This article is part of a guide to Miami from FT Globetrotter
With world-class art fairs, stellar public and private museums, one of the country’s most exciting culinary scenes — and as one of the newest (and most star-studded) stops on the Formula 1 calendar — Miami has, in recent decades, shed its reputation as a sun-and-sea getaway and emerged as an American cultural capital. And this year looks to be more thrilling than ever, with dozens of exhibitions, festivals and sporting events to plan your city break around. Below we’ve highlighted what the FT Globetrotter team are most excited about, month by month. Do tell us about your Miami calendar highlights in the comments.
February
Art
‘Yayoi Kusama: Love Is Calling’, ‘Gary Simmons: Public Enemy’, ‘Perpetual Motion’ and Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
The largest and most immersive take on the contemporary-art legend’s famed Infinity Mirror Rooms, from her iconic polka dots and soft sculptures to her kaleidoscopic use of colour, reflection and space. Kusama brings together pop art, minimalism, and psychedelia in her work, which includes paintings, performances and huge sculptural installations. Until April 7. further information and tickets here
Gary Simmons: Public Enemy presents the most in-depth showcase to date of the multidisciplinary artist, spanning three decades and featuring 70 works. Simmons is a key figure in the discourse around the intersection of race, class, and gender identity in contemporary art. Until April 28; further information and tickets and information here
Perpetual Motion, a streaming-on-demand exhibition by new-media/sound-art curator and writer Barbara London, explores how technological change has effected contemporary art. Expect a combination of film, video, music, sound and performance. Until May 31; further information and tickets here
‘Hernan Bas: The Conceptualists’ and ‘Nam June Paik: The Miami Years’, The Bass
The Miami-based artist’s The Conceptualists series is made up of paintings (one of them nine by 21 feet) of more than 30 imaginary conceptual artists. His work depicts queer experiences — where “queerness refers not necessarily to sexual orientation but to a pillar of conceptual art, an incomprehensible permissiveness and liberating space for a society grounded in conformity”. Until May 5; further information and tickets here
See Miami Beach and South Floridian culture as never before through the lens of the late Korean-American video artist Nam June Paik. This exhibition highlights his connection to Miami and its surrounds through his pioneering works in communication and media technologies. To August 16; further information and tickets here
‘Charles Gaines: 1992—2023’, Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami
To illustrate Charles Gaines’s contribution to the world of conceptual art, 60 of his works, including two monumental pieces, are brought together here for the first time. He is perhaps best known for converting images and documents into sign systems, such as musical notation. To March 17; further information and tickets here
‘Juan Francisco Elso: Por América’, Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami
A fresh retrospective on the late Cuban artist. Alongside pieces from other contemporary artists, more than 70 works are featured that map Elso’s creative evolution, from his initial experimentation with new materials to the forging of a strong perspective on postcolonialism, Indigenous traditions and African-Caribbean culture. To March 17; further information and tickets here
‘Reckonings and Reconstructions: Southern Photography from The Do Good Fund’, Lowe Art Museum
The ever-shifting culture of the US South, as documented by some of its most promising emerging photographic talent. February 16 to May 18; further information and tickets here
Coconut Grove Arts Festival
The 60th anniversary of the chic neighbourhood’s annual celebration of the arts. Alongside a wealth of artists to discover, highlights include an immersive 360-degree dome installation, as well as plenty of food and drink offerings. February 17 to 19; further information and tickets here
45th Anniversary Show, Fredric Snitzer Gallery
The acclaimed Miami gallery, set up by former Art Basel Miami Beach board member Fredric Snitzer, turns 45 this year. An anniversary show will feature historical works alongside new pieces curated by a selection of the gallery’s represented artists, all to salute Snitzer and the space’s contribution to the city’s art scene. February 19 to March 25; further information and tickets here
Performance
‘Winter Mix’ by Miami City Ballet, Arsht Center
Four pieces from the Miami City Ballet: George Balanchine’s magical Firebird, with its music by Stravinsky; Russian-American choreographer Alexei Ratmansky’s Shostakovich-inspired Concerto DSCH; and two premieres — Análogo, by Miami choreographer Margarita Armas, and Paganini, In Play, by the company’s resident choreographer, Durante Verzola. February 9 to 11; further information and tickets here
