Miami Coronavirus Cancellations: Cultural Events

While the managers of many of Miami's cultural institutions and annual events have been trying to cope with the effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez announced Thursday, March 12, that all major gatherings would be suspended. Expect to see a lot of cancellation notices in the coming days.

Here is a list of all changes, postponements, and cancellations of Miami cultural events that we know of to date. And if you hear of an event cancellation, email [email protected].

13th Annual International Orchid & Garden Festival. The long-running Fort Lauderdale horticultural gathering was declared to be canceled on Friday, March 13.

Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre. All events and productions at the Coral Gables venue have been postponed through April. According to an email signed by executive producing director Barbara S. Stein on Wednesday, March 18, the Miracle Theater is hoping to receive the green light to resume all activities "hopefully later this spring."

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. The Arsht Center has suspended all performances through Sunday, April 5. According to a statement released by the venue Friday, March 13, ticketholders for canceled shows will be able to request refunds as well as exchange their purchases for alternate shows or an Arsht Center gift certificate. Customers can also donate tickets and receive a tax deduction for the total ticket value.

As Much as I Can at Little Haiti Cultural Center. The off-Broadway show and immersive theater production, presented by Harley & Co. and ViiV Healthcare, has been canceled. "The company’s first priority is the well-being and safety of the HIV community, partners in the Miami area, and its employees." The show was scheduled to run Thursday, March 12, through Sunday, March 13.

Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. The Dance NOW! Miami production Program II Contemporanea 2020 scheduled for Saturday, March 21 has been canceled. Refunds will be available to ticket-buyers.

The Bass. The Miami Beach art museum has canceled all upcoming events and programming involving hands-on art-making or large groups throughout March. Postponed events included the benefactor and member visit to the Bunker Artspace on Friday, March 13, and the Breakfast at the Bass Event with Lara Favarett on Sunday, March 15. Update: The museum has closed until further notice beginning Saturday, March 14. Additionally, all programming and events scheduled through Tuesday, March 31 have been canceled or postponed.

Broward Center for the Performing Arts. All scheduled shows at the Broward venue through March have been canceled or postponed.

Calle Ocho Music Festival. The annual Little Havana event was set for Sunday, March 15. It was canceled after City of Miami officials denied permitting for fear of the spread of the novel coronavirus. "The effect this will have on the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana will be detrimental to the organization’s ability to provide services and programs to underserved kids in the City for the upcoming year. Nonetheless, we understand the City’s priority is to protect the safety and welfare to all residents, visitors, and businesses in Miami," Kiwanis of Little Havana president Jorge Fernandez said in a statement.

The Carbonell Awards at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center. The awards ceremony honoring excellence in South Florida's theatre and arts community originally scheduled to take place on Monday, April 6 at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center has been postponed to an unannounced date.

Coral Springs Center for the Arts. The Coral Springs-based venue has postponed all shows effective Friday, March 13 through Tuesday, March 31.

El Espacio 23. The Allapattah art museum will be closed to the public through Monday, March 30.

Emerson Dorsch. The Miami gallery's event scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, Talk: Barbara Young and Stephanie Garcia on the Vasari Project, has been postponed. However, it will remain open for its normal operating hours of Wednesday through Saturday between noon and 5 p.m.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Fairchild has postponed its Orchid Garden event, which had been scheduled for the weekend of March 14-15. Update: As of Monday, March 16, Fairchild is scheduled to remain closed through Sunday, March 29.

Florida Supercon 2020. The geek culture gathering originally scheduled for Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 10 has been postponed and will now take place on Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

GableStage. The opening of Arthur Miller's The Price has been delayed until Wednesday, March 25. The performances scheduled for Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22, have been canceled. Update: As of Monday, March 16, GableStage will not reopen on March 25. This season's production of The Price at the Coral Gables venue has been canceled.

Homestead-Miami Speedway. The NASCAR Cup race scheduled for Sunday, March 22, will be held without fans in attendance.

Institute of Contemporary Art Miami. The museum remains open, but several public events have been canceled, including the members' event with Cultured magazine (March 12), Family Day (March 15), and First Fridays (April 3). Update: the museum has temporarily closed beginning Saturday, March 14.

Inter Miami CF. The MLS team's season has been suspended for the next 30 days, including Inter Miami CF's home debut on Saturday, March 14, in Fort Lauderdale.

Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. The museum announced on Thursday, March 12, that it was closed until further notice.

Jungle Island. Miami amusement staple Jungle Island is closing for an unspecified period of time beginning Monday, March 16.

Literary Feast 2020. The book-themed gathering announced its Author Day for Students, LitLIVE!, and Night of Literary Feasts events scheduled for Friday, April 3 through Saturday, April 4 have been postponed.

The Little Lighthouse Foundation’s Hearts & Stars Gala Weekend 2020. The charitable event scheduled to take place this weekend has been pushed back to November 2020.

Locust Projects. The gallery will remain open, but all public programs and events have been canceled through March 27.

