wharf, a “pirate wench” descends from the mast of a tall ship as cannons fire at midnight. Duval Street closes to traffic and turns into a mile-long street party.
It’s loud, crowded and joyful. If you’re going, arrive at your chosen drop early, since the best spots fill up hours before midnight, and book dinner well in advance. If you’re not a crowd person, the harbor is calmer than Duval, and a quiet balcony or a beach at midnight can be just as memorable. Our Key West New Year’s Eve guide covers where to go, and our Sloppy Joe’s guide has the history of the conch shell.
Crowds and prices in December
| Period | Crowds | Prices | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early December | Peak season | Compare current rates | Holiday Parade and Lighted Boat Parade |
| The run-up to Christmas | Peak season | Can be higher around the holidays | Holiday travel begins |
| Christmas to New Year | Busiest around the holidays | Often higher; minimum stays at some properties (three nights at La Te Da, five at The Duval House for New Year’s) | Christmas week and New Year’s Eve; compare rates and booking conditions |
The first two and a half weeks of December are one of the island’s best-kept secrets. The weather is often as good as in February, and the holiday decorations and the boat parade are in full swing. Closer to Christmas, demand climbs, so check availability and rates for your exact dates. Flights, rental cars and restaurant tables all get scarce, and the drive down US 1 slows to a crawl on the busiest travel days. For more on timing, see our cheapest time to visit Key West guide.
What to do in Key West in December
Watch the Lighted Boat Parade from the harbor
Get to the Historic Seaport by five, find a spot on the Harbor Walk or a harborside table, and settle in. It’s the most Key West Christmas moment there is.
Walk Old Town after dark
December evenings are made for walking. Wander the lanes of Old Town around seven, when the houses are lit up and the air is cool, stop for a drink on a porch bar, and end at the Harbor Walk of Lights.
Go sailfishing
December is peak sailfish season off Key West. Cold fronts push baitfish down the reef edge, and the day or two after a front, with a north breeze, can bring multiple hookups. Kingfish, wahoo and mackerel are also biting. Most sailfish are released. See our Key West deep sea fishing and Key West fishing seasons guides.
Eat stone crab for the holidays
Stone crab and spiny lobster are both in season, and a platter of cold claws with mustard sauce is the island’s traditional holiday indulgence. Book ahead for Christmas week. See our Key West seafood restaurants guide.
See the sights without the heat
December’s cool, dry weather makes it perfect for sightseeing: the Hemingway Home, the Key West Lighthouse climb, the Truman Little White House, the cemetery and the Butterfly Conservatory, all without the summer sweat. Our things to do in Key West guide has the full list.
What isn’t worth it in December
- Christmas-week prices if your dates are flexible. Holiday demand pushes many rates up, so price out a stay in the first two weeks of December too, when the decorations are up and the boat parade is on.
- A Dry Tortugas day booked for the day after a front. Winter crossings can be rough and ferries sometimes cancel. Pick a calm forecast and have a backup day.
- A beach-only trip. Many December days are beach-perfect, but some are breezy and cool, and the water is about 74°F. Plan sightseeing, food and sunsets as well.
- Driving down on December 26 or back on January 2. The Overseas Highway is at its most congested. Travel a day either side if you can.
- Turning up for New Year’s Eve without a dinner booking. Everything good is reserved weeks ahead.
A five-day December itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive, check in, walk to Mallory Square for a 5:40 sunset, then dinner outside in Old Town.
- Day 2: Morning at the Hemingway Home and the lighthouse, afternoon swim at Fort Zachary Taylor if it’s calm, and an evening stroll along the Harbor Walk of Lights.
- Day 3: A half-day sailfish trip, or the Dry Tortugas ferry on a calm day. Stone crab for dinner.
- Day 4: Bike through Old Town and Bahama Village, visit the cemetery and the Truman Little White House, then take a sunset sail with a jacket.
- Day 5: Cuban coffee, key lime pie, a last walk, and home.
If your dates include the second Saturday of the month, build the evening around the Lighted Boat Parade. For New Year’s, add a slow recovery day on January 1. Our Key West 7-day itinerary works well for a longer holiday stay.
What to watch out for in December
- Cold fronts. They bring wind, choppy seas and the occasional chilly night. Keep boat trips flexible and pack a layer.
- Holiday crowds. From mid-December, book restaurants, boats and tours well ahead.
- New Year’s Eve crowds. Keep an eye on your wallet and phone, agree on a meeting point, and don’t plan to drive.
- Traffic on US 1. Holiday travel days are slow. Allow extra time, or fly.
- The sun. Even in December the UV index is high by northern standards. Keep using sunscreen.
December for different kinds of travelers
Families
A warm Christmas with children is a treat: the Holiday Parade, the boat parade, beach time and a pool that isn’t frozen. Book early for Christmas week, and remember that New Year’s Eve on Duval is very much an adult party. See our Key West with kids guide.
Couples
Early December is quietly romantic, with twinkling lights, cool evenings, early sunsets and uncrowded restaurants. For a splurge, see our Key West luxury resorts and romantic getaway guides.
