Christmas in Miami

Christmas lights and tinsel look better sparkling in the sub-tropical sunlight. Through the years, Miami has celebrated the holiday season with reindeer on snowless rooftops, lights twined around palm trees and sleds parked firmly on green grass. The city’s downtown was traditionally decorated as a shirt-sleeve version of a winter wonderland and the competition for best lighting from Hialeah to Miami Shores included plastic snowmen and nativity scenes under blue skies.

 

12/5/1986, Robin Cohen/Miami Herald Staff: Residents visit the Castle, one of the many bright decorations to see at Hialeah triangle park.
12/13/1961: Public Invited. A Christmas display at the U.S. Naval Ordnance Laboratory at Broward International Airport will be open to the public on the evenings of Dec. 21, 22, and 23. Lt. Cmdr. E.A. Schumacher said there will be chairs placed about the grounds for those who want to stay for a recorded concert of Christmas music.
12/22/1957: Christmas decorations at downtown Miami.
1977: Christmas decorations at downtown Miami.
12/18/1954, Bob East/Miami Herald Staff: Little River area ready for Christmas.
11/18/1984, Rick McCawley/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas decorations. Workmen put Santa's letter box in the park across from Coral Gables city hall.
11/16/1963, Bill Kuenzel/Miami Herald Staff: Where’s Santa? How many shopping days to Christmas? Not many if you can believe what you see on Flagler St. these days. Pushing the season a bit - we haven’t arrived at the Thanksgiving milestone yet-Christmas decorations have added to the scenery in Miami’s bustling downtown area.
12/1/1975: Christmas decor in patio of Vizcaya art museum.
11/22/1961, Carol Guzy/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas shopping starts. Eddie Valdes (5) was with his parents at Burdines on 163rd St who weren't shopping for Christmas yet but said he is already talking about what he wants.
12/12/1981, Albert Coya/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas decorations.
1989: Christmas decorations.
12/15/1967, Dave Didio/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas decorations.
10/26/1980: Christmas decorations.
12/18/1970: Christmas Decorations at 5852 Coral Way.
12/6/1988, Al Diaz/Miami herald Staff: Bill Clot and his wife stand in their side yard filled with over 175,000 Christmas lights and 50 figures drawing 1800 amps of power and costing approximately $3600 a month above their regular electric bill. Friends, family and neighbors helped decorate the whole house and yard.
12/24/1981, Carol Guzy/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas decorations at NE 100 St East of 6 Ave.
12/13/1972, Dave Didio/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas decorations at 801 E 17 St, Hialeah.
12/18/1970: Christmas Decorations at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James J. Muller, 6547 Coral Way.
12/13/1969: Christmas Decorations at the Thelma Nulvey home.
12/25/1983: Alicia McCuseland stands behind one of the sugar plum fairies that invaded the North Miami General Hospital's Nursery this year dressed all in plum of course.
12/25/1983, Robin Shields/Miami Herald Staff: Plastic snowmen will have to do in the tropics, picture made on NW 135th St., east of the interstate.
12/1/1983, Robin Shields/Miami Herald Staff: A stately lion carries a festive bow and hat on North Miami Ave.
12/22/1977, Michael Steinbacher/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas Decorations. Home of Hermon Deichmann.
12/16/1971, Battle Vaughan/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas Decorations. Home of Bernard Smith, 1135 NE 131 St.
12/28/1973, Bob East/Miami Herald Staff: John J. Crawford holds oldest of his five kerosene lanterns used on his front porch Christmas decor - says he must be saving energy for coal oil only costs 25c per gallon and there is plenty of it. Besides he doesn’t turn his lantern is marked St Louis, USA 1858 - others are new models up the wick.
12/15/1963, Michael Costa is helped by his wife, left, daughter Adelaide and Jerry Baylor, from the Homestead Air Force Base.
12/24/1978: Christmas decorations. Tom Mueller's home at 131 Place & 10th St..
12/13/1972, Dave Didio/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas Decorations at 6557 SW 33 St..
12/25/1965, Eamon Kennedy/Miami Herald Staff: Most original decorations contest in Coral Cables. This is the home of Alfred Silvestro at 545 Jeronimo Drive.
