The best things to do in Miami this week

A monumental collection of modern art has landed in Miami by way of Berlin’s Museum Berggruen, featuring nearly 100 works by artists such as Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, Paul Klee, and others. On view October 29, 2026 through February 28, 2027, the exhibition traces key movements and figures of early European modernism, including Heinz Berggruen, the famed art collector and dealer behind this storied collection. Highlights include Matisse’s iconic cut-outs, Giacometti’s haunting sculptures, early Cubism works by Picasso, and Cézanne’s vibrant post-impressionist paintings.

The Miami Book Fair celebrates its 43rd edition this year, making it the longest-running literary festival in the United States. Expect the regular mix of riveting author presentations, mind-expanding conversations and even more innovative ways to honor the written word. The annual street festival takes place November 15 through 22 along the Miami-Dade College Wolfson campus in Downtown, featuring nearly 500 authors. Luminaries like Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie, Bonnie Garmus, and Susan Orlean are slated to present. Plus, go behind the scenes of Broadway with Rent musical director Seth Rudetsky, or spend an evening with The Princess Diaries phenomenon, Meg Cabot, in conversation with Elena Armas.

Individual readings and events are ticketed, but there's plenty of free fun to be had. The literary party gets rockin' on Sunday, November 15, with a free opening night block party promising live music, culinary pop-ups, and book vendors slinging from 4 to 9pm. All ages are welcome to the fair's mega Street Fair, November 20-22, with book browsing, live music, local artisans, and a dedicated kids' zone. Friday admission is free, and children 12 and younger get free Street Fair admission all weekend.

We may not experience fall weather in Miami, but that doesn’t mean you can’t play pretend. Throw on a flannel shirt and head south to Homestead for the seventh annual Harvest Festival at The Berry Farm. Open seven days a week through November 15, the sprawling estate welcomes families and teens to explore a five-acre corn maze, sunflower fields, hayrides, and a giant pumpkin patch that makes for a great photo backdrop. For the grown-ups, an on-site bar offers themed cocktails like the Tipsy Apple Mule and Harvest Sangria. Tickets run $17 for adults and $14 for children ages 12 and under. Free for ages 2 and under.

Miami's traveling vintage flea market lands in Wynwood's Zoko Collective on Sunday, November 15, featuring 35 local vendors, $10 cocktail specials, tacos, pizza, and more. Shop vintage clothing and artisan goods, 5 to 10 pm, and take advantage of the location. Rumor has it, Zoko's housing some of the most interesting F&B concepts in town.

The Surfside farmers market is back in season, popping up every Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am to 3:30 pm, steps from the shoreline at 96th Street. Each week brings new local makers and a range of purveyors to the beach, slinging everything from acai bowls to Kosher smoked barbeque. Arrive early for stress-free parking and a free beach yoga class on the sand, 9:30 to 10:30am.

If you’re from South Florida, there’s a strong chance you grew up watching Sábado Gigante, the wild Spanish-language show that took abuelas’ televisions by storm. Saturday Gigantic at Villain Theater draws from the same chaos mindset for its long-running improv comedy show. Shout out a suggestion and watch it come to life in ways you couldn’t possibly predict. Join the fun every Saturday, 8:30-10:30pm.

On Saturday, October 10, the Frost Science museum debuts The Science Behind Pixar, a multimedia exhibition that pulls back the curtain on Pixar’s movie-making magic through sophisticated math, engineering, state-of-the-art technology, and good old-fashioned human imagination. More than 50 interactive experiences offer rare insight to the studio’s filmmaking techniques behind such classics as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, WALL-E, Monsters, Inc. and more. Admission is included with all museum tickets, priced at $24.95 for children (ages 4-11) and $29.95 for adults. Free for ages 3 and under.

Catch a free outdoor movie every Wednesday night at SoundScape Park in Miami Beach. Running October through May, the annual SoundScape Cinema Series welcomes all ages for weekly screenings spanning Blockbuster hits, vintage classics, and holiday films.

Screenings take place rain or shine, starting at 8pm. Bring your own setups to watch comfortably; think lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and fresh-made subs from La Sandwicherie. The venue accommodates 200 to 300 on the lawn, but prime spots get scooped up quickly, so plan accordingly. Free to attend, no reservations required.

What’s better than karaoke? How about karaoke with a live band and a hilarious drag queen host who happens to have sensational range? Las Rosas’ weekly live band karaoke returns every Tuesday, hosted by the venerable Karla Croqueta. Join the fun starting at 9pm. 

For those missing out on a European summer, Pastis offers a glint of Parisian glamour in the most unlikely of places: Wynwood. To further ease your vacation woes, Pastis has just debuted a new weekday happy hour featuring $10 cocktails, $10 wine glasses, and a selection of bar bites including $3 oysters and a $7 platter of fromage (that’s fancy French for ‘cheese’). Le Happy Hour is offered Monday through Friday, 3pm to 6pm, all season long.