Season guide · Fort Lauderdale · United States
Fort Lauderdale in winter
December–February: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Flamingo Gardens, Fort Lauderdale · Photo: Dtobias, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Mild, sunny peak season with snowbirds, holiday boat parades and the highest hotel rates; the sea is cool but swimmable for many. Expect highs up to 25°C (77°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F), with about 21 rainy days across December–February. December–February are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- December–February
- Temperatures
- 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 21
- Sea
- 24°C (75°F) to 25°C (77°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
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Weather in winter
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°C (75°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 7 | 10.7 h | 5/5 |
| February | 25°C (77°F) | 16°C (61°F) | 6 | 11.2 h | 5/5 |
| December | 25°C (77°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 8 | 10.5 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 25°C (77°F) against a yearly 28°C (82°F), and 21 of the year's roughly 131 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 5/5 and hotel prices 5/5 on average.
What's on in winter
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- February: Las Olas and beachfront art fairs (seasonal, usually winter)
- December: Winterfest Boat Parade on the New River and Intracoastal (usually mid-December)
Make the most of the weather
Experience · Fort Lauderdale Beach
Jungle Queen Riverboat
Choose the shorter sightseeing cruise for children; the evening dinner cruise is longer.
- Time needed
- 1.5–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Views
- Iconic
Beach · Dania Beach
Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park
A barrier-island state park with a quiet beach, picnic shelters and mangrove-lined paddling on Whiskey Creek.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea snorkelling
Go on a calm morning with little wind; always tow a dive flag, as required by Florida law when snorkelling away from the shore.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Active
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Western Broward County
Everglades airboat ride
Airboat parks on the western edge of Broward County, about 40 km from the beach, run fast, loud rides across the sawgrass of the Everglades, often with stops to see alligators and wading birds and a wildlife show.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Kids
- Active
Garden · Coconut Creek
Butterfly World
Visit on a sunny morning, when butterflies are most active, and wear bright colours.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Photo spot
Day trips in winter
- Delray Beach and the Morikami Gardens (About 40 minutes by car) — Delray Beach has a walkable main street, Atlantic Avenue, running down to the beach.
- Key Largo and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (About 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours by car) — The first of the Florida Keys has the underwater John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, with snorkel trips, glass-bottom boat tours and diving to the reef and the bronze Christ of the Abyss statue.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is winter a good time to visit Fort Lauderdale?
Yes: December–February are among the best months. Mild, sunny peak season with snowbirds, holiday boat parades and the highest hotel rates; the sea is cool but swimmable for many.
+What is the weather like in Fort Lauderdale in winter?
Highs of up to 25°C (77°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F), with about 21 rainy days over the season.