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December is such a pleasant time to be in Miami, it is not only the cooler sunny skies that are the magnet but also the barrage of top line events that start kicking off in and around the city...
...the art fairs...
...the food festivals...
...the boating events...
...lots of high-caliber and fun events are all getting under way in the midst of the Christmas frenzy and New Year fireworks.
For our nature lovers, this is the perfect time
to get out and soak it all up, our State and National Parks are teeming with wildlife, enjoy!
Art Basel Miami Beach is without a doubt one of the premiere events in the world art scene and certainly one of the most prominent in the U.S. This long weekend in early December is traditionally the unofficial kick-off to the city's busy art and cultural calendar and is quite unique in that it spawns so many other events and satellite exhibitions, if you are into arts and design, this is definitely the time to be in Miami.
When? Thursday through Sunday December 3 - 6, 2015:
Hours: Thursday - 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Friday and Saturday - noon to 8:00 pm
Sunday - noon to 6:00 pm
Where? Main Exhibition Hall at Miami Beach Convention Center
How Much? Day Ticket $47, Permanent Ticket $100, Students and Seniors $30, Combination Ticket for Art Basel and Design Miami $60.
Children 16 and under FREE when accompanied by an adult. Groups of 10 people or more $30 per person
Satellite fairs and events will pop up in and around the city, keep an eye specially in the up-and-coming districts of Wynwood and the Miami Design District.
Some events in the periphery of Art Basel:
Sailboats, Yachts, Barges, Gondolas, Kayaks... ANYTHING that floats, all decked up with thousands of lights and a merry spirit, traversing the waters of the intracoastal, what could be more fun this holiday season?! On its 42nd year, the Winterfest Boat Parade has become one of the most awaited events, and this year with the theme "Passport to Paradise" the Ft. Lauderdale shoreline will be coming alive once again.
Some fantastic entries and surprises in the past have included the Circus barge, complete with elephants and acrobats, a floating bus, a fire truck, Mickey and Minnie... can't wait for this year's parade!
When?: Saturday December 12, 2015
Where?: Intracoastal Waterway from Ft. Lauderdale to Pompano Beach
How Much?: Free along parade route, Grandstand viewing areas available.
More info: Winterfest Boat Parade
This year's Orange Bowl is throwing a mega pre-game party in South Beach, including a free concert, beer garden, special appearances, beach games, celebrations for the two Orange Bowl teams, the Clemson Tigers and the Oklahoma Sooners, and of course, fireworks!
The bash will take place the day before the game in the heart of South Beach on Ocean Drive.
Line up for this FREE outdoor concert includes Grammy Award winning rock band Imagine Dragons and four-time Grammy winning duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.
And if you can't make it to the concert, it will be streamed live nationally on WatchESPN.
When?: Wednesday December 30, 2015 starts at 4:00 pm, fireworks at 10:30 pm
Where?: Ocean Drive and 10th Street, South Beach
How Much?: Free!
More Info: www.orangebowl.org/beachbash
The King Mango Strut is the wackiest of the wackiest, it's a parade that was born as the antithesis of the King Orange Bowl parade way back, when struters were rejected by King Orange for being too "irreverent" so they decided to start their own King Mango parade, and irony of ironies, the King Orange Bowl Parade does not exist any more.
So what is it? It's a parade with a party atmosphere on a fun and laid back afternoon the last Sunday of the year. The theme or rather themes of the parade are well, anything and everything that made the headlines this year, Mango style of course, meaning, it is a parody of the year's highlights all in the name of fun. Like for example? Everything and everybody is fair game, the TSA, the Pope, twinkies, the Royal Family, politicians, specially politicians ...
Who participates? Anybody can participate, as in, "be on the parade". This is not an over the top parade, the "floats" are not fancy structures or designs, it is all very relaxed with hilarity and fun as the only requirement.
Is it ok for kids? Yes, the Pre-Mango Strut activities begin with the Little Miss Mango Pageant for kids 5 to 12, it is a VERY competitive pageant and all contestants are expected to win, the winners get to ride in the opening "float" of the parade!
