These are the best things to do in Miami this weekend

Sure, you can schlep all the way to Cannes or Sundance to see the latest and greatest international cinema—or you can let it come to you at Miami’s very own world-class film festival, featuring 10 days of short films, documentaries and features throughout the city plus chic parties and celebrity appearances. The 42nd edition debuts the festival's fresh branding, inspired by the "magic hour," movie-making slang that refers to the time of day shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the brightness of the sky matches streetlights, headlights and lit windows. It's apt for the Magic City, whose most iconic theaters and film venues will host screenings this year, from Olympia Theater and Coral Gables Art Cinema to the Little Haiti Cultural Center and Miami Beach Bandshell. For the full program, visit the Miami Film Festival website. Locations vary; at various times.

To celebrate Record Store Day 2025, Miami's beloved indie music shop Technique Records hosts a free, all-day rager celebrating all things vinyl in Miami's Upper Eastside. Stop in any time from 8am to 9pm to take advantage of cratefuls of new and used record drops, Record Store Day exclusives and giveaways, plus a sidewalk sale and outdoor lounge, coffee from Villain Coffee, drinks courtesy of Gramps Bar and tacos from Wolf of Tacos. DJs including Mike Deuce, Aramis Lorie, Jellybean Benitez and more will be spinning throughout the party.

The monthlong poetry festival displays words on every possible surface: painted onto rooftops, outlined into the sand, printed onto parking tickets and pasted across buses. The mission is to put a poem, sourced throughout the year from local writers, in front of every Miamian, whether we ask for it or not. Check the festival website for information on activations and unique events, like a Clothing Swap & Poetry Pop-Up, Graveyard Poetry and the annual Poetry in Pajamas, an adorable open mic for Miami's youngest wordsmiths. At various venues

ZeyZey in Little River looks like it could be a friend’s bohemian bungalow—if your friend had their own natural wine gazebo, custom sound system and vinyl listening room, shipping container cocktail bar and mainstage for live performances. This weekend, they've curated another packed lineup of fun parties and eclectic performances, including French-American space-age jazz duo Pearl & The Oysters, playing on Friday and the first anniversary of the CALIENTE CALIENTE party on Saturday, with headliners Carlos Willengton and The Juan Maclean taking over the indoor disco and outdoor stage.

Leave it to Miami to find a way to turn even the most wholesome of activities into a rager. That's the vibe at Pups N Chill, minus all the booze. The buzzy pop-up "morning club" takes over Bayside Marketplace on Sunday, April 13th with a high-energy blend of wellness, music and rescue pups. Miami’s latest go-to social gathering for health and animal lovers hosts a packed lineup including puppy yoga, fitness classes, massages, cupping, cold plunges and live DJ sets, plus wellness brand pop-ups and giveaways. Starbucks joins as a sponsor with free coffee, and live puppy adoptions make it more than just a feel-good morning—it’s a chance to support shelter animals while treating yourself and your pup.

Little Haiti music institution Sweat Records pulls out another stacked lineup for Record Store Day 2025, hosting 11 hours of exclusive vinyl drops, DJ sets, free beer, local art and more from 9am to 7pm. Expect a treasure trove of RSD exclusives, the debut of a fantastically maximalist merch collab with @kawaiiuniverse and all-vinyl sets from Miami legends like Rat Bastard, DJ Hottpants and Pris. Fuel up with poptarts and shokupan from Oori Bakeshop, sip on free Estrella Damm (21+) and snag your most-wanted records. It's all first come, first served, with doors opening at 10am and special early bird title “calls” for those in line by 9. Free with RSVP

Jimbo’s spirit lives on at Jimbo’s at Grampo’s, a heartfelt tribute to the legendary man behind Virginia Key's legendary Jimbo’s Shrimp Shack. On Sunday, April 13th, the 98th Royal Birthday Ceremony Celebration Holiday takes over Gramps Getaway from noon to 10pm with smoked fish dip aplenty, live music by The Jack Shealy Band (4 to 7pm) and a whole lot of love. Expect exclusive beer collab cans from Tripping Animals Brewery, limited-edition merch by Sun & Sons, a Jimbo’s look-a-like contest and a crowd as eclectic as the man himself. The party is all ages and free to attend, though RSVP is encouraged.

