Willy's Neighborhood Bar
Photograph: @PhotosByBrendaBrooks | Willy's Neighborhood Bar
Photograph: @PhotosByBrendaBrooks

The best things to do in Miami this week

Get up and out the door with our hand-picked guide to the best events in Miami this week.

Falyn Wood
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Pick a neighborhood in Miami: South Beach, Coconut Grove, Wynwood or Little Havana. No matter the night of the week, the Magic City is brimming with things to do—yes, even when there's a summer storm on the horizon. Now that the steamy weather has arrived, it's time to take advantage of thinner crowds and sunny beach weather before the daily delues roll in. Art and cultural happenings are popping off across Miami this week, from Downtown and Wynwood to Miami Beach and Coconut Grove, including a Caribbean film festival and the kick-off of World Pride Month.

Families can get their hands dirty at the new Frost Science exhibit, The Dig, or explore the fascinating AI: More Than Human show, which debuts this weekend. We've got tons of activities to jump into whenever the mood strikes—plus tourist attractions that even locals approve of. In this list, we've handpicked special events and happenings over the next seven days, enough to have you saying, "This was the best week ever." And if you're looking specifically for weekend events in Miami, we've rounded those up into a handy guide, too.

RECOMMENDED: Full list of the best things to do in Miami

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What to do in Miami this week

  • Things to do
  • Downtown
Magic City Flea is Miami's most consistent pop-up vintage market, with events running around town every week—though, these days, it's usually posted up on Sundays along Flagler Street in Downtown for the Summer Evening Series from 3 to 8pm. Depending on the day and locale, find anywhere from 15 to more than 70 small shops committed to sourcing the most unique pieces and handcrafting sustainable wares. On Saturday, May 31st from noon to 3pm, the Flea is also popping up at the Legacy Fit flagship in Little River as part of BORN2CREATE, a free, community-focused event that brings together a workout class and cold plunge, a live DJ, local food trucks and more.
  • Things to do
  • South Beach
Looking for a solid excuse to scope out the newly remodeled and rebranded Shelborne by Proper? The Art Deco gem on South Beach just unveiled a well-deserved facelift by the laidback-luxury Proper Hospitality hotel group, and now its daily Aperitivo Hours provide the perfect reason to stop in and hang a while. Dubbed The Bar, the hotel's lobby lounge is serving a curated selection of coastal favorites in a relaxed, sunlit space that shifts seamlessly from day to night. From 5 to 7pm, partake in half-off select menu items, like a half-dozen fresh oysters with champagne mignonette and chives, Royal Ossetra caviar served with guac and tostadas, and signature cocktails like the avocado oil–washed Shelborne Martini and a tropical-ish espresso martini with reposado tequila and coconut.
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  • Things to do
  • South Beach
PARAISO Miami Beach, the official Miami Swim Week, returns for its 21st edition with exclusive runway shows, brand activations, pop-ups and after-parties from May 28th through June 1st. It's the world’s largest and only official Swimwear Fashion Week, where runway glam and coastal cool collide in a sexy multi-day bender of resort wear and sun-drenched style. From luxury debuts to indie swim stars, PARAISO is the pulse of the swimwear industry—and a quintessential Miami summer scene.
  • Things to do
  • Miami
Lest we need another reminder that Miami summers really bring the bugs out, Fairchild is throwing a larger-than-life celebration of our six-legged friends from May 23rd through September 28th. From towering robotic sculptures to a walk-through butterfly pavilion and AR selfie station, hands-on bug encounters and interactive trails, this family-friendly exhibit zooms in on the tiny world of bugs. Select dates will also include the Bugs on Parade insect runway shows, Wander & Glow illuminated nighttime trails, Bug Bites & Brews 21-plus tastings and Big Bug outdoor movies under the stars. Included with general admission; free for members.
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  • Things to do
Fort Lauderdale's legendary temple of tiki, MAI-KAI Restaurant and Polynesian Show, hosts its first Hukilau festival since renovating and reopening late last year. For one extended weekend (June 5–8), tiki lovers the world over will flock to the historic spot to partake in the tropical festivities, including a kickoff party on Wednesday, June 4 at the Molokai and Bora Bora bars—no reservations needed. On Friday, June 6, the Polynesian dinner theater hosts an exclusive dinner show for South Seas passholders, with a second seating open to the public. The boozy Tiki Weekender wraps on Sunday, June 8 with a special MAI-KAI history tour for Hukilau guests.
  • Things to do
  • Design District
On view from May 1 through October 12, ICA Miami debuts a landmark retrospective of Olga de Amaral, the visionary Colombian artist whose 60-year-plus career transformed textile and fiber art as it merged indigenous weaving with Bauhaus design and Modernist abstraction. Presented with Fondation Cartier, the show features over 50 works, from goldleaf Estelas to airy Brumas, including pieces originally commissioned for major public spaces and many never before seen outside Colombia. The show invites viewers to step into a meditative “vertical forest” designed by award-winning architect Lina Ghotmeh, where Amaral’s tactile, light-absorbing works take center stage.
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  • Things to do
  • Miami
Fairchild Garden is giving us a whole springtime fairy fantasy with the debut of this whimsical scavenger hunt, running from May 9th through June 15th. Follow themed clues left by mischievous sprites in 10 enchanted locations to discover a hidden Fairy Village where imagination blooms. Complete your quest to earn a sparkling fairy pin and a chance to win a Fairchild Family Membership. The self-guided adventure is included with general admission and free for members.
  • Things to do
  • Wynwood
The NYC-imported Smorgasburg, Miami's largest outdoor food market, returns to its Wynwood outpost for a new season featuring over 40 vendors (including 10 new concepts) and more shaded areas for noshing. Graze from a variety of local street foods, international fare, healthy options and inventive creations from the likes of Acai Way, Korean Kitchen, Kabuki Soba, The Lazy Oyster, La Picaña Grill, Lechona Truck, Tio Paella, Puro Chocolate, Cool & Creamy Truck and more.
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  • Things to do
  • East Little Havana
Tuesday and Saturday nights are prime times to get an authentic taste of Miami's vibrant salsa scene at La Pachanga, a free live music and dance party in the heart of Little Havana. The historic Calle Ocho venue opens up its doors, spilling the sounds of Miami's best salsa bands onto the streets as revelers sip excellent mojitos and take to the wooden dancefloor. Ball & Chain also hosts free salsa and bachata dance classes regularly (check their website for the latest schedule), so you can brush up on your moves—or just watch the pros do their thing as they twirl and gyrate around the crowds.
  • Things to do
  • Downtown
Founded in 2016, this genre-defying Miami film festival is more than just cinema—it’s a space for resistance, celebration and reimagination through the lens of independent filmmakers from across the Caribbean diaspora. From May 29th through June 1st, Third Horizon pops up at venues across the city with another eclectic program of films, live performances, art and conversations. Expect to be challenged and inspired by the bold storytelling and visual innovation, with a healthy dose of political urgency.
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