12/15/1963, Albert Coya/Miami Herald Staff: Sno' Foolin'. “I don’t care what anybody says ... it looks more like a scarecrow than a snow man.” These are the sentiments of 16-month-old Thomas Hildebrand, who refuses to be taken in by the clever and decorative cactus-dressed-like-a-man in front of his home at 101 NW 36th Ct. The Christmas-y ornament was designed by his mother, Mrs. Frank Hildebrand.
12/15/1963, Albert Coya/Miami Herald Staff: Thomas Hildebrandt, 16 month old, son of Mr. and Mrs. Prank Hildebrand, from 101 NW 36 Ct., admire the "Tropical snow man".
12/17/1970, John Walther/Miami Herald Staff: Rick Phoenix home at 10749 NE 2nd Ave., Miami Shores.
12/22/1978: Christmas decorations winning display.
12/30/1982: Angela Martinez in Triangle Park next to Christmas Tree.
12/27/1971: Mr. and Mrs. Henry Harris standing by part of the Christmas decorations that won them first place honors in the Gables. Mrs. Harris holds a clock they won for first place.
12/24/1967, Bob East/Miami Herald Staff: This home won the Christmas decorations grand prize. The Verdon home at 1244 Anastasia Ave..
12/13/1972, Dave Didio/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas decorations in 1840 E. 9th Ave, Hialeah.
12/13/1972, Dave Didio/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas Decorations at 7804 W. 16 Ct, Hialeah.
12/22/1977: Muellers have big-old Christmas display in yard, including animated animals; spills into neighbors' yard.
Undated: Christmas decorations.
1972: Christmas decorations at 6448 W 12 Ct., Hialeah.
12/19/1982: Don Steigerwalk, left, Jim Taylor, right, setting up Christmas decorations.
12/10/1982, Carol Guzy/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas decorations at the Elliot home. William Elliot with wife Wanda and son Kent.
12/12/1982: Christmas decor.
12/18/1970: Christmas Decorations. Granada 6875, Coral Gables.
12/23/1979: High-rise Christmas decorations.
11/24/1955, Doug Kennedy/Miami Herald Staff: The James I. Cerniglia home at 700 South Alhambra circle is a gleaming tribute to the holiday season.
12/13/1969: The Kempster home, 811 E 17 St. Hialeah.
12/22/1952, Tony Garnet/Miami Herald Staff: Southern Memorial Parks.
12/4/1986, John Walther/Miami Herald Staff: Carmichael Home in Miami Shores.
12/13/1993: Michelle Gutierrez (Mary) & Carolina Arguelles (the star) carry their cousin Michael Pinto (the lamb) while the cousins rehearse their pageant.
12/10/1961, John Pineda/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas pageant.
12/12/1964, Tom McCarthy/Miami Herald Staff: Ouch, the pin sticks, says Laura Moore to Mrs Arlene Dockweiler.
12/10/1972: Christmas parade.
12/10/1972: Christmas parade.
12/4/1965, Wayne warren/Miami Herald Staff: Coral Gables Christmas Parade.
Undated, Albert Coya/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas Parade. Michelle Lopez and Marilee Dawson, of Brownies troop 333, protect themselves from the rain with the board they ere supposed to carry.
Undated, Albert Coya/Miami Herald Staff: Interamerican Military academy guard of honor carrying the colors at the Christmas parade in Miracle Mile.
Undated, Albert Coya/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas Parade. Coral Gables High band.
Undated, Albert Coya/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas Parade. Coral Gables High band doing their thing.
12/18/1965, John Pineda/Miami Herald Staff: Their drawings relate the Christmas Story, and the Concordia Lutheran Church will use the young artists work in a Christmas Eve service. Among the 75 youngsters participating are, from left, Steve Geist, Martin Berg, Marta Lindblon and Debbie Zellner.
12/24/1978, Joe Elbert/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas play.
12/1/1986, Robin Cohen/Miami Herald Staff: The singing angels, Dorothy Perry's group of youth's she organizes to sing every Christmas
12/9/1986, Robin Cohen/Miami Herald Staff: Twannette Jackson, 9, is one of the soldiers in the production of the Nutcracker, which was done as a play rather than ballet.
