Celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah at these Miami events
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Illustration: Aรฏda Amer/Axios
Don't look now, Thanksgiving purists, but the winter holidays are calling.
Case in point: The cities of Miami and Miami Beach have already hosted Christmas tree lighting events and the evergreen trees are already popping up along roadside tents.ย
- Most of all, since we're off the rest of the week for Thanksgiving we wanted to give you a jump on the winter celebrations kicking off this weekend.
What's happening: Local cities and religious groups are hosting tree and menorah lighting events and Miami will be home to many festive pop-up bars.

๐ Christmas celebrations
City of Miami: The annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Domino Park Plaza in Little Havana takes place this Friday at 6:15pm.
- The Little Haiti Cultural Complex will host a tree lighting on Monday at 6pm.
- The lighting of the Coconut Grove Christmas tree will take place this Sunday atย
๐ถ Coral Gables is celebrating with a caroling competition featuring middle and high school students Dec. 4-8 and a holiday tree lighting at Merrick "Holiday" Park on Dec. 6.
- The park will transform into a winter wonderland through Jan. 8 with children's rides and more.
- The First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables will host its Nativity Festival Dec. 6 with food, music, arts and crafts and a petting zoo.
- Local high-schoolers will sing Christmas carols downtown from 7pm-9pm on Dec. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 and 19.
- On Dec. 7 and 8, Coral Gables firefighters will continue a 14-year tradition of transporting Santa Claus and his helpers through several routes around the city, handing out candy canes to kids waiting for him.
๐ฆ A Very Merry Garden at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden returns Dec. 2 with kid-friendly activities like searching for missing reindeer, photos with Santa and storytime with Mrs. Claus.
- Tickets for non-members: $25 for adults, $12 for kids 6-17.
๐ญ The World of Nutcracker at Downtown Doral markets itself as the "first fully immersive and interactive Nutcracker experience in the U.S."
- The 45-minute guided tour includes theatrical performances, light projections and sweet treats.ย
- Nov. 30-Jan. 3 at Downtown Doral Pocket Park. Tickets $18-$60.
๐ง Miami has its own artificial ice-skating rink outside Julia & Henry's downtown on Flagler Street.
- The Delta Air Lines Ice Rink will be open Thursdays-Sundays through the holidays. $15 for skate rental and rink access.
- A holiday village will feature festive bars serving seasonal drinks and a Santa's workshop photo opp.ย
- Flagler Street is also home to a 32-foot Christmas tree and 12-foot menorah.

๐ Hanukkah Celebrations
The first day of Hanukkah falls on Christmas Day this year
๐ Artist Roger Abramson's iconic seashell menorah returns to Lincoln Road for its 25th year this Hannukah.ย
- The oversized menorah โ created using thousands of seashells โ will be lit beginning Dec. 25 on Euclid Circle and anchor a big celebration Dec. 29, Abramson tells Axios. (The Lincoln Road Christmas tree is already lit)
๐ธ The Miami Beach Chanukah Festival at the Bass Museum in Collins Park will feature an oversized floral menorah, musical performances by the Hebrew School of the Arts, a toddler zone and more.
- Early bird tickets $15 for adults, $10 for kids until Dec. 1.
๐ Coral Gables is hosting a Hanukkah celebration on Dec. 29 at Ponce Circle Park.
- There will be a menorah lighting, fire truck parade and chocolate gelt drop.ย
