Stay in Key West in December
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Opens Trip.com on Fri 4 Dec to Sun 6 Dec 2026; change the dates there.
December in Key West delivers the island's most comfortable weather right alongside its highest prices and thickest crowds. Temperatures reach about 24°C (75°F) by day and hold near 22°C (72°F) at night. Hurricane season ended on November 30, and summer's 30°C highs and suffocating nights are months away. The tradewinds blow from the northeast and take the edge off subtropical humidity, though it still runs high enough that cotton beats polyester for any walk longer than 10 minutes. Travelers arriving from cities where December means sub-zero wind chill will feel the difference stepping off the plane.
Accommodation rates across Key West climb steeply in December. Restaurants in Old Town that seat walk-ins easily in October now need reservations 3 to 5 days ahead. If you want lodging within walking distance of Mallory Square, book at least 6 weeks out. The alternative is New Town, a bike ride down Roosevelt Boulevard, which works fine but loses the walkable feel of the historic district.
That said, December has a festive charge that January and February can't replicate. The Historic Seaport fills with decorated vessels for the Lighted Boat Parade around mid-month. Victorian porches along Petronia Street and through Bahama Village glow with holiday lights from the first week of December. The New Year's Eve celebrations draw thousands to Duval Street for 4 simultaneous midnight drops.
Why visit in December
- Comfortable dry-season weather, with temperatures in the low to mid 20s Celsius and rainfall well below the 189mm peak of September.
- The Lighted Boat Parade in mid-December and New Year's Eve celebrations give the island a festive energy that the quieter spring months lack.
- Prime conditions for reef snorkeling and diving, with winter visibility reaching 18 to 25 meters compared to summer's 9 to 15.
- Stone crab, hogfish, and pink shrimp all hit peak season in December, making it one of the best months for seafood in the Florida Keys.
- Direct flight options to Key West International Airport (EYW) typically increase in December, with added seasonal routes from major eastern and midwestern hubs.
Worth knowing
- Accommodation rates hit their annual peak, and anything in Old Town with December availability often books out weeks in advance.
- Cruise ships dock 3 to 5 days per week, each depositing 2,000 to 4,000 passengers into the historic district for 6 to 8 hours at a time.
- A passing cold front can briefly drop temperatures enough to cancel a planned beach day, catching visitors who expected consistent tropical warmth.
Best for
Think twice if
December marks the start of Key West's dry season, with 78mm of rain spread across roughly 7 days, typically as brief afternoon showers that clear within 30 minutes. Most days bring warm sunshine, with northeast tradewinds off the Atlantic moderating the moisture. Conditions are generally stable, though a passing cold front from the northwest can temporarily cool things down before the warm baseline returns.
Seasonal caution
- Cold fronts from the northwest pass through Key West 1 to 2 times during December, dropping temperatures to around 15°C (59°F) for 24 to 48 hours. These are brief but catch visitors who packed only swimwear and sandals.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 23 | 20 | 33 |
| Feb | 23 | 22 | 32 |
| Mar | 25 | 23 | 37 |
| Apr | 26 | 24 | 36 |
| May | 28 | 26 | 57 |
| Jun | 29 | 27 | 181 |
| Jul | 30 | 28 | 119 |
| Aug | 30 | 28 | 149 |
| Sep | 30 | 27 | 189 |
| Oct | 28 | 26 | 114 |
| Nov | 26 | 24 | 62 |
| Dec | 24 | 22 | 78 |
Holidays and festivals in December
Public holidays
- Christmas Day(Christmas Day)25 December 2026
When is Christmas season in 2026?
27 November to 26 December 2026
Christmas season is a major cultural celebration in Key West. In 2026 it runs from 27 November to 26 December 2026.
Headline events
New Year's Eve on Duval Street
December 31
Key West's New Year's Eve draws thousands for simultaneous midnight drops along the island's main strip. The conch shell drop at Sloppy Joe's is the longest-running tradition, and a drag queen descends in a giant red high-heeled shoe from a rooftop on the 800 block of Duval. A pirate wench drop and a tuna drop round out the lineup. Free street-level viewing fills the sidewalks by 10pm.