So take part or just come to watch, bring a cooler, a folding chair, and be ready to spend the funniest and craziest time, check it out:
When?: Sunday December 27, 2015, parade starts at 2:00 p.m., after-strut street party and dancing afterwards
Where?: Downtown Coconut Grove from Green Street to Coco Walk then back to Commodore Plaza
How Much?: Free!
More Info: www.kingmangostrut.org
Miami might not be Times Square, but we do have our very own "Ball Drop" and spectacular fireworks over our beautiful bay.
This year, Miami's global superstar Pitbull will be hosting the smashing live event to welcome 2016 in Bayfront Park.
Bayfront park will be the place to be for the largest FREE New Year's Eve party in South Florida!
When?: Thursday, December 31, 2015
Where?: Bayfront Park 301 N. Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132
Where to Park?: There is limited, paid parking at Bayfront Park. You can also park at Bayside Marketplace nextdoor or take the Metrorail to the Government Center Station then transfer to the Metromover Inner Loop to Bayfront Park.
How Much?: FREE
No bottles, cans, coolers or personal fireworks are allowed at the park.
In addition, also happening jointly at Bayfront Park is the two-day Norwegian Worldwide Food & Wine Party on Wednesday and Thursday December 30 and 31, 2015 and the ongoing Feria del Mercado de San Miguel.
Madrid's historic Mercado de San Miguel comes to Miami! Tapas, ham, paella, gazpacho, gambas, fish... and a tinto de verano to wash it all down...
Selected Spanish chefs and vendors will set up kiosks and small carts at the wide open air area in Bayfront Park, recreating the atmosphere of this beloved food market.
When? daily through January 31, 2016 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. Fridays and Saturdays until midnight.
Where? Bayfront Park at 301 N. Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132
Where to Park?: There is limited, paid parking at Bayfront Park. You can also park at Bayside Marketplace nextdoor or take the Metrorail to the Government Center Station then transfer to the Metromover Inner Loop to Bayfront Park.
How Much? Admission is FREE, food prices range from $2 for small tapas to $8 for larger dishes.
When? Friday, December 4, 2015 8:00 p.m.
Where? Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
How Much? $25+
Legendary icon Billy Joel will perform for the first time on New Year's Eve in South Florida. The spectacular performance to ring in 2016 will include renowned hits and classic album tracks from throughout his incredible five-decade career.
When? December 31, 2015 - 9:30 pm
Where? BB&T Center (Formerly BankAtlantic Center), Sunrise, Florida
How Much? $56+
When? Several performances December 11 to 13, 2015
Where? Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center For The Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale
How Much? $50+
When? Several performances December 15 to 27, 2015
Where? Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center For The Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale
How Much? $40+
When? Friday, December 18, 2015 - 7:30 pm
Where? BB&T Center (Formerly BankAtlantic Center), Sunrise, Florida
How Much? $70+
When? December 22 - 23, 2015
Where? Kravis Center - Dreyfoos Concert Hall, West Palm Beach
How Much? $52+
When? Sunday December 27, 2015 - 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Where? The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater 1700 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
How Much? $44+
Find Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker Tickets
Check for half-price Moscow Nutcraker tickets at Goldstar, you need to be a member but membership is FREE, just sign up, it's worth the savings!
When? December 8 - 13, 2015
Where? Kravis Center - Dreyfoos Concert Hall, West Palm Beach
How Much? $40+
When? Saturday, December 12, 2015 - 8:00 p.m.
Where? American Airlines Arena
How Much? $95+
When? Tuesday, December 29, 2015 to Sunday, January 3, 2016
Where? Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center Miami
How Much? $60+
The largest Christmas-Themed Amusement Park and Carnival is back on its 26th year with its 3 million lights, 92" christmas tree, and the carnival rides for little ones and those wanting a little more extreme.
Located in the heart of Miami in Tropical Park, you will no doubt see the lights from the highway as you drive past.
