But what if we told you surviving (and even enjoying) March 25 through 30 doesn’t require earplugs or VIP wristbands? You can dodge the mayhem entirely and embrace an entirely different side of Miami and its surrounding confines — one that doesn’t come with a mandatory cover charge and the lingering scent of vape pens.
(All of this being said, of course, Miami Music Week is amazing in its own way, supports all kinds of wonderful artists, and should be experienced if you’re a music lover. But, for the purpose of this list, let’s think beyond the bass.)
Here are the best ways to avoid Miami Music Week madness.
Everglades National Park Cleanup and Educational Walk
Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center40001 State Rd. 9336, Homestead
miamiclimate365.com
Tired of synthetic sounds? How about chirping birds, rustling sawgrass, and the occasional gator growl instead? At this volunteer gathering from Miami Climate 365 on Wednesday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can get some fresh air and feel superior as you do something environmentally responsible. This Everglades cleanup is your chance to give back to Mother Nature and learn a thing or two — all while blissfully removed from the chaos of South Beach’s glow-stick litter.
Fiddler on the Roof
Arsht Center1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
305-949-6722
arshtcenter.com
Trade in bass drops for bottle dances. Zoetic Stage’s production of Fiddler on the Roof delivers a heartfelt, traditional, and, dare we say, classy reprieve from the BPM blitzkrieg. No glow sticks, no foam cannons — just timeless songs, rich storytelling, and maybe a tear or two as Tevye wrestles with change. Compared with the mayhem down the street, a night at the Arsht sounds like a dreamy reprieve.
The Florida Panthers will face-off against Utah Hockey Club and the Montreal Candiens.
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Florida Panthers Home Games
Amerant Bank Arena1 Panther Pkwy., Sunrise
954-835-7000
nhl.com
Head north to Sunrise, grab a beer, and scream your lungs out as our defending Stanley Cup champs, the Panthers, chase playoff glory. You’ll experience collisions just as brutal as the ones on Biscayne Boulevard — only these are on ice, and they come without the risk of being stuck behind a Lyft convoy. During MMW, the Panthers play the NHL’s newest team, the Utah Hockey Club, on March 28 at 7 p.m. and then the Montreal Canadiens on March 30 at 1 p.m.
Jai-Alai Fridays
Magic City Casino305-859-5009
450 NW 37th Ave., Miami
jaialaifridays.com
Let’s face it: Watching men hurl a rock-hard pelota at breakneck speeds can actually be way more thrilling than bobbing your head to another remix of "Satisfaction." Magic City Fronton’s Jai-Alai Fridays has old-school adrenaline, legal betting, and no overpriced cocktails in sight. It’s a uniquely Miami experience, and this one goes down during MMW, on Friday, March 28, starting at 7 p.m.
Miami Beach Pride
Various locationsmiamibeachpride.com
Yes, it overlaps with Music Week. Yes, it’s still a party. But Miami Beach Pride is an entirely different beast. Here, the rainbow reigns supreme, the parades are genuinely entertaining, and there’s a lot more glitter... and a lot less fist-pumping. Your event options range from the Family Picnic (March 29) to the Queer Art Showcase (March 31) to a mad hatter-inspired VIP tea party going down at Lummus Park post-MMW (April 4).
The Miami-Dade County Youth Fair
Tamiami Park
10901 Coral Way, Miami
305-223-7060
fairexpo.com
Okay, so maybe you're not in the mood for live music this week. But there's one song you'll surely hum to yourself as you enter the gates of the Miami-Dade County Youth Fair. The South Florida staple is back through Sunday, April 6, with classic fair rides and indulgent sweets and eats. This year's theme is Retro Rewind, so if you're not wearing Day-Glo ravewear to MMW parties, maybe you can dust them off for a ride down the Euroslide.
Miami Marlins' "Opening Dade"
LoanDepot Park501 Marlins Way, Miami
mlb.com
Baseball season is back, and the Marlins are promising fresh starts and home runs — no wristbands or DJ shoutouts necessary. Crack open a cold one, settle into LoanDepot Park, and bask in the fact that you’re watching America’s pastime while hordes of people are sweating it out in long lines downtown. Best of all, the day is being cleverly dubbed “Opening Dade” – points for the pun, Marlins.
Miami Open
Hard Rock Stadium347 Don Shula Dr., Miami Gardens
305-943-8000
miamiopen.com
If the only racket you want near your ears isn’t electronic, head north to Hard Rock Stadium, where actual rackets are used — for tennis, not techno. The Miami Open, in annual fashion, is serving up the world’s best forehands, backhands, and minimal basslines. The second week of tennis action at the Miami Open is going down at the same time as Miami Music Week, culminating with the men’s and women’s championship matches on Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30.
You can still see scantily clad hot people during MMW — without the bass assault.
Model Volleyball photo
Model Volleyball
1200 Collins Ave., Miami Beachmodelvolleyball.com
If you still need your fix of sweaty, scantily clad hordes, may we recommend Model Volleyball? It's a quintessential Miami scene — beautiful people, sand, sun — but without the relentless bass assault. Watch as professional models bump, set, and spike for a good cause while you sip something chilled and soak up the South Beach vibes.
Outshine Film Screenings
Various locations in Miami, Miami Beach, and Fort Lauderdaleoutshinefilm.com
Outshine Film Festival technically runs April 17 through May 4, but you can catch some screenings the festival is showing in tandem with Miami Beach Pride, also happening this week. Your options include sipping craft cocktails at the March 25 Miami screening of Lilies Not for Me at O Cinema South Beach, catching the Fort Lauderdale showing of the same film at the Gateway Theatre on March 27, or capping the week with Layla on March 30 at Rooftop Cinema Club.
