A haven for tourists as fall rolls around and the weather gets chilly everywhere else, things heat up in Miami with Halloween activities, high-speed races, and upbeat music and culinary festivals. Check out Miami’s hottest October events that will turn up the fun.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Celebrating Hispanic culture in Miami is a must-do. The destination is home to one of the nation’s largest concentrations of Latin people and cultures. Exciting Hispanic Heritage Month events will be offered throughout Miami for art and culture lovers. Those wanting to experience visual art should head to Doral for the Hispanic Heritage Doral Art Exhibit for a showcase of local art. You can also experience a collective art exhibition, La Mano Hispana(The Hispanic Hand), in Hialeah. Reading enthusiasts can celebrate Hispanic diaspora literature at in-person author discussions with Rosa Lowinger, Elizabeth Cerejido and Lisandro Pérez. If you’re in the mood to party, head to Little Havana. It’s Miami’s Cuban culture capital, for the annual Celebrating Milestones event on Calle Ocho. Socialize with local artists and small business owners. Experience salsa dancing, domino games, art galleries and, of course, authentic Cuban food.
Miami Carnival: A Haven for tourists
October 8
If towering feathered headdresses, bejeweled costumes and the grand pageantry of Caribbean jump bands make your heart race, you don’t want to miss Miami Carnival. Held at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition grounds, the event features the Parade of Bands & Concert,. This is a brilliant spectacle of themed bands in stunningly detailed costumes marching along the parade route. Enjoy 12 hours of dance, music, vendors, prizes and Caribbean food from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
13th Annual Miami Children’s Museum Halloween Bash
October 8
Who said Halloween celebrations have to scare your socks off? That’s certainly not the case with the Not So Scary Family Halloween Bash at Miami Children’s Museum on Watson Island, just east of Downtown Miami. Put on your favorite costume and spend the afternoon trick-or-treating in the museum’s 17 galleries. Enjoy pumpkin decorating, crafts, lunch, character meet-and-greets and, for the most daring in the family, the museum’s Haunted House. Tickets are not required for children under the age of 2. If you’re feeling in the Halloween mood, check out more spooktacular Halloween events for the little ones or enjoy a Halloween-themed adults night out.October 813th Annual Miami Children’s Museum Halloween Bash
Oktoberfest Miami
October 13-15 & 20-22
What better way to enjoy Miami’s warm fall weather than by cooling down with a cold beer at Oktoberfest Miami in Kendall? The longest-running Oktoberfest event in Florida! Besides, this fun festival serves up authentic German beer and savory traditional foods, including bratwurst, schnitzel and pretzels. Stein-holding competitions, German folk dancing, magic shows, bounce houses and live music will round out the 66th edition of this annual family-friendly event.
South Beach Seafood Festival
October 21
Don’t miss the 11th annual South Beach Seafood Festival, which serves as a great reminder to enjoy Florida’s celebrated stone crab season (which begins October 15). Unlike most festivals, where seafood lovers simply meander among food trucks, this South Beach festival features a host of specialty events showcasing the destination’s best chefs and superb seafood. Enjoy this beachfront affair, where Miami’s top restaurants offer pop-up cafés, more than 30 bars serve up delicious cocktails, and culinary demonstrations are provided by Miami’s local Milam’s Markets. Celebrity DJs and three live music stages top off this beachy seafood extravaganza.
Miami Home Design And Remodeling Show
October 20-22
Dreaming about upgrading or changing your living space? If so, putting the Miami Home Design and Remodeling Show on your must-do list is a great start. Meet industry leaders, discover new options to renovate or reimagine your property. Meet consult design and remodel experts at this home design and remodeling event held at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition grounds.
Miami Dragon Boat Festival
October 8
Round out the month with the Miami Dragon Boat Festival, a unique boat racing spectacle held at Haulover Park, just south of Sunny Isles Beach. Watch novice as well as top rowing teams compete. See the ornate and beautifully carved dragon heads and tails that decorate the vessels, adding to the fun of the event. Aside from the race, enjoy live entertainment, food trucks, and a health and wellness village. A percentage of the proceeds support the Save Our Sisters Miami program. Consequently, this program introduces breast cancer survivors to the sport.
Candlelight Orchestra: Halloween Special
October 28
The tropical surroundings of Pinecrest Gardens in Pinecrest make a perfect setting for an evening of Halloween favorites. Performed by a live symphony orchestra. The Candlelight Orchestra: Halloween Special takes a spooky turn with performances at 7 and 9:30 p.m. The orchestra will play renditions of “Danse Macabre,” “Transylvanian Lullaby from Young Frankenstein,” “Night on Bald Mountain,” “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and more.
Image Philip Cuervo