The best Art Basel Miami satellite art fairs to check out in 2023

The best fair for interior design junkies is back. Now in its 19th year, Design Miami returns to the Art Basel-adjacent Pride Park for its 2023 program. This year's theme "Where We Stand," focuses on human connection and community, using incredibly beautiful objects as storytelling catalysts. It is among the smallest fairs to stroll; Depending on how much time you spend listening to the world's most influential designers of the moment speak, or ogling at the object and furniture pieces that the 40 best design studios in the world have created, you could probably comb every inch of the fair and its luxury brand activations in about an hour. But stroll slowly; good design deserves time. Convention Center Drive and 19th St, Miami Beach. Dec 6–Dec 10; $35–$225.

The artist-run fair, back for its ninth edition, and this time it's taking over the Halloween Megastore on Lincoln Road, just a few blocks away from the Miami Beach Convention Center.  Expect over 30 installations and performances like, for instance, a meat installation, live music stages, performance art, multiple VR projects and, wait for it, vagina plates. And if all the art observing leaves you inspired, they'll also be hosting drawing and painting workshops daily. Halloween Megastore, 700 Lincoln Road, Dec 5–Dec 10; Register for free entry

Definitely one of the more popular fairs with the public, SCOPE Miami returns this year with a slate of experiential and experimental contemporary works from over 130 exhibitors. In addition to its gallerists and featured artists, the fair's big draw is The New Contemporary, a multidisciplinary multi-day program with large scale installations, music performances, panel discussions and even wellness activities in the morning, like yoga and guided meditations. By night, the space transforms into a full nightclub with rotating DJs—because, hey, it’s South Beach. On the beach at Ocean Drive and 8th St, Miami Beach. Dec 5 – 10; $60. 

Another big art fair on the sands of Miami Beach, Untitled aims to be an inclusive, collaborative platform for discovering contemporary art by emerging artists and historical figures and prides itself on including galleries from art scenes outside the more traditional mainstream hubs. This year marks the fair’s most international presentation to date, focusing on collaboration across the art community, however they still place firm emphasis on highlighting local gallerists. Its curatorial themes for 2023 include “Gender Equality in the Arts” and “Curating in the Digital Age,” so special projects this year will revolve around that. On the beach at Ocean Drive and 12th St, Miami Beach. Dec 06–Dec 12; $45.  

Every single room of a boutique South Beach hotel is transformed into gallery spaces for the 17th annual Aqua fair, which brings an intimate and true local vibe to Miami Art Week. Make your way through mini-galleries made up of international exhibitors, featuring hundreds of artists from Miami and around the globe, and gather in the breezy hotel courtyard to discuss your favorites. The full program and exhibitors list has yet to be announced, but performance art is a huge part of the fair that’s previously featured live tattooing among its exhibitions. Aqua Hotel, 1530 Collins Ave, Miami Beach. Dec 6–Dec 10; $20–$285 (free for children 12 and under).

Billed as “two fairs under one roof,” Spectrum and Red Dot are among the longest-running fairs during Miami Art Week, together covering more than 100,000 square feet of indoor exhibition space in the heart of Wynwood. This year, over 35,000 attendees will flock to see the work of more than 1,000 artists showcased by over 280 exhibitors. Mana Wynwood Convention Center, 2217 NW 5th Avenue. Dec 5–Dec 10; $25–$85 (free for children 12 and under).

Celebrating 21 years in Miami, the New Art Dealers Alliance is known for elevating the voices of underexposed but rising artists around the world by showcasing their works and the young gallerists who represent them. This year's show at Ice Palace Studios includes 139 galleries, art spaces, and nonprofit organizations spanning over 50 cities, from Guatemala to Glasgow. Ice Palace Studios, 1400 North Miami Ave. Dec 5 – Dec 9; $55.

Miami’s OG art fair—and the second most attended in the world—returns to its illustrious bayfront location for a 33rd edition featuring a huge lineup of investment quality paintings, drawings, design, sculpture, NFTs, video art, photography and prints. We're talking over 900 artists from 170 different galleries showcasing contemporary and modern works. It's a high traffic fair that's directly connected to Context Miami, so give yourself a good amount of time to make your way through. One Herald Plaza, NE 14th St. Dec 05–Dec 10; $40–$285.

One of the best attributes of Miami Art Week is its ability to expose our city to international art and traditionally underrepresented artists, and exhibitions like AfriKin Art Fair do just that. The non-profit brings artists, designers, performers, and scholars to our shores to showcase their talents for seven days straight. This year's theme, "Celebrating the Beauty and Brilliance of Global Africa," explores the influence of ancient Africa on various visual and performing artists and how AI promises to democratize the art world. Scott Galvin Community Center, 1600 NE 126th Street; Dec 4–10 11am–7pm; Free

If Art Basel is for the upper crust art afficionados, CONTEXT (and its parent fair Art Miami) is for the everyday appreciators. CONTEXT places emerging and mid-career artists front and center with 76 innovative galleries from more than 21
countries as well as 10 installations and outdoor sculptures. If you're avidly avoiding the beach (or have already tackled it), you could make a day out of exploring Art Miami, Context and Scope which are all located in the Arts and Entertainment District. One Herald Plaza at 14th St. Dec 05–Dec 10; $40–$275.

For its 17th edition, the eminent fair for Latin American and Hispanic artists returns to The Hangar in Coconut Grove, the historic base of Pan American airlines. Here, Pinta presents programs, initiatives and curators to ensure the visibility of Latin American artists in a global context. Exhibits are divided into three sections: Main (contemporary works), Radar (deeper explorations of artists) and NEXT (pretty self explanatory). Don't miss the Amazonia Project, highlighting artists who have dedicated themselves to exploring and expanding Amazonian art. 3385 Pan American Drive, Coconut Grove; Dec 07–Dec 10; $20-$60.

Founded in 2013 in New York’s Lower East Side, today’s Fridge Art Fair remains dedicated to presenting eclectic, anti-commercial art in tandem with Frieze Week in NYC and Art Basel Miami. This year marks Fridge's 10th year in Miami, so they've deemed it "The Rainbow Popsicle Edition," with a particular focus on celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. The 10th anniversary edition will bring back many Fridge Favorites such as The Imaginary Fridge Art Fair Marching Band, Rainbow Popsicles, and more. Oh, and don't forget Fido; this is a pet-friendly fair. Courtyard Miami Coconut Grove, 2649 S Bayshore Dr, Dec 7–Dec 10; $50

Art Week has even mushroomed into Opa Locka – and this is one fair you might want to consider trecking out for. Art of Transformation: Africa Global is all about African and African Diaspora contemporary art, bringing artists of African descent – from Puerto Rico to Cote d’Ivoire– to Miami through exhibitions, panel discussions, performances and film screenings all within a two block radius on Ali Baba Ave. Produced by Ten North Group, a community-focused real estate redevelopment group in Opa Locka, the main art exhibition takes place from Dec 2 to 10 at The Arc (675 Ali Baba Ave), however there are plenty of special events throughout the week, like Landscape Noir: a conversation about Blackness and the built environment, Opa Locka walking tours and even a vogueing workshop