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What is on this date?

Every dated night, Nov. 25 to Jan. 1

Key West December events calendar, 2026

The short answer

The Key West December events calendar for 2026 runs from the Harbor Walk of Lights lighting on Wednesday, Nov. 25 to New Year's Day. The City lists the Hometown Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 5, and Schooner Wharf lists the 35th Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 12. Dec. 6, 11 and 12 each carry more than one event. The date checker shows any night with its sources.

Last checked October 21, 2026

A three-masted schooner under full sail silhouetted against a deep orange sky, the sun a bright white disc just above it and a dark cloud bank at upper right; calm water with a sun path across the foreground.
Photo: Joe Parks from Berkeley, CA, CC BY 2.0 (cropped)

This is the Key West December events calendar for 2026, built from the organisers’ own pages and the City of Key West calendar, all read on Oct. 21, 2026. The season opens with the Harbor Walk of Lights on Wednesday, Nov. 25 and runs to New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1, 2027. 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 or any other organiser, and when their published details differ from this page, theirs are the ones to follow.

What is on in Key West on this date?

Choose a night and the checker shows each event with its organiser, the published time and a flag where two sources disagree. An event whose 2026 date is not posted yet is marked that way, never filled in from last year.

Decision tool · what is on?

What is on in Key West on this date?

Pick a date from now to the end of January. We check it against every holiday schedule the organisers have published for 2026: the Harbor Walk lights, both parades, the lights tours, the inn and home tours, Chanukah, the Truman Little White House evenings, New Year's Eve and the days the City buses do not run.

Dated events coming up

  1. WedNov 25

    Harbor Walk of Lights lighting night (2026) · Fishing Buoy tree lit 6 PM, Lobster Trap tree 7 PM

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  2. MonNov 30

    City Christmas tree lighting, Bayview Park (2026) · 6 to 8 PM, Bayview Park (City)

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  3. ThuDec 3

    Pet Pictures with Santa (2026) · 6 to 8 PM at the Nautical Christmas Tree, William St.

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  4. FriDec 4

    Holiday Village and BeLighted Bike Ride (2026) · City notice 4 to 10 PM; bike ride 8 PM (Holiday Fest calendar)

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  5. SatDec 5

    Hometown Holiday Parade (2026) · City: 7 to 9 PM; keywestchristmas.org: starts 6:30 PM

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  6. SunDec 6

    City menorah lighting, Bayview Park (2026) · 5 to 7 PM, Bayview Park (City)

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  7. SunDec 6

    Schooner Wharf tree trimming party (2026) · From 6 PM at Schooner Wharf

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  8. FriDec 11

    Holiday Concert & Bazaar at the Custom House (2026) · 5 to 8 PM; Front St. closed Greene to Whitehead

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  9. FriDec 11

    Holiday Historic Inn Tours, Night 1 (2026) · 6 to 8 PM, check-in 5:30 PM

    Add to Google Calendar

  10. SatDec 12

    Lighted Boat Parade (2026) · Music 6 PM, parade 8 PM (Schooner Wharf)

    Add to Google Calendar

The published schedules this checker uses

Built from organiser and City of Key West pages checked October 21, 2026. Each result links its own source. Where two sources disagree, the checker shows both; where an organiser has not posted a 2026 date, the event is left out rather than guessed.

Found your night? The evening planner puts the Harbor Walk, Duval Street and dinner in order.

Plan the evening

The season in order

Thanksgiving Eve: the waterfront lights go on

  • 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 lists the lighting of the 21st Harbor Walk of Lights on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026. Holiday music starts at 5 PM and the Fishing Buoy Christmas Tree comes on at 6 PM at the Greene and Elizabeth St. plaza. The Lobster Trap tree follows at 7 PM at the Margaret St. plaza; the City’s notice for that tree gives 201 William Street and 6:00 to 7:30 PM instead. More on the Harbor Walk of Lights page.

