The best Memorial Day events in Miami to do over the long weekend

Dozens of airplanes and watercraft swarm Miami Beach’s shoreline for the entertaining military showcase at the Hyundai Air & Sea Show. Organized to honor first responders, the free two-day event features civilian aerobatic acts, powerboat racing and extreme water sports. If you don’t mind the crowds, you’re in for a genuine spectacle right on the sand. Afterward, don’t miss the Music Explosion, featuring the U.S. Army’s “As You Were” band, U.S. Air Force Drill Team and The Miami Beach Classical Music Festival Orchestra. May 25–26

South Beach's stalwart cocktail haven Sweet Liberty hosts back-to-back DJs over the holiday weekend. In addition to the regular menus of award-winning drinks and food, the crew is slinging a $10 hot dog and Miller High Life combo starting Saturday. Sweet Liberty, we salute you.

This historic, boutique property in South Beach is hosting a watch party for the Hyundai Air & Sea Show all weekend long. Post up at the hotel’s hidden Floridita rooftop pool, where drinks will flow aplenty to keep you cool all day. Stay to catch the fireworks show on May 25 at 7pm. May 25–26

Veuve Clicquot helps kick off summer at the SLS LUX Brickell's towering rooftop deck. From noon to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, partake in burgers, complimentary Champagne tastings and beats by Miami DJ duo Nikki & Mykel. 

Hang and dance poolside this Sunday at Sipsip, the rooftop rum bar at the stunning Mayfair House Hotel and Garden. The 1980s-inspired pop-up touts day-to-night beats backdropped by stellar views of Coconut Grove and any pre-holiday fireworks going off around town. A handful of Club Space residents including DJs Sinopoli B2B Maccabi and Ms. Mada will strike the ideal mix for laid-back lounging to all-out partying. The Caribbean-inspired cocktails and snacks here are on point, too. May 26; starting at $20

Get ready for lift-off at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science downtown when it debuts its special new exhibition, Journey to Space, on May 25. You’ll explore the extraordinary conditions of human space travel and a hands-on, climb-aboard experience that explores what it takes to live and work in space. May 25–Oct 6

This six-day pop-up at Joia Beach transforms the vibey waterfront lounge into a sleek, monogram-splashed summer escape through Memorial Day Weekend. Umbrellas, lounge chairs, beach towels and day beds will be decked out in the Michael Kors Empire Diamond motif for photo ops while DJs and colorful Funboy floats keep the party going. Peruse a branded shop featuring everything from sunglasses to ready-to-wear to string bikinis. The beach club is open to the public by reservation.

Four Seasons Hotel Miami hosts a poolside Mediterranean feast to ring in the summer. On Memorial Day Monday beginning at 11am, the hotel's Bahia restaurant heats things up over the open-fire barbecue. Expect grilled oysters, swordfish kebabs and chicken souvlaki paired with orzo salad and fattoush. Wash it all down with warm weather staples like Aperol spritzes, bellinis and rosé from the South of France. The pool is open to hotel guests and through ResortPass.

Looking for something to do to escape the oppressive heat this holiday weekend? Now would be a great time to stop by Puttshack, a high-tech, multi-level, air-conditioned mini golf lounge inside Brickell City Centre. Special for the occasion, enjoy 50% off your second game of mini golf all day Monday through Thursday.

This Memorial Day, Hotel Greystone on Miami Beach pulls out the stops with tropical-themed cocktails and chef-driven comfort food to enjoy under the sun. Flaunt your finest pink ensemble for the party, and let loose to the sounds of guest DJs performing from 2pm until sundown. May 26

Make the quick trip down to Islamorada for a chilled-out concert on the sand at Morada Bay Beach Café. The property's iconic bayside bar and restaurant will host Miami’s own Afro-Latin band Manny Swagg for an evening of dancing and celebration starting at 5pm. After the live set wraps up at 8:30, walk next door the legendary Pierre’s Restaurant to enjoy new menu items from chef Stuart Dove, like the white bean velouté and “grilled cheese” with truffle goat cheese, a dijon-roasted rack of lamb or a La Belle Farms duck breast with a spiced candied orange jus.

Copper 29 Bar will offer happy hour from 5 to 8pm every day this Memorial Day weekend, featuring $8 signature cocktails and half-off well drinks, wine and beer. For Sunday brunch, $29 will score you bottomless mimosas and sangrias from noon to 4pm. Complement your drinks with brunch staples like steak and eggs, avocado toast and eggs benedict. A DJ drives home the party atmosphere for a proper holiday Sunday funday.

Enjoy the sunshine and breathtaking Biscayne Bay views from the iconic InterContinental Miami resort’s DayLife Cabanas, an ideal setting for Memorial Day Weekend celebrations. Keep cool and partake in a special poolside barbecue (available for an extra charge) while grooving to a live DJ. The cabanas are perched near the sprawling fifth-floor SkyLawn, with access to an elevated bar and skyline views as fireworks go off. May 26

During Jurassic Garden, all 83 acres of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s lush tropical beauty will be transformed into a prehistoric world packed with immersive activities for the whole family. Kids can participate in a water-themed adventure to find and hatch dinosaur eggs, while families can care for the habitat of herbivorous dinosaurs by watering their feeding plants. Special evening adventures like “Dino’s After Dark” and “Under a Dino Moon” add to the themed offerings, along with specialty cocktails for the adults. April 13–Sep 2

Cool off at Tidal Cove in Aventura, where kiddos have their run of their own pool and seven water slides, plus the nation’s first-ever FlowRider Triple Surf simulation pool. Or take your pick from 25 private luxury cabanas and relax in an adults-only area. Then fuel up at the on-site Surf House and Freestyle restaurants, or the newly launched Toasty Tides food truck, which serves breakfast and all-day food options.

Whether Kris Jenner led to Bad Bunny ticket price inflation or Benito just wanted to have a papi-level payday, tickets have been silly expensive to the “Most Wanted Tour.” If you’re not one of the fans who had to sell all of their possessions for tickets, there are still some available on resale sites. Seeing as this may be the shows of the year in Miami and you get to jam to “Me Porto Benito” and “Tití Me Pregunto,” it may be worth the debt.

May is Haitian Heritage Month, and the Little Haiti Cultural Complex is celebrating big with free community events through May 31 including folkloric dance classes, Djembe drum lessons, English and Creole language courses, art exhibitions and more. Check their Instagram for the full schedule.

Faena Theater has put a fresh spin on its avant-garde cabaret, “Allura,” with a new performance titled “Ascension.” New York singer Rocky Lanes stars as master of ceremonies, leading showgoers through a series of spicy vignettes with aerial acts, acrobats, killer live music and a hint of naughty antics. “Ascension” shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Get there early to check out Faena’s incredible public art, including murals by Argentinian artist Juan Gatti and Damien Hirst’s famous wooly mammoth.

Take advantage of GMCVB’s Miami Attraction & Museum Months program until May 31 to enjoy special discounts, savings on admissions and BOGO deals from more than 50 of Miami’s top museums, galleries and outdoor adventures. Choose between neighborhood favorites like Island Queen Cruises and Tours, Pérez Art Museum Miami and Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.

"The Messi Experience: A Dream Come True" launches its world tour in Miami this spring, just as the city's fever for the famed footballer kicks into high gear. The sprawling, immersive multimedia exhibit traces Leo Messi's childhood and powerhouse soccer career to now, taking visitors of all ages through approximately 75 minutes of projection-mapped installations and interactive games at The Hangar Coconut Grove.