Caitlin Driscoll

Not having a white Christmas also means you don't have to bundle up a toddler every time you want to go outside. It's the most family-friendly time of year in Miami, and we here in South Florida find ways to make the spirit of the holidays come alive. No matter their age, no matter their interest, kids can find so much to do over Christmas break in Miami—and it helps that parents and grandparents can join in on the fun too. From Christmas hayrides to classic holiday shows at the theater, illuminated gardens and whimsical vintage markets, here are the best kid-friendly things to do to make this holiday season magical.  Recommended: The best Christmas events in Miami

December in Miami is an intense marathon of art fairs and Basel parties, food and music festivals, holiday pop-ups and Christmas dinners all leading up to the pinnacle rager of the year: New Year's Eve. But before you let the month get away from you, remember to slow down and enjoy the simpler things that Miami's brisk weather makes all the better. Think nature walks, waterfront brunches, breezy vintage markets and oodles of other outdoor activities. On deck for this weekend, you better believe we're getting in our late-night dance sessions now so we're recovered in time for the holiday. (If an underground club is your scene, there's plenty to groove to.) You can also explore a sweet new holiday village in Downtown, a Celebrity Deathmatch-inspired drag show in Wynwood and a few new theater shows around town. Epic after-hours parties and family-friendly events round out the festivities. Ready to have some fun in the 305? Here are the best things to do in Miami this weekend.  RECOMMENDED: Things to do in Miami

Be it the sky-high rents or meals out that can easily creep into the four-digit range, Miami ain’t cheap, y’all. But all those megayacht excursions and nightclub tables we see on our feeds aside, there are actually a ton of free things to do in and around the 305. In fact, you can dabble in freebies every day of the week and on your own time, from basking on public beaches to exploring art museums and social clubs. And, oh yes, there are plenty of free pickleball courts in Miami, too (along with plenty of other fun ways to stay active on a budget). We've checked in with our usual favorites and scoped out exciting new spots to present you with our locals-approved top picks for the best free things to do in Miami this season. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Miami

Dust off la caja china—the holiday season is almost here! We’ve got Knaus Berry Farm cranking out cinnamon rolls, Tropical Park decked in lights and “Mi Burrito Sabanero” on radio repeat—all the telltale signs of Christmas in Miami. We may not have snow, but boy, does Miami have holiday spirit. We’re talkin’ interactive light shows, festive street parades, yuletide theater productions and so much more. Check out the best Christmas events in Miami for 2024 so far, and check back often as we update this list with even more holiday happenings.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do with kids over the holidays in Miami

December 2024: Winter in Miami is in full swing and we can barely keep up with the barrage of concerts, festivals and festive events—let alone all the adorable farmers and flea markets that make us feel like we're living in a Nora Ephron film. It's only a matter of time before the snowbirds arrive to take over our pristine beaches and top Miami restaurants. Get ahead of the chaos by perusing our up-to-the-minute guide to the best things to do in Miami right now. Locals and tourists can agree that the best things to do in Miami extend beyond ounging on the sand—though it goes without saying that spending some time on the best Miami beaches is fundamental to life in the 305. Aside from dabbling in our famous nightlife and exploring Miami's best bars, no trip would be complete without scoping out the booming culinary scene and our award-winning Miami restaurants. In between sunbathing, swimming and sipping cocktails, check off these essential Miami experiences, a mix of year-round attractions, seasonal events, cultural staples and exciting one-offs vetted by our expert editors and contributors. (We're a team of born-and-raised locals and passionate Miami transplants with an unhealthy aversion to staying home). By the way, this list is curated, as always, but isn’t ranked—we just couldn’t choose favorites.

Surprise! Florida is known as the Sunshine State, but more than a third of the time, you can count on a rainy day here in subtropical Miami. Wet weather is typical in the summer, but if your plans call for sunshine, there's a good chance you'll get rained out no matter what season you're in.  Don't let a little water ruin your good time. Whether you’re dealing with a fleeting sprinkle or a full-on tropical storm, there are plenty of fun indoor activities in Miami when it rains. Shopping in Miami is an excellent option, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to get off the sand and explore the city’s world-class museums. Figuring out what to do in Miami when it rains? Below, we came up with fun beach day alternatives, kid-friendly activities and plenty of boozy options so your day doesn’t have to be a total washout.

