Yes, many plans changed in 2020 … with vacations and shows and festivals canceled throughout Miami, South Florida and the world.
However, a new year brings with it hope of brighter and better times ahead. Car shows, art festivals and more have been scheduled for 2021.
We’ve compiled a month-by-month roundup of events in our area. Keep in mind that some events may be virtual. Others may follow strict safety protocols. You’ll want to get all the details and decide which options are best for you and your family.
Have fun in 2021!
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JANUARY
(Photo courtesy of South Beach Jazz Festival)
JAN. 8-10
Organizers of the South Beach Jazz Festival have decided the show will go on!
The fifth annual event, presented by Power Access, is scheduled for Jan. 8-10, 2021 at outdoor venues throughout Miami Beach, including the North Beach Bandshell, 1111 Lincoln Road Plaza, Euclid Oval, and the Lincoln Lane Courtyard. Most of the performances are free – and all will be livestreamed for those who don’t wish to attend in person.
Please note: Guests will be required to wear masks and practice social distancing. Organizers say “safety ambassadors” will be on-hand to enforce these protocols.
The three-day musical event takes pride in featuring world-renowned musicians who also have disabilities. The 2021 headliner: Matthew Whitaker, an 18-year-old, blind, multi-award-winning, internationally recognized, young jazz phenomenon. He will be playing at the North Beach Bandshell, and tickets range in price from $35-$75.
For more information, click here.
JAN. 10
VINTAGE AUTO SHOW AT DEERING ESTATE
Originally set for Nov. 8, the annual Vintage Auto Show at Deering Estate had to be rescheduled due to weather concerns related to Hurricane Eta.
But now you can look forward to the event on Jan. 10. Expect to stroll the historic grounds in Miami and enjoy a variety of vintage cars, from 1969 and older.
The event is being organized in collaboration with the Antique Automotive Club of America – South Florida Region.
General admission is $15 for adults, $7 for children age 4-14, and free for Deering Estate Foundation members with promo code. If you’re a member, receive your promo code by calling 305-235-1668 (press 3, then ext. 263). If you’re not a member but wish to become one, click here.
James Wilbat glass art to be featured at 2021 Beaux Arts Festival. (Photo courtesy of Beaux Arts Facebook page)
JAN. 16-17
Behold! The 70th annual Beaux Arts Festival of Art is taking place Jan. 16-17 online – instead of its traditional home: the grounds of the University of Miami in Coral Gables.
According to the official event website: “We all wish we could host our 70th annual Beaux Arts Festival of Art in person. Instead, we are doing the next best thing: going virtual. See you in January at beauxartsfestival.com.”
Each year, the festival features more than 200 juried artists. Displayed artwork includes wood, watercolor, photography, oil and acrylics, mixed media, jewelry, graphics, glass, ceramics and 3-D sculpture.
JAN. 23-24
PINECREST GARDENS FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
Wanting to support artists – but understanding the challenges of social distancing – the Pinecrest Gardens Fine Arts Festival will be offered online.
The two-day event, set for Jan. 23-24, will feature the work of dozens of artists, in all types of mediums. Given that Pinecrest Gardens is billed as a cultural arts park with artists in residence, you can expect that this virtual event will include a wide variety of art.
Organizers issued this statement on the official website:
“For the past 17 years, we hosted our Pinecrest Gardens Fine Arts Festival on the weekend after MLK. In 2021, we are excited to host this event online for the first time in our history. We recognize the importance of keeping this economic opportunity active for artists during a time where large, in-person gatherings aren’t safe.
“Don’t miss an opportunity to explore the artwork of our artists from the comfort of your home. All artwork will be available for purchase from the artist. Enjoy our immersive experience, where the Pinecrest Gardens Arts Festival converges with virtual reality.”
MARCH
March 19-21
Presented by the South Florida Bluegrass Association, the 43rd Annual Everglades Bluegrass Festival will feature three days of musical fun at Greynolds Park in North Miami Beach.
Some of the musicians expected to perform include:
- Willie Wells and Blue Ridge Mountain Grass
- Bear Hill Bluegrass
- Jamie and the Last Hippies
- Justin Mason and Blue Night
- Sandy Back Porch
- Stringtime Jubilee
- Remedy Tree
Admission: $5 for March 19; $15 for March 20; $10 for March 21; and $25 for a three-day pass. Entry is free for children younger than 17 who attend with a paying adult.
The park is at 17530 W. Dixie Highway. For more information, visit the association’s official page by clicking here.
March 20
After being canceled last year, Ritmo Doral is back! Albeit, the free, family friendly festival will take place virtually in 2021.
The Rhythm Foundation and the City of Doral will present the popular event on Saturday, March 20, from 5 to 10 p.m.
Three bands are scheduled to perform during a livestreamed concert from downtown Doral. Get the details by clicking here.
A scene from the film, “Forgiveness,” featured during a previous edition of the Miami Jewish Film Festival.
APRIL
April 14-29
The Miami Jewish Film Festival will celebrate its 24th year in 2021. Typically scheduled in January, however, this latest edition has been pushed to April.
Considered one of the three largest of its kind in the world, the festival will take place April 14-29. It traditionally showcases more than 100 films by more than 50 filmmakers every year.
In previous years, the festival has been offered throughout theaters and temples around Miami, but the 2021 schedule has yet to be released.
On the official festival website, organizers have shared testimonials from festival board members as well as directors. They called it, “My Favorite Festival Memory Is … ” – and you can read the memories by clicking here.
MAY
MAY 20-23
SOUTH BEACH WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL
The Food Network and Cooking Channel’s South Beach Wine and Food Festival will, indeed, take place in 2021 – but it has been rescheduled to give organizers more time to plan a safe event.
