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

Party on Ocean Drive with a bang of fireworks at 11:59 p.m. to bring in the New Year on Sunday, Dec. 31. The New Year’s Eve party is on Ocean Drive and 10th Street in the heart of the South Beach action. Fireworks are at midnight and can be seen from 5th-15th streets and Ocean …

Free Gospel Sundays will be announced at a later date but in the meantime, enjoy the free Arsht Center Gospel Fest on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 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 the …

Experience the music of the New World Symphony in a larger-than-life format during outdoor WALLCAST concerts at Miami Beach’s SoundScape Park and also in other locations. You’re invited, free of charge, to enjoy the sights and sounds of the symphony – just bring a blanket, some snacks and pick a spot! The New World Symphony …

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 …

Viernes Culturales (Cultural Fridays) is a South Florida tradition. This free arts and music festival typically takes place on the third Friday of each month on Calle Ocho (Southwest Eighth Street), in the heart of Little Havana, between 13th and 22nd avenues. Every month, enjoy music in Domino Plaza, as well as works by local …

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. …

The Barnacle Historic State Park’s Under Moonlight Concert series runs every second weekend of the month through April and features an impressive line-up of musicians. Doors open at 6 p.m. and performance is at 7 p.m. Here is the schedule: Friday, Dec. 13, 2024: Performance by Strings Attached a cello and piano duo whose music incorporates …

The Miami Beach Bandshell is one of the city’s busiest venues where free music and dance performances are regularly presented. The open-air location provides a gorgeous snapshot of Miami Beach and is just steps from the water. Here’s what’s coming up that’s free: North Beach Social: Afrobeta Cosmic Constellation Thursday, Dec. …

The South Florida Bluegrass Association is hosting the 47th Annual Everglades Bluegrass Festival from Feb. 7-9, 2025 at Greynolds Park in North Miami Beach. Earlybird pricing if you order online before January 15. Only $15 Friday or Sunday, $50 for the whole weekend with the extra $5 off promo which applies to single day. Gate …

Behold! The 74th annual Beaux Arts Festival of Art has been scheduled for Jan. 18-19, 2025. 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 …

The open-air CityPlace Doral has a couple of weekly events that are geared to music lovers and to shoppers of handcrafted items. Every Saturday from 6-9 p.m. head to the plaza for live music by a rotating group of bands. Each week, local musicians perform live top 40, Latin and retro hits. Then every …