Twenty years ago, Art Basel Miami Beach was a blip on our social calendar, a serious art fair for serious art industry folks and collecting connoisseurs. Yet, over the last two decades, this international fair has morphed into one of Miami's biggest events of the year, spawning hundreds of satellite art shows, music festivals, gourmet dinners, wellness pop-ups and even pool parties. (This is Miami, after all.) Along with classic art fairs like NADA, Design Miami, and CONTEXT, our so-called Miami Art Week offers an endless parade of artistic pleasures, including plenty of public installations and exhibits that won't cost you a dime to enjoy. Here is a refreshed look at the best events and parties of Art Basel week (so far). We've updated this list as events have been added, already occurred or sold out, so keep checking back for the latest!  

Calling all partiers and pyrotechnic fans! New Year’s Eve in Miami is around the corner, which calls for epic fireworks shows and epic celebrations, too. Fireworks are thought to have originated in ancient China. Later, they became an extravagant party favor for ultra-wealthy European aristocrats. Today, fireworks in Miami are as common as amateur DJs. We love a random midweek show in Downtown. Hell, even Publix sells sparklers and Roman candles! But there’s no bigger fireworks show in Miami than New Year’s Eve, especially on Biscayne Bay.  Whether you’re counting down the clock from a waterfront restaurant, a rooftop bar, or your tia’s house in Kendall, you’re bound to look up and catch a spectacle. Here’s where to watch some of the best New Year’s Eve fireworks in Miami.  RECOMMENDED: Ring in 2025 at the best New Year's Eve dinners in Miami

Only in Miami can you start your day with a 5am rave, roll over to brunch on the beach and booty shake to Soca music in Wynwood all before the sun goes down. The best day parties in Miami are as laid-back or luxurious as you make them. We’ve got beautiful beach clubs overlooking Biscayne Bay, live DJ sets at an Asian steet food hall, Vegas-style pool parties and a world-famous drag brunch on Ocean Drive, just to name a few. Get a good night’s sleep, then meet us for a dawn-til-dusk marathon at Miami’s best day parties.  RECOMMENDED: Guide to Miami nightlife

They say the quickest way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. Sure, you could take your loved ones out to dinner at Miami’s best restaurants, but nothing beats a home-cooked meal made with love. Unsure where to start? Consider a Miami cooking class, where chefs-in-training are placed at the center of the action (and the kitchen) for hands-on courses taught by our local culinary talent.  From homestyle Indian cooking in someone’s actual home to lessons in lamination by a French pâtissier, these are our favorite cooking classes in Miami right now. Whether you’re looking to improve your kitchen skills, plan a unique date night or just change up your old routine, we promise you’ll have a ton of fun while learning something new.

Miami is in a constant state of reinvention. It seems every few years, a new neighborhood emerges as the epicenter of cool. This year, that epicenter is Little River. Named one of 2024’s coolest neighborhoods in the world by Time Out editors, Little River has quickly grown into Miami’s hub for some of the city’s the best independent shops, art galleries and Michelin-worthy restaurants.  This historic business district straddles Little Haiti, so expect to encounter plenty of Caribbean influences and flavorful cuisine as you explore the eclectic neighborhood. Nestled between the warehouses and botanicas, you’ll also find new sporting facilities, tiny film labs, funky design studios and micro-breweries. Not sure where to start? Consider this list your insider’s guide to the best things to eat, see, and do in Little River right now.   RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Little River

If there’s one thing Miami loves more than anything else in this world, it’s partying. A close runner-up is costuming. We’ll take any excuse to get dressed up—Flanigan’s, yoga class, whatever—and we’re not just talking about the ladies. Our latest reason du jour? Halloween lands on a Thursday this year, stretching the freakish festivities into a full “Halloweek.”  Whether you’re into marathon music festivals, terrifying ghost tours, or good old-fashioned block parties, Halloween in Miami offers a bit of everything. Grab your ghouls and goblins for the best Halloween parties in Miami, including a few family-friendly options, too. This page will be updated as additional parties are announced. Check back often for even more Halloween events in Miami!  RECOMMENDED: Halloween Horror Nights 2024 at Universal Orlando Resort: our ultimate guide to tickets, dates and more

If your interest in art leans 2000s hip-hop, make your way to megaclub E11EVEN for The Art of Nightlife, where headliners like Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, and Steve Aoki will light up the stage along with surprise acts signature acrobatics that will make your head spin. Also on the lineup, an afterhours set by West African sensation AMÉMÉ, and a Basel closing party with Gordo (formerly DJ Carnage) on Sunday, December 8.