It is a huge sprawling lively event, just coming to see the lights is worth the trip. Tons of entertainment for kids and families round it all up. There are the many live shows, games, magic acts, mazes, all sorts of rides, from carrousels to roller coasters and drop towers and of course, the carnival food!
When? October 29, 2015 to January 3, 2016 - 5:00pm to Midnight
Where? Tropical Park, on the Palmetto (SR826) and Bird Road (40th Street) 7900 SW 40th Street, Miami, FL 33155
How Much? Adults (10-64) $30.84, Children (3-9) $21.49, Seniors (65+) $21.49 Season and express passes available.
More Info: Santa's Enchanted Forest
Let's herald the Christmas season with a live, open-air reenactment of the Christmas Story.
Featuring live camels, donkeys, goats and sheep, along with an innovative mix of digital and live-action characters, including Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the prophets, angels, the Wise Men and more!
This spectacular depiction, complete with narration, digital projections and a choir, is fun for the entire family!
When? Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12, 2015 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Where? Miami Shores Presbyterian Church, 602 NE 96th Street, Miami Shores, FL 33138
How Much? FREE and open to the public. Guests are invited to bring canned goods, which will be donated to a local food bank.
More Info: Miami Shores Presbyterian Church or call (305) 754-9541
Family Fun Fest is a FREE program at Biscayne National Park brought to you thanks to the many volunteers and park sponsors.
It is held on the second Sunday of the month during the "dry and cool" season, December through April with lots of fun and educational activities for kids and adults alike.
There is also "Family Fun Fest Junior" with lots of activities for toddlers and little ones!
When? December 12, 2015 - 1:00pm to 4:00 pm
Where? Biscayne National Park - Dante Fascell Visitor Center
How Much? FREE!
More info: Biscayne National Park Family Fun Fest
This is the second year of the College Football Playoffs, the BCS is history, and now bowl bids are a bit different.
There is no more BCS Bowls, instead we have the "New Year's Six" bowls: Sugar Bowl, Rose Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl.
The two Semi-Final play-off games will be hosted by all six bowls on a rotation basis over three years. This year's hosts are the Cotton Bowl and yes! the Orange Bowl!
So who will be coming to the Orange Bowl this year? No. 1 Clemson Tigers versus No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners!
When? December 31, 2015 at either 4 p.m. or 8 p.m.
Where? Sun Life Stadium (Formerly Dolphin Stadium), Miami Gardens, FL
How Much? Varies, as expected it is sold out, you can still buy tickets as part of a package offer through TicketLiquidator:
When? Home game schedule below
Where? Sun Life Stadium (Formerly Dolphin Stadium) Miami Gardens, Florida
How Much? $28+
Night in and night out, this is electrifying, winning basketball with Dwayne Wayde, Chris Bosh... The AmericanAirlines Arena is where awesome happens...
Come catch a game, check out this amazing team in yet another quest for that coveted championship ring.
When? Home game schedule below
Where? American Airlines Arena
How Much? Varies
Panthers are pouncing, get over to the BB&T Center to see first-class teams battle it out on the ice!
When? See home game schedule for this month below
Where? BB&T Center, Sunrise
How Much? $12+
Like its counterpart at the Miami Design District, Wynwood is an emerging neighborhood in a decaying part of town that has been revitalized and is transforming the art scene in Miami, but this is where the likeness stops.
Wynwood is best known for its street art and splashy murals and over 70 galleries and counting.
On Second Saturdays, the place is on overdrive, crowds come to enjoy their art and their food trucks. A must for street art lovers, but if you are not into crowds, definitely not for you.
When? Saturday December 12, 2015 - 6:00pm to 11:00 pm
Where? Roughly between Biscayne Boulevard and I-95 and NW 36th Street and NW 20th Street. CAUTION: The area surrounding the Wynwood District is a very doubtful neighborhood, please exercise caution when getting here and back.
How Much? FREE
More info and Map: www.wynwoodmiami.com
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