April of Dance and Festivals

April of Dance and Festivals

Miami Film Festival

As lights dim, anticipation rises—the Miami Film Festival begins its 42nd year this April. Situated in the lively Greater Miami & Miami Beach. Therefore, it promises to enchant viewers with a mixture of films and special events. Whether you’re a passionate film lover or just curious, this festival offers something for everyone in a culturally rich setting.

About The Miami Film Festival

The Miami Film Festival showcases top international filmmakers, featuring diverse and thoughtful films. Consequently, this year’s event includes screenings, panels, and presentations, running from April 4-13, 2025. Consequently, be sure to reserve these dates for an unforgettable experience.

Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band

Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band will bring its lively sound to Pinecrest Gardens on Friday, April 11 at 8 pm. Led by the award-winning Gordon Goodwin, who mixes movie scores, big band jazz, and modern styles, the band is famous for its dynamic energy. Besides, it boasts collaborations with entertainment giants like Madonna and Quincy Jones. Goodwin’s expertise in cinematic scoring shines through in films like The Incredibles and Remember the Titans. Part of the 2024-2025 Jazz Series, this event will take place at the historic Banyan Bowl amphitheater.

Earth Day April Celebration

Join us for Earth Day 2025 on April 19 at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, from 11 am to 3 pm. Themed Our Power, Our Planet. Firstly, this event features activities promoting sustainable energy. Finally, visitors can enjoy games and discussions about eco-friendly solutions. Earth Day 2025 is sponsored by FPL SolarNow.

April

April Open Air Tango on Lincoln Road

Join Lincoln Road Shopping District for the free Open Air Tango dance series on Lincoln Road & Jefferson Avenue every 3rd Thursday of the month starting on October 17, 2024 through April 17, 2025. From 7 to 10 pm. Additionally, this festive dance series under the stars features an intro to Tango at 6:00 pm. Afterwards, it will be followed by an open milonga where experts (and newbies) can show off their moves.

Program Schedule
6:00 PM – Introduction to Tango by Lorena Diez
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Open Milonga

This event is organized by Lorena Diez and Maureen O’Brien with sponsorship by The Lincoln Road Business Improvement District.

What March Brings

What March Brings

What March brings is a season that promises a blend of high-energy tennis matches, thrilling baseball games, and sophisticated sailing regattas. Whether you’re a fan of fast-paced serves at the Miami Open, looking forward to the crack of the bat or eager to witness sailing regatta, there’s something for every sports lover. Pack your bags, book your tickets, and get ready to immerse yourself in the excitement and spectacle of these premier events. Keep reading to find out why March 2025 is the perfect time to explore these sports destinations.

March Brings Miami Open

During the last two weeks of March, the top players in men’s and women’s tennis gather in Miami for the Miami Open. March Brings One of the largest tournaments outside the Grand Slams. The Miami Open takes over the courts at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens for two weeks. The grounds are filled with bars, restaurants and other installations that go far beyond the game. Grab a ticket to the stadium court and you can catch the tournament’s best matches inside an NFL stadium. The Miami Open is the only tennis tournament played in such a venue.

Miami Sailing Week

March brings Miami’s signature regatta as Miami Sailing Week docks in Coconut Grove. The weeklong competition showcases races for youth sailors to professionals, with over 200 boats from over 20 countries competing. Additionally, fans can watch from Regatta Park. Hospitality tents and live music will provide a perfect backdrop for the races. There are, of course, parties, as well as art and photography displays by local and international artists.

March Brings Miami Marlins

March Brings the Miami Marlins! They will play their home games at loanDepot Park in Little Havana.  The retractable roof ballpark ensures every game will be under beautiful sunshine or in air-conditioned comfort, so you can watch the Marlins take on the best in Major League Baseball. The team runs some of the best promotions in the game, too. Saturday brings pregame beer fests, where local breweries serve samples. Taco Tuesdays offers special tickets that come with two tacos.