The new dates: May 20-23, 2021. Make sure to mark ’em on your calendars!
Here’s the official statement on the event Facebook page:
“Due to growing concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the well-being of attendees, partners, participants and staff as the number one priority, #SOBEWFF has decided that rescheduling the event is the most responsible course of action at this time. We know it is the right thing to do.
A fundraising event for FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center, the festival has raised more than $31.8 million.
MAY 2021 – DATES TBA
Originally scheduled for February, the 2021 Miami International Auto Show has now been postponed until May.
Presented by the South Florida Automobile Dealers Association, the annual show features more than 190 dealerships in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties.
According to the official website announcement: “Preparations are continuing for the 2021 Miami International Auto Show at the Miami Beach Convention Center on May, 2021. We realize that there is still much uncertainty on whether holding the auto show … will be feasible, so we are closely monitoring the situation regarding COVID-19. The health and safety of all those involved with our Miami show is of utmost importance and we will follow the guidelines that have been provided by the State of Florida, City of Miami Beach and the facility. We will continue to provide updates on the auto show.”
The show displays cars, trucks, vans, sport utility vehicles, hybrids and concept vehicles by the world’s leading automotive manufacturers. Show attendees can take a drive along the most picturesque roadways of Miami Beach in their favorite new cars and trucks at the Ride-n-Drives.
At the last auto show in 2019, regular admission cost $15 for adults and $6 for children age 6-12. We will update admission prices and discounts for 2021 once they are announced.
OCTOBER
OCT. 1-3
TAMIAMI INTERNATIONAL ORCHID FESTIVAL
Last year, the Tamiami International Orchid Festival took place in January. This year, orchid-lovers will have to wait a few more months.
The festival, considered among the biggest orchid events nationwide, is set for 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 1-3 at the Miami-Dade County Fair Expo Center, at 10901 Coral Way in Miami.
Admission is $12 at the door and free for children younger than 12. Get more details by clicking here.
OCT. 24
DEERING SEAFOOD FESTIVAL ON THE BAY
Miami’s popular Deering Seafood Festival on the Bay – previously scheduled for March 28, 2021 – has been postponed until the fall. The family friendly, 16th annual event is now set for Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on the grounds of the historic Deering Estate, overlooking Biscayne Bay.
“After a great deal of thoughtful consideration and considering the continuing alarming increase in positive COVID-19 cases, the Deering Estate Foundation is officially postponing the 2021 Deering Seafood Festival on the Bay,” said Nina Zanella, director of the Deering Estate Foundation, in a statement. “This difficult decision was made with an abundance of caution and care for festival guests, vendors and their employees, volunteers, and our staff. The safety of everyone involved with the Deering Seafood Festival is paramount and we remain committed to offering a quality experience for all who enjoy participating in this beloved and renowned event.”
For more information on this fall event, click here.
NOVEMBER
Nov. 18-Dec. 5
South Florida’s springtime tradition is moving to the fall!
Originally set to start in mid-March, the Miami-Dade County Youth Fair has been rescheduled for Nov. 18-Dec. 5, 2021.
The official website has this announcement: “When the emergency order was issued by Miami-Dade County in March 2020, we could not have foreseen the effects and duration of the pandemic. At the time, we were confident we would be able to re-open for our March 2021 dates. As the Youth Fair’s annual Spring dates approach, we have continued to closely monitor the coronavirus pandemic. After careful consideration and with the best interests of our guests, vendors, volunteers, performers and staff in mind, we have decided to reschedule this year’s Youth Fair to November 18 – December 5, 2021.”
The Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition Center is at 10901 Coral Way (SW 24th St.), Miami. General admission is $14. Parking is free, and all entertainment and concerts are free of charge, too.
For more information – and to find out what to do if you had purchased 2020 tickets, click here.
DECEMBER
DEC. 12
MIAMI YOGA FESTIVAL: YOGA FUN DAY MIAMI
This one-day family friendly event did not take place in 2020, and is now rescheduled for Dec. 12, 2021.
The wellness and fitness festival, set for 10 a.m.-5 p.m., will feature yoga classes, workshops, live music acts, and a free vendor village. Its location is technically outside of the Miami area – at The Village at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach – but it’s just minutes away from the Miami-Dade County line.
The official event website includes a tentative schedule, as well as this message: “ALL RECOMMENDED CORONAVIRUS PRECAUTIONS WILL BE IN TAKEN. MASKS ARE OPTIONAL AND WE ASK YOU DO WHAT FEELS BEST FOR YOU. ALL CLASSES WILL BE OUTSIDE AND IN LARGE SPACES. VENDOR VILLAGE WILL BE SPACED OUT WITH A LOT OF SPACE BETWEEN VENDORS. BRING YOUR OWN MATS AND BLOCKS AND PROPS. PLEASE KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCE THROUGHOUT THE FESTIVAL. PRECAUTIONS BEING TAKEN EVENT MANAGEMENT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ILLNESS DUE TO ATTENDING THIS EVENT. IF YOU HAVE RECENTLY TRAVELED AND FEEL SICK PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND THE FESTIVAL.”
Early-bird registration costs start at $39. Children pay $10. For more information or to buy tickets, click here.
Canceled events in Miami
Throughout Miami – and all of South Florida, really – organizers have had to make tough decisions about whether to go ahead with their annual events.
Some are doing the best they can under the circumstances. Others have decided their events will just not happen.
Click here to see which events have been affected for the 2020-2021 season. These events will have to wait for now, but hopefully they’ll be back soon!
Entertainment and Events Calendar
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Friday, March 5, 2021
Saturday, March 6, 2021
Sunday, March 7, 2021
Monday, March 8, 2021
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
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