Doral lights its tree 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 20 at Downtown Doral Park, and the Holiday Spectacular is Dec. 5 at Central Park. Santa, markets and Christmas closures.
Last checked Nov. 3, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. The City of Doral has given two 2026 dates in its Parks and Recreation call for performers but has not posted the full 2026 holiday series, so the other city events below are from the 2025 season, with the year stated each time. We never guess a new date. City events: Parks and Recreation, 305-593-6600.
Doral’s holiday season is built around a run of free city events in late November and December: the Park and Tree Lighting, a Holiday Bazaar, a Holiday Celebration with rides and a snow slide at Doral Central Park, a menorah lighting and an outdoor symphony concert. The tree lighting and the question of a Christmas parade are covered on our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.
Updated Nov. 3: the city has set the 2026 Park and Tree Lighting Ceremony for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at Downtown Doral Park, and Doral’s Holiday Spectacular for 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Doral Central Park amphitheater.
At a glance
- Tree lighting: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, Downtown Doral Park
- Doral’s Holiday Spectacular: 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Doral Central Park amphitheater
- Still to be announced: a 2026 Holiday Bazaar, menorah lighting and Santa photo tickets
- Tickets: Santa photos and ride wristbands sell on the city’s Eventbrite page; in 2025 registration opened Oct. 27 for the tree lighting and Nov. 10 for the Holiday Celebration
- Dec. 14-15, 2026: G20 summit at Trump National Doral; road closures expected
- Friday, Dec. 25: Christmas Day; no trash pickup, City Hall closed
Lights
The city’s holiday lights go on at the Park and Tree Lighting Ceremony, which lights up Downtown Doral Park, 8395 NW 53rd St., and the Government Center next door. The 2026 ceremony is 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20; in 2025 the countdown came just before 7 p.m. Times and the full program are on our tree lighting page. We found no other public light display in Doral listed with dates. If your neighborhood or business puts on a display open to visitors, send it to us.
Doral’s Holiday Spectacular, Dec. 5
The city lists Doral’s Holiday Spectacular for 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Doral Central Park amphitheater, 3005 NW 92nd Ave., and is inviting schools and groups to perform holiday-themed acts, according to its call for performers. It takes the early December slot of the 2025 Holiday Celebration at the Park, below. The city had not posted rides, prices or parking for it by Nov. 3.
Santa
In 2025 there were two chances to see Santa at city events:
- At the tree lighting, Nov. 21, 2025, in the Doral Cultural Arts Center, in four timed sessions from 5 to 9:15 p.m.
- At the Holiday Celebration at the Park, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, 4 to 8 p.m., at Doral Central Park, 3005 NW 92nd Ave. Entry was free, with carnival rides, inflatables, a snow tubing slide and live performances. Santa photos were $5 a print, an unlimited rides wristband $10 and on-site parking $15, cash only. Free overflow parking with trolleys ran from the Doral Corporate Center and Westside Plaza 1. Tickets went on sale Nov. 10 at noon.
Holiday markets
- City Holiday Bazaar: Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, 4 to 8 p.m. at Downtown Doral Park, with artisan gifts, live music and free entertainment (2025 event page).
- Sunday Market at CityPlace Doral: every Sunday through Dec. 27, 2026.
- Food Truck Friday: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, 2026, at CityPlace Doral; free entry.
More markets and store hours are in our Black Friday and holiday shopping guide.
Menorah lighting and the symphony
In 2025 the city’s Light Up the Night menorah lighting with the Chabad Jewish Center was Sunday, Dec. 14, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Downtown Doral Park, with kosher doughnuts and giveaways (2025 event page). The Miami Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Eduardo Marturet, played a free outdoor concert in the park right after, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., according to the city’s December 2025 roundup. In 2024 the menorah lighting was Dec. 26.
For 2026, watch the dates: the G20 Leaders’ Summit is Dec. 14-15 at Trump National Doral, and the city has warned of citywide road closures. See our road construction and closures guide.
More from the city’s 2025 December calendar
| Date (2025) | Event | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Dec. 4 | Holiday cookie decorating class | Doral Cultural Arts Center | $20 |
| Thursday, Dec. 11 | Art After Dark: holiday wooden coasters | Doral Cultural Arts Center | $10 |
| Thursday, Dec. 11 | Family baking workshop: bûche de Noël | Doral Central Park Community Center | $30 |
| Thursday, Dec. 18 | “La Verdadera Historia de la Navidad,” Spanish-language puppet show | Doral Cultural Arts Center | Registration on Eventbrite |
| Dec. 18-20 | Holiday High School Basketball Tournament | Doral Central Park | Ticketed |
Already set for 2026: the city’s Silver Club senior trip to “The Nutcracker” by Miami City Ballet at the Adrienne Arsht Center, Friday, Dec. 11, with the bus leaving Doral Central Park at 5 p.m. ($53 residents, $66.25 nonresidents; 50 seats; trip page).
Christmas Day closures
| Service | Friday, Dec. 25, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Doral Government Center | Closed (city notice) |
| Garbage and recycling | No pickup; next scheduled day |
| Doral Branch Library and county offices | Closed |
| Doral Trolley | No service |
| Metrobus and Metrorail | Sunday schedule |
Sources: Miami-Dade County’s holiday list, its waste collection page and the Doral Trolley holiday schedule. Miami-Dade public schools are on winter recess Dec. 21 to Jan. 1, 2027; Friday, Dec. 18, is a teacher planning day with no students.
What this means for you
- Tree lighting Friday, Nov. 20; Holiday Spectacular Saturday, Dec. 5.
- Watch the city’s Eventbrite page for Santa photo and ride tickets.
- Plan around the G20 closures on Dec. 14-15.
- Friday trash homes skip Christmas Day pickup.
Related: Christmas parade and tree lighting, New Year’s Eve in Doral and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see Christmas lights in Doral?
The city lights up Downtown Doral Park and the Government Center at its Park and Tree Lighting Ceremony. In 2026 it is 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at Downtown Doral Park, according to the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Where can kids see Santa in Doral?
In 2025 Santa photos were offered at the city’s tree lighting and at the Holiday Celebration at the Park on Dec. 6 at Doral Central Park, $5 a print. The 2026 events are the tree lighting Nov. 20 and Doral’s Holiday Spectacular Dec. 5; the city had not posted Santa photo tickets by Nov. 3.
Is there a menorah lighting in Doral?
Yes, in 2025 the city and the Chabad Jewish Center lit a menorah at Downtown Doral Park from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. The 2026 date has not been announced.
Is trash picked up on Christmas Day in Doral?
No. Christmas Day is one of three holidays when Miami-Dade County does not collect. In 2026 it falls on a Friday; Friday homes get their next pickup on their next scheduled day.
Will the G20 summit affect holiday events in Doral?
The G20 Leaders’ Summit is Dec. 14-15, 2026, at Trump National Doral, and the city has warned of citywide road closures those days. In 2025 the city held its menorah lighting and symphony concert on Dec. 14.
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