Celebrate Black History Month

Celebrate Black History Month

Celebrate Black History In The Park

Celebrate Black History month this February with a variety of events. Grab your picnic blankets, friends and dancing shoes as you groove to the beat of live music. This will be held at the City of Homestead’s Black History Celebration in the Park. Play games, trivia and karaoke. Refuel at local food trucks. Serving global flavors under the sky at Losner Park. Groove to the beat with live music and a DJ. Additionally discover unique finds from local shops and enjoy the family fun zone.

Muhammad Ali Historical Timeline:

February 23 – April 1 2025

The Washington Avenue BID is collaborating with HistoryMiami Museum on an exhibit exploring the life, career and lasting legacy of a sports and cultural icon. Icons such as  Muhammad Ali Historical Timeline at 555 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach. Washington Avenue played a significant role in Ali’s career. He trained at the 5th Street Gym at the corner of Washington Avenue, and on February 25, 1964. (when he was still known as Cassius Clay) . He defeated Sonny Liston at the Miami Beach Convention Center on Washington Avenue. There will be a special celebration of the 60th anniversary of this landmark fight from February 23-25. Celebrations will include an all-star tribute and a gala.

Taste Of Black Spirits Miami

February 22-25

Enjoy spirits produced by Black-owned companies during Taste of Black Spirits Miami. At various events, attendees can learn about and barrel their own whiskey, participate in an engaging discussion with industry professionals and sample Black-owned spirits such as Black Momma Vodka, IslandJon Vodka and Tom Bullock’s Gin, among many others.

SOBE wine and food festival

Feb 20, 2025 – Feb 23, 2025

The most delicious time of year arrives when the 23rd annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®) comes to town, February 20-23, 2025. The four-day festival takes place throughout Greater Miami & Miami Beach.

This famous foodie festival offers the opportunity to mix and mingle with more than 500 chefs, culinary experts and famous personalities from around the world while indulging in creative dishes and premium wines and spirits. Events run the gamut from beloved culinary happenings that are longstanding fan favorites to new events, including walk-around tastings, brunches, cozy dinners, master classes and wine seminars.

With a special focus on diverse programming, this year’s festival pays particular attention to Miami’s multicultural chefs and restaurants. And while this gourmet gathering is centered around tasty fun, it also does a world of good, with net proceeds benefiting the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University.

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Gravel Miami

February 2025

Exploring the Everglades can be tricky if you don’t know where to go. For cycling enthusiasts, one of the coolest ways to delve into the River of Grass is by riding in Gravel Miami, a cycling event that rolls along the gravel paths crisscrossing the Everglades. The race is open to the public and offers 36-, 56- and 107-mile routes, so anyone with a decent level of bike fitness can participate. It begins and ends at Miami Brewing Company in Homestead, so you can reward yourself with a cold beer at the end of your adventure.

January Winter Event

January Winter Event

South Beach Jazz Festival 09-12

The Ninth Annual South Beach Jazz Festival (SBJF) will offer a kaleidoscope of musical, artistic and cultural experiences for the entire family to enjoy during this January Winter event. Sponsored by the humanitarian group Power Access, the festivities kick off the New Year on January 9-12at venues across Miami Beach. Also, participants can expect best-in-class, Grammy Award-winning jazz artists, complimentary art gallery tours and a showcase of emerging jazz students. In addition, the public is invited to virtually participate in a panel discussion addressing accessibility and inclusion in the arts for persons living with disabilities, the core mission of the festival.

Capital One Orange Bowl College Football Playoff Semifinals 09

The 91st edition of the Capital One Orange Bowl will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on January 9, 2025, starting at 7:30 pm. The competing teams are yet to be determined but will consist of the Atlantic Coast Conference champion (or the highest-ranked ACC team if the champion is in the playoff) facing off against the highest-ranked non-playoff non-champion from the Big Ten or the SEC. Team announcements will be made in December. The Orange Bowl, first played in 1935, is the second-oldest college football bowl game after the Rose Bowl, which began in 1902. The Sugar Bowl and Sun Bowl also debuted in 1935.

