Florida Keys Holiday Events Rollout Offers Family Activities, Economic Boost

Visit Florida Keys issued a seasonal advisory on November 18, 2025 that cataloged holiday programming across Key Largo, Marathon, Islamorada and Key West, offering a consolidated guide for residents and visitors planning outings in December. The roundup listed Marathon's Zonta Festival of Trees in early December, Key West's BeLighted Bike Ride and Holiday Village in early December, Historic Inn holiday tours in Old Town Key West, the 21st Annual Islamorada Holiday Fest at Founders Park on December 5 and 6 with a parade and Snow Mountain, holiday offerings at Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament December 5 through 7, and a slate of theater, music and special events through the month.

At the top of the story are immediate practical implications for local households and businesses. Seasonal programming typically draws additional visitors to the islands, which can boost revenue for restaurants, lodging and retail while increasing demand on roads, parking, waste collection and emergency medical services. For small nonprofit organizers and local charities that use fundraisers and parades to raise funds and recruit volunteers, the advisory helps consolidate event calendars and guide volunteer scheduling during a peak civic season.

The institutional roles behind the calendar are clear. Visit Florida Keys serves as the tourism coordinator and information hub, while municipal governments and parks managers are responsible for permitting, traffic control and public safety at individual events. Local law enforcement and public works departments will need to coordinate with event organizers on road closures, crowd management and sanitation. State park programming at Lignumvitae Key involves additional coordination with the Florida Park Service for visitor capacity and conservation protections.

There are policy choices to consider as the season proceeds. County and municipal officials must balance economic opportunity with residents' quality of life through transparent permitting, clear public communications about parking and closures, and equitable access to family friendly programming. The December schedule also presents an organizing moment for civic engagement, as fundraisers and volunteer runs create pathways for residents to participate in community life.

Residents seeking specific schedules, ticketing information and advisories should consult Visit Florida Keys and local municipal event pages for the most current details and any last minute changes.