Fall in Miami may not mean cashmere sweaters and color-changing leaves, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a whole lot to be excited about. From food fests to art installations, here are the best things to add to your autumnal agenda.
20 Awesome Things to Do in Miami This Fall
1. Drink up at the first-ever Wynwood Flights
Sample curated beers from the neighborhood’s best breweries at Wynwood Flights. Participating breweries include Concrete Beach Brewery, J. Wakefield Brewing and Veza Sur Brewing Co. Through September 30
2.Feast on greens at the Vegan Block Party
The Vegan Block Party—South Florida’s leading plant-based soiree—will be full of local vendors, food, drink and live entertainment, with nary an animal product in sight. September 28
3. Dine out during Miami Spice
Squeeze in a few more (discounted) meals before Miami Spice ends. If you’re overwhelmed by the choices, we suggest booking lunch at Ariete, dinner at Kaido and brunch at Stubborn Seed. Through September 30
4. See Chinese lanterns at Jungle Island
A one-of-a-kind Chinese lantern festival will take over Jungle Island with 13 acres filled with life-size displays of illuminated flowers, trees and animals. Plus, stops for gourmet eats and cocktails along the way. Need we say more?Opens October 5
5. Scope out the new exhibit at Artechouse
Get ready—our favorite made-for-Instagram museum, Artechouse, is unveiling a brand-new exhibit, Infinite Space by Refik Anadol, complete with immersive activations and lots of neon. You know what that means: Bring your portable phone charger. Opens October 5
6. Wear pink for a good cause
The annual Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk returns in October, where thousands will wear pink gear and walk through downtown Miami to show support, raise funds and take action. October 12
7. Sip brews at Florida’s biggest beer fest
The boozy fall celebrations continue at Grovetoberfest, Florida’s largest craft-brew festival. Thousands will attend the beer-tasting extravaganza, where festival-goers can sip unlimited samples from more than 500 brands. October 12
8. Have a meal at Joe’s Stone Crab
Tie on a paper bib and dig into a platter of fresh, steamed stone crab claws as the iconic Joe’s Stone Crab opens for the season. It’s best to dine sometime in the afternoon (for lunch or an early-bird dinner) to beat the crowds. Beginning October 15
9. Try chef-made fare at the South Beach Seafood Festival
Speaking of crustaceans, you’ll find plenty of ’em at the South Beach Seafood Festival. The beachfront event is replete with innovative creations made by local chefs, all waiting to be sampled by you. October 22 to 26
10. Escape the city for a few days
Now’s the perfect time to get out of town before the holiday tourists descend. Good thing we’re only a few hours' drive from some pretty adorable small towns.
11. Lace up your sneakers for the Halloween Half Marathon
No need to feel guilty for stuffing your face with fun-size Snickers bars. Just sign up for Miami Beach’s Halloween Half Marathon. Pick your course (4 miles or 13.1 miles), dress in costume and lace up your sneakers. And don’t worry—you don’t have to be a master runner to participate. Walkers are welcome too. October 26
12. Have a boozy night in Brickell
Monster. Bar. Crawl. Yep, it’s back and better than ever. Hang out in Brickell for an evening filled with drinks, dancing and Halloween debauchery. Plus, you’ll visit five different venues, sip on drinks at each one and take advantage of additional specials. October 26
13. Bring Your Costume A-game For Hallowyn
Thousands will flood the streets of Wynwood in their craziest costumes to celebrate Halloween. Rally a few fun friends for HalloWYN, complete with food and drink, live entertainment and spooky specials. Entrance is totally free, by the way. October 31
14. See new works at the Miami Short Film Festival
Catch a few flicks during the Miami Short Film Festival, which highlights the year’s best international shorts. Films are screened across multiple venues in Miami. November 4 to 9
15. Go veggie crazy at Seed Food & Wine
The vegan Seed Food & Wine fest returns in November with a lineup of meat-free events, including celebrity chef dinners, a veggie burger battle, and a yoga and brunch combo. Whatever you do, don’t miss the tasting village on Saturday, where you’ll enjoy bottomless plant-based bites and brews. November 7 to 10
16. Hit up a brand-new music festival
Step aside, Ultra. The Miami Beach Pop Festival will feature everyone from Jack Johnson and Maggie Rogers to Chance the Rapper and T-Pain, while food comes courtesy of Miami’s own James Beard Award–winning chef Michael Schwartz. November 8 to 10
17. Sip even more beers in North Miami
Expect more than 200 craft beers, local food and live music at this year’s North Miami Brewfest. This all-you-can-eat-and-drink affair will feature pours from more than 50 of Florida’s most popular breweries, including the Tank, M.I.A. Beer Company and Monkey Business Brewing. November 16
18. Pick up some new reads at the Miami Book Fair
Thousands of authors and readers will converge for the annual Miami Book Fair, where the 305 celebrates all things literary with dozens of talks and lectures, intimate readings and a massive outdoor festival. November 17 to 24
19. Soak up everything Art Basel has to offer
Art Basel (aka the biggest-deal contemporary-art showcase in the country) returns in December, and with it enough gallery openings, parties and pop-up events to keep us reeling for the rest of the year. December 5 to 8
20. Catch Madonna live in concert
After Madonna’s latest album release (the first one in four years!), she’s taking her Madame X persona on the road with a five-night stop (yes, five!) in South Beach. All we can say is it's about damn time. December 14 to 19