Key West Harbor Walk of Lights 2026

The Harbor Walk of Lights is the holiday light display along the seawall of the Key West Historic Seaport and Key West Bight Marina. In 2026 it is in its 21st year. It is switched on on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026, Thanksgiving Eve, and keywestchristmas.org says it is lit “every night from Thanksgiving eve through New Year’s eve”. Walking it is free. The display is part of the Key West “Bight” Before Christmas celebration, which runs keywestchristmas.org. Checked Oct. 21, 2026. Christmas in Key West is an independent planner published by LPE Realty LLC. We are not the City of Key West, Schooner Wharf, the Historic Seaport, the Lodging Association or any venue, and we sell no tickets.

• keywestchristmas.org: "The 21st Annual Harbor Walk of Lights", "Lighting up every evening through New Year's Eve." and "Harbor Walk of Lights is on every night from Thanksgiving eve through New Year's eve!" It is part of the "Key West "Bight" before Christmas" celebration at the Key West Historic Seaport and Key West Bight Marina. Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights)

Lighting night, Nov. 25

Two trees are lit an hour apart at two plazas on the waterfront:

Time	What happens	Where
5 PM	Holiday music starts	Greene and Elizabeth St. plaza
6 PM	Fishing Buoy Christmas Tree lit	Greene and Elizabeth St. plaza
6 PM	Holiday music starts	Margaret St. plaza (Old Lands End Village)
7 PM	Lobster Trap Christmas Tree lit	Margaret St. plaza (Old Lands End Village)

• keywestchristmas.org lists "Wednesday, Nov. 25" (marked "Free"): "The Lighting of the 21st annual "Harbor Walk of Lights"" at the 2026 "Fishing Buoy Christmas Tree"; "Lights come on at 6:00pm", "holiday music starts at 5:00pm", at the "Greene and Elizabeth St. plaza." It says "Santa and Mrs Clause will be making a NICE list and passing out treats!" Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights)
• keywestchristmas.org: "SECOND lighting of the 2026 "Lobster Trap Christmas Tree"", "Lights come on at 7:00pm, holiday music starts at 6:00pm" at "Margaret St. plaza (Old Lands End Village)." The City notice for Nov. 25, 2026 (6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, Key West Historic Seaport and Marina, 201 William Street) describes "the original Key West Lobster Trap Christmas Tree (built using 45 stacked traps, twinkling lights, garland, and red ribbons)". City of Key West: Bight Before Christmas Lighting of the Lobster Trap Tree notice; keywestchristmas.org

keywestchristmas.org says Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making a nice list and passing out treats. The U.S. Naval Observatory gives sunset on Dec. 1 at 5:38 PM, so expect the 6 PM lighting to come after sunset.

The City’s notice gives a different place and window

The City of Key West notice for the Lobster Trap tree gives 6 to 7:30 PM at the Key West Historic Seaport and Marina, 201 William Street, and describes “the original Key West Lobster Trap Christmas Tree” as built from 45 stacked traps with lights, garland and red ribbons. keywestchristmas.org and the Holiday Fest calendar put the tree at the Margaret Street plaza with lights at 7 PM. Both are on the same waterfront; the 7 PM time comes from the organiser.

The toy drive

The lighting starts the Cheryl Cates Toy Drive. keywestchristmas.org asks people to bring a toy, or buy one to donate at the Imagination Station table.

• keywestchristmas.org: "Please join us at the "Lighting of the Harbor Walk" to kickoff the "Cheryl Cates Toy Drive". Bring a toy, or toys will be available at the "Imagination Station" table to purchase and donate." Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights)

Where it runs

keywestchristmas.org: the Harbor Walk of Lights “stretches along the seawall past Greene St, William St, and Margaret St. to the K.W. Ferry Terminal.” The Holiday Fest calendar describes it as running from Lazy Way Lane at the Green Street plaza to the ferry terminal at Grinnell Street. Either way, it is a walk along the water between Greene Street and Grinnell Street, with the Fishing Buoy tree at one end and the Lobster Trap tree near Margaret Street.

• keywestchristmas.org: "The "Harbor Walk of Lights" stretches along the seawall past Greene St, William St, and Margaret St. to the K.W. Ferry Terminal." The Holiday Fest calendar describes it as running "from Lazy Way Lane at the Green Street Plaza to the Ferry Terminal at Grinnell Street." Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights); Key West Inns (Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West): Holiday Fest Calendar

What it looks like

The organiser describes “A Nautical theme honoring the maritime history of the Key West waterfront.” keywestchristmas.org adds that this year’s display is sending “Lots of Love from the heart of Key West to Jimmy Buffett!” A 16-foot Nautical Christmas Tree stands on the Harbor Walk at William Street, where Pet Pictures with Santa takes place.

• keywestchristmas.org: "A Nautical theme honoring the maritime history of the Key West waterfront." and "this year's display is sending Lots of Love from the heart of Key West to Jimmy Buffett!" Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights)

How long it stays lit

keywestchristmas.org says through New Year’s Eve. The Holiday Fest calendar has one listing that runs from Nov. 25, 2026 to Jan. 1, 2027 and another that ends Dec. 31, 2026. We follow the organiser: nightly from Nov. 25 through New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2026.