Chef Shingo serves up art on a plate, so it's fitting that his Michelin-awarded Coral Gables omakase restaurant is hosting an actual art event in its adjacent gallery space. On Sunday, April 13th beginning at noon, enjoy complimentary green tea, sake and bites from Chef Shingo while exploring a curated collection of traditional Japanese ceramics, including Bizen-ware, Asahiyaki and Tambayaki, with 25% off all gallery items. Beyond the art, visitors can also partake in a live matcha ceremony and ikebana flower arrangements, plus meet and interact with Chef Shingo during the free event.

South Florida's iconic (and recently renovated) tiki bar the MAI-KAI is throwing a two-day party in celebration of Huntington Beach, CA artist David "McBiff" McNeley’s new print, The Mai-Kai Map. Six months in the making, the vibrant illustration pays tribute to Fort Lauderdale's historic tiki landmark. Come for the delightfully kitschy vibes and boozy tropical punch and stay for the nightly Polynesian revue. McBiff will be on-site signing limited-edition prints on Friday, April 11th from 6 to 9pm and Saturday, April 12th from 5 to 7pm.

Gramps goes full K-pop on Saturday, April 12th with a night of music curated by Tiny Waves and Endoxa Booking. From 7 to 11pm, the indoor-outdoor Wynwood mainstay hosts a high-energy dance party as DJ fortuneswan spins the genre’s biggest hits and deep cuts. The party’s 21+ with a $20 cover at the door.

Magic City Flea is Miami's most consistent pop-up vintage market, with events running around town every week—though, these days, it's almost always posted up on Sundays along Flagler Street in Downtown from noon to 6pm. Depending on the day and locale, find anywhere from 15 to more than 70 small shops committed to sourcing the most unique pieces and handcrafting sustainable wares. Vibe out to the live DJ, sip cocktails and snack on yummy bites while you shop. (The buzzy food hall Julia & Henry's is just nearby.)

Tuesday and Saturday nights are prime times to get an authentic taste of Miami's vibrant salsa scene at La Pachanga, a free live music and dance party in the heart of Little Havana. The historic Calle Ocho venue opens up its doors, spilling the sounds of Miami's best salsa bands onto the streets as revelers sip excellent mojitos and take to the wooden dancefloor. Ball & Chain also hosts free salsa and bachata dance classes regularly (check their website for the latest schedule), so you can brush up on your moves—or just watch the pros do their thing as they twirl and gyrate around the crowds.

One of our favorite rooftops, Esmé Miami Beach, hosts a new Sunday sunset jazz night featuring healthy eats and drinks, soul jazz and rare grooves with DJ Travis Acker of Tiki Tumbao Records from 4 to 6:30pm and three sets of live jazz by Thee D3 Trio from 6:30 to 10pm. The free party kicks off at 5pm, and happy hour runs through 7pm with $8 cocktails, $6 wine and $5 beer plus discounted bites.

Take in the blooms and gawk at all the latest baby farm animal arrivals at Tinez Farms, where spring-themed Easter fun takes over through April 20. Little ones can explore the animal barnyard and have their run of the farm's impressive slides and inflatables—all included with admission. For an extra sprinkling of farm magic, pony rides, baby goat feedings, the Cow Barrel Train and an interactive Eggsperience are available as add-ons. The farm is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

Red Rooster Overtown by celebrated chef Marcus Samuelsson presents Sunday Evenings in Historic Overtown, a new music and dining series that blends the neighborhood’s rich jazz legacy with a soulful Grand Buffet. From 5 to 9pm, guests can graze on everything from Mac & Cheese and the famous M’s Fried Chicken to mezze, raw bar selections and decadent desserts, all while taking in live music from rotating acts. With a mix of buffet dining and bar seating on a first-come, first-serve basis, this weekly event keeps the spirit of Overtown’s jazz scene alive in one of the area's most iconic dining spots. $65 per adult, $32.50 per child (ages 6 to 13), free for children 5 and under

The ultra-charming Miami Beach Bandshell hosts another weekend of stellar live music in its oceanside open-air venue. The eclectic bill this weekend includes Miami Music Project’s "unCLASSICAL: Miami Vibes," blending the city’s culturally diverse sounds with fresh orchestral takes on iconic local rhythms and popular music. Doors open at 7pm on Friday and entry is free with RSVP.