Best things to do in December
Sunset sail from the Historic Seaport
water sportsCatamarans and charter boats depart from Key West Bight for 2-hour evening cruises through the harbor and out toward the Gulf of Mexico. December's clear skies and lower humidity tend to produce vivid sunset colors, and the warm salt air off the Gulf makes standing on deck comfortable in short sleeves.
December's reduced cloud cover and dry air after hurricane season create sharper, more colorful sunsets than the storm-prone summer months.Booking tipBook 5 to 7 days ahead for weekends and the Christmas-to-New-Year's corridor.
Reef snorkeling at Sand Key or Eastern Dry Rocks
water sportsKey West's barrier reef sits about 10 km (6 miles) south of the island, reachable by boat in 30 minutes. Sand Key and Eastern Dry Rocks hold elkhorn coral formations, sea fans, and schools of sergeant majors and yellowtail snapper in warm, clear water.
Winter visibility typically reaches 18 to 25 meters as summer plankton blooms fade and seas calm.Booking tipMorning trips have calmer water. Book 3 to 5 days ahead in December.
Self-guided walking tour of Old Town architecture
cultureOld Town holds roughly 3,000 structures on the National Register of Historic Places, including Victorian-era homes, cigar factories, and former sponge warehouses. The Pelican Path walking tour covers about 50 notable buildings over 2.5 miles.
December's mild temperatures make a 2-hour walking tour comfortable rather than punishing, unlike summer's 30°C heat and relentless direct sun.Kayaking the mangrove channels
natureGuided kayak tours through Key West's mangrove channels along the northern shore take about 2 hours. The quiet splash of your paddle accompanies sightings of white ibis, great blue heron, roseate spoonbill, and juvenile tarpon moving through the shallows.
December through March is peak migratory bird season in the Florida Keys, with the largest variety of wading birds and shorebirds present in the mangroves.Booking tipBook 2 to 3 days ahead for morning departures, when wildlife is most active.
Beach day at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
beachFort Zachary Taylor, built in 1845, sits at the island's southwestern tip and holds Key West's best natural beach. The water is clear enough to snorkel from shore, and the 19th-century fort is open for self-guided tours through its brick casemates and gun emplacements.
December water temperatures around 24°C (75°F) are still comfortable for swimming, and the park sees lighter weekday traffic than during March's spring break rush.Booking tipArrive before 10am on weekends to secure parking inside the park.
Day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park
day tripThe Dry Tortugas sit 113 km (70 miles) west of Key West, reachable by a 2.5-hour ferry or 40-minute seaplane. Fort Jefferson, a massive hexagonal 19th-century fort, rises from Garden Key and is one of the most striking military structures in the Western Hemisphere.
Calmer December seas make the ferry crossing less rough than summer, when afternoon thunderstorms frequently delay or cancel trips.Booking tipThe ferry carries a fixed number of passengers per day. Book at least 2 weeks ahead for December dates, as it typically sells out by mid-November.
Deep-sea fishing for sailfish and kingfish
fishingThe Gulf Stream runs close to Key West in winter, bringing Atlantic sailfish, king mackerel, and wahoo within reach of half-day charters. Boats depart from Garrison Bight Marina on the island's north shore.
Sailfish arrive in the waters off the Florida Keys in November and remain through February, making December one of the peak 3 months for offshore billfishing.Booking tipReserve at least a week ahead for weekend charters in December.
Geminid meteor shower viewing from Smathers Beach
natureThe Geminids peak around December 13 to 14 and are one of the year's most reliable meteor showers, producing up to 120 meteors per hour under clear conditions. Smathers Beach on the Atlantic side offers a wide, dark horizon with minimal light interference from Old Town.
The Geminid meteor shower occurs only in mid-December, and Key West's southern latitude and dry winter sky provide better viewing than most of the continental U.S.What to eat in December
On menus now
Stone crab claws
Florida's stone crab season runs October 15 through May 15, and December catches tend to peak as water temperatures drop across the Keys. Served chilled with a sharp mustard sauce, the claws appear on nearly every seafood menu on the island.
Hogfish
Winter is prime hogfish season in the Florida Keys, running strongest from November through March when cooler water pushes the fish closer to shore. The mild, sweet flesh is typically pan-seared or blackened and served as a sandwich or over grits at restaurants near the waterfront.