12/21/1957, Bill Kuenzel/Miami Herald Staff: Nativity play to be on TV. A modern adaptation of the Christmas Nativity story has been written by a local pastor and will be presented on television by the Greater Miami Council of Churches at 2pm, Sunday. The play is called "The Living Nativity" and was written by the Rev. Neil Wyrick Jr. of Palmetto Presbyterian Church.
12/16/1966, C.A. Mitchell/Miami Herald Staff: Drama Group. Pupils of the Lynsdown School in Leisure City polish their lines during dress rehearsal for a Christmas play tonight. The school will present a second play based on the Chanukkah Festival of Lights. Nancy Eybert plays Mary, George Fielding is Joseph and the wisemen, from left to right, are Rickie Veva, David Gilbert and Douglas Manning.
12/23/1979, Miami Herald Staff: Christmas play.
12/12/1964, Tom McCarthy/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas Music.
12/19/1986, Robin Cohen/Miami Herald Staff: Chyritta Holley, 6, plays the bride, and Bobby Paschal, 6, plays the groom in the play that Miami Parks Elementary puts on at Central High School, the entire school walks to the high school to watch.
12/2/1990, Candance Barbot/Miami Herald Staff: Elf Contestant, Molly Lahiff, 4½ yrs., marched along happily waving a larger group of "Elves" all of whom were competing in the "Cutest Elf Contest", which was part of this afternoon's parade.
12/10/1989, C.M. Guerrero/Miami Herald Staff: Kids from St. Michael Catholic School.
12/4/1988, Christine Pace/Miami Herald Staff: Ashley Smith (5 yrs.) sucks on a Candy Cane while waiting her turn to March in the parade of the Elves Sunday. The parade extended on Sunset Dr. to Red Road. There were over 60 entrees in the parade, including local school bands, cheerleaders, South Miami mayor, South Miami police officers and clubs.
12/4/1988, Christine Pace/Miami Herald Staff: Brownie Troop 159 marched in the parade of the elves down Sunset Drive. Although one Borwnie appears to be to tired to March! The parade included over 60 entrees including local school bands, Cheerleaders, South Miami Mayor, South Miami Police Officers and Clubs.
12/9/1986, Robin Cohen/Miami Herald Staff: Shauna Stephens, 8, plays in the string ensemble for Van E. Blanton Elementary they put on the Nutcacker for the school.
12/16/1958: Isn’t He Cute? One of Santa's reindeer was among decorations at a recent Christmas party honoring senior citizens. Mrs. C. F. Hall and Nettie R. Austin were two of the 170 party guests. Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Greater Miami gave this party for the third year and invited the men and women from Bay Oaks Home, King’s Daughters and Sons Home, Biscayne Methodist Home and Largay Nursing Homes.
***** Christmas Party
Fraternal Order of Police throw a Holiday Party for children at the Dade County Easter Seal Society. Sgt. Roy Brown of Miami Police, center, Craig Wicke, principal of the Easter Seal Demonstration School, right, and student Michael Anderson is on the bottom right.
Gregory Gisme, 5, and other children from Grace Methodist pre-school head start program in north Miami wait outside of Miami Arena for their bus after receiving their gifts as they exited. Gisme is second from the left. Gisme received a toy truck that was the envy of all the others but he managed to share it with some of the other kids.
Devonna Bass, 5, and LeChiam Spivey, 5, Dance to the music of Michael Jackson at the Miami Arena. The children were with Glade-view headstart in liberty city.
Monica Giron form Carver elementary school during Christmas - lunch at rusty pelican restaurant, a good time was had by 450 kids who were invited for the free shows and meal...
12/16/1991, Tim Chapman/Miami Herald Staff: Juanita Carter (L) , Quatisha Jackson (M), and Camaurice Collier (R) watch a Chirstmas show during a lunch at Rusty Pelican restaurant.
12/13/1959, Doug Kennedy/Miami Herald Staff: CHILDREN’S Christmas parties almost always have a Santa. Here Barbara Fien sits on Santa’s lap at a party given by Gamma Epsilon Chapter, Beta Sigma Phi, for children who have cystic fibrosis. Santa is Rocco Pace.