Nov. 30 to Dec. 3

The City’s own Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is on Monday, Nov. 30, 2026, 6 to 8 PM at Bayview Park. The Holiday Fest calendar prints Nov. 29; we use the City’s date because the City runs the event. On Thursday, Dec. 3, Pet Pictures with Santa runs 6 to 8 PM at the 16-foot nautical tree on the Harbor Walk at William St., at $25 a photo for the local Boys & Girls Club.

Parade weekend: Dec. 4 to 6

A City notice puts the Holiday Village and BeLighted Bike Ride at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater on Friday, Dec. 4, 4 to 10 PM, with a rolling street closure for the ride. We have not seen it on the organiser’s own page, so treat it as unconfirmed. Hanukkah runs from sundown that Friday to nightfall on Saturday, Dec. 12 (Hebcal).

On Saturday, Dec. 5 the City lists the Hometown Holiday Parade from 7 to 9 PM. keywestchristmas.org says it starts at 6:30. Be in place by 6:30 and either time works for you. More on the holiday parade page.

The middle of the month

  • Old Town Trolley: "Old Town Trolley's Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour". "WHERE Mallory Square", "WHEN December 7-27, 2026.", "DURATION 60 minutes". "Limited capacity: 35 seats per trolley." "VIP passes cannot be accepted or used for Holiday Tours." Old Town Trolley Tours: Key West Holiday Tours
  • Conch Tour Train: "Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour", "an hour tour that takes you to all of the island's most elaborately decorated houses, buildings and neighborhoods and caroling." "2026 Dates: December 8-9, 11-14, and 16-27." "6:00 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:00 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:00 pm, and 8:30 pm." "Departs from: Key West High School, 2100 Flagler Avenue." "Limited capacity: 48 seats per train." "Tour includes special holiday lights glasses!" Conch Tour Train: Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour
  • The Holiday Fest calendar lists the Conch Train tours as "Dec. 8 and Dec. 11-23" and the Trolley tours as Dec. 8 to 23, departing "from Key West High School" (Conch) and Mallory Square (Trolley). The operators' own pages say Conch Train Dec. 8-9, 11-14 and 16-27, and Trolley Dec. 7-27, 2026. Use the operator pages. Conch Tour Train; Old Town Trolley; Key West Inns (Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West): Holiday Fest Calendar

Old Town Trolley runs its holiday lights tour from Dec. 7 to 27, 2026, leaving from Mallory Square. The Conch Tour Train runs Dec. 8-9, 11-14 and 16-27 from Key West High School, so the train has no tour on Dec. 10 or Dec. 15. The Holiday Fest calendar prints different runs; we follow the operators. Prices are on the holiday lights tours page.

Friday, Dec. 11 brings the Custom House Holiday Concert and Bazaar (5 to 8 PM, City notice) and the opening night of the Holiday Historic Inn Tours (6 to 8 PM, 5:30 check-in). The second inn tour night is Friday, Dec. 18. Details are on the inn tour page. Saturday, Dec. 12 is the Lighted Boat Parade: music from 6 PM and the parade at 8 PM, according to the organisers. See the boat parade page.

The week before Christmas

The Truman Foundation lists its free Great Gingerbread Build on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, 11 AM to 2 PM. The Holiday Fest calendar gives Dec. 19-20, 1 to 3 PM; we use the Foundation’s time. The Holiday Classic Car Show and Toy Drive is on Sunday, Dec. 20, 11 AM to 3 PM, in the Conch Republic Seafood Company lot at Greene St. The Truman Little White House holds evening holiday house tours on Tuesday, Dec. 22 and Wednesday, Dec. 23, at $20 for members and $35 for non-members.