‘The Museum Plays’, Rubell Museum
An immersive, interdisciplinary theatrical experience from Miami New Drama and the Rubell Museum, which they claim will “revolutionise how audiences interact with visual and performing art” — via new works from six playwrights inspired by the work of artists Kehinde Wiley, Alfonso González Jr, Jenna Gribbon, Glenn Ligon and Kaari Upson. February 22 to March 20; further information here
The Retrofit, Deering Estate Theater
Emmy-winning filmmaker Marlon Johnson, is presents a five-part multimedia and live-performance work that looks at where the arts, the natural environment and social justice overlap. February 18; further information and tickets here
‘Two Sisters and a Piano’, Colony Theatre
The Pultizer-winning Nilo Cruz has written and directed this portrait of 1990s Havana, amid the Pan American Games and the departure of the Russians from Cuba. Politics collide with passion in a tale of love in a fraught climate. Until February 18; further information and tickets here
Festival
South Beach Wine and Food Festival (SOBEWFF)
2024’s iteration of this long-running festival looks set to be spectacular. Food television’s biggest stars will be joined by fine-dining superstars, who will cook chef-hosted dinners, including a special tribute to Massimo Bottura. Plus: a happy hour hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, the annual “best of the best” wine tasting and cooking demos aplenty. February 22 to 25; further information and tickets here
Sport
Inter Miami’s Major League Soccer season begins
Lionel Messi and his pink-clad compadres kick off the MLS regular season at home against Real Salt Lake on February 21. Co-owned by David Beckham, Inter Miami will play 17 matches at home at DRV PNK Stadium (and 17 away), with their final regular season game on October 19 against the New England Revolution. February 21 to October 19; further information and tickets here
March
Art
‘Marcela Cantuária: The South American Dream’, Pérez Art Museum Miami
The Brazilian artist’s first solo exhibition in the US presents a range of newly commissioned works. Cantuária is known for her colourful displays that bring strong female figures to the fore. Here she weaves together themes such as political and environmental activism, social issues and the battle for resources in South America with a kaleidoscopic, fantastical touch, across an array of mediums, including paintings, textiles and ceramics. March 23 to July 28; further information and tickets here
Performance
‘Spring Mix’ by Miami City Ballet, Arsht Center
A month after the company’s Winter Mix (see above), for spring it is presenting Agon, another Balanchine, which is also set to a score by Stravinsky; Following the Subtle Current Upstream by Alonzo King, a recent piece about “how to return to joy” accompanied by the music of Miriam Makeba, Zakir Hussain and Miguel Frasconi; and the world premiere of Brazilian-born choreographer Ricardo Amarante’s Delight, with music by Bach. March 8 to 10; further information and tickets here
Sport
Miami Open, Hard Rock Stadium
Top talent hits the Hard Rock Stadium’s courts for two weeks of first-rate tennis. Last year, almost 400,000 spectators attended the tournament, one of the largest tennis competitions outside of the four Grand Slams, to eventually watch Daniil Medvedev and Petra Kvitová take home their respective prizes. March 17 to 31; further information and tickets here
Festivals
Carnaval Miami
A sweeping celebration of Latin American culture, food, music and art. Highlights include Carnaval on the Mile (March 2 to 3), with jazz and funk blaring from stages up and down Miami’s Miracle Mile shopping and entertainment district, and Calle Ocho (March 10), the largest Latin music festival in the US. February 10 to April 6; further information here
Jazz in the Gardens, Hard Rock Stadium
One of the world’s key live jazz and R&B festivals returns for its 17th edition, with soul, funk, Afrobeats and gospel on the bill too. Headliners include Summer Walker, Maxwell and Davido. March 9 and 10; further information and tickets here
April
Art
‘Zilia Sánchez: Topologías/Topologies’ and ‘Rose Marie Cromwell: A Geological Survey’, Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami
An ode to the 98-year-old Cuban-born artist Zilia Sánchez, this exhibition will delve into her contribution to Latin American modernism (about which Miami knows well), with her geometrically abstract and experimental paintings on canvases often bent out of shape and warped over wooden constructions. April 20 to October 13; further information and tickets here
Rose Marie Cromwell’s first solo museum exhibition will focus on recent works taken by the photographer on a trip with her mother and daughter through the US West, weaving in musings on identity and family. April 5 to October 27; further information and tickets here
