Ten Miami Holiday Parties Worth Ditching Your Family For

It’s our favorite time of year in South Florida: Fake snow spouts from mall rooftops, Santa’s Enchanted Forest is in full swing, Christmas music blares in retail stores, and holiday office parties offer photo ops with drunk co-workers.

Though Christmas in Miami means 80-degree weather and beach days, we do still enjoy the holiday spirit. Try ugly-sweater-themed parties, dreidel-shaped disco balls, and numerous reasons to get drunk. If you’re looking for an escape from your family this year, here are a few places you can wear some reindeer antlers and blow your Christmas cash.

Here are the best holiday parties in Miami:
10. No Wavve’s Winter Wipeout at Churchill's Pub
Churchill’s Pub invites you to enjoy debauchery and live music from some of your favorite national and local bands this Wednesday from 8 p.m. till those who came nice turn naughty. The lineup includes SunGhosts, Salas, Future Thieves, TopTier, Verali, and Beach Dog.
9. All Night in Brigitte (X-Mas Special) at Bardot
Bardot's All Night in Brigitte takes place this Friday, right before the in-laws fly in. So find a babysitter for the night while Dude Skywalker and Nii Tei spin your girl’s favorite songs all night long. Did we mention it's free?
8. Fur Coat by Link Miami Rebels Pop-Up
Club Space will get a little Venezuelan flavor this Christmas Eve. Check out what the Link Miami Rebels call the "soundtrack for the sunrise ahead." Fur Coat, Danyelino, Hardline, and Thunderpony will also keep the night going by playing music that will make you forget you have to open gifts with the kids in the morning. That’s if you make it home in time.
7. A Miami Christmas Party at Shots
After you’re done recycling all the wrapping paper from the expensive gifts you bought and crappy gifts you received, head to Shots for a true Miami Christmas party. DJs have yet to be announced, but the cover is free, and that’s what really matters, right? The “SHOTSmas” party goes down Christmas Day from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., giving you enough time to forgive your best friend for that horrible gift she knew you’d love.
6. Disco Dreidel at Basement Miami
While you’re setting out cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, Basement Miami will be celebrating the first night of Hanukkah with Disco Dreidel. DJs Derek Walin and Eran Hersh promise to have you dancing all night long under an extremely shiny dreidel. Ice skating and bowling will be provided, but the catch is you must be a Nelly’s List Miami member to attend.
5. Fiesta de Navidad at the Wynwood Yard
If your New Year’s resolution is to give back, get a head start by donating a small toy at Fiesta de Navidad at the Wynwood Yard this Friday. While you’re also getting an early start on a hangover, Uma Galera, Itawe and Bluestar Jam will deliver those gifts to the less fortunate children of Miami. There’s no cover or ropes, just Christmas spirit.
4. Deck the Brewery With Ugly Sweaters at J. Wakefield Brewing
J. Wakefield Brewing wants you to pull out the ugliest holiday sweater in your closet and head to the taproom for a night of gaudiness this Friday from 8 to 11. If it’s not sequined, glittery, tacky, or ruffled, you’re not invited. Wakefield's resident DJ will be on deck, and a food truck will be onsite to soak up the alcohol in your stomach.
3. Shift at E11even Miami
Miami’s favorite 24-hour nightclub is known for, well, never closing, but it also throws one of the best parties of the holidays. This Christmas Eve, you’re invited to experience the time of your life with DJ Shift, who'll spin crowd favorites while you throw back shots of everything but eggnog. Tickets cost $23 online, and we suggest you get there early.
2. MatzoBall Miami at LIV Nightclub
The 30th-annual MatzoBall is promised to be bigger and better than ever at LIV. It's the nation’s leading Jewish singles’ event. It’s so big that USA Today dubbed it “The Number 1 Holiday Party of the Year.” This Saturday, experience exactly what Christmas can't provide.
1. Mario Ochoa at Heart Nightclub
Do you really need a reason to dance all night long with Mario Ochoa at Heart this Christmas Eve? The Colombian DJ/producer will play the hits while you celebrate the season the right way: with a drink in your hand. Tickets cost $13 before 1 a.m. and $23 before 2 a.m.