Florida spiny lobster
Spiny lobster season runs August 6 through March 31. By December, the lobsters have grown considerably since July's mini-season, and the tail meat is plentiful on most Key West menus.
Key lime pie
The island's signature dessert uses Key lime juice, egg yolks, and sweetened condensed milk in a graham cracker crust, served cold. December's peak tourist influx keeps the best bakeries at maximum output, and freshness shows in every tangy bite.
In markets
Pink shrimp
Key West pink shrimp from the Tortugas shrimping grounds peak in December and January. The island was one of Florida's largest shrimp ports through the mid-20th century, and the catch still supplies local kitchens.
Regular events in December
Key West Lighted Boat ParadeFree
Decorated boats parade through the Historic Seaport and harbor waters at dusk, visible for free from the waterfront docks and restaurants along Key West Bight. Dozens of vessels compete for best-decorated honors.
Second or third Saturday of DecemberKey West Holiday ParadeFree
A community parade along Duval Street with floats, marching bands, school groups, and local organizations. The route covers roughly 8 blocks of the main commercial strip.
First Saturday of DecemberHoliday Historic Inn Tours
Several historic bed-and-breakfast inns in Old Town open their decorated interiors for guided evening tours, showcasing Victorian architecture and elaborate holiday displays in private gardens and parlors.
A weekend in mid-December, typically the second weekendBest places this December
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
parkThe southwesternmost point of Key West holds a Civil War-era fort and the island's clearest natural swimming beach. December's calm, warm water makes it a strong alternative to the open-ocean reef trips, and the fort's shaded casemates stay cool during a midday visit.
Old TownMallory Square
landmarkThe nightly Sunset Celebration draws jugglers, magicians, and food vendors to the waterfront plaza about 90 minutes before sundown. December's dry evenings and comfortable temperatures make standing in the crowd pleasant, and the smell of fried conch from nearby carts drifts through the salt air.
Old TownErnest Hemingway House
museumThe author's 1930s residence and its garden full of polydactyl cats lounging on warm stone walls. December's mild weather makes the outdoor portion of the tour comfortable, unlike the stifling heat of July or August when the lack of shade in the garden becomes punishing.
Old TownHarry S. Truman Little White House
museumThe winter White House where Truman spent 175 days across 11 visits during his presidency. The guided tour involves standing outdoors on the wraparound porch for portions, which is far more pleasant in December's 24°C weather than in summer.
Truman AnnexKey West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
attractionA climate-controlled glass atrium houses roughly 50 butterfly species, flowering plants, and small birds. It works well as a rainy-afternoon backup plan on one of December's occasional wet days, and the enclosed tropical warmth contrasts with the cooler air outside after a cold front.
Old TownMel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum
museumArtifacts from the 1622 wreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha, recovered off the Keys in 1985. The collection includes gold chains, emeralds, and silver bars. An indoor museum that pairs well with a morning snorkel trip or an afternoon when the weather turns.
Old TownKey West Aquarium
attractionOpened in 1934 as one of the first open-air aquariums in the United States, this compact attraction sits near Mallory Square and features Atlantic reef species, nurse sharks, and touch tanks. A good fit for the occasional overcast December afternoon.
Old TownHiggs Beach and the African Cemetery memorial
beachA public beach on the Atlantic side of the island in the Casa Marina neighborhood, with calm December water and a sandy bottom. The African Cemetery at Higgs Beach memorializes nearly 300 Africans who died here in 1860 after being rescued from slave ships by the U.S. Navy.
Casa Marina
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Insider tips
The Southernmost Point buoy, installed in 1983, draws a line 20 to 40 people deep in December. Go before 7am, ahead of the tour buses from Miami that start arriving around 10, and you'll get a clean photo with no wait.
The Duval Loop is a free city shuttle running a short circuit through the main tourist corridor roughly every 15 minutes. Many visitors don't know it exists and walk the full length of Duval Street in the midday heat for no reason.
Stone crab claws at restaurants along the Historic Seaport run roughly 30 to 40 percent less than at Duval Street establishments for the same product from the same Keys fisheries. Worth noting for a December trip where seafood might appear on the table 5 nights out of 7.