Over 4,500 book titles have been banned in Florida since the start of 2024, a jarring reality at the root of a new performance titled Banned Pending Investigation. Organized by two Miami-born artists, Antonia Wright and Ruben Millares, the performance sees local high school students construct a wall of currently and historically banned books – then run through that wall to tear them down, a physical and metaphorical act that takes aim at bureaucratic barriers to art, freedom, and education. Catch the performance (7:00pm) and opening reception (6:00-10:00pm) on Wednesday, December 4th at Zilberman Gallery in the Design District. 

Love a good old-fashioned zine? Head to the Design District’s Dále Zine shop for Break Glass in Case of Creative Crisis!, a pop-up exhibition of zine culture and printmaking featuring works by Jackie Crespo and Gabino Azuela under their Mexican studio moniker, Can Can Press. Swing by for drinks and some early holiday shopping on Tuesday, December 3 at the opening party, happening 5pm to 9pm. 

With nearly 200,000 objects in its collection, the Wolfsonian-FIU museum is a fascinating visit any time of year, especially for design lovers. Plan a visit to the Art Deco landmark on Friday, December 6th for the Wolfsonian’s annual Art Week party, Succulent, in celebration of their latest exhibition, The Big World: Alternative Landscapes in the Modern Era. Enjoy live music by Takuya Nakamura along with newly-debuted works by Berlin-based duo Hettler.Tüllmann, and tropical dreamscapes by local artist Natasha Tomchin.

We love a fun lil’ daytime dance party. Bango Bango is one such party. Should Wednesday plans lead you to Wynwood, hop over to 1-800 Lucky for funky, soulful house sets by the likes of Mystic Bill, Bear Who?, and locally-loved selectors like Brad Strickland of Love Tempo, the gone-but-not-forgotten party at Electric Pickle (RIP). Catch a groove Wednesday, December 4th from 2:00pm to 9:00pm. (RSVP via email: guestlist@bearwho.com)

Once a Green Book hotel during the Jim Crow era, the Historic Hampton House was a place of refuge and revelry for Black travelers in Miami, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Josephine Baker and Muhammad Ali. Starting December 2, the historic inn will present Invisible Luggage, a powerful exhibition that explores themes of journeying, memory, displacement, and freedom through the lens of 50+ modern and contemporary artists such as Jacolby Satterwhite and Marina Abramović, Awol Erizku and Ming Smith, Suzanne Jackson, Cecilia Vicuña, Hugo McCloud, and Frank Bowling. Join the opening night celebrations on Monday, December 2nd and hear from Invisible Luggage curators Beth Rudin DeWoody, Laura Dvorkin, Maynard Monrow, Zoe Lukov and Auttrianna Ward. 

Trade the usual glitz and glam of Art Week for a gritty underground rave in downtown Miami. On Thursday, December 5, local festival III Points will host a five-hour rager beneath the highway at Lot 11 Skatepark, headlined by none other than German DJ-producer Adam Port of Keinemusik fame. This event is 18+ with tickets starting at $72.  

I’ll be honest, I have no idea what to expect from Teletubbyland, but it sounds hilarious. On Saturday, December 7th, life-sized Teletubbies are throwing a nostalgic rooftop pool party at the citizenM hotel in Brickell, complete with sweet treats and “unapologetic fun.” Do with this information what you will…

The so-called “godmother of performance art,” Marina Abramović, will debut a never-before-seen collection of personal drawings, poetry, photographs, and reflections at the Faena Art Project Room. Presented by Massimo Dutti, the intimate exhibition celebrates the artist’s upcoming book, Nomadic Journey and Spirit of Places, and lifts the curtain to Abramović’s creative process throughout her four-decades-long career. 

