The BEST Time to Visit Miami! [December 2024]

The sizzling semi-tropical city of Miami is one of Florida’s major cultural and entertainment destinations. While beachfront art deco buildings shaded by palms may be the stereotypical view of this south Florida paradise, its diverse population means Miami is also incredibly creative. Here east meets west, and south meets north, in the city’s art, culture, nightlife and cuisine.

But to enjoy the very best of this much-loved US destination, you’re going to want to know exactly when to head to the American South. The best time to visit Miami doesn’t just depend on the weather in the city, but also on costs, which can change substantially at different times of year. Then there’s the number of other tourists to take into account too.

In this guide we detail the generalities behind the best time to visit Miami, taking all of these points into consideration, before breaking down weather conditions by month, and providing you with a guide to the top events that take place each month.

When is the best time of year to visit Miami?

Miami is a little unusual because high summer is not necessarily the best time to visit the city and its beaches. Instead, the best time to visit Miami is probably the spring. At this time of year the weather in southern Florida is already warm, but lacking the humidity of later months. What’s more, Miami’s waters are at some of their warmest of the year, and the spring avoids any threat from the hurricane season.

Spring actually comes at the end of the high season, which runs over the winter months, so visiting Miami in late spring will see lower tourist numbers and more attractive accommodation prices. That said, Miami is warm and sunny throughout the year, and there isn’t any time that should be avoided. Instead, you want to pick the time of year which works best for you.

What months are the best time to visit Miami?

Spring weather can be experienced right from mid-February to May, which will be a happy surprise to anyone used to a European or New York spring. However, the tourist season hits its peak in the winter months, between mid-November and April, when its beaches can become crowded and accommodation costs at their highest. Come towards May, and this rule begins to reverse as the weather starts to heat up towards the sultry summer months, as explained in more detail below.

Miami weather in January

January lies in the middle of Miami’s high season, as those living in colder climes escape the winter chill. Here, however, temperatures rarely fall below 63°F (17°C), and visitors can expect to see highs of a very pleasant 73°F (23°C). There’s also some of the lowest levels of rain for any month, averaging 2.3 inches falling over 4 days.

Miami events in January

• Art Deco Weekend
  • Miami’s Ocean Drive welcomes Art Deco Weekend in the middle of January. Over three days this community-based festival offers guided walking tours, performances by jazz bands, a retro fashion show, films, live music, and some sumptuous street food to boot.
• South Beach Jazz Festival
  • Although the South Beach Jazz Festival may be one of Miami’s youngest annual events, it certainly manages to pack a punch all the same. Not only does it promise some amazingly talented jazz musicians, but most performances also include at least one person with a disability, with the ticket sales going towards accessibility projects.
• Beaux Arts Festival of Art
  • This festival has been going for almost 70 years, and today still showcases works from more than 200 different exhibitors who set up shop at the University of Miami. Entrance is free, while courses are available for a fee, and attracts somewhere in the region of 25,000 attendees each year.

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Miami weather in February

Rainfall levels are almost identical in January and February, giving largely clear and sunny skies. The city’s average temperatures have also changed only slightly. While average lows now sit at 64°F (18°C), highs have crept up slightly to 75°F (24°C). By contrast, the number of daylight hours actually increases, from 10.5 to 11.5 hours daily.

Miami events in February

• Miami Marathon and Half-marathon
  • The streets are closed to vehicle traffic for this mass participation event. Starting and ending on Biscayne Boulevard, the races have a stunning central city and coastal location. A largely flat course, amateur and professional runners are welcome, with the race also acting as a qualifying course for the Boston marathon.
• South Beach Wine and Food Festival
  • Taking place on the sands of South Beach itself, this foodies paradise runs over five whole days and displays the talents of more than 450 wine and spirits producers, as well as chefs and food celebrities. As a demonstration of just what a big deal this festival is, it has had an attendance of over 65,000 to date.
• Miami International Boat Show
  • At about the same time Miami is also hosting its International Boat Show. You don’t have to be after a new yacht to have a fantastic day here at Marine Stadium, since the show also includes various exhibits, including a conservation village, and free demos from many of the show’s exhibitors.

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Miami weather in March

As Miami’s high season continues, the weather remains fairly constant still. You’ll see slightly longer days than in February, but levels and the number of days of rain remain steady. When it comes to temperatures, they are continuing to creep up, ranging from 66-77°F (19-25°C).

Miami events in March

• Miami Open
  • The Miami Open tennis tournament runs for around fourteen days from the last week in March. It attracts the very best male and female tennis talent around, including Roger Federer and Marion Bartoli. It’s held at the Hard Rock Stadium and also features stands of food, art, and culture.
• Winter Party Festival
  • It may seem odd to hold a winter party festival in March, but that’s Miami! Running for a whole week, this is a free to attend series of events that is open to all and intended to be one big celebration of music and dance while raising funds for the LGBT+ community.
• Ultra Music Festival
  • This electronic dance music festival has been around for more than 20 years now, so it must be doing something right. The three-day extravaganza is one of the biggest parties of the Miami year, with previous line ups including sets from David Guetta, Skrillex, and deadmau5 among the fifty or so acts.