Party people
New Year’s Eve on Duval is one of the great street parties in the country. Book early and pace yourself.
Anglers
Peak sailfish season, plus kingfish and wahoo, and stone crab and lobster for dinner.
Anyone who loves old houses
The historic home and inn tours make December the month to see inside Old Town. Staying in one of the island’s historic inns adds to the feel. See our Key West bed and breakfast guide.
Beyond Key West in December
- Lighted boat parades up the Keys. Several Keys communities hold their own holiday boat parades in December. If you’re driving down, it’s worth checking whether one falls on your route.
- Bahia Honda State Park (MM 37) is quiet and beautiful on a calm winter day. See our Bahia Honda State Park guide.
- Key deer on Big Pine Key are easiest to spot in the cool early mornings and late afternoons of winter. See our Key deer guide.
What to pack for December
- Summer clothes for the day: shorts, T-shirts, sundresses
- A light sweater, long pants and a light jacket for evenings and front days
- Swimwear, plus a thin wetsuit top or rash guard for snorkeling
- Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Something festive for Christmas dinner or New Year’s Eve
See our Key West packing list for the complete checklist.
December vs November vs January
| November | December | January | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average high / low | 81°F / 72°F | 78°F / 68°F | 76°F / 66°F |
| Sea temperature | About 78°F | About 74°F | About 73°F |
| Rainfall | 2.1 in, 6 days | 2.2 in, 6 days | 1.8 in, 7 days |
| Crowds | Moderate | Peak season, busiest around the holidays | High |
| Prices | Mid | Peak season, higher around the holidays | High |
| Headline events | Powerboat races, Film Festival, Thanksgiving | Holiday and boat parades, New Year’s Eve | Literary Seminar, Half Marathon, Food & Wine Festival |
| Hurricane risk | Low | None | None |
For the month before, see Key West in November, and for the month after, Key West in January. Our Key West month by month guide covers the whole year.
Is December a good time to visit Key West?
Yes, especially in the first half of the month. Early December combines dry, sunny, comfortable weather, festive lights and the boat parade, with no hurricane risk. It’s one of the most pleasant and underrated windows of the year. The last ten days give you a warm Christmas and a legendary New Year’s Eve, in the thick of peak season, when hotel prices can run higher.
December is less ideal if you want hot beach weather and warm water every day, if you’re on a tight budget over the holidays, or if you want a quiet New Year. For hotter, calmer water, come in spring or early summer. For the best value with good weather, aim for early December or the week after Thanksgiving. Our best time to visit Key West guide compares every month.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Key West in December?
Warm, sunny and dry. Average highs are about 78°F and lows about 68°F, with only about six rainy days. Cold fronts occasionally bring a breezy, cooler day or a night in the low 60s.
Can you swim in Key West in December?
Yes. The sea averages about 74°F, which is comfortable on a sunny, calm afternoon but cool on a windy day. A thin wetsuit or rash guard helps for snorkeling.
When is the Key West Lighted Boat Parade?
Usually on the second Saturday of December. The 2026 parade, the 35th, is on Saturday, December 12, at 8:00 p.m. in Key West Bight and the harbor, with festivities along the Harbor Walk from 6:00 p.m.
What happens on New Year’s Eve in Key West?
Duval Street becomes a huge street party, and the night brings several midnight drops: a conch shell at Sloppy Joe’s and a drag queen in an eight-foot red high heel on Duval, while over in the Historic Seaport a pirate wench is lowered from a tall ship’s mast at Schooner Wharf, with cannon fire.
Is Key West expensive at Christmas?
It can be. December is peak season and rates often rise around Christmas and New Year, and some properties set minimum stays: three nights at La Te Da over Christmas and New Year’s Eve, five at The Duval House for New Year’s. Compare current rates for your dates.
Is December hurricane season?
No. The Atlantic hurricane season ends on November 30.
What time is sunset in Key West in December?
About 5:40 p.m. in early December, the earliest sunsets of the year, and a few minutes later by New Year’s Eve.
December days are warm, but the evenings and the occasional cold front catch people out. Our guide to what to wear in Key West explains how to pack for winter on the island, from the light sweater you will be glad of to the layer for an evening on the water.
Related Key West Guides
- Key West month by month: every month compared
- Key West in November: the month before
- Key West Christmas events: the full holiday calendar
- Key West New Year’s Eve: the drops and the parties
- Best time to visit Key West: weather, crowds and prices
- Key West events: the full calendar
Photo Credits
Schooner Wharf Bar on the Key West Bight: Schooner Wharf Bar – panoramio by Stuart Locke, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Christmas lights at 5 Brothers grocery: 5 Brothers Xmas 2024, Key West FL by Cayobo, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Christmas lights on a palm tree: Christmas in Paradise – Flickr – Joe Parks by Joe Parks from Berkeley, CA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources & corrections
Rates, hours and closures verified against operator listings and on-island visits. Prices are peak-season unless noted.
