Photo by Christina Frigo
Audio By Carbonatix
This list is refreshed on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Bookmark this page for weekly updates on arts and culture happenings around Miami.
Saturday, May 23
Hyundai Air & Sea Show
For fans of heavy machinery performing death-defying feats, the Hyundai Air & Sea Show is heading to Miami Beach this Memorial Day Weekend, May 23 and 24, and it’s completely free to attend. Between the aircraft performances and equipment displays, there’s plenty to keep the family busy, including a dedicated kids zone with climbing walls, bungee jumps, bounce houses, and a Monster Energy Motocross exhibition and bike giveaway. Food and drinks will also be available at concession stands throughout the site. 11 a.m. on Ocean Dr. between 11 and 16 St., Miami Beach; usasalute.com. Admission is free.
Saturday, May 30
Asian Culture Fest
Tropical Park’s Asian Culture Fest is a weekend-long celebration of the continent’s diverse heritage. Guests can wander through Eat Street to sample dishes from Thailand, Korea, India, Japan, and China while enjoying a blend of traditional dance and modern music. The festival also showcases classic arts alongside pop-culture phenomena, with dedicated spaces for anime, K-pop, and manga, and an Evolution of Gaming exhibit where you can play everything from retro consoles to modern machines. 11 a.m. at Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40th St., Miami; asianculturefestival.com. Admission is free.
The World Ocean Celebration
The World Ocean Celebration aims to inspire and educate through special events like beach cleanups, topical talks, community activations, and immersive art installations. This year’s festivities kick off with a “Guardians of the Reef” guided snorkel and launch party at the Jewel Box, including insightful panel discussions and ocean-themed film screenings. While the hands-on snorkeling and films are a hit for families with kids under 12, the artistic and worthy-cause components make this an especially rewarding experience for eco-conscious teens and adults. Saturday, May 30, through Monday, June 8, at various locations; worldoceancelebration.miami.
Story Time at Bookleggers Library
On the last Saturday of every month, head over to Bookleggers Library, inside the Bakehouse Art Complex, where a special guest brings stories to life through creative movement and sound for an engaging, kid-friendly afternoon activity. This month’s guest is movement and teaching artist Ana Miranda. After story time, browse the donation-based library, the first and only of its kind in Miami. 12:30 p.m. at Bookleggers Library, 561 NW 32nd St., Miami; 305-754-5980. Admission is free with RSVP via bookleggerslibrary.com.
Past Events:
Wednesday, May 6
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West at Soundscape Park
Sitting through a feature-length film without an early exit can feel daunting for parents. That’s why outdoor screenings are the perfect compromise — a low-stress first foray into (hopefully!) a lifelong love of cinema. The SoundScape Cinema Series, running every Wednesday through the end of May, is set to screen the animated cult classic An American Tail: Fievel Goes West. So grab a picnic blanket and settle in; the ambient sounds of Miami Beach ensure that any giggles or incessant snack requests will fade harmlessly into the background. 8 p.m. at SoundScape Park, 400 17th St., Miami Beach; 305-680-5866. Admission is free with registration via miamibeachfl.gov.
Saturday, May 9
KPop Kraze at Miami Children’s Museum
You would be hard-pressed to find a parent on this planet who hasn’t been swept up in the global phenomenon of K-pop. The Miami Children’s Museum has taken the hint and will be hosting KPop Kraze, an all-day event featuring hands-on activities and live performances. Kids can get styled by Wynwood Hair Co., create custom friendship bracelets, belt out their favorite hits at karaoke, or get festival-ready with glow-in-the-dark face painting. Throughout the afternoon, performers from the Miami Circus Arts Center and the LADD Foundation will also showcase breathtaking circus-style acts. 10 a.m. at Miami Children’s Museum, 980 MacArthur Cswy., Miami; 305-373-5437; miamichildrensmuseum.org. Tickets cost $18 to $26.
Sunday, May 10
Fairies at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
For children in the height of their “imaginative play era,” nothing could be quite as magical as Fairchild Botanical Garden’s whimsical adventure, Fairies, and this weekend will be your last chance to catch it. Little explorers are invited to set off on a quest to find miniature wooden fairy homes tucked away near unique plants and flowers throughout the garden. After finding a hidden home, kids can locate the plant’s species name on its plaque and record it on their map to claim a limited-edition Junior Fairy Botanist Badge once the journey is complete. The immersive Fairy Zone features music, bubbles, and interactive moments designed to spark wonder in guests of all ages, though it might be especially dreamy for the 2- to 12-year-old set. 10 a.m. at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Miami; 305-667-1651. Tickets cost $11.95 to $24.95 via fairchildgarden.org. Admission is free for children ages 2 and under.
Friday, May 15
NoMi Night Market at Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami
As summer temperatures creep in, the prospect of wandering through a farmers’ market in the midday sun with kids in tow starts to lose its charm. Luckily, North Miami’s NoMi Night Market offers a cooler option by shifting the festivities to the evening. Families can enjoy a rotating selection of food trucks, local vendors, live music, and a dedicated picnic area for a perfectly low-key night. While the open-air layout and snack options are a hit for toddlers and young children, the live music performances make this an ideal weekend hangout for teens, too. 5 p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, 770 NE 125 St., North Miami; 305-895-9801; northmiamifl.gov. Admission is free.
