Coral Gables lights its holiday tree at City Hall in early December, and the Junior Orange Bowl's Miracle on the Mile parade follows. 2026 dates to come.

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. This page is updated each year. The City of Coral Gables and the Junior Orange Bowl had not posted 2026 dates when we checked, so the details below are from the 2025 events unless marked otherwise. Sources: the city’s tree lighting page, parade page and the Junior Orange Bowl. Questions: SpecialEvents@coralgables.com; parade, 305-662-1210.

Coral Gables has two big holiday traditions downtown. The city’s tree lighting at Merrick Park in front of City Hall opens the season in early December. A week or so later, the Junior Orange Bowl’s Miracle on the Mile parade brings floats, marching bands and about 2,000 young performers down Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Miracle Mile. The parade, now in its eighth decade, is the founding event of the Junior Orange Bowl International Youth Festival.

What this means for you

  • Both events are free; preferred seating at the tree lighting and VIP parade seats are sold.
  • In 2025 the tree lighting was on a Friday evening, Dec. 5, and the parade on a Sunday, Dec. 14, at 5 p.m.
  • Downtown streets close in stages on parade day, starting in the morning.
  • We will post the 2026 dates here as soon as they are announced.

Tree lighting at City Hall (2025)
When Friday, Dec. 5, 2025: show from 5:30 p.m., tree lit at 7 p.m.
Where Merrick Park, in front of City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way
Cost Free; preferred seating tickets sold

Members of the City Commission hosted a three-hour show with carnival games, holiday crafts, food vendors and Santa, who lit the tree at 7 p.m. Park lights went off at 6:45 p.m. ahead of his arrival, and the playground closed during the ceremony. Ticket holders could enter the preferred seating area and Holiday Park at 5 p.m.; it opened to everyone after the lighting, at about 7:30 p.m. The city lists accessibility accommodations for the event.

Miracle on the Mile parade

In 2025 the 77th annual parade stepped off at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. The city says the parade is free and you can watch from anywhere along the route.

Route (as published for 2024): from Alhambra Circle and Ponce de Leon Boulevard, south on Ponce de Leon to Miracle Mile, then west on Miracle Mile to Biltmore Way, where it ends.

Street closures on parade day (2024 schedule):

From Streets closed
9 a.m. Alhambra Circle from LeJeune to Douglas, and from Ponce de Leon to Galiano
1:30 p.m. Andalusia Avenue from Hernando to LeJeune; Miracle Mile from Galiano to LeJeune; Minorca Avenue from Ponce de Leon to Galiano
3:30 p.m. Ponce de Leon Boulevard from Alcazar to Andalusia; Biltmore Way in front of City Hall and from Hernando to Anderson

Parking: side streets and city garages next to Miracle Mile, such as 245 Andalusia Ave. and 99 Aragon Ave. Questions: jobc@jrorangebowl.org or 305-662-1210.

More holiday lights downtown

  • Menorah lighting at City Hall: in 2025, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, free, with hot drinks, jelly doughnuts, crafts and gelt. Details
  • Shops at Merrick Park tree lighting, 358 San Lorenzo Ave.: the mall’s 50-foot tree is lit in late November with Santa and a toy drive; in 2024 it was Thursday, Nov. 21. Details

City offices close Thursday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 25, according to the city’s holiday calendar.

More: holiday lights and Christmas events, things to do this month and getting around Coral Gables.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Coral Gables Christmas parade?

The Junior Orange Bowl’s Miracle on the Mile parade is held on a Sunday evening in mid-December. In 2025 it was 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. The 2026 date had not been posted when we checked.

Where is the Coral Gables Christmas tree lighting?

At Merrick Park in front of City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. In 2025 the free event started at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, with the tree lit at 7 p.m. when Santa arrived.

What is the Miracle on the Mile parade route?

The route the city published in 2024 started at Alhambra Circle and Ponce de Leon Boulevard, ran south on Ponce to Miracle Mile, then west on Miracle Mile to Biltmore Way.

Is the Junior Orange Bowl parade free?

Yes. The city says the parade is free and spectators can watch anywhere along the route. VIP tickets are sold separately.