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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

Viernes Culturales (Cultural Fridays) is a South Florida tradition. This free arts and music festival takes place on the third Friday of each month from 5-10 p.m. 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 …

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Have you always wanted to visit Miami’s historic gem Vizcaya Museum & Gardens? Vizcaya’s European-inspired gardens are reminiscent of those created in 17th and 18th-century Italy and France with the overall landscape design conceived as a series of rooms. The main house’s central area is the courtyard, which was originally open to the sky. It …

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Some resident “animals” at Zoo Miami get a holiday sprucing up during the attraction’s annual Zoo Lights event, which is offered on select nights from November 21 through December 30, 2025. If you buy your tickets before November 20, you can get a discount. Families and children of all ages are invited to immerse themselves …

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Pack a picnic, bring a beach chair, and head to New World Symphony for a free WALLCAST Concert. Thanks to a soaring, 7,000-square-foot-projection wall and surround sound speakers, you’ll be immersed in a live symphonic performance beneath the palm trees and bougainvillea You’re invited, free of charge, to enjoy the sights and sounds of the …

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The Tropical Audubon Society organizes a free bird-friendly gardening day the third Saturday of every month. Join other volunteers to help keep the organization’s bird-friendly demonstration garden and near-native Steinberg Nature Center grounds in good shape. WHEN: Third Saturday of every month, 9 a.m.-noon through June, 8:30 to 11 a.m. in July and August. WHERE: …

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A gospel choir, a patriotic concert saluting veterans, a concert pianist and concert organist make up the performances at the Lamar Louise Curry Concert Series, a free four-concert series at First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables. Concert are in October and November 2025 and January and February 2026. Here is the schedule. Sunday, Oct. …

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The Barnacle Historic State Park’s Under Moonlight Concert series runs every second Friday of the month 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: Nov. 14, 2025: Mama Fuma, a Miami-based band that reimagines iconic rock, Latin and funks songs. Dec. 12, …

Read More about Monthly moonlight concert series at The Barnacle

The annual Chopin for All free concert series brings young top-tier pianists from around the globe to South Florida. Everyone is invited to attend free of charge.  Seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are not required. Registration is recommended.  For questions, send email toadmin@chopin.org or call: 305-868-0624. Remaining performances …

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With the City of Coral Gables transforming Giralda Avenue into a pedestrian-friendly street it made sense to create a monthly live music series and calling it Giralda Live. It is conveniently held on the first Friday of the month, the same night as the decades-long running and always popular Gables Gallery Night. On that first …

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Santa’s Parade of the Elves in South Miami officially kicks off the holiday season! Presented annually by the South Miami Parks & Recreation Department, this popular and festive event is happening Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. Once picked as “Best Small-Town Parade” by the Miami New Times, the event along Sunset Drive has become a South …

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Pinecrest Gardens’ Nights of Lights features glittering, larger-than-life installations to celebrate the season in style. Peruse thousands of lights and wander through a holiday-themed maze. This year’s edition is scheduled for Dec. 5-28, 2025. Hours are Dec. 5 and 6; 12 and 13; 18-23 and 26 and 27 from 6:30-10 p.m.; Dec.7, 14 and 28 from …

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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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