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Miami weather in April

The weather of the first three months of the year starts to see a subtle change in April. Temperatures rise further, with average lows of just 70°F (21°C) and highs of 79°F (26°C). The level of rainfall recorded also rises slightly, now reaching 2.75 inches, falling in showers over 4 days of the month.

Miami events in April

• Miami Beach Gay Pride
  • The week-long series of events begins at the end of March, but culminates with the gay pride parade at the beginning of April. An all-encompassing celebration of LGBT+ culture that has its origins in the gay rights movement, it attracts an impressive array of artists keen to join the annual line up on the main stage.
• Easter Funday
  • Usually taking place in April, Easter Funday is centered around Cauley Square. With a clear focus on family-friendly entertainment, children of pretty much any age are able to hunt through the plants that make up the tropical gardens here in order to find at least some of the 15,000 hidden eggs filled with candies and other surprises!

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Miami weather in May

May begins three months that experience an incredible 13.5 hours of daylight, although rainfall almost doubles to 5.2 inches over the entire month. It falls as relatively heavy showers, that on average take place on 7 days. Temperatures rise further, with lows of 73°F (23°C), and highs of 82°F (28°C).

Miami events in May

• Cinco de Mayo
  • Miami’s large Latin and Mexican population means Cinco de Mayo always goes with a bang. Taking place on May 5, the celebration marks Mexico’s independence from Spain, and sees some of the city streets turned over to fiesta-goers to enjoy the margaritas, mariachi bands, and other live performances without worry.
• Florida Supercon
  • Forget comicon, this is supercon. Miami Beach Convention Center sees four days of action linked to the worlds of Marvel and DC Comics, though horror, manga, and anime are also incorporated. In addition to the stalls there are a large number of meet and greets from directors and actors in the latest Hollywood films.
• Miami Fashion Week
  • One of the top events in the fashion calendar, Miami Fashion Week (MIAFW) opens its doors at the end of May. It dedicates itself to growing the region’s fashion industry, and ensuring that this south Florida city remains a hub for the industry’s high-end designers and producers.

Planning a trip? See our list of the best things to see in Miami!

Miami weather in June

The middle of the year sees humidity levels in Miami rising. You’ll also risk the odd heavy shower, with 7.3 inches falling over 11 days in the month. Unsurprisingly then, the temperatures have also risen further, ranging from 77-86°F (25-30°C). June is also the beginning of the hurricane season, though storms hitting Miami are thankfully rare.

Miami events in June

• American Black Film Festival
  • Hitting various venues across the South Beach area of Miami, the American Black Film Festival brings entertainment made by or for those of African descent to a wider audience. Passes for the full four-day festival come in at $120, with individual events also priced separately.

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Miami weather in July

Levels of rain drop back quite considerably as June turns to July, with levels falling back to 4 inches over just 9 days. You’ll still experience 13.5 hours of daylight in July, and temperatures hit their annual peaks, with lows of 79°F (26°C) and highs of 88°F (31°C).

Miami events in July

• International Mango Festival
  • A celebration of Miami’s favorite fruit, the International Mango Festival takes place in mid-July at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. There are a huge number of mango-based recipes to try from right around the world – both sweet and savory – as well as live music to help with the tropical vibes.
• Independence Day
  • One of the biggest dates in the American calendar, July 4 is when the US comes together to commemorate the Declaration of Independence, issued on this date in 1776, and the hard-fought battle against the British crown that followed. Head to Key Biscayne for the traditional firework display in the evening.
• Overtown Music and Arts Festival
  • Taking place for just a single day in the middle of July, the Overtown Music and Arts Festival attracts large numbers of visitors to the streets of this district of Miami. What can you expect if you head there for yourself? Think live music, great food, and crafts by local artisans, and you won’t be disappointed.

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Miami weather in August

The end of high summer, average high and low temperatures are actually identical to the figures recorded for July, and though the hours of daylight are starting to get shorter, in August this is barely noticeable. Rainfall actually rises compared to July, hitting 5.2 inches falling in heavy showers over 11 of Miami’s otherwise sunny days.

Miami events in August

• Miami Spice
  • Running for not one but two months, from the beginning of August through to the end of September, Miami Spice has the top restaurants and eateries in the area offer up specially-priced set three-course menus. Lunches and brunches cost just $23, while dinner can be had for $39.
• International Ballet Festival of Miami
  • This three week long festival has everything a dance fan could wish for. Hosting more than 20 national and international ballet companies, it offers everything from classic dance recitals to more modern and contemporary performances. What’s more, roughly midway through the festival the dancers take to Lincoln Road for a ‘ballet beyond the stage’ event.

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Miami weather in September

As the hurricane season continues, so do significant levels of rain and higher humidity levels. Rainfall hits the second-highest value of the year at 6.8 inches, which falls over 11 days just like in August, meaning showers are heavier than the previous month. Temperatures dip slightly, to highs of 86°F (30°C) and lows of 77°F (25°C).