Amid the corporate takeovers and invite-only parties, the Beach Towel Art Show is a cheeky reminder that art should be fun, and accessible to all. This homegrown event invites the public to create their own works of art – beach towels, to be exact – and exhibit them proudly on the sand of South Beach. Join the fun Saturday, December 7th from 2pm to 5pm, behind the big-name art fairs on 9th Street, and stick around for beachside activities led by local artists and culture arbiters including Dále Zine, Raw Figs, LoHi Magazine, Miami Art Society, and Art Club Forever.

Get a taste for Moroccan culture at DAR MIAMI 1446, an immersive culinary pop-up by famed contemporary artist Hassan Hajjaj and Michelin-starred restaurateur Rose Previte. Happening December 4th through December 6th, the day-to-night experience draws inspiration from Hajjaj’s Moroccan heritage and signature kaleidoscopes, as well as Chef Rose’s Lebanese-Sicilian roots. Visit between 10 am and 3 pm for tea and pastries (free entry with RSVP), lose yourself in hypnotic rhythms of Gnawa musician Simo Lagnawi, or make friends with fellow Capital One cardholders at a private dinner complete with after-party entertainment by DJ Pee .Wee (Anderson .Paak), Shaboozey and Kaytranada.Dinner reservations via Capital One.

Bah Humbug! Ebenezer Scrooge just won’t budge on his disdain for Christmas. Perhaps a few singing ghosts will do the trick? Charles Dickens’ holiday classic gets a musical twist at the Actors’ Playhouse this year in a family-friendly adaptation everyone can enjoy. A Christmas Carol, The Musical shows on Saturday afternoons from November 18 through December 22, with a sensory-inclusive performance on December 15.  

The story of Wynwood is all too familiar. Industrial area sees local artists set up shop. Area becomes cool and popularity explodes. Corporate brands and chains move in, the cool factor fades, and the original movers and shakers get priced out of the neighborhood they helped create. It’s true, Wynwood of today is vastly different from 10 years ago, and 10 years before then, and so on. But as a lifelong Miami girl, I’ve held on to hope that Wynwood maintains some of the best bars and restaurants in the city, and fun activities that are light on the wallet.  Photograph: Caitlin Driscoll for Time OutA graffiti artist doing his thing in Wynwood, Miami's arts district that's become quite commercialized over the last decade To test this theory, I romped around Wynwood to revisit old favorites and uncover some new-to-me spots that still embody the cool, independent spirit we knew Wynwood for. Here’s what I found. Photograph: Caitlin Driscoll for Time OutMy steaming cortado from Suite Habana Cafe, a local family-run cafeteria in Wynwood, Miami You don't have to go to Little Havana for real-deal Cuban coffee I started off hot—steaming hot—at Suite Habana, a local family-run cafeteria that brews its own specialty Cuban coffee. The ambiance here is bright and cheery; quiet enough for worker bees to crank out emails, but lively enough to chat with friendly baristas and avoid side-eye from the worker bees.  There are classic go-to’s like cafecito, cortado and iced cafe con leche, and

Back-to-school season has arrived. To me, a childless adult, this means more traffic and a tinge of jealousy toward the kids. Days full of arts and crafts, science projects, reading books and lunchtime with friends? Sounds kind of wonderful!  Middle school me would cringe reading this, but present-day Caitlin feels nostalgic for her youth—at least the fun parts, like volleyball practice and drama club rehearsal. Thankfully, Miami has plenty of creative workshops and adult learning courses, so it’s easy to get back to class and learn something new. To test this theory, I rolled up my high school musical sleeves for the Level 1 improv class at Villain Theater in Little Haiti. Here’s how it went. Photograph: Falyn Wood for Time Out Setting the scene Founded in 2015, Villain Theater is a local theater company and cozy black box theater located on Second Avenue near the Little Haiti Cultural Complex. I pulled up on a rainy Wednesday night for VT-1: Improv Foundations, an introductory course to the art of improv acting.  It’s been a while since I belted “Seasons of Love” on stage. As it turned out, that didn’t matter. My group had a woman in cyber security, a casino manager and a Pilates instructor, among others—we were all different ages and backgrounds, and no one had any improv experience. One student enrolled to “bring more zing” to her public speaking. Another wanted “a form for more fun and laughter.” Mostly, we were all there to let loose and have fun. Class started with