• End date differs: keywestchristmas.org says "through New Year's eve"; the Holiday Fest calendar has one listing running "November 25, 2026 – January 1, 2027" and another ending Dec. 31, 2026. Say "nightly from Nov. 25 through New Year's Eve". Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights); Key West Inns (Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West): Holiday Fest Calendar

December events on the Harbor Walk

Date (2026)	Event	Time	Cost
Thu. Dec. 3	21st Pet Pictures with Santa, at the Nautical tree, William St.	6 to 8 PM	Photos $25 (cash or Cash App), for the Boys and Girls Club
Sun. Dec. 6	Schooner Wharf Tree Trimming Party and Toy Drive	From 6 PM	Free
Sat. Dec. 12	35th Lighted Boat Parade	Music 6 PM, parade 8 PM	Free to watch
Sun. Dec. 20	Holiday Classic Car Show and Toy Drive, Conch Republic Seafood Company lot at Greene St.	11 AM to 3 PM	Free
Thu. Dec. 31	Lowering of the Pirate Wench	Midnight	Not published

• keywestchristmas.org: "Thursday, December 3", "6:00pm" to "8:00pm", "21st Annual Pet Pictures with Santa", "At the 16' Nautical Christmas Tree on the Harbor Walk of Lights at William St." and "Pictures with Santa are $25 (Cash and Cash App accepted) to benefit our local Boys & Girls Club." Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights)
• Schooner Wharf lists "Dec. 6 Rock Around Our Christmas Tree! Schooner Wharf Bar Tree Trimming Party 6:00 p.m." keywestchristmas.org lists the "Schooner Wharf Bar 2026 Tree Trimming Party and Toy Drive" on "Sunday, December 6", "Starting at 6:00PM", "FREE to Attend". Schooner Wharf Bar: Special Events (2026 Events); Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights)
• keywestchristmas.org: "Sunday, December 20", "The Florida Keys Southernmost Car Club presents 2026 "Holiday Classic Car Show" & Toy Drive", "FREE", "11:00am" to "3:00pm", at the "Conch Republic Seafood Company parking lot" on the Harbor Walk of Lights at Greene St. Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights)

The car show is presented by the Florida Keys Southernmost Car Club. The whole season, including events away from the water, is on our Key West Christmas events page.

The City tree is a different tree

The City of Key West lights its own Christmas tree at Bayview Park on Monday, Nov. 30, 2026, from 6 to 8 PM. Bayview Park is not on the Harbor Walk. The Holiday Fest calendar lists it on Nov. 29; the City’s notice says Nov. 30.

• The City of Key West calendar lists "The City's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – City Property Event Notice" on "Monday, November 30, 2026", "6:00 PM – 8:00 PM", at "Bayview Park". City of Key West: Calendar event notice
• The Holiday Fest calendar lists "City of Key West Tree Lighting Ceremony at Bayview Park" on Nov. 29, 2026 at 6:00 pm "with a special appearance by Santa Claus!", while the City's own notice says Monday, Nov. 30, 2026, 6 to 8 PM. Use the City date. Key West Inns (Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West): Holiday Fest Calendar

Buying a tree: the MARC lot

keywestchristmas.org lists the MARC annual Christmas tree sale lot at 1401 Seminary Street, saying more than 1,500 trees travel down from the north and are sold until they run out or until Christmas Eve. It marks the listing “2026 UPDATES COMING SOON!”; the Holiday Fest calendar gives Nov. 21 to Dec. 24, 2026.

• keywestchristmas.org: "MARC annual Christmas Tree Sale Lot", "More than 1500 trees travel from up North to Key West and are available until they run out or Christmas Eve, which ever comes first. 1401 Seminary Street." It is marked "2026 UPDATES COMING SOON!"; the Holiday Fest calendar lists Nov. 21 to Dec. 24, 2026. Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights); Key West Inns (Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West): Holiday Fest Calendar

Parking for the Harbor Walk

The organiser’s own advice: park in the main lot at Margaret and Caroline streets, the garage a block away at Caroline and Grinnell streets, or the lot at Greene and Elizabeth streets. Bikes and scooters go in the free scooter areas and bike racks around the Seaport. “Please no locking bikes to the decorations!”

• keywestchristmas.org: "Park in the Main Parking Lot located at Margaret & Caroline St. OR the Parking Garage one block away at Caroline & Grinnell St. OR in the lot at Green & Elizabeth St." and "Please use FREE scooter parking areas and designated bike racks all around the Historic Seaport and Harbor Walk Area. Please no locking bikes to the decorations!" Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights)

That garage is the City’s Park N Ride Old Town garage, 301 Grinnell Street: 300 spaces, $6 an hour or $48 a day plus tax, with special event rates possible, according to the City. The City bus stop is across Caroline Street in front of West Marine. Every City lot and rate is on our parking page.

• City of Key West: the "Park N Ride – Old Town Parking Garage" is "at 301 Grinnell Street at the corner of Caroline & Grinnell Streets", "300 on a first come, first serve basis", hourly "$ 6.00 plus tax", daily "$48.00 plus tax". "Special Event Rates may apply – the City Manager determines the rate." "The bus stop is across Caroline Street in front of West Marine." (Page last updated Feb. 28, 2024.) City of Key West: Parking Garage

A good order for an evening

Sunset in December falls between 5:38 PM (Dec. 1) and 5:50 PM (Dec. 31), according to the U.S. Naval Observatory. One plan: watch the sunset from Mallory Square, then walk over to the Seaport once it is dark. Our trip planner lays this out, and our holiday lights tours page covers the trolley and train tours of decorated homes away from the water.

• U.S. Naval Observatory sunset times for Key West (EST): Dec. 1, 2026 5:38 pm; Dec. 12 5:40 pm; Dec. 21 5:44 pm; Dec. 25 5:46 pm; Dec. 31 5:50 pm. Civil twilight ends about 25 minutes later (Dec. 12: 6:05 pm). U.S. Naval Observatory: Sun and Moon Data for One Day (computed for 24.5551 N, 81.7800 W, Eastern Standard Time)

Questions people ask

Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: City of Key West: Visitors