Between Christmas and New Year

  • Old Island Restoration Foundation: "Our 67th Annual Key West Home Tours is a four-month series offering access to privately owned historic Key West homes." Dates: "December 29-30, 2026 (Tuesday & Wednesday)", then Jan. 22-23, Feb. 12-13 and March 12-13, 2027. "Homes are open from 1:00pm until 4:00pm each day". "Every ticket includes access to that month's four featured private homes and the Oldest House." Old Island Restoration Foundation: Key West Home Tours Info & FAQ
  • Sloppy Joe's events page: "Thursday, December 31, 2026", "10:00 pm Sloppy Joe's 33rd Annual Dropping of the Conch Shell at midnight to ring in 2027!" "This year, the conch shell will drop for the 33rd time at the corner of Duval and Greene Street." "Customers inside the bar will be able to see the conch shell drop on Sloppy-Tron." Sloppy Joe's Bar: Events
  • The City of Key West calendar lists "New Year's Eve Shoe Drop – Street Closure Notice", "December 31, 2026 – January 1, 2027", "9:00 PM – 2:00 AM", Duval Street: "The 700 bock of Duval Street will be closed beginning at 2:00 pm." (sic) City of Key West: Calendar event notice

The Old Island Restoration Foundation opens private homes for its Key West Home Tours on Tuesday, Dec. 29 and Wednesday, Dec. 30, 1 to 4 PM each day. On Thursday, Dec. 31, Sloppy Joe’s lists its 33rd conch shell drop from 10 PM, and the City closes the 700 block of Duval Street from 2 PM for the shoe drop. Every drop is on the New Year’s Eve page.

Nights that overlap

Three 2026 evenings carry more than one dated event. On a short trip, plan around these.

Sunday, Dec. 6

The City’s Menorah Lighting Ceremony runs 5 to 7 PM at Bayview Park; the Holiday Fest calendar gives 5 to 6 PM. Schooner Wharf’s Tree Trimming Party and Toy Drive starts at 6 PM at the bar, 202 William Street, and keywestchristmas.org lists it as free to attend. The two are at different venues and their hours overlap.

Friday, Dec. 11

The Custom House concert closes Front Street in front of the museum from Greene Street to Whitehead Street, 5 to 8 PM. Inn tour Night 1 runs 6 to 8 PM over the same hours. The Conch Train has departures from 6:00 to 8:30 PM and the trolley tours are running. You will likely have to pick between the concert and the inn tour.

Saturday, Dec. 12

  • The City of Key West calendar lists "Rudolph Red Nose 5K – City Property Event Notice and Street Closure Notice" on Dec. 12, 2026, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM: "Race starts and ends at the Duval Street Pocket Park. South Street and Duval Street will be closed for the start of the race." City of Key West: Calendar event notice
  • keywestchristmas.org lists a "Schooner Appledore Lighted Boat Parade Party" on "Saturday, December 12", "7:30pm" to "9:30pm", aboard "the Schooner Appledore II Parade Boat" with "Very Limited Seating!" Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights)

A City notice lists the Rudolph Red Nose 5K from 8 AM to noon, starting and ending at the Duval Street Pocket Park, with South Street and Duval Street closed for the start. We have not confirmed it with the race organiser. The evening belongs to the boat parade, and keywestchristmas.org also lists a 7:30 to 9:30 PM party aboard the Schooner Appledore II. Plan your car or bus for that night with the parking page.

Still not posted (checked Oct. 21, 2026)

  • The 2026 Lighted Boat Parade theme and flyer. Schooner Wharf’s flyer line reads “2025 Flyer – 2026 Coming Soon”.
  • The inns on the 2026 Holiday Historic Inn Tours, and the ticket price.
  • Old Town Trolley departure times. The Conch Train times are posted.
  • Waterfront Winter Wonderland dates at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater.
  • Any New Year’s Eve fireworks. The Key Lime wedge drop appears on keywestchristmas.org but not on Ocean Key Resort’s own Sunset Pier page.
  • Christmas Day hours for the Truman Little White House, Audubon House and the KWAHS museums.
  • The Coffee Butler Amphitheater ticketing page describes "Waterfront Winter Wonderland": "This December, the Coffee Butler Amphitheater at the Truman Waterfront Park will transition into a Key West Winter Wonderland" with "an ice skating rink, games, rides, attractions, music, light displays, and more." The page gives no year or dates. keywestchristmas.org lists it under "2026 UPDATES COMING SOON!" and says "Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day." Coffee Butler Amphitheater: Waterfront Winter Wonderland
  • keywestchristmas.org lists, for "Dec. 31, 2026", "Key Lime Wedge drop into giant Margarita" at "the Ocean Key Resort Sunset Pier". Ocean Key Resort's own Sunset Pier page did not mention New Year's Eve or a drop when read on 2026-10-21. Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights); Ocean Key Resort & Spa: Sunset Pier