Much like Dante’s “Inferno,” a Miami summer has nine circles of hell. We start in limbo, where the weather is moody and the snowbirds take flight. Slowly, we descend into a tropical fever dream, our skin practically set on fire, begging for mercy in the form of cold A/C.  It’s not all doom and gloom though. With each circle comes the chance for salvation, a way to look at the bright side and make the most of summer in Miami—like frozen soft serve or cute little trips to the gardening center. What summer fate awaits you? Read on if you dare to find out. See you in hell! Circle One: The Great Migration Watch as Miami’s part-time pleasure seekers flock up north and cross the pond. It’s far too humid for their taste, so off to the Hamptons and Bordeaux they go. Our fragile snowbirds will fly down again at their soonest convenience, probably when hurricane season ends and state tax extensions are due. The salvation: Empty nests mean baller Airbnb staycations. Now’s the time to invite your friend down from Minnesota, and maybe even score a reservation at Boia De.  Photograph: Shutterstock Circle Two: Borderline Concerning Can you believe it's this effing hot already? Was the 4th of July this brutal last year?! Our regular record-breaking temps are cause for concern—but also a great excuse for a Miami pool party. The salvation: Miami is stacked with beautiful pools, from swanky beach clubs to spacious city pools in Brickell. Pick your favorite and play tourist for the day. Circle

Every March, music lovers from around the world flock to our city for the annual bass-filled bacchanal known as Miami Music Week. This year, seemingly every major electronic DJ is playing a show, from sun-soaked pool parties in Miami Beach to Downtown’s massive Ultra Music Festival, to sweaty warehouse raves in Little River.  This eclectic mix of artists and events attracts a wide range of characters, offering up some excellent people-watching. Here’s a preview of the nine kinds of party-goers you’ll meet at Miami Music Week. RECOMMENDED: The best Miami Music Week pool parties for daytime debauchery 1. The guy with the all-access Space pass Miami Music Week is this guy’s Super Bowl. He put in his PTO request in September. Honestly, the stamina is pretty impressive. Watch him jump from Factory Town to the Space terrace, back to Factory Town, and round and round he goes. Without skipping a beat, this B2B party boy can tell you exactly who’s playing on any given stage across the Club Space universe—and that’s no small feat.  Photograph: Courtest Ultra Music Festival/Doug Van Sant Photography 2. Rave babies Going to Ultra is like a rite of passage for Miami teens. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, the adorably clueless rave baby is having the time of their life with absolutely zero regard for how to behave in a crowd. They’re pushing their way to the front, wearing completely nonsensical footwear and dripping glitter from head to toe. They’ll scream and shout as the Metro Mover app

From my early days crowd surfing at Vans Warped Tour, to my more recent Hot Topic-themed birthday, to the septum ring my parents hate, I’ve always held a deep appreciation for punk culture. But skateboarding? Not in my wheelhouse.  Be it fear of falling (or fear of looking stupid in all that padding), I'd never actually hopped on a skateboard. But after my first lesson at SkateBird Miami in El Portal, I seriously can’t wait to hop back on.  MORE THAN A SKATE PARK Tucked away on an unsuspecting street off Biscayne Boulevard and NE 83rd, SkateBird is the definition of a hidden gem. While technically a pro-level park, it feels more like a giant community center. Parents are dropping off kids for lessons, regulars greet each other by name, locals are picking up pizza to-go. I immediately felt at home, something SkateBird Founder and CEO Joner Strauss says was built by design.  “SkateBird is a curated safe space for kids and adults to learn the culture,” he says. “In the past, to be part of the street skateboard culture, you had to hit the streets and there’s risks to that. Here, we’ve curated it so that Miami has a space for an Olympic sport, where people from all walks of life can coexist and grow safely.” Photography: Courtesy Skatebird GEARING UP After checking in at the front desk, I met Coach Cody, SkateBird’s Head Coach and Park Manager, for my trial class. Required for newcomers and experienced skaters alike, this 30-minute class ($20) includes all of the protective gear