Everything you need to plan Christmas Wonderland 2026 at Tropical Park in Miami: dates, nightly hours, ticket prices and weekday deals, what's included, theme nights, parking and tips for a better visit.
Quick answer:
- Dates: Christmas Wonderland runs Thursday, November 12, 2026, to Sunday, January 3, 2027, at Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40th St., Miami.
- Hours: 5 to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday.
- Tickets: $39.99 online for ages 13 and up ($45.99 at the gate), $29.99 for kids 4 to 12, and free for kids 3 and under.
- Parking is free.
Source for all of the above: Christmas Wonderland 2026 announcement.
See the listing on our Christmas Wonderland event page.
Quick picks:
- Cheapest night: Monday, with the online "Enchanted Monday" deal at one ticket for $25 plus taxes and fees.
- Best for groups: "Wonder Wednesday," four tickets for $99 plus taxes and fees.
- Best for little kids: go early on a weeknight, and pick up a free Duck Discovery passport at the entrance.
- Best date night: Mistletoe Mingle on Thursday, December 3, or the Christmas Bar Crawl on Thursday, December 10.
When is Christmas Wonderland 2026?
Christmas Wonderland's fourth season runs from Thursday, November 12, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027. It is closed on three Mondays: November 16, November 30 and December 7.
What are the hours?
| Day | Hours | |---|---| | Monday to Thursday | 5 to 11 p.m. | | Friday and Saturday | 5 p.m. to midnight | | Sunday | 4 to 10 p.m. |
Gates open at 4 p.m. every day from November 23 to 28 (Thanksgiving week) and from December 21 to January 2 (winter break).
What are the holiday hours?
| Date | Holiday | Hours | |---|---|---| | Thursday, Nov. 26 | Thanksgiving | 4 to 11 p.m. | | Thursday, Dec. 24 | Christmas Eve (Noche Buena) | 4 to 11 p.m. | | Friday, Dec. 25 | Christmas Day | 4 p.m. to midnight | | Thursday, Dec. 31 | New Year's Eve | 4 to 11 p.m. | | Friday, Jan. 1 | New Year's Day | 4 p.m. to midnight |
How much are Christmas Wonderland tickets?
| Ticket | Price | |---|---| | Ages 13 and older | $39.99 online, $45.99 at the gate | | Children 4 to 12 | $29.99 | | Children 3 and younger | Free |
Buying online saves $6 per adult compared with the gate price.
Are there weekday deals?
Yes. Weekday bundles are sold online only, in limited quantities, until 5 p.m. on the day you visit. Taxes and fees are extra, and blackout dates apply.
| Night | Deal | |---|---| | Enchanted Monday | 1 ticket for $25 | | Tinsel Twosday (Tuesday) | 2 tickets for $49 | | Wonder Wednesday | 4 tickets for $99 | | Twinkle Thursday | 3 tickets for $79 |
A family of four that goes on a Wednesday pays $99 plus fees, compared with about $140 at standard online prices for two adults and two kids.
What does a ticket include?
One ticket covers:
- More than 50 unlimited carnival rides, including three roller coasters
- The America 250 Wheel
- Live shows
- The hourly Light Up the Night show
- Photo spots
- Santa encounters
Carnival games, food, drinks, merchandise and professional photos with Santa cost extra (announcement).
What's new at Christmas Wonderland in 2026?
- America 250 Wheel: a 230-foot observation wheel billed as the world's largest portable wheel. Each of its 45 gondolas honors a U.S. president, and the views reach up to 14 miles. Rides are included with admission.
- Christmas Marketplace: a new European-style holiday market with chalets around the park's big Christmas tree. Expect handmade ornaments, hot cocoa with a toppings bar, spiced cider, roasted nuts and visits from St. Nicholas.
- Light Up the Night: every hour on the hour, the mile-long Tinsel Trail lights up in sync with holiday music, ending in a parkwide finale at the market.
- Duck Discovery: a free scavenger hunt for kids 12 and under. Find 10 of the 24 hidden rubber ducks to earn a four-pack of return tickets, or all 24 for a grand prize for the 2027 season.
- Santa's Enchanted Forest Memory Lane: a tribute to the holiday park Miami grew up with at Tropical Park. It brings back original set pieces, classic photo spots like Surfin' Santa and the famous jingle.
What is there to do at Christmas Wonderland?
The Tinsel Trail connects six themed areas:
- HoliDade: a Miami-Dade tribute with more than 12 photo installations, including a Gingerbread Lifeguard Stand and the Hialeah-inspired Toy Factoria.
- Town Square: storybook storefronts, Tony's Tree Farm and a vintage Christmas truck.
- Sweet Street: candy canes, gingerbread and dessert-themed photo spots.
- Toy Town: oversized toys, kid-sized rides including the Kids Wheel, and a Letters to Santa station.
