Miami in December
Season in December
Peak season
High season Shoulder Low season Dashed line: the year's monthly average
In December, passengers arriving at the airport ran at 1.121 times their year's monthly average (median of 2023–2025). High season means 1.10 times or more, and low season 0.90 times or less.
Source: passengers arriving at Miami International (BTS T-100 Domestic and International Segment, all carriers), US Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) (www.transtats.bts.gov, checked ). It isn't a score. How the label works.
Typical December weather
- Average high
- 78.2 °F (25.7 °C)
- Average low
- 64.3 °F (17.9 °C)
- Rain in the month
- 2.44 in (62.0 mm)
- Days with 0.01 in of rain or more
- 8.0
Averages for 1991–2020, not a forecast. Any given year can differ.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), MIAMI INTL AP, FL US (USW00012839), 1991–2020 normals (www.ncei.noaa.gov, checked ).
How December 2026 scores in Miami
-
Overall score
8/10
8/10 ExcellentThe main score for Miami in December 2026, from 1 to 10, where 10 is best for the visitor. Weather counts for 40%, crowds 25%, daylight 10% and uniqueness 25%. Air quality is shown on its own. How we score
Overall 8/10: 0.4×9 + 0.25×4 + 0.1×5 + 0.25×10 = 7.60 → 8.
-
Weather
9/10
9/10 IdealWeather 9/10: the average high is 78.2 °F with 62.0 mm of rain (1991–2020 normals, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)). That high is inside the 70–86 °F comfort band, so only rain lowers the score.
How this was scored
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), MIAMI INTL AP, FL US (USW00012839), 1991–2020 normals (www.ncei.noaa.gov, checked )
- The data file read (www.ncei.noaa.gov, checked )
high 78.2 °F: no deduction; rain 61.976 mm: −1.24; 10 − 1.24 = 8.76 → 9
-
Crowds
4/10
4/10 ModerateCrowds 4/10, Moderate: in December, passengers arriving at the airport ran at 1.121 times their year's monthly average (median of 2023–2025), compared with the rest of Miami's year. Based on passengers arriving at Miami International (BTS T-100 Domestic and International Segment, all carriers), US Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). Airport passenger counts include residents and connecting passengers.
How this was scored
- passengers arriving at Miami International (BTS T-100 Domestic and International Segment, all carriers), US Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) (www.transtats.bts.gov, checked )
- The data read (www.transtats.bts.gov, checked )
- The data read (www.transtats.bts.gov, checked )
2023: 1.151; 2024: 1.110; 2025: 1.121; median 1.121; 10 − 9 × (1.121 − 0.60) / 0.80 = 4.14 → 4
-
Daylight
5/10
5/10 AverageDaylight 5/10: in December 2026 the sun is up for 10 h 34 min a day on average, from sunrise to sunset at 25.79° N, 80.32° W (NOAA solar equations).
How this was scored
- Destination point 25.79° N, 80.32° W, the weather station's published coordinates (www.ncei.noaa.gov, checked )
- Sunrise and sunset by the NOAA Solar Calculator equations, checked against NOAA's own Solar Calculator code (the US Naval Observatory's service didn't answer us) (gml.noaa.gov, checked )
mean of 31 days from sunrise to sunset: 10 h 34 min (10.56 h); 1 + 1.5 × (10.56 − 8) = 4.84 → 5
-
Uniqueness
10/10
10/10 Packed calendarUniqueness 10/10: 5 dated events from official calendars fall in December 2026: Art Miami (festival), Untitled Art (festival), Art Basel Miami Beach (signature), Junior Orange Bowl Parade (signature) and AvMed Orange Bowl Beach Run (single-day).
