One Boat Show, One Food Festival, and Many Art Festivals in Miami

While every season is art season, few art seasons are as vibrant as winter in Miami. First on the list is the 59th annual Coconut Grove Art Festival on President’s Day weekend - February 18th-20th.  What was once a local go-to for a long weekend now attract art enthusiasts and art collectors alike. Nestled in on of the most beautiful towns in South Florida, Coconut Grove, this festival is a must go-to event.

Many local artists have been at this juried festival year over year. This year more than 280 artist will be featured in 2023 from around the globe. There is food, music, face painting and other events to take in for the three day festival.  Parking is no fun, but when is it ever in Miami proper?  Be prepared to arrive early and carry cash to park, pay and usher through the rows of wonder for several hours. 

General admission day tickets are $25 on-site and available online for pre-purchase for $20.  Special packages and discount tickets are available in advance online.  There are discount tickets for early birds also. Fan favorites such as Greg Stones and his ever-so whimsical art will be there. “Sloth in Space” remains a favorite acquisition featured at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival in 2020. Go to CGAF.com for more information.

As each art event becomes increasingly popular, pop up art galleries will be featured at venues throughout the Magic City.  Art Wynwood is one of many. VIP preview starts February 16th. Go to https://www.artwynwood.com/ for more information. General Admission tickets are $36.50 for any one day between February 17-19th.   This event is sponsored by the local Perez Art Museum (PAMM) and the Florida International University Jewish Museum of Art to name a few.

If for some unexplainable reason art is not your thing, visit the world’s largest boat and yacht show. The show will take place at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Pride Park, Herald Plaza, Venetian Marina, Museum Park Marina, and Superyacht Miami at Yacht Haven Grande Miami. Click Here to view the show's Google Map.  For more information on the event start February 15 and wrapping up on February 19, 2023 vista their site at https://www.miamiboatshow.com. One day tickets for adults start at $42.

Stick around a few more days and you can enjoy both the South Miami Rotary Art Festival in South Miami, Florida and take in the food at the now must attend SOBE (btw that’s short for South Beach for non-locals).  A few artiest will be showcasing their work at both art festivals - notably Christine Bishop - who’s work can be seen at https://christinebishopart.com/.  Her work can been seen here and at the famed Horchow home decor retailer at  https://www.horchow.com/ 

The South Miami Rotary Art Festival takes place February 25th-26th 2023, in the downtown area of South Miami on Sunset Drive (SW 72nd Street) from US 1 to Red Road (SW 57th Avenue.) The area is filled with historic buildings, restaurants, and unique shops. Just three miles south of Miami’s Coconut Grove, South Miami borders the University of Miami and the upscale neighborhoods of Coral Gables and Pinecrest.  An impressive roster of artists are sure to delight. For more information go to  https://southmiamiartfest.org/festival-information/.

On March 4-5, 2023, for one weekend in March, Miracle Mile, the stylish main street of Coral Gables, comes alive with a non-stop celebration of Greater Miami & Miami Beach’s Latin and Caribbean culture. The Carnaval on Miracle mile is sure to excite with music as colorful as the top of the line art featured at the festival.  I acquired one of my favorite pieces here from well-known Cuban artist Jose Manuel Abraham more than 10 years ago.  The piece, similar to Abraham’s “My Uncle’s Bar”, remains in my art collection today.  His robust works of art and stunning mercchandise starting at under $7 can be found at https://jose-abraham.pixels.com/. For more information on this quineticential Miami event visit https://carnavalmiami.com/events/carnaval-on-the-mile/. 

Celebrating more than 25 years, the event features 150 artists, 50 artisan vendors and an entire “Artist Village” with handicrafts, jewelry, paintings, sculptures and photography. Dance in the street to live jazz, funk and rock music.  The event is FREE and fun-filled for two days!