‘MOCA Collection: Light Play’, Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami
Curator Adeze Wilford ties together works from across the museum’s permanent collection, uniting them through their innovative uses of light, as well as more broadly exploring the symbolism of light in contemporary art. April 10 to October 6; further information and tickets here
Performance
‘Dangerous Days’, Colony Theatre
Premiere of Miami New Drama’s adaptation of journalist and author Nicholas Griffin’s acclaimed book The Year of Dangerous Days, about the fraught climate of the Miami of 1980: a city beset by soaring crime rates, a refugee crisis and a drug epidemic. April 4 to 28; further information and tickets here
‘La bohème’ and ‘Swan Lake’, Arsht Center
Florida Grand Opera presents Puccini’s portrait of bohemian Paris in the 19th-century. Davide Giusti sings Rodolfo and Rebecca Krynski Cox stars as Mimi. April 6 to 9, May 2 and 4; further information and tickets here
Alexei Ratmansky’s take on Swan Lake returns to Miami following its North American premiere here in 2022. April 18 to 21; further information and tickets here
Sport
Beach Polo World Cup, Miami Beach
Hooves pound the golden sands of Miami Beach for this international beachside polo tournament. With fine dining and lounge areas, it’s a mix between a luxury beach club and a sporting event. April 19 to 21; further information and tickets here
End of the NBA season
The 2023-24 NBA regular season comes to an end in mid-April, and all eyes will be on the Miami Heat as they aim to secure a spot in the playoffs. The team made it to the NBA Finals last year, and lost to the Denver Nuggets. Could they triumph in 2024? Further information and tickets here
Festivals
Miami Beach Pride
One of the US’s largest and wildest LBGTQ+ celebrations, with parties galore, an open-air cinema evening, a family picnic, a queer art showcase and a festival in Lummus Park all part of the fun, rounded off with a parade along Ocean Drive. April 5 to 14; further information here
OUTshine
A post-Pride film festival dedicated to perspectives on the LGBTQ+ experience. April 18 to 28; further information and tickets here
Deering Seafood Festival
The annual shoreside festival at Deering Estate, with cooking demos, tastings and plenty of entertainment, all revolving around fresh seafood. April 14; further information here
Miami Film Festival
While the programme is international, this festival gives a special mention to Ibero-American cinema. The festival champions emerging talent as well as attracting big names such as, in recent years, Pedro Almodóvar, Penélope Cruz and Riz Ahmed. April 5 to 14; further information and tickets here
Miami-Dade CountryFest, Ronald Reagan Equestrian Center, Tropical Park
Two days of livestock shows, rodeo, music and food. April 20 and 21; further information and tickets here
May
Art
‘Huguette Caland: Outside the Line (1970—84)’, Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami
The late Huguette Caland was known for her abstractive, figurative and corporeal art. The first solo exhibition of the Lebanese artist’s work in a US museum includes her Bribes de corps series, whose experimentation hinges on the body. May 3 to October 6; further information and tickets here
‘Jason Seife: Coming to Fruition’, Pérez Art Museum Miami
The Miami-based artist’s first solo exhibition in the US brings his Cuban and Syrian heritage to the fore. Taking cues from elaborate Persian carpets, mosques and Islamic art, his large, intricate and colourful works are first digitally designed and then painstakingly hand-painted. Until August 11; further information and tickets here
Performance
‘Cuban Chicken Soup When There’s No More Café’, Arsht Center
The world premiere of Elena Maria Garcia and Stuart Meltzer’s hotly anticipated Miami drama. The play follows “a slew of strong, vibrant and unapologetic Miami women” forging connections through friendship, sisterhood — and Cuban chicken soup. May 2 to 19; further information and tickets here
Sport
2024 Miami Grand Prix, Miami International Autodrome
One of the newest races on the Formula 1 calendar, the world’s best drivers hit the tarmac in Miami for the third time. Expect to see celebrity faces gracing the grid ahead of the race. May 3 to 5; further information and tickets here
Festivals
Redland International Orchid Festival, Fruit and Spice Park
This festival attracts crowds in the thousands each year. Buy or just enjoy being surrounded by an eye-watering number of orchid species. May 17 to 19; further information and tickets here
Third Horizon Film Festival
For its seventh year, the Third Horizon Film Festival returns to Miami for four days, with additional virtual screenings for global audiences. Dedicated to Caribbean and diasporic cinema, it champions independent filmmaking and experimental and moving-image art. May 9 to 12; further information here
