Getting around Key West in December 2026: the Duval Loop question, $2 fares and Key West Rides

Our planner assumes you cover Old Town Key West on foot in December. The questions start when the walk is long, the hour is late, or a parade has closed the street you meant to use. This piece sets out what the City of Key West publishes about buses, the on-demand service, the downtown garage and the street closures of the season, as read on Oct. 21, 2026. The City’s own pages disagree about one Duval Street bus, so we start there.

The Duval Loop: listed by the City, reported suspended

Two sources disagree. The City’s Bus Fares page still lists “Duval Loop – $1”. The Key West Citizen reported on Dec. 31, 2025 that the Duval Loop route would be suspended from Jan. 2, with service replaced by the Key West Rides on-demand program, and that its fares had been free until July 2025, when they rose to $1 a ride. The Citizen is a news report, a secondary source.

Our call: do not plan a December 2026 evening around the Duval Loop. If you want to check before you travel, the City’s transit information line is 305-600-1455.

• The City's Bus Fares page still lists "Duval Loop – $1". The Key West Citizen reported on Dec. 31, 2025 that "the Duval Loop bus route will be suspended beginning Jan. 2, with service replaced by the Key West Rides on-demand transit program" and that "Fares were free until July of this year when they were increased to $1 per ride" (secondary source, news). Do not call the Duval Loop free or running. Key West Citizen (news, secondary); City of Key West: Bus Fares

City bus fares, from the City’s page

The fares took effect July 7, 2025. A City one-way ride is $2, a one-day pass $4 and a seven-day pass $8. A one-way ride on the Lower Keys route is $4, and a one-day Super Pass valid on both City and Lower Keys routes is $12. The Key West Rides page says payment is by cash or by credit card through Token Transit.

Some arithmetic from those prices. A day pass costs the same as 2 one-way rides, so it pays from the third ride of the day: three singles come to $6. A round trip every day for a week is 14 rides, or $28 in singles, against $8 for the seven-day pass, which itself costs the same as 2 day passes. The Super Pass equals 3 Lower Keys one-way rides. The fares page does not say whether passes cover Key West Rides trips, so ask when you buy.

The City’s Department of Transportation runs transit throughout Key West, Stock Island and up to Marathon, and warns that buses may be delayed by heavy seasonal traffic. Coming from the mainland is another matter, covered on our getting here page.

• City of Key West Bus Fares: "Effective July 7, 2025", City "One Way" $2 full fare, "One Day Pass" $4, "7-Day Pass" $8; Keys (Lower Keys) one way $4. "One Day Super Pass Valid on City and Lower Keys Routes $ 12". Payment by "cash and credit card via Token Transit" (Key West Rides page). City of Key West: Bus Fares
• City of Key West: "The City of Key West Department of Transportation provides public transit services throughout Key West, Stock Island, and up to Marathon, Florida." Information line "305-600-1455"; "Buses may be delayed at times due to heavy seasonal traffic." City of Key West: Transportation (KWDoT)

Key West Rides: hours and holiday gaps

Key West Rides is a bus stop to bus stop service you book on demand, and the City says it replaces the North and South Lines. It runs Monday to Sunday from 6 AM to 8 PM, 14 hours a day. Booking help is on 305-809-3910.

The City lists three days with no service. In the 2026 season they fall on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026 (Thanksgiving), Friday, Dec. 25, 2026 (Christmas Day) and Friday, Jan. 1, 2027 (New Year’s Day). The same City calendar closes City offices on Nov. 26 and 27, Dec. 24 and 25, and Jan. 1. Our Christmas Day guide covers what else is open.

• 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
• 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

The 8 PM cutoff and the evening calendar

The 8 PM end matters more in December than the holiday gaps, because the season happens after dark. Set against the published times:

• Hometown Holiday Parade, Sat. Dec. 5: the City’s window runs to 9 PM.
• Holiday Historic Inn Tours, Fri. Dec. 11 and Fri. Dec. 18: 6 to 8 pm, ending as the service does.
• Lighted Boat Parade, Sat. Dec. 12: the parade starts at 8 PM.
• Lights tours: the Conch Train’s last departure is 8:30 pm from Key West High School, 2100 Flagler Avenue; the trolley leaves from Mallory Square with times not posted.
• New Year’s Eve, Thu. Dec. 31: the drops are at midnight, and Jan. 1 has no service at all.

• The Holiday Fest calendar lists "Holiday Historic Inn Tours" Night 1 on Dec. 11, 2026 and Night 2 on Dec. 18, 2026, 6:00 to 8:00 pm, each with "5:30pm check-in. Visit and tour beautifully decorated locations and their unique architecture and history while enjoying light sweet and savory holiday treats and libation samplings. Tickets available beginning Nov. 15." Key West Inns (Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West): Holiday Fest Calendar
• keywestchristmas.org lists "35th Annual Key West Lighted Boat Parade 2026" on "Saturday, December 12" with "Music at 6:00, Parade starts at 8:00pm." The listing is headed "Schooner Wharf Bar & Galley and Absolute Vodka". Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights)
• 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
• 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

In each case Key West Rides can take you there and cannot bring you back. Plan the return on foot or by bike, or stay within walking distance.