Miami's downtown mainstay for underground dance music sounds and legendary after-hours parties hosts another epic weekend across its multiple venues. The main event goes down on Saturday night as former pro basketball player, producer and DJ Rony Seikaly once again takes the decks up on the Terrace. Other highlights include Mari.te b2b Liquid Earth at downstairs at Floyd on Friday and Ivy Lab (DNB Set) with Kasra on Saturday at The Ground.

The NYC-imported Smorgasburg, Miami's largest outdoor food market, returns to its Wynwood outpost for a new season featuring over 40 vendors (including 10 new concepts) and more shaded areas for noshing. Graze from a variety of local street foods, international fare, healthy options and inventive creations from the likes of Acai Way, Korean Kitchen, Kabuki Soba, The Lazy Oyster, La Picaña Grill, Lechona Truck, Tio Paella, Puro Chocolate, Cool & Creamy Truck and more.

This bustling vintage market enters its 32nd season on South Beach's famed Lincoln Road. Approximately every other Sunday (check their calendar for exact dates), 125 vendors convene along the promenade to showcase their wares and barter with discerning shoppers. Find everything from mid-century furniture to Art Deco decor and more. The long-running weekend social presents a solid mix of 19th and 20th-century memorabilia and unique collectibles. While you're there, stock up on locally grown produce, fresh flowers and artisanal goods from the Lincoln Road Farmer's market, which occurs every Sunday from 9am to 6pm.

In this seductive new production at Faena Theater, free-spirited heroine Carmen finds herself in a labyrinth of two opposing lovers. The provocative, adults-only journey explores themes of devotion, jealousy and betrayal as it blends elements of flamenco, cabaret, fire artistry, cirque nouveau and modern beats, all infused with a Spanish flavor. Master of Ceremonies Mimi Barber lends her soulful vocals to the show, accompanied by an award-winning ensemble and stunning visuals that all come together to breathe new life into this reinterpreted classic. Tickets start at $100.

Miami's biggest night for improv comedy happens every Saturday at Villain Theater in the heart of Little Haiti. Enjoy original, spontaneous live performances from some of the fiercest improvisers across South Florida. Shout out a suggestion and become a part of the action as the theater's talented cast of actors spins hysterical yarns over the course of two Second City-style improv shows. Mingle and sip beers in the lobby lounge in between sets: A ticket grants you access to both the 8:30 and 10pm showtimes.

Looking for a sleek, understated cocktail bar in Brickell—one that channels the effortless cool of Williamsburg, for instance, and hasn't been overrun by the neighborhood's swarms of tourists or recent transplants? The intimate ground floor of this bi-level modern Asian restaurant fits the bill. Aside from its solid drinks and friendly prices, The Listening Bar at Kaori also hosts weekly Sound Sessions on Fridays and Saturdays, when some of Miami’s best DJs spin vinyl and keep the chilled vibes going all night.

Every Saturday from 7pm to midnight, lauded Miami purveyor JoJo Tea opens up its tea room for an intimate and laidback tea party that combines artisanal brews and all-vinyl DJ sets. Tickets include endless pours, with a music selection tailored to complement the tea of the night. Expect a healthy dose of old-school and underground hip-hop, from Madlib to MF Doom—a couple of owner and host Mike Ortiz’s favorites.

The Coconut Grove Farmers Market is probably Miami’s most well-known. Every Saturday, Homestead's Glaser Organic Farms transforms an unoccupied corner of Coconut Grove into a full-fledged produce market with dozens of fruit and vegetable stands, a raw bar featuring prepared foods and salads and coolers filled with cold-pressed juices and nut mylks. There’s even velvety vegan ice cream for sale and several rows of picnic tables where you can sit and enjoy your bounty.

Along its periphery, you’ll find other local vendors selling honey, homemade soaps, handmade jewelry and other artisanal items. And the setup and breakdown are so fascinating to watch! Much like the circus leaving town, everyone quickly dismantles their tents and packs up just after sunset, leaving no trace of the bustling day on the empty gravel lot.