These are the best things to do in Miami this weekend

Suit up and ship out: It's time for the SoFlo Boat Show, three days of maritime merriment during which exhibitors and enthusiasts convene along the bayfront to scope the latest and greatest in nautical tech. This year's event at the historic Miami Marine Stadium boasts a sprawling, air-conditioned marketplace, a fishing zone and an underwater zone, plus the Ship’s Wheel Bar, a 360-degree central hangout spot to kick back and fuel up. While you're there, partake in raffles and giveaways for a chance to win free fuel for a year or even an actual boat. There's also a fishing competition, the prize of which is a photograph of the winning angler and their catch on the wall of any Flanigan's of their choosing. Talk about a great fishing story.

Looking to get into gardening? Billed as the largest annual orchid show in the United States, this three-day festival is the perfect place to search for a blooming new friend. In addition to the hundreds of beautiful flowers on display, there are lectures, raffles and other activities for those who lack a green thumb.

This timely dramedy from playwright Sean Grennan enjoyed its world premiere in 2023. Dr. Lynn Cummings, an astrophysicist with little patience for magical thinking, finds her beliefs challenged when a UFO is spotted hurtling toward Earth. When a journalist misquotes her reaction to the phenomenon, she invites him to witness the fly-by together, with both of their credibilities at stake.

Wynwood drag brunch institution R House kicks off a full season of tenth birthday celebrations with a special edition of YAS QUEEN featuring performances from Ru Paul Drag Race All Stars’ Manila Luzon and Trinity the Tuck plus supporting shows by R House’s own Juicy Love and Kat Wilderness. Hosted by local queen Athena Dion and SERV Vodka, the night also includes a fashion show full of Miami personalities like NBC 6 host Miriam Tapia, Deco Drive host Alex Miranda, former Inside South Florida host and RuPaul’s Drag Race Pit Crew member Jason Carter, Yelp South Florida’s Regional Lead Diandra Lamas, and more. General admission ($20) and VIP ($40) tickets include a complimentary SERV vodka cocktail on arrival.  

This recently premiered, quintessentially Miami story from playwright Alexis Scheer has already been praised as “a new American classic.” It’s set during Art Basel, and charts the personal and professional fallout when Wynwood gallery owner Mariana finds her inventory stolen. Arriving at this inopportune time is Mariana’s estranged movie star mother Estella and her assistant Jenny, who may have shared a past with Mariana.

Cooking instructor and Wok Star Eleanor Hoh hosts a special AAPI Heritage Month edition of her ongoing Supper Club series. This time, she's tapped guest chef Abe Moiz from Krakatoa Indonesian Cuisine in Hollywood to create a bespoke, four-course set menu designed to evoke memories from his childhood and culinary traditions from his native Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The 6pm seating is limited to 36 guests and costs $65 per person.

One of the world's most celebrated illusionists, Rob Lake has dazzled and entertained millions with his mind-blowing illusions on network television, in Times Square, on the Vegas Strip, in Atlantic City, throughout Europe, Asia and the Bahamas and before sold-out audiences in casinos, arenas and theaters worldwide. His astonishing original illusions are presented as awe-inspiring storytelling on the grandest scale. Whether you're a lifelong fan of magic or new to the world of illusion, Rob Lake's all-ages performance is one you'll never forget.

Get your after-hours in at Space before the renowned club shuts down for renovations this summer. Highlights from this weekend's lineup include Deborah De Luca and Avision (Saturday) on the Terrace and DJ W!LD (Sunday) downstairs at Floyd.

Magic City Flea is Wynwood's eclectic weekly pop-up vintage market. Depending on the day and locale, find anywhere from 15 to 50 small shops committed to sourcing the most unique pieces and handcrafting sustainable wares. Vibe out to the live DJ, sip cocktails and snack on yummy bites from local vendors while you shop. This week's pop-up goes down at Freehold Studios. Though the Wynwood bar-turned-event space is no longer open for its regular hours, you'll be able to order its delicious cocktails and food for this event. Various locations

This magical pop-up flea market brings some of Miami's best indie vendors to cool locations around town every month. Usually under the shade of lush trees and flowering foliage, you'll find vintage fashion, vinyl, books, plants, art, home decor, handmade jewelry, candles and more, plus local food vendor pop-ups and activities. There's always a DJ spinning, and when the flea takes place at its home base, Higher Ground at Arlo Wynwood, there's always happy hour from 3 to 6pm. 

Chameleonic comedic actor Elena Maria Garcia co-wrote and stars in this world-premiere solo play developed with co-writer and director Stuart Meltzer. As in their celebrated previous collaboration, ¡Fuacata! A Latina’s Guide to Surviving the Universe, Garcia will play a multitude of characters inspired by her life as she embarks on an unexpected crisis-turned-adventure. Zoetic Stage at Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd (305-949-6722, arshtcenter.org). May 2–19: 7:30pm Thu–Sat, 2:30pm Sun; $55–60

"The Messi Experience: A Dream Come True" launches its world tour in Miami this spring, just as the city's fever for the famed footballer kicks into high gear. The sprawling, immersive multimedia exhibit traces Leo Messi's childhood and powerhouse soccer career to now, taking visitors of all ages through approximately 75 minutes of projection-mapped installations and interactive games at The Hangar Coconut Grove.

Fairchild Garden transforms into a prehistoric playground this summer. Explore the lush grounds where life-size dinosaurs hold court amid a collection of cycads, ferns, conifers and all sorts of flowering plants that date back to primitive times. Kiddos can get hands-on during the ancient artifact digs, egg hunts and more while learning all about what the world was like 65 million years ago. Be sure to check the Fairchild Garden website for up-to-date information on upcoming dino events.

Take advantage of GMCVB’s Miami Attraction & Museum Months program until May 31 to enjoy special discounts, savings on admissions and BOGO deals from more than 50 of Miami’s top museums, galleries and outdoor adventures. Choose between neighborhood favorites like Island Queen Cruises and Tours, Pérez Art Museum Miami and Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.

Miami's biggest night for improv comedy happens every Saturday at Villain Theater in the heart of Little Haiti. Enjoy original, spontaneous live performances from some of the fiercest improvisers across South Florida. Shout out a suggestion and become a part of the action as the theater's talented cast of actors spins hysterical yarns over the course of two Second City-style improv shows. Mingle and sip beers in the lobby lounge in between sets: A ticket grants you access to both the 8:30 and 10pm showtimes.

The Coconut Grove Farmers Market is probably Miami’s most well-known. Every Saturday, Homestead's Glaser Organic Farms transforms an unoccupied corner of Coconut Grove into a full-fledged produce market with dozens of fruit and vegetable stands, a raw bar featuring prepared foods and salads and coolers filled with cold-pressed juices and nut mylks. There’s even velvety vegan ice cream for sale and several rows of picnic tables where you can sit and enjoy your bounty. Along its periphery, you’ll find other local vendors selling honey, homemade soaps, handmade jewelry and other artisanal items. And the setup and breakdown are so fascinating to watch! Much like the circus leaving town, everyone quickly dismantles their tents and packs up just after sunset, leaving no trace of the bustling day on the empty gravel lot.