12/22/1985, Robin Cohern/Miami Herald Staff: Tommy Halloran, 2, was dressed for the occasion at the tree lighting ceremony at the Miami Shores Recreational center.
12/22/1992, Chuck Fadely/Miami Herald Staff: Phillis Wheatley Elementary school kindergartner, Ashley Florence, shows off some of the presents she received from Santa during a party at the school. Southern Bell Telephone Pioneers along with the Orange Bowl Committee provided the talent and goodies for the Christmas party for the school. Santa arrived by helicopter, handed out presents, and the kids all got their own reindeer antlers.
12/20/1964: Chomp goes Sandra Tindall, 3.
12/20/1989, Candance Barbot/Miami Herald Staff: At the beginning of a large party for H.R.S. foster children, foster child Rico Munize, 6, Dances with C.Y.F. adoptions counselor, Ada M. Gonzalez, who was dressed up for the occasion as one of Santa's Elfs.
12/17/1989, C.M. Guerrero/Miami Herald Staff: Rev. Daniel Raymundo of World Relief, hands out plates of lechon, moros and yuca to the families of ex-Cuban political prisoners and their families.
12/18/1989: Christmas party. Miguel and Daniel Smith.
12/17/1989, C.M. Guerrero/Miami Herald Staff: Monica Collazo-3, has her hands full of teddy bears and dolls at the Orange Bowl as the Latin Builders Association annual Christmas toy give-away, where 1000's of people were present.
12/20/1988, C.W. Griffin/Miami Herald Staff: Sister Maura Phillips enjoys a after dinner dance with Helen Lastna. They were at a Christmas party for about 150 elderly that was sponsored by Polly DeHersch Meyer. They all received dinner and a gift.
12/12/1988, Peter Portilla/Miami Herald Staff: "OF COURSE, YOU KNOW THIS MEANS WAR!" One-and-a-half year-old Ashley Alonso takes a squeeze at Bugs Bunny's nose as nine year old brother Brian, mom Jane, and brothers, ten-year-old Eric and four-year-old Randy watch and giggle over her audacity and lack of fear of this lovable, but towering six-and-a-half foot rabbit. Many other cartoon characters from Walt Disney, Warner Brothers and popular puppets from children's favorite television shows were on hand to entertain the young of all ages as they toured the nooks, cranies and mazes of Vizcaya during the Vizcaya Family Christmas Party. The cartoon characters, and singing and dancing performed by various Dade County Schools student groups were key-notes of the evening.
12/15/1988, Peter Andrew Bosch/Miami Herald Staff: Ann Sterling Santa's helper tell some of the kids Christmas stories at the Miami Park and Recreation Department's Christmas party and dinner for the handicapped.
12/24/1987, Peter Andrew Bosch/Miami Herald Staff: George Hernandez was playing Santa at the North Dade Health center where students from North Carol City elementary have donated toys to the pediatric unit of the health center. Santa was giving 7 year old Arline Vargas her Christmas present.
12/23/1987, C.M. Guerrero/Miami Herald Staff: FPL Employees belonging to the FPL program called "Assist" sing along with kids of different ethnic groups in Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Approximately 300-400 people were present at the church auditorium. Kids of Volunteers
12/24/1987: Christmas carols at the Southwest Social Services Program party.
12/20/1987, Peter Andrew Bosch/Miami Herald Staff: Shaguandra Ruffin modles a dress at a Christmas party for the elderly residents at Covenant Palms.
12/16/1987, C.M. Guerrero/Miami Herald Staff: Inocencia Chavez, 5, carries a bag full of clothes donated by the Dade County Schools Dept.
12/12/1970, Marlin Levinson/Miami Herald Staff: B'nai B'rith Christmas Party. Jimmy Garrison, 7; Leo Steinman; Santa; Elizabeth Jolly, 5; and Paul Goodrich, 12.
12/21/1970, John Pineda/Miami Herald Staff: Mireya Velazquez holding a music box at Christmas event.
12/15/1983, Carol Guzy/Miami Herald Staff: Josefina Fernandez (left) and Ursula Marinas (right) at the Christmas party for Hispanics held at Bayfront Auditorium.