- Arctic Delight: a snowy scene and Nelson's Nightcap Bar for adults (wine, Champagne and seasonal cocktails).
- Santa's Village: reindeer stables, elf workshops and Santa himself. Photos with Santa cost extra, and booking ahead is recommended.
Beyond the trail, the Magnificent Midway has roller coasters, thrill rides, a carousel and bumper cars. Local food trucks serve holiday sweets and carnival classics, and bars pour coquito, craft cocktails and La Tropical beer.
What are the Christmas Wonderland theme nights?
| Date | Theme night | |---|---| | Wed., Nov. 18 | Silent Night (sensory-friendly first two hours) | | Thu., Nov. 19 | Friendsgiving | | Mon., Nov. 23 | Furry Fam Night | | Tue., Dec. 1 | Jammies Jingle and Choir Night | | Wed., Dec. 2 | Silent Night (sensory-friendly first two hours) | | Thu., Dec. 3 | Mistletoe Mingle | | Tue., Dec. 8 | Ugly Sweater Night and Choir Night | | Wed., Dec. 9 | Silent Night (sensory-friendly first two hours) | | Thu., Dec. 10 | Christmas Bar Crawl | | Mon., Dec. 14 | Heroes Night: free admission for first responders | | Tue., Dec. 15 | Choir Night | | Wed., Dec. 16 | Pig Pardon | | Thu., Dec. 24 | Noche Buena, 4 to 11 p.m. | | Thu., Dec. 31 | New Year's at Nine: family countdown with fireworks at 9 p.m. |
Source: Christmas Wonderland 2026 announcement. Furry Fam Night is listed without details, so check the official site before bringing a pet.
Where do you park for Christmas Wonderland?
Parking is free on-site at Tropical Park, and VIP parking is available to buy. A free trolley runs from the main lots until one hour after closing. Tropical Park sits at the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826) and Bird Road. Weekend nights and the week before Christmas are the busiest, so arrive close to opening.
What can you bring to Christmas Wonderland?
The official FAQ says:
- Small bags and purses are allowed, with bag checks at the gate.
- Bookbags, large bags and CamelBaks are not allowed.
- Outside food and drinks are not allowed.
- Only service animals are permitted.
Source: Christmas Wonderland FAQ. Parts of the FAQ still show older season dates, so treat the 2026 announcement as the source for dates and prices.
Tips for a better visit
- Go Monday to Wednesday for the cheapest bundles and shorter ride lines.
- Watch Light Up the Night at the top of the hour, ideally from the Christmas Marketplace for the finale.
- Ride the America 250 Wheel early in the night, before lines build.
- Book Santa photos ahead if a photo is the main goal.
- Families with sensory needs: go on a Silent Night (Nov. 18, Dec. 2 or Dec. 9) for the first two hours.
- Buy online. It's cheaper, and the bundles aren't sold at the gate.
How does Christmas Wonderland compare with other Miami holiday lights?
- Zoo Lights Miami pairs lights with an evening at Zoo Miami.
- NightGarden at Fairchild is a quieter, garden-trail light walk in Coral Gables.
- Holiday Fantasy of Lights at Tradewinds Park is a drive-through, good if you'd rather stay in the car.
- Christmas Wonderland is the one with rides, food and a carnival atmosphere.
Compare all of them in our South Florida holiday lights guide.
Frequently asked questions
When does Christmas Wonderland open in 2026?
Thursday, November 12, 2026. It runs through Sunday, January 3, 2027.
How much are Christmas Wonderland tickets?
$39.99 online for ages 13 and older ($45.99 at the gate), $29.99 for kids 4 to 12, and free for kids 3 and under. Weekday online bundles start at one ticket for $25 on Mondays.
Are the rides included with admission?
Yes. More than 50 carnival rides and the America 250 Wheel are included. Games, food and Santa photos are extra.
Is parking free at Christmas Wonderland?
Yes. On-site parking at Tropical Park is free, and a free trolley runs from the main lots.
Is Christmas Wonderland open on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve?
Yes. It's open from 4 p.m. to midnight on Christmas Day. On New Year's Eve it's open 4 to 11 p.m., with a family countdown and fireworks at 9 p.m.
What days is Christmas Wonderland closed?
Monday, November 16; Monday, November 30; and Monday, December 7.
Is Christmas Wonderland the same as Santa's Enchanted Forest?
No. Christmas Wonderland is a separate event at Tropical Park, where Santa's Enchanted Forest used to be. This year it includes a Santa's Enchanted Forest Memory Lane tribute with original set pieces and photo spots.
Looking for more holiday plans? See things to do in Miami this weekend, the Winterfest Boat Parade guide and our Miami New Year's Eve guide.
Updated November 5, 2026. Prices and hours are from the organizer's November 2, 2026, announcement and can change; confirm on the official site before you go.