The Park N Ride garage

The City’s Park N Ride Old Town Parking Garage is at 301 Grinnell Street, at the corner of Caroline and Grinnell, with 300 spaces filled in order of arrival. The hourly rate is $6 plus tax and the daily rate $48 plus tax, so the daily rate equals 8 hours. The City adds that special event rates may apply, set by the City Manager, which is the line to remember on a parade night. The bus stop is across Caroline Street in front of West Marine. The City page was last updated Feb. 28, 2024, so check the rate at the gate.

For the Harbor Walk of Lights, keywestchristmas.org lists the main lot at Margaret and Caroline, a parking garage “one block away” at Caroline and Grinnell, and a lot at Green and Elizabeth, plus free scooter parking and bike racks. Our parking page has every lot in one table.

• 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
• 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)

Street closures on parade and New Year’s Eve nights

Holiday Village and BeLighted Bike Ride, Fri. Dec. 4 (not confirmed)

The City notice describes a rolling closure: from the Coffee Butler Amphitheater to Southard, left on Whitehead, right on Front, right on Duval, right on United, right on Whitehead and back to the amphitheater. The organizer has not confirmed the 2026 event on its own page.

• The City of Key West calendar lists "Holiday Village & BeLighted Bike Ride – City Property Event Notice and Street Closure Notice" on "Friday, December 4, 2026", "4:00 PM – 10:00 PM", at "Coffee Butler Amphitheater", "21 East Quay Road": "There will be a rolling street closure along the parade route. Parade begins at the Amphitheater, to Southard, left on Whitehead, right on Front, right on Duval, right on United, right on Whitehead and returns to the Amphitheater." City of Key West: Calendar event notice

Hometown Holiday Parade, Sat. Dec. 5

The City’s notice is a street closure notice for 7 to 9 PM. The route published by keywestchristmas.org runs from Truman Avenue at White Street onto Duval and down Duval to Eaton Street. The Holiday Parade page has the rest of the night.

• The City of Key West calendar lists "Holiday Parade – Street Closure and City Property Event Notice" on "Saturday, December 5, 2026", "7:00 PM – 9:00 PM", contact "Dorian Patton, 305-809-3868". City of Key West: Calendar event notice
• keywestchristmas.org: "Saturday, December 5", "2026 Key West City "Hometown Holiday Parade"", "Starts at 6:30pm", "Parade starts on Truman Ave. (at White St.) then proceeds to Duval St., then down Duval St. ending at Eaton St." and "Of course Santa will make a guest appearance!" Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights)

Custom House concert and bazaar, Fri. Dec. 11

Front Street is closed in front of the Custom House from Greene Street to Whitehead Street, 5 to 8 PM.

• The City of Key West calendar lists "2026 Custom House Holiday Concert & Bazaar – City Property Event Notice" on "Friday, December 11, 2026", "5:00 PM – 8:00 PM": "The event takes place at the Custom House and Clinton Place. Front Street will be closed in front of the Custom House from Greene Street to Whitehead Street." KWAHS says students' trees will be displayed "in the week leading up to our Annual Holiday Concert & Bazaar on December 11th." City of Key West: Calendar event notice; Key West Art & Historical Society: Holiday Concert & Bazaar

Rudolph Red Nose 5K, Sat. Dec. 12 morning (not confirmed)

The City notice lists 8 AM to noon, with South Street and Duval Street closed for the start.

• 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

New Year’s Eve, Thu. Dec. 31

The City’s shoe drop notice says the 700 block of Duval Street closes from 2:00 pm, with the notice itself covering 9 PM to 2 AM. Bourbon St. Pub, at 724 Duval Street, sits in that block. The next morning there is no Key West Rides service. Our New Year’s Eve page lists all three drops.

• 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
• Bourbon St. Pub: "the 29th Annual Key West New Year's Eve High Heel Shoe Drop". "The winner will star in the three hour New Year's Eve stage show on Duval Street and descend in the iconic red high heel during the countdown to midnight." New Orleans House is "home of the famous VIP New Year's Eve balcony party where the Shoe hangs each year." Bourbon St. Pub's address: "724 Duval Street, Key West, Florida 33040". Bourbon St. Pub: If The Shoe Fits

One more: the OIRF home tours

If you book the Old Island Restoration Foundation’s Key West Home Tours on Dec. 29 or 30, note its own rules: no formal transportation is provided and there is no designated parking for personal vehicles. House addresses go up on its site a week before the tour.

• OIRF: "House addresses will be on our website one week prior to your tour." "There is no formal transportation provided." "There will be no designated parking for personal vehicles". "Children are allowed on the tour but must be accompanied by an adult at all times." "Note: homes are not always ADA compliant". Old Island Restoration Foundation: Key West Home Tours Info & FAQ

Sources we checked

• Fares and the Duval Loop line: City of Key West Bus Fares; suspension report: Key West Citizen, Dec. 31, 2025.
• Hours and holiday gaps: Key West Rides; service area: KWDoT.
• Garage: City Parking Garage page.
• Closures: Holiday Parade notice, Custom House notice, New Year’s Eve notice.
• All read Oct. 21, 2026. Signs and officers on the day win.

Written by the Christmas in Key West Editorial Team. We draft with help from AI tools; a person checks each fact against its source before it goes live.

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