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

  • The City of Key West calendar lists City office closures for Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26, 2026), the day after (Nov. 27), "Christmas Extension" (Thursday, Dec. 24, 2026), Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25, 2026) and New Year's Day (Friday, Jan. 1, 2027), "All city facilities". City of Key West: Calendar event notice
  • City of Key West: "Key West Rides On-Demand is an innovative form of transportation that will replace the North and South Lines". "This is a bus stop-to-bus stop service". Hours "Monday" to "Sunday 6 AM" to "8 PM", "(No service on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day)." Booking help: "305-809-3910". City of Key West: Key West Rides On-Demand Bus Service
  • Hemingway Home and Museum: "Museum is open daily, 365 days a year", "9:00am-5:00pm for walk-in visits", "Tours start every 15 minutes with the first tour starting at 9:15am". Adult "General Admission – $19"; "Children 5 and younger are FREE". Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum: Rates & Info
  • Florida State Parks: Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, "Hours 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year", "$6 per vehicle". "the park is the southernmost state park in the continental United States" and "boasts Key West's favorite beach, located at the southern end of the park, providing opportunities for picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, paddling and fishing." Florida State Parks: Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
  • Sunset Celebration: "Sunset Celebration is a nightly arts festival at Mallory Square in Key West, Florida." "Each night around one hour before sunset masses of people, both locals and tourists alike, flock to the water's edge". The history page says the Key West Cultural Preservation Society, Inc. was formed "in 1984" and "negotiated a lease with the City of Key West with the understanding that CPS would manage Sunset". Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square (Key West Cultural Preservation Society)
  • The City of Key West resource directory entry "The Custom House", "281 Front Street", says "Closed on Christmas" (a search snippet of the same entry gave hours as daily 9:30 am to 4:30 pm). KWAHS's own page gives 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and says nothing about Christmas. Do not state Christmas Day hours for KWAHS museums as fact. City of Key West: Resource Directory, The Custom House

The City calendar lists all City facilities closed on Thursday, Dec. 24 (a “Christmas Extension”), Friday, Dec. 25 and Friday, Jan. 1, 2027. The City says Key West Rides has no service on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. The Hemingway Home says it is “open daily, 365 days a year”, Florida State Parks lists Fort Zachary Taylor as open 365 days a year, and Sunset Celebration calls itself nightly.

The City’s directory says the Custom House is closed on Christmas, while the Key West Art & Historical Society’s own page does not mention Christmas. keywestchristmas.org says the Waterfront Winter Wonderland is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For anywhere else, Christmas Day hours are not published: call ahead. A fuller Christmas Day plan is on plan your visit.

Sunset times for planning

The U.S. Naval Observatory gives Key West sunset at 5:38 pm on Dec. 1, 5:40 pm on Dec. 12, 5:44 pm on Dec. 21, 5:46 pm on Dec. 25 and 5:50 pm on Dec. 31, 2026, Eastern Standard Time. Civil twilight ends about 25 minutes later, so the 8 PM boat parade is well after dark. Normals for the month are on the weather page.

When is the Key West Lighted Boat Parade in 2026?

Saturday, December 12, 2026. Schooner Wharf Bar lists its 35th annual parade at 8:00 p.m., and keywestchristmas.org lists music from 6:00 and the parade at 8:00pm. The City's event notice covers 7 to 10 PM at the Historic Seaport.

Source: Schooner Wharf Bar: Special Events (2026 Events)

When is the Key West Holiday Parade in 2026?