Miami events in September

• Miami Hotels Month
  • If you’re looking for a particularly good hotel deal, then its worth remembering that September is Miami Hotels Month. Across the month, hotels in the city offer up special rates, complimentary meal deals, and significant discounts for staying longer – generally over three nights.
• Brazilian Film Festival of Miami
  • The middle of September sees venues right across Miami participating in this festival of Brazilian art and culture on film. Many screenings are free to attend, with the highlight for many being the opening event at the New World Center Soundscape Park, where a giant outdoor screen is created from an outdoor wall.

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Miami weather in October

October sees levels of rain fall back for the remaining months of the year, with the month experiencing 8 days of rain totaling 4.7 inches. The city’s temperatures are also gently falling. In October you’ll therefore enjoy highs of 82°F (28°C) and lows of 75°F (24°C). The number of daylight hours has now dropped to a still-impressive 11.5 hours.

Miami events in October

• South Beach Seafood Week
  • A diverse series of events at the end of October bring together the culinary expertise of some of Miami’s most sought-after chefs. Helping to kick off the stone crab season, the festival is frequently feted as one of the best things to do in fall, spans four blocks, and welcomes almost 15,000 people.
• Burger King Beach Run
  • This unique running race, or races – there’s a 5K and 10K version – starts out amid the beautiful vistas of South Beach and culminates in a beach party, should you not be too exhausted to participate.
• Halloween at Lincoln Road
  • Head to Lincoln Road Mall as darkness falls on Halloween night and you’ll experience US Halloween tradition in all its amazing glory. Having a family-atmosphere in the earlier part of the evening, the party sees pretty much everyone dress up in over-the-top costumes you won’t want to miss.

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Miami weather in November

November sees the end of the hurricane season and start of the peak tourist season. Humidity levels have decreased, though temperatures are still warm enough for the beach, ranging between 70 and 79°F (21 and 26°C). You’ll see just five days of rain on average, with a total of 3.2 inches.

Miami events in November

• Miami Book Fair International
  • One of North America’s most important literary fairs, the Miami Book Fair International takes place at Miami Dade College at the end of November. The street fair boasts an almost endless library of new books, together with children’s activities, and talks from some of the most popular authors of the day.
• Thanksgiving
  • Thanksgiving events in Miami includes the Winternational Thanksgiving Parade, a winter parade with a difference given the warm temperatures and sunny skies Miami experiences even in November. Featuring floats with all manner of entertainments, it starts at 10am, but you’ll need to get their earlier for a good vantage point.
• Christmas Tree Lighting
  • The 50 foot high Christmas tree in Bayfront Park is lit up for the first time at the end of November or start of December. If you’re unsure whether it’s worth attending the event, children are certain to enjoy it, while the thousands of lights glimmering from the tree is a spectacular sight right through the month.

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Miami weather in December

Christmas in Miami sees temperatures no lower than 66°F (19°C), and as high as 75°F (24°C). In addition, December is the driest month in the Miami calendar. There’s only two inches of rain, which falls over just 4 days across the month. You’ll also be able to enjoy 10.5 hours of daylight.

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Miami events in December

• Art Basel Miami Beach Show
  • Taking place at the beginning of December each year, the Art Basel show displays the works of 4,000 artists, from students to world-class professionals, put together by some of the globe’s top 200 galleries. You’ll find everything from traditional landscapes to abstract sculpture, by way of video and installation art.
• Santa’s Enchanted Forest
  • This temporary theme park, open for all of December and into the first week of January, is the world’s largest holiday theme park. Located within Tropical Park, there are rides, shows, and games all with a festive feel. Don’t miss the opportunity to take to the Ferris wheel for a bird’s eye view of the 92-foot Christmas tree, covered in over three million individual lights.
• New Year’s Eve
  • Bring in the new year in style at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel’s annual poolside concert, which sees some of the world’s top stars, such as the Jonas Brothers, performing in front of the hotel’s epic ocean views. Alternatively, hit the streets and enjoy the city’s fireworks as the clocks strike midnight.

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What is the best time to visit Miami weather wise?

When it comes to weather, Miami Florida must be one of the world’s luckiest cities, renowned as it is for its good temperatures, warm seas, and clear skies throughout the year. Despite this, most people intending to visit the city stick to the traditional wisdom that the best time of year to visit Miami with reference to the weather is during the spring.

Spring’s long months of good weather begin in mid-February and stretches right through until May. During this time, you can expect to enjoy temperatures in the region of no lower than 64°F (18°C) at the start of the season. At the opposite end of the temperature range, average highs can easily hit the low seventies (or around 22°C).

The months of February, March, and April also see some of the lowest quantities of rainfall the city experiences, nestling between two and three inches. In addition, humidity levels don’t start to build and become uncomfortable until the latter part of this season, while the city is also free of any risk of hurricanes until long after Miami has seen June come through.

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Final thoughts on the best time to visit Miami

Our list of the top events that take place annually in Miami show that it’s certainly a city that likes to party. That’s probably in no small part thanks to the fantastic weather conditions Miami is able to boast for much of the year. So, whether you’re thinking of heading to Miami to escape the chill of your home city, looking to take in the city’s cultural offerings, or hoping for some time on the beach, be sure to take note of our guide to the best time to visit Miami.

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