The magic of the holiday season has arrived in the Magic City. From classical music and dancing to a holiday sing-along; from Scrooge to Buddy the Elf; from breathtaking holiday lights to a Festival of Lights tour, there are a lot of fun things this month to get Miamians in a festive mood. Here’s a curated list of seven of our favorite holiday happenings.
LIONS AND TIGERS AND LIGHTS OH MY!
(Mary Damiano)
Frogs are one of the many animals featured in Luminosa, the festival of Lights at Jungle Island
Luminosa
Jungle Island
Through March 7
Wander through Jungle Island’s lush terrain during Luminosa, its annual festival of lights, which returns this year with another glorious display of lights, now through March 7. You never know what you’ll find as you walk the winding curves of the trails – dragons, flamingos, frogs, all sorts of flora and fauna, all brightly lit in dazzling colors. There’s a sense of traveling the globe, with scenes of ancient Egyptian sarcophagi, columns, and guards, and an African scene of lions, giraffes, and elephants. Big jungle cats perch in trees and seem ready to pounce, and a sea goddess rises from the water to greet her fishy friends. Stylized branches tangle overhead to create a colorful canopy of light. It’s a magical way to get into the spirit of the season.
NO BAH HUMBUG ALLOWED
“A Christmas Carol The Musical”
Actors’ Playhouse
Through Dec. 20
What would the holidays be without miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and that little beacon of hope Tiny Tim? “A Christmas Carol The Musical” is at Actors’ Playhouse in a production starring Earl Maulding, the company’s director of theatre for young audiences, as the iconic Scrooge. To encourage the spirit of giving during the production’s run, Actors’ Playhouse will give one free Flexible Anytime Ticket — valid for any remaining show in the 2025–2026 Musical Theatre for Young Audiences Season — to every child who donates a new, unwrapped toy during a performance. Donations must be made by Saturday, Dec. 20, and will benefit families in Jamaica recovering from Hurricane Melissa through Global Empowerment Mission (GEM).
AROUND THE WORLD SING-ALONG
(Courtesy Arsht Center)
Dan Zane, Claudia Zane, Elena Moon Park, and Tyree Austin present their holiday singalong at the Arsht Center.
Dan + Claudia Zane’s Holiday Sing-along
Arsht Center
Dec. 14
This festive holiday show is inspired by the Christmas sing-alongs that Grammy Award winner Dan Zanes and jazz vocalist and music therapist Claudia Zanes experienced every year while growing up in New Hampshire, but the 21st century version of these legendary parties - turned into a show called Dan and Claudia Zane’s Holiday Sing-along - include so much more than Christmas classics.
Each audience member receives a printed songbook featuring seasonal numbers from a variety of traditions, languages and locations. Songs from Puerto Rico, Korea, Wales, Tunisia, and Haiti are represented alongside reimagined versions of familiar favorites, such as “Let It Snow,” “Silent Night” and “Deck the Halls.” Hanukkah, Korean New Year, Kwanzaa, and the winter solstice are also celebrated.
Joining the Zanes for this show are jazz vocalist and recent Howard University graduate Tyree Austin and multi-instrumentalist and children’s music star Elena Moon Park. The result is a blend of four voices with guitar, violin, trumpet, harmonica, flute, spoons, percussion and mandolin, that embodies the spirit of the season. The show is a sensory-friendly presentation, and admission is free, though passes are required and can be reserved through the Arsht Center website.
BUDDY THE ELF RIDES AGAIN
“Elf Jr, The Musical”
Miami Beach Bandshell
Dec. 14 and 15
Hey Buddy! You’ve seen the movie, now see everyone’s favorite elf live on stage in “Elf Jr. The Musical – A Miami Beach Holiday Celebration.” Based on the beloved holiday film, “Elf Jr.” is a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming story about Buddy the Elf’s journey to discover his true identity and remind the world of the real meaning of Christmas. K.O. Performing Arts is proud to collaborate with the City of Miami Beach and the Miami Beach Bandshell to present more than just a show — it’s a holiday experience. The Bandshell will be transformed into a winter wonderland to bring families together to celebrate music and the magic of the holidays.
SEASONAL SYMPHONY
(Courtesy New World Symphony)
Zwai Ma will conduct New World’s Symphony’s Sounds of the Season concert
Sounds of the Season
New World Symphony
Dec. 20
There’s nothing like the grandeur of holiday music performed by an orchestra. Conducted by NWS Conducting Fellow Ziei Ma, the New World Symphony’s Sounds of the Season concert will include both traditional classics and modern favorites. The program includes Silvestri’s “Suite form The Polar Express,” selections from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia on Greensleeves,” DiLoranzo’s “Dancing Dreidal” and “Navidad Latina!,” and Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.” As well as the more traditional pieces, “Carol of the Bells,” “Joy to the World,” “Of Nights, Lights, and Brass.”
A MIX OF GENRES FOR HANUKKAH
(Courtesy Miami Beach Bandshell)
Musician and singer Matisyahu brings his Festival of Light Tour to the Miami Beach Bandshell
Matisyahu Festival of Light Tour
Miami Beach Bandshell
Dec. 20 and 21
Matisyahu, a Jewish singer and musician who blends rap, reggae and hip-hop with spiritual music, brings his annual Festival of Light tour to the Miami Beach Bandshell on the final two nights of Hanukkah. Each of the two shows will feature two sets: Set one is a 20th anniversary recreation of Matisyahu's classic live album, “Live at Stubb's,” and set two will feature a mix of Matisyahu’s other hits, fan favorites, and new material.
WALTZ DOWN THE BLUE DANUBE
(Courtesy Arsht Center)
The elegance of the ballroom comes to life in the Salute to Vienna concert at the Arsht Center
Salute to Vienna Concert
The Arsht Center
Dec. 28
If you love the ballroom antics each week on “Dancing with the Stars,” then waltz over to the Arsht Center to wrap up the year at the annual Salute to Vienna New Year's Concert, an elegant and enchanting celebration. This annual holiday tradition features European singers, a full orchestra and international champion ballroom dancers. Led by the master of ceremonies Christoph Campestrini, this concert event is family-friendly.
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( Mary Damiano)
One of the dazzling flamingos at Luminosa
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(Mary Damiano)
A foreboding panther pyramid at Luminosa
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(Mary Damiano)
The Egyptian scene at Luminosa