MDC Live Arts. The Miami Dade College organization has canceled all events until further notice, including all performances of Josh Fox’s The Truth Has Changed (March 12 through 21) and ECOCultura Fest (April 18).

MIA Runway 5K. On Thursday, March 12, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez suspended all major events countywide, including the MIA Runway 5K. The event was set to take place Saturday, March 14.

Miami Children's Museum. A press release shared Friday evening said Miami Children's Museum is closing effective immediately for an unspecific amount of time.

Miami-Dade County Auditorium. Several March events scheduled to take place at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium such as Global Cuba Fest 2020 as well as May's Albita, Lucrecia y Lena concert, “Mujeres a Contratiempo,” were declared canceled late Friday afternoon.

Miami-Dade County Fair. On Thursday, March 12, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez suspended all major events countywide, including the Youth Fair. The event was set to take place Thursday, March 12, through April 5.

Miami Film Festival. The festival announced on Thursday, March 12, that all of its remaining screenings and events are canceled. Organizers say, "Information regarding tickets purchased for canceled screenings will be emailed directly to ticket buyers."

Miami Home Show. The event producer Home Show Management Corp. announced it has postponed the show set to take place March 27 through March 29 at the Mana Wynwood Convention Center. "After closely monitoring recent updates, we understand that postponing the Miami Home Show is in the best interest of the health and safety of our exhibitors, show attendees and all staff, and support services involved with the Home Show," vice president and show director Adam Kayce said in a statement.

Miami International Map Fair. Originally scheduled for Friday, March 13, through Sunday, March 15, HistoryMiami has canceled the 2020 edition of the fair. "As a precautionary measure for the health and well-being of our valued dealers and guests, HistoryMiami Museum has canceled the 2020 Miami International Map Fair and all related events."

Miami Open. On Thursday, March 12, Mayor Carlos Gimenez declared all major events in the county have been suspended, including the Miami Open. The event was set to take place March 23 through April 5.

MOCA North Miami. The museum announced on Friday, March 13 that all events through Sunday, April 5 have been canceled until further notice. This includes recurring event series such as MOCA North Miami’s Teen Art Force.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. The popular Delray Beach attraction has suspended all public programs and largescale events — including the annual Hatsume Fair — through Sunday, April 30.

Museum Day 2020. The Smithsonian has announced it's canceling this year's Museum Day on April 4. Local museums that were set to participate included HistoryMiami, Coral Gables Museum, Lowe Art Museum, Gold Coast Railroad Museum, and NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale.

O Cinema South Beach. As of Friday, March 13, the Miami movie theater has suspended all operations and canceled its event programming through the end of March.

O, Miami. All public gatherings related to the annual poetry festival have been canceled, but the event will take place virtually. Organizers say they will be "crediting original digital programming that will come to you via email, social media, and other digital platforms." The online-only O, Miami will happen throughout April.

Outrun Hunger 5K. The Hollywood race organized by Feeding South Florida has been rescheduled from its original Saturday, March 21, date for Saturday, September 26.

Orchid Garden. Postponed. See "Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden" above.

Palm Beach International Boat Show. The popular boat exhibition event scheduled for Thursday, March 26 through Sunday, March 29 has been postponed and will be rescheduled for an as-of-yet unannounced date.

Pérez Art Museum Miami. The museum remains open; however, some programs and amenities have changed. The Miami Film Festival screening of Lifeline: Clyfford Still and the Second Saturday art-making event on Saturday, March 14, have been canceled. Update: PAMM announced Saturday evening that it will be temporarily closing down starting Monday, March 16 in response to the crisis.

Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. The downtown Miami museum will be temporarily closed to the public beginning Monday, March 16.

Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. The Kravis Center in West Palm Beach has suspended all performances through March 30.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. The South Florida entertainment hub has suspended all scheduled shows at its multiple venues — The Comedy Club, DAER Nightclub, and Hard Rock Live — through Wednesday, April 15. According to a press release shared Friday, live entertainment will continue to be available in the bars and restaurants located throughout the resort.

South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center. All scheduled gatherings at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center have been canceled until further notice effective Friday, March 13.

Talks: Rita Gonzalez. Oolite Arts and Locust Projects' talk with Rita Gonzalez at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex on Wednesday, March 11, has been postponed.

The Village at Gulfstream Park. On Friday, March 13 the venue announced that ongoing series such as Family Fun Fridays and Sunday Market in the Park are canceled until further notice.

Venture Café Miami. The River Of Art show presented by Life Is Art in collaboration with Venture Café Miami has been postponed from its original Thursday, March 19 date.

The Wolfsonian-FIU. A note from Wolfsonian director Tim Rodgers shared late Friday evening announced the museum is temporarily closing as Miami responds to coronavirus and its spread. "With this new reality of social distancing and self-quarantining in mind, the Wolfsonian team is looking into repackaging many of our planned programs, exhibitions, and experiences for online viewing, so that we can remain connected with you when the therapeutic powers of art and design are needed most," he said. "Humanity has weathered worse in the past, as our collection often shows. We'll get through this one, too."