June
Performance
Alhambra Orchestra 34th Season Finale, FIU Wertheim Performing Arts Center
The Alhambra Orchestra’s closing concert. The programme is all-American, with classics by Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and John Williams, as well as beloved pieces such as Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, 100 years after its debut. The event is free; no tickets required. June 2; further information here
Festival
American Black Film Festival
An annual celebration of Black artists and media from around the world, with indie film screenings, studio premieres, masterclasses and talks. June 12 to 16; further information and tickets here
July
Performance
International Ballet Festival of Miami, Miami Hispanic Ballet
More than 20 ballet companies from around the world lend their principal performers for this annual spectacle of dance, including performances, workshops and masterclasses. Dates to be announced; further information and tickets here
Festival
Independence Day
Star-spangled parades and parties followed by fireworks, fireworks and more fireworks, with a huge display illuminating the waters of Biscayne Bay. Bayfront Park is a great vantage point (get there early). July 4; further information here soon
August
Event
Miami International Auto Show, Miami Beach Convention Center
10 days of auto entertainment stretching back to 1971. This year’s event will features multiple indoor test tracks, meaning visitors can experience the best advances in motor engineering. August 30 to September 8; further information and tickets here
September
Sport
NFL season begins
The Miami Dolphins return to the gridiron in September for the start of the new NFL season. Schedule to be announced; further information and tickets here
Orange Blossom Classic, Hard Rock Stadium
North Carolina Central University and Alabama State University face off in one of the most famous college football events, exclusively showcasing young Black students’ talent. Watch them battle it out during Labor Day Weekend. September 1; further information and tickets here
Film
Urban Film Festival (UFF)
With discussions and screenings, UFF is aimed at educating and providing distribution opportunities for new filmmakers. September 1 to 3; further information and tickets here
October
Art
Various exhibitions, Rubell Museum
October is the final month to see Rubell Museum’s three major exhibitions of the past year. Basil Kincaid: Spirit in the Gift, and Alejandro Piñeiro Bello are solo exhibitions by the museum’s artists-in-residence; Singular Views: Los Angeles focuses on 16 emerging and mid-career LA-based artists. Until October 20; further information and tickets here
Sport
NASCAR Cup Series Race
Homestead-Miami Speedway plays host annually to the automotive playoffs. You can watch all the action from the comfort of the “beach”, a purpose-built stretch of sand nestled in turn 3 named Larry Hard Lemonade Beach Bash. October 27; further information and tickets here
Festivals
Miami Carnival
A week of festivities whose highlight is the parade day, with concerts and colourful costumes coming together in a joyful salute to the traditional Trinidadian and Brazilian tradition of Carnival. October 5 to 13, with Carnival Day October 13; further information and tickets here
South Beach Seafood Festival
Miami’s favourite seafood dining spots take to the sand, setting up pop-up restaurants on the beach for foodies to enjoy live music and free-flowing drinks. October 26; further information and tickets here
Sport
Start of the 2024-25 NBA season
October typically marks the start of pro-basketball season in North America; head downtown to cheer on the Miami Heat courtside at the Kaseya Center. Dates to be announced; further information here
November
Art
NADA Miami
The annual art fair from the New Art Dealers Alliance, a non-profit arts organisation focused on fostering new voices in contemporary art, which brings together works from galleries around the world. Dates to be announced; further information here soon
December
Art
Art Basel Miami Beach
The US branch of the international art fair: three days of exhibitions, conversations and a chance to nose around museums and private collections. On the sidelines of the festival are parties galore. Book flights, hotels and restaurants early. December 6 to 8; further information and tickets here
Miami Art Week
Around the same time as Art Basel, the whole city celebrates its newfound status as a culture capital. Look out for exhibitions around town from major artists and some of the world’s best emerging talent. December 2 to 8; further information and tickets here
Please tell us in the comments below about any other 2024 calendar highlights for Miami that other readers might like to know about
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