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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

We celebrate America’s independence in July but there are lots of other fun things to do around Miami. Here’s what we recommend during these dog days of Summer.   Waterpark fun to keep your cool Miami-Dade’s plentiful waterparks are open and ready for splashtacular fun. Cool off and enjoy wave pools, waterslides, splash zones, lazy …

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The South Florida Bluegrass Association offers a free bluegrass festival and acoustic jam on the first Sunday of the month at Greynolds Park, 18501 NE 22nd Ave., North Miami Beach. Musicians in attendance at the monthly jams are encouraged to bring their acoustic instruments and take the stage for a post-performance jam session. While the …

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Gables Gallery Night is one of Miami’s longest running first Friday of the month events, spanning nearly four decades now. The evening is a great way to visit the multitude of galleries in the City Beautiful.  Click here to see a list of participating galleries open from 6-10 p.m. While traipsing through Downtown Coral Gables, …

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AileyCamp Miami at the Adrienne Arsht Center provides an incredible opportunity to underprivileged youth. For six weeks, 1,000 11 to 14-year-old young campers develop their artistic talents during the full-scholarship summer day camp program. You can see what they learned in a free performance titled on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the Arsht …

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Who wants a free tree? Miami-Dade County is once again offering the freebies as part of Adopt-A-Tree. The county program provides two trees a year per household during a special event, but you must register in advance because the giveaway is only while supplies last.  Upcoming tree giveaway: Sunday, June 28 at Kaseya Center, 601 …

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The Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami is the place to check out groundbreaking and thought-provoking exhibitions and catch live jazz acts on the last Friday of the month during the free Jazz at MOCA. However, it’s also where to go for other free and cheap events.   There’s something for everyone all month long …

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When the Fourth of July rolls around this year, what are you especially excited about — the fireworks displays or the holiday picnics? Look to us as your guide to what’s going on around Miami-Dade on July 4, 2025 and keep checking back because we’ll add more events as we find them! Here is our …

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The Lincoln Road Business Improvement District is bringing jazz to the pedestrian mall on Miami Beach with their trio of concerts at the Euclid Oval, part of their 2025 Jazz Summer Series. Here is the lineup: Friday, June 27 – The Garcia Ellis Quartet  Led by electric guitarist Dr. Orlando Jacinto Garcia and jazz pianist …

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Rene Rodriguez, former film critic for The Miami Herald, now runs the Cosford Cinema on the University of Miami Campus and he’s always coming up with some type of innovative film series.   Up next…   Sunday, June 29 at 1 p.m. Free screening of the Charles Burnett drama “To Sleep with Anger,” starring Danny …

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Every third Thursday of the month, Miami Beach hosts its “Culture Crawl.”  The event, from 6-9 p.m., aims to get residents and visitors alike exploring and becoming acquainted with Miami Beach and its cultural offerings. Many arts organizations offer free admission as part of the event — opening their doors for special programming, open studios …

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Living on the CheapSouth Florida on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap.

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