Saturday, December 5, 2026. The City of Key West lists it from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. keywestchristmas.org says it starts at 6:30pm, so arrive before 6:30 to be safe.

Source: City of Key West: Calendar event notice

When is the City of Key West Christmas tree lighting?

Monday, November 30, 2026, 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Bayview Park, according to the City calendar. The Holiday Fest calendar lists Nov. 29; the City's own date is Nov. 30.

Source: City of Key West: Calendar event notice

When are the Harbor Walk lights on?

Every night from Thanksgiving Eve through New Year's Eve. In 2026 the lighting is Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Source: Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights)

What time is the Harbor Walk of Lights lighting on Nov. 25?

Holiday music starts at 5:00pm and the Fishing Buoy Christmas Tree lights come on at 6:00pm at the Greene and Elizabeth St. plaza. The Lobster Trap Christmas Tree is lit at 7:00pm at the Margaret St. plaza.

Source: Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights)

When is the Holiday Historic Inn Tour in 2026?

The Holiday Fest calendar lists two nights: Friday, Dec. 11 and Friday, Dec. 18, 2026, 6:00 to 8:00 pm with 5:30pm check-in. Tickets are listed as available from Nov. 15.

Source: Key West Inns (Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West): Holiday Fest Calendar

When are the Old Island Restoration Foundation home tours in December?

December 29-30, 2026 (Tuesday and Wednesday), 1:00 to 4:00pm each day. Tickets are $55, or $45 for members, and include four private homes plus the Oldest House.

Source: Old Island Restoration Foundation: Key West Home Tours Info & FAQ

When does the Conch Tour Train holiday lights tour run in 2026?

December 8-9, 11-14 and 16-27, 2026, with departures at 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00 and 8:30 pm from Key West High School, 2100 Flagler Avenue.

Source: Conch Tour Train: Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour

When does the Old Town Trolley holiday tour run in 2026?

December 7-27, 2026, from Mallory Square. The tour lasts 60 minutes, with 35 seats per trolley.

Source: Old Town Trolley Tours: Key West Holiday Tours

Is there a menorah lighting in Key West for Hanukkah 2026?

Yes. The City of Key West lists its annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Bayview Park.

Source: City of Key West: Calendar event notice

When is Hanukkah in 2026?

Hebcal says Chanukah 5787 begins at sundown on Friday, Dec. 4, 2026 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026.

Source: Hebcal: Chanukah 2026

Is the Hemingway Home open on Christmas Day?

The Hemingway Home says the museum is "open daily, 365 days a year", 9:00am to 5:00pm for walk-in visits. It does not post separate Christmas hours.

Source: Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum: Rates & Info

Are Key West museums open on Christmas?

It depends. The Hemingway Home says it is open 365 days a year. The City's directory says the Custom House is closed on Christmas, but the Key West Art & Historical Society's own pages do not mention Christmas. Check each museum before you go.

Source: City of Key West: Resource Directory, The Custom House

What time is sunset in Key West in December?

The U.S. Naval Observatory gives 5:38 pm on Dec. 1, 5:44 pm on Dec. 21, 5:46 pm on Dec. 25 and 5:50 pm on Dec. 31, 2026 (Eastern Standard Time).

Source: U.S. Naval Observatory: Sun and Moon Data for One Day (computed for 24.5551 N, 81.7800 W, Eastern Standard Time)

Do Key West buses run on Christmas Day?

No. The City says Key West Rides has no service on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Its normal hours are 6 AM to 8 PM daily.

Source: City of Key West: Key West Rides On-Demand Bus Service

Are City offices closed over Christmas?

Yes. The City calendar lists closures on Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25, 2026, and on New Year's Day, Jan. 1, 2027.

Source: City of Key West: Calendar event notice

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

After the holidays

December in Key West every year? Ask what owning here would involve.

This planner is owned by LPE Realty LLC, a licensed Florida real estate brokerage. If you keep coming back for the boat parade and the Harbor Walk lights, we can walk you through buying or selling a home in Key West: process, timing and costs, with no pressure.

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