- Art Miami · Festival · Dec 1–6 · +2
- Untitled Art · Festival · Dec 2–6 · +2
- Art Basel Miami Beach · Signature · Dec 4–6 · +3
- Junior Orange Bowl Parade · Signature · Dec 6 · +3
- AvMed Orange Bowl Beach Run · Single-day · Dec 13 · +1
How this was scored
- Art Miami (festival), 2026-12-01 to 2026-12-06, Art Miami Pavilion, 1 Herald Plaza, Miami, FL (www.miamiandbeaches.com, checked )
- Untitled Art (festival), 2026-12-02 to 2026-12-06, Ocean Drive and 12th Street, Miami Beach, FL (www.miamiandbeaches.com, checked )
- Art Basel Miami Beach (signature), 2026-12-04 to 2026-12-06, Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Dr, Miami Beach, FL (www.artbasel.com, checked )
- Junior Orange Bowl Parade (signature), 2026-12-06, Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL (juniororangebowl.org, checked )
- AvMed Orange Bowl Beach Run (single-day), 2026-12-13, South Pointe Park, 1 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL (www.orangebowl.org, checked )
- Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau events (official tourism board calendar) (www.miamiandbeaches.com, checked )
- Miami-Dade County calendar (city or municipal government calendar) (www.miamidade.gov, checked )
- Grand Slam tennis (WTA Tour 2027) (major-sports competition calendar) (wtafiles.wtatennis.com, checked )
- Formula 1 World Championship (2026 and 2027 seasons) (major-sports competition calendar) (www.formula1.com, checked )
- FIFA World Cup and continental championships (Women's World Cup 2027, AFC Asian Cup 2027, Concacaf W Championship 2026) (major-sports competition calendar) (digitalhub.fifa.com, checked )
- Abbott World Marathon Majors and World Athletics Platinum Label road races (major-sports competition calendar) (worldathletics.org, checked )
- Super Bowl (2026-2027 National Football League Important Dates) (major-sports competition calendar) (www.nfl.com, checked )
- NFL regular-season international games (2026 slate) (major-sports competition calendar) (media.nfl.com, checked )
- UEFA club competition finals 2026/27 (Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Women's Champions League) (major-sports competition calendar) (www.uefa.com, checked )
- Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28 Games dates; Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games) (major-sports competition calendar) (la28.org, checked )
1 + 2 (Art Miami, festival) + 2 (Untitled Art, festival) + 3 (Art Basel Miami Beach, signature) + 3 (Junior Orange Bowl Parade, signature) + 1 (AvMed Orange Bowl Beach Run, single-day) = 12 → 10 (capped at 10)
-
Air quality
9/10
9/10 Mostly good airAir quality 9/10: 85 of 93 measured days in December (2023–2025) were in EPA's Good range for fine particles (PM2.5 at 9.0 µg/m³ or less), at 11 monitors within 25 miles. It isn't part of the overall score. Source: US Environmental Protection Agency, AirData (monitors operated by Broward County Environmental Protection Department and Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management).
How this was scored
- US Environmental Protection Agency, AirData (monitors operated by Broward County Environmental Protection Department and Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management) (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
- Vista View Park monitor (12-011-0033-23), 19.6 miles from the destination point (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
- Vista View Park monitor (12-011-0033-3), 19.6 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
- Daniela Banu NCORE monitor (12-011-0034-1), 18.6 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
- Daniela Banu NCORE monitor (12-011-0034-23), 18.6 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
- Daniela Banu NCORE monitor (12-011-0034-3), 18.6 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
- Palm Springs Fire Station monitor (12-086-0033-1), 10.5 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
- Miami Fire Station monitor (12-086-1016-2), 6.5 miles from the destination point, Highest concentration (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
- Miami Fire Station monitor (12-086-1016-23), 6.5 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
- Miami Fire Station monitor (12-086-1016-3), 6.5 miles from the destination point, Highest concentration; population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
- HOMESTEAD FIRE STATION monitor (12-086-6001-1), 24.2 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
- Wittkop Park monitor (12-086-6002-1), 23.8 miles from the destination point, Population exposure (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
- The data read (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
- The data read (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
- The data read (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
- The data read (aqs.epa.gov, checked )
2023: 28 of 31 days Good; 2024: 30 of 31 days Good; 2025: 27 of 31 days Good; pooled 85 of 93 = 0.914; 1 + 9 × 0.914 = 9.23 → 9
This is a summary of past measurements, not health advice. For today's air, see AirNow or the local agency.
Miami through the year: scores out of 10, where 10 is best for the visitor; * marks a provisional score, explained on that month's page
| Aspect | Nov 2026 | Dec 2026 (this page) | Jan 2027 | Feb 2027 | Mar 2027 | Apr 2027 | May 2027 | Jun 2027 | Jul 2027 | Aug 2027 | Sep 2027 | Oct 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8* provisional | 7* provisional | 8 | 6* provisional | 5* provisional | 5* provisional | 5* provisional | 6* provisional | 6* provisional |
| Weather | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Crowds | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| Daylight | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
| Uniqueness | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9* provisional | 8* provisional | 10 | 5* provisional | – not measured | – not measured | – not measured | – not measured | – not measured |
| Air quality | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
Scores summarize official data with the method on How we score. They aren't a recommendation, and any given year can differ.
When to go
December falls after the official end of the Atlantic hurricane season, although the National Hurricane Center notes that tropical cyclone activity sometimes occurs outside the official dates. NOAA's climate normals for Miami International Airport point to warm days, mild nights and modest rainfall. Art Basel Miami Beach is listed for early in the month in Miami Beach, and the Orange Bowl's site lists the AvMed Orange Bowl Beach Run for mid-month. Check those dates against your own, and note that county transit runs a Sunday schedule on Christmas Day.
