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Josie Gulliksen

Josie Gulliksen is a freelance writer and major arts advocate and enthusiast who loves everything cultural and is excited to live in such a thriving community as Miami. A Miami native, aside from Miami on the Cheap, she currently writes for Artburst Miami and contributes to Edible South FL and Miami Media Group. She has contributed to Miami.com, Biscayne Times and Miami New Times. She worked for nearly a decade at Miami Today as Calendar Editor and arts writer and then worked for 13 years in public relations. She has her own blog Scene Around South FL at josiegulliksen.com

Turn on holiday music in the car and take a drive to a fairyland of outdoor light displays throughout South Florida. You can see Christmas lights in all corners of Miami-Dade County, as well as in holiday lights in Broward, and Palm Beach counties. In some cases, you won’t even have to leave your car. …

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OnStage, the popular music and dance series is presenting a New Year’s Day Celebration Concert. The free outdoor concert on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2056 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. is at Lummus Park on the Ocean Drive Promenade and 12 St. Performing al-fresco, under the palm trees, during the family-friendly concert will be The Miami Beach …

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The pastel colored Art Deco architecture is being celebrated at the 49th Annual Art Deco Weekend happening Jan. 9-11, 2026 on Ocean Drive between 5th and 14th Streets. This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Art Deco Centennial.” Hours are: Friday, Jan. 9 and Saturday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 11, …

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The long-running, popular – and free – Jazz at MOCA has been a fixture in the North Miami community and Miami’s music scene for more than two decades. The monthly event presented by the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami features an exciting lineup of South Florida musicians playing on the last Friday of every …

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Once again, South Florida’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration will be at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami from 5 p.m. Dec. 31, 2025 to 2 a.m. Jan. 1, 2026, for a Bayfront New Year. General admission is free and includes premium entertainment with concert and fireworks display. VIP prices vary. At the party, fireworks will …

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Free Gospel Sundays will be announced at a later date but in the meantime, enjoy the free Arsht Center Gospel Choir Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 at 6 p.m. Free first-access passes are now available and you can find those tickets here. They go quickly. It is also possible to wait in line on …

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Behold! The 75th annual Beaux Arts Festival of Art is happening Jan. 17-18, 2026. Held on the lawn of the University of Miami Campus  in Coral Gables on Stanford Dr. in front of the Lowe Art Museum, this free festival features more than 200 juried artists. Displayed artwork includes wood, watercolor, photography, oil and acrylics, …

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Christmas tree lightings and winter fests are happening earlier and earlier each year. Here’s where to watch when they flip the switch and hundreds of lights bring the tree to life! And even though we don’t have much winter weather in Miami-Dade, there are winter festivals to be found. We will add more tree lighting …

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The wacky 42nd King Mango Strut Parade, known for being a spoof of the year’s craziest, most outrageous headlines, of which there are plenty in Miami, weaves through the streets of Downtown Coconut Grove on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at 2 p.m.  Watch as marching groups, homemade floats and makeshift mascots parade down Main Highway.  …

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