Every holiday season, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens transforms into a festive celebration of history, culture and craftsmanship.
Behind each ornament and floral display are months of planning, collaboration and historical research. From archival photographs and Gilded Age catalogs to tropical plant displays unique to South Florida, Vizcaya’s holiday season offers visitors an opportunity to experience Miami history through a new lens.
A Historic Approach to Holiday Decor
Instead of simply recreating traditional Christmas displays, Vizcaya interprets holiday decor to reflect how the estate may have looked during James Deering’s residence in the early 20th century.
To bring the holiday magic to the Main House and Gardens, the museum’s Community Partnerships, Programs and Interpretation team begins with historical evidence whenever possible. Archival photographs show garlands decorating the courtyard, balcony and Main House, while letters and records document the use of poinsettias and seasonal citrus throughout the estate. Because no photographs of Vizcaya’s original Christmas tree have been found, researchers looked beyond the estate itself for answers.
“We revamped it,” says Elgin Grey, Director of Community Partnerships, Programs and Interpretation. “We found a catalog of all the decorations people could buy during the Deering era, so we based our current decorations for the tree on those catalogs. Anything that seemed similar, that’s what we purchased.”
Grey notes that historical interpretation also requires filling in gaps where documentation no longer exists. “We don’t have any photographs. We don’t have any information of what was used. A lot of it is based on what other historic homes did, what people did in their own homes, and definitely that catalog from the Deering era.”
Reimagining the Christmas Tree
One of the most recognizable pieces of holiday decor inside the Main House is the Christmas tree. Since no historic images of Vizcaya’s original tree exist, staff researched the types of ornaments available during Deering’s era. Today’s tree features decorations inspired by period catalogs, including:
- Glass ornaments
- Fruit-inspired decorations
- Birds and animal ornaments
- Traditional garlands
- Period-appropriate electric light bulbs
The result feels familiar to modern visitors because many classic holiday traditions have remained remarkably consistent for more than a century.
One recent addition includes wrapped presents beneath the tree. While historians cannot confirm whether James Deering displayed gifts this way, historical records show he exchanged presents with guests and staff, including citrus, making gift-giving an appropriate part of Vizcaya’s holiday interpretation.
The Dining Room and Christmas 1916
James Deering officially opened Vizcaya on Christmas Day in 1916, making the holiday especially significant in the estate’s history.
During the holidays, the Dining Room is arranged with replica dinnerware, period glassware, floral centerpieces and citrus displays inspired by historical research.
Together, these details transform the Dining Room from a beautiful historic space into a glimpse of holiday entertaining during the Gilded Age.
“We set up the table as if Deering was here at Vizcaya again,” Grey says. “We know his first day here was Christmas 1916, so we decorate the table in what we believe is how he had it.”
More Than Christmas: Celebrating Multiple Holiday Traditions
Holiday interpretation at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens extends beyond Christmas.
The Main House also includes displays recognizing Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Recent research has expanded the Kwanzaa display to include historically appropriate cultural elements while thoughtfully considering which traditions best align with the historical context of the estate.
This broader interpretation reflects Vizcaya’s commitment to presenting history thoughtfully while recognizing the diverse traditions celebrated throughout the holiday season.
Bringing Holiday Decoration Outdoors
While the Main House focuses heavily on historical interpretation, the gardens balance historic inspiration with South Florida’s unique landscape.
Planning begins months in advance, with the horticulture team studying historical references, photographs and other Gilded Age estates while also considering Vizcaya’s role as a modern public garden.
For the horticulture team, the goal is never to compete with Vizcaya’s beauty, but to enhance it. As David Hardy, Senior Manager of Horticulture, explains, “Vizcaya is the star of the show. The decorations are like jewels someone wears when they go out. We’re embellishing what is already beautiful.”
Why Poinsettias Are a Holiday Favorite
Poinsettias have become one of the defining features of holiday decoration at Vizcaya.
Although closely associated with Christmas today, poinsettias only became widely linked to the holiday during the early 1900s—making them historically appropriate for Vizcaya’s era.
In recent years, more than 1,500 seasonal plants, including poinsettias, bromeliads and orchids, have been incorporated throughout the estate. Visitors can typically find these vibrant displays in several iconic locations, including the entrance cascades, the Forecourt and the Main House Courtyard.
South Florida’s subtropical climate also allows these seasonal plants to flourish outdoors throughout the holidays, creating displays that differ from those found in colder regions.
“We try to keep the look festive, but we also bring in the exotic and the tropical because we are a tropical setting, and people come here for that look,” Hardy explains.
Preserving History While Decorating for the Holidays
Decorating a National Historic Landmark requires much more than creativity. Every decision considers preservation first.
Before decorations are installed, the team carefully considers a range of preservation and environmental factors, including whether materials are safe for the historic collection, weather conditions, wildlife activity, visitor safety and the long-term health of historic trees and gardens.
“The actual decorating takes about two days,” Grey says. “But the research takes months—reading books, speaking with colleagues, and making sure everything we purchased was historically accurate and safe for the collection.”
Holiday Decor That Honors Miami History
The holiday season at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is much more than festive decoration. It is a thoughtful interpretation of history, combining archival research, preservation expertise and horticultural artistry to tell the story of one of South Florida’s most iconic landmarks.
Whether visitors admire the historically inspired Christmas tree, stroll through gardens filled with tropical seasonal blooms or experience the elegant Dining Room set for Christmas 1916, every detail reflects Vizcaya’s mission to preserve and share Miami history.
The result is a holiday experience that feels both timeless and distinctly South Florida—one where history, preservation and holiday traditions come together to create an unforgettable visit to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