Bahama Village, centered around Petronia Street, holds some of the island's strongest restaurants and galleries at noticeably lower prices than the Duval Street strip. Walk south from the Duval and Petronia intersection for 2 blocks.
Rent a bicycle for the full week rather than daily. December daily rates compound to 3 or 4 times the weekly rate, and you'll cover every corner of Key West in under 20 minutes by pedal.
Avoid these mistakes
- Booking a hotel in New Town without realizing most attractions sit within a 10-block radius of Duval Street. The gap between New Town and Old Town is manageable by bike during the day but inconvenient on foot at night, and December taxi waits tend to be long.
- Skipping sunscreen because the air temperature feels mild. Key West sits at latitude 24.5°N, closer to the Tropic of Cancer than to any mainland U.S. city, and the December sun still burns unprotected skin quickly with reflection off the water.
- Driving a rental car around the island. Parking in Old Town is severely limited in December, and the one-way street grid turns a 5-minute bike ride into a 20-minute circling exercise. A bicycle or the free shuttle covers everything.
- Packing only tank tops and sandals. A cold front can sweep through unexpectedly, and spending an evening outdoors without a warm layer becomes uncomfortable fast.
Practical tips for December
December is Key West's busiest booking period. Reserve accommodations in Old Town or Truman Annex at least 6 weeks ahead for any property within walking distance of the main attractions. Dinner reservations at popular spots near Duval Street should be made several days out, especially for parties of 4 or more. The Dry Tortugas ferry sells out most December dates by mid-November, so book that first if it's on your itinerary. Bars along Duval Street stay open until 4am, but the city enforces an amplified-music curfew after midnight on weeknights, so street noise drops around then. Tipping follows standard U.S. practice at 18 to 20 percent. Most businesses on the island prefer card payment. Street parking in Old Town is metered and fills before 9am in December, so plan to walk, bike, or use the free Duval Loop. Key West International Airport (EYW) receives direct flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Newark year-round, with added seasonal routes in December. The alternative is flying into Miami International (MIA) and driving the 160-mile Overseas Highway, a scenic 3.5-hour route through the Upper and Middle Keys.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Key West?
December weather in Key West is warm, dry by subtropical standards, and well past hurricane season. The trade-off is peak-season pricing and substantial crowds, particularly in Old Town between Christmas and New Year's. If you book early and plan around the busiest evenings, conditions reward the investment with comfortable days and festive energy that the quieter spring months lack.
What is the weather like in Key West in December?
Warm and mostly dry. Daytime temperatures reach the mid-20s Celsius (mid-70s Fahrenheit) and nights stay warm. The month typically sees about 7 days with some rain, mostly brief afternoon showers. Humidity hovers near 80 percent, moderated by steady northeast tradewinds. One or two cold fronts may pass through and temporarily lower temperatures for a day.
Is Key West crowded in December?
Yes. The island sees its highest visitor density between Thanksgiving and Easter, and December sits at the front of that window. Cruise ships dock 3 to 5 days per week, each adding several thousand passengers to the historic district for a few hours. Weekdays before December 20 tend to be noticeably calmer than the Christmas-to-New-Year's stretch.
Is Key West safe for solo travelers?
Key West scores 7.2 out of 10 for solo-traveler safety (see the TTDI Solo-Safety Index). Old Town is well-lit and pedestrian-friendly after dark, with steady foot traffic along Duval Street into the early morning hours. Standard urban precautions apply, especially in quieter residential blocks away from the tourist corridor after midnight.
Things to Do in Key West in December
Free cancellation Key West Sunset Sail with Open Bar, Live Music and Hors D'oeuvres
Cruise: 2 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Shark and Wildlife Viewing Adventure in Key West
Cruise: 2 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Half-Day Trip from Key West with Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sunset
Cruise: 4.5 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Key West Small-Group Sunset Sail with Wine and Hors d'oeuvres
Cruise: 2 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Key West Island Adventure Jet Ski Tour: Bring a Partner for Free
Outdoor experience: 1.5 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Key West Dolphin Watch and Snorkel Tour - Eco Adventure
Cruise: 3 hours, free cancellation.
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