Sarah Silverman: Postmortem 11

Catch comedic powerhouse Sarah Silverman live. Her Postmortem tour arrives at The Fillmore Miami Beach on Saturday, January 11, 2025. Certainly, known for her sharp wit and insightful social commentary, expect a night of laughs with her signature blend of humor and provocation. With a career spanning over two decades Silverman tackles a wide range of topics. This is a can’t-miss event for fans of stand-up comedy and those who appreciate Silverman’s unique comedic voice. A two-time Emmy Award-winning comedian, actress, writer, and producer, Sarah Silverman is a force in the entertainment industry. Doors open at 7:00 pm, show starts: 8:00 pm.

Miami International Science Fiction Film Festival 17-19

The Miami International Science Fiction Film Festival returns to the James L. Knight Center. Immerse yourself in a weekend of visionary films exploring futuristic worlds, alien encounters and cutting-edge technology. The festival kicks off at 6:00 p.m. on Friday January 17 with imaginative cinematic experiences. Showcasing the best in science fiction cinema. Stay tuned for more details as the event date nears.

Tamiami International Orchid Festival 17-19

The Tamiami International Orchid Festival, known as the largest January Winter event in the U.S., will be in Miami from January 17 to 19, 2025, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition Center. The annual festival showcases orchid beauty and diversity through exhibits and educational activities. Local societies and vendors create stunning displays of exotic orchid species. Additionally, ninety national and international growers offer a wide range of orchids and related products for purchase. On-site parking is $5 per day, with entry through Gate #2 at 109th Ave and Coral Way.

Holiday Musical and Lights

Holiday Musical and Lights

Pretty Woman: The Musical

Dec 5-10

This Holiday Musical month of December is a blockbuster for the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Miami. Mark your calendar for Pretty Woman, a lively adaptation of the beloved romantic film starring Julia Roberts. Set to an original musical score. Which includes songs by Grammy Award-winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance. This iconic love story is brought to life in a captivating and theatrical way.

Art Basel Miami Beach

Dec 8-10

As the marquee event of Miami Arts, Culture & Heritage Months, Art Basel Miami Beach is back at the Miami Beach Convention Center with its annual fair devoted to the best in international contemporary art. The accompanying satellite fairs, gallery shows, celebrity-splashed holiday musical parties have become known as Miami Art Week.

Candlelight: Holiday Musical Featuring “The Nutcracker”

Dec 15-16

Enjoy a live holiday musical in December. Experience with a  candlelight concert at Miami Scottish Rite temple in Downtown Miami, featuring music from “The Nutcracker” and more. All under the glow of candlelight. Enjoy the sounds of a string quartet performing a program of holiday favorites.

Holiday Musical Month

SoundScape Cinema Series

Dec 13, 20 and 27

December in Miami is the perfect time to enjoy a movie under the stars. The SoundScape Cinema Series at the New World Center in South Beach invites you to do just that in a beautifully landscaped park where movies are projected onto the concert hall’s monumental 7,000-square-foot projection wall. Held on Wednesday evenings, December’s movies are “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.”

Zoo Lights and Holiday Musical

Nov 24 – Dec 30

Experience Zoo Miami in South Dade in a whole new light during Zoo Lights, the annual holiday tradition when the zoo stays open late with a dazzling array of more than 1 million lights. In these immersive light displays, you’ll experience animal lanterns and festive entertainment, plus you’ll enjoy seasonal treats, like cookies and hot chocolate. With a 26-foot-tall LED tree, themed nights and the chance to meet Santa, Zoo Lights is a fun-filled holiday treat for the whole family.

Miccosukee Indian Arts & Crafts Holiday Festival

Dec 28-31

Immerse yourself in Miami’s native cultural heritage at the Miccosukee Indian Arts & Crafts Festival. Filled with music, art and entertainment in the heart of the Everglades Area, this holiday tradition is a local favorite where you can experience authentic native food, a crafts market, alligator demonstrations, a fashion show and more.

Holiday Musical Month
Colorful Fireworks for the Grand Finale over Lake

New Year’s Eve At Bayfront Park

Dec 31

For an iconic Miami New Year’s celebration, Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami hosts a spectacular party with fireworks lighting up Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline. You’ll enjoy cocktails, live entertainment and a champagne toast to ring in 2024. See more ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Miami.