12/22/1968, Bill Sanders/Miami Herald Staff: Shelley Davis, Burdine Youth Center volunteer, distributing some of the Christmas goodies to participants of neighborhood party.
12/25/1983, Miami Herald Staff: Wendy Pratt, V.P. of the Miami High Key Club, gives a little holiday cheer on Philip Stone) at the Villa Maria Nursing home on 125th street in North Miami. The club members came to decorate a tree and sing songs for the residents.
12/19/1969: Christmas celebration for migrant children.
12/22/1960: One tiny dip into the punch bowl and who will know, thinks Julia Savard, 6, one of 150 children at the party. Julia’s parents are Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Savard, of Coconut drove. Mrs. Robert Crain wrote and staged ‘Pepe and the Angel,’ a pup- jet show for children at the party.
12/2/1960, Miami Herald Staff: Christmas Party with refreshments, musical program and carol singing is enjoyed by members of the Happy Thursday Club of the Crippled Children’s Society. Auxiliary of Dade County Medical Association gave the party for the club, which includes adults from 18 to 8-5 from the society’s rehabilitation center. Mrs. Cal S. Kellogg of the auxiliary, serving cake, heads party committee.
12/22/1983: Christmas Party.
12/22/1973, Bob East/Miami Herald Staff: Unidentifed Cuban father shows his little girl how Santa arrives at PBA park party.
12/22/1973, Bob East/Miami Herald Staff: Christmas Party. Georgia Jackson,7, waits apprehensively for Santa's arrival at PBA park.
12/20/1976, W.O. Minor Jr./Miami Herald Staff: Christmas Party.
12/22/1973, Bob East/Miami Herald Staff: Santa (helped by Miami police investigator Dan Cabrerra inside) hands out candy to kids at PBA park after arrival by helicopter.
12/23/1973, Bob East/Miami Herald Staff: The biggest Christmas present of all was for Terry Wood, 9, at PBA park when he got to squirt a real fire hose.
12/23/1972, Roy Bartley/Miami Herald Staff: Miami Police and Firemen's Benevolent Association Christmas party for underprivileged children at their park in 2300 NW 14th St. Safety Officer Don Koivu as Keystone Cop chases kids out of park.
12/22/1963, Tom McCarthy/Miami Herald Staff: The North Miami Beach Lions Club held its annual Christmas party Sunday in the Robert Clay Hotel for some special children from Variety Children's Hospital. For guest Deidre Sarno, a lick of sweets..Brother, Red, goes for balloons.
12/23/1961, John Pineda/Miami Herald Staff: Light Up the Christmas candles and pass the goodies - all with smiles as bright as the gleaming silver service and tinsel decorations. In picture at left, Mrs. Byrd V. Duke Jr., honorary member and hostess, lights candles for three new members of Hialeah Junior Wom­an’s Club, Mrs. Alfred Young, Mrs. Charles Potter, Mrs. Robert Welborn. At right, Mrs. Milton E. Thompson Jr., club president, passes cookies to fellow members Mrs. Thomas Homberger and Mrs. George James. Occasion was a combination Christmas coffee and welcome to new members.
12/22/1959, Bob East/Miami Herald Staff: Dade County’s handicapped and underprivileged children - over 500 of them - flocked to Policeman's Park for the annual pre-Christmas party thrown by the Miami Police Benevolent Association. Policemen, firemen, Boy Scouts and civic clubs helped out and nearly 500 adults showed up for the fun. Getting ready for a train ride are, from left, Jimmy Kellog, Scout Leader Clifton Lewis Lt. A. E. Wood, Children’s Day chairman; Martha Rutherford, Clown Jack Harrison and his son, John.
12/23/1959, Bill Kuenzel/Miami Herald Staff: An Old Custom. Danish Christmas custom says children and grown-ups alike must dance around the tree, once the decorations are up. Caroi-singing goes along with the dancing. Here members of The Miami Danish-American Club show how it’s done at their annual Christmas party. The tree decorations all came from Denmark.
12/23/1960, Ron Wahl/Miami Herald Staff: Lieutenant Jach Harrison (Fire Dept.) and Michele Buch Walter, 6.
Elizabeth Stevens, Katherine C. Ross (94 year's old) Lewis Eggles
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