Trip facts
- NOAA NCEI's monthly normals (1991-2020) list an average daily high of 78.2 and an average daily low of 64.3 degrees Fahrenheit for Miami International Airport in December. (www.ncei.noaa.gov, checked )
- NOAA NCEI's monthly normals (1991-2020) list average monthly precipitation of 2.44 inches for Miami International Airport in December. (www.ncei.noaa.gov, checked )
- The National Hurricane Center says the official hurricane season for the Atlantic basin is from June 1 to November 30, but tropical cyclone activity sometimes occurs before and after these dates, respectively. (www.nhc.noaa.gov, checked )
- Art Basel's Miami Beach page lists Art Basel Miami Beach for December 4 - 6, 2026, in Miami Beach. (www.artbasel.com, checked )
- The Orange Bowl's page for the AvMed Orange Bowl Beach Run lists the 5K and 10K for Sunday, December 13, 2026, at 7:30 AM, starting at South Pointe Park in Miami Beach. (www.orangebowl.org, checked )
- Miami-Dade County's Observed County Holidays page lists Christmas Day 2026 as Friday, Dec. 25, and says County bus, Metrorail and Metromover service operates on a Sunday schedule on New Year's Day and Christmas Day, among other holidays, and is normally scheduled on the rest. (miamidade.gov, checked )
- The Transportation Security Administration's REAL ID page says that starting May 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. (www.tsa.gov, checked )
- Miami International Airport's Public Transportation page says Metrobus, Metrorail and Tri-Rail airport connections are located in the Miami Intermodal Center / Miami International Airport Station, and that the free MIA Mover links the terminal to the Rental Car Center's customer service lobby. (www.miami-airport.com, checked )
- Miami International Airport's Public Transportation page lists route 150 Miami Beach Airport Express among the bus routes that serve the airport, and its Miami Beach Bus section says service runs every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. - 11:40 p.m., seven days a week, between the airport's Metrorail station and Miami Beach (from 41st Street to South Pointe Drive). (www.miami-airport.com, checked )
- Miami-Dade County's Metrorail page says Metrorail operates 5 a.m. to midnight seven days a week, that riders can pay at the fare gate with contactless payment or use an EASY Card, EASY Ticket or the GO Miami-Dade Transit app, and that fare gates do not accept cash. (www.miamidade.gov, checked )
- Miami-Dade County's Metromover page describes the Metromover as a free elevated people mover system that operates seven days a week in the downtown Miami, Omni, and Brickell areas. (www.miamidade.gov, checked )
- The City of Miami Beach's Citywide Free Trolley page says the trolley service currently operates 15 hours a day, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., 7 days a week, at approximately 20-minute average service frequency along each route. (www.miamibeachfl.gov, checked )
- Florida's Turnpike's Rental Vehicles page says most rental car companies offer programs that allow their customers to include tolls in the rental agreement, that each company has a different payment arrangement, and that the TOLL-BY-PLATE payment option is not available for customers in rental cars. (floridasturnpike.com, checked )
Flights
Miami International Airport's own website lists its Metrobus, Metrorail and Tri-Rail connections at the Miami Intermodal Center and a bus route between the airport and Miami Beach, so look at it before you land. Domestic flyers should also read the TSA's REAL ID page, which says travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights. Check the airlines directly for current flight and route information.
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Where to stay
Compare staying in Miami Beach, where Art Basel Miami Beach is held and the city runs a citywide trolley, with downtown, Omni or Brickell, which the county's Metromover serves. Check whether your dates overlap with the art fair, since it is the kind of week when availability and cancellation terms are worth looking at early, and compare how close each stay is to a Metrorail station or a trolley stop.
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Getting around
Miami-Dade County describes the Metromover as a free elevated people mover through downtown, Omni and Brickell, and Metrorail runs daily with fare gates that do not accept cash. On Miami Beach, the city's trolley runs every day. County buses, Metrorail and Metromover follow a Sunday schedule on Christmas Day, so plan around that. If you rent a car, Florida's Turnpike says the toll-by-plate option is not available in rental cars, so ask the rental company how tolls are charged before you drive off.
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Things to do
Decide what is worth building a day around, then check availability for your travel dates. Compare what a tour or ticket includes, the meeting point and the cancellation terms before you choose.
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Stay connected
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Protect the trip
Travel insurance is priced for a specific trip. Once you have booked, compare plans with your real dates and every traveler’s age. Read each plan’s emergency medical and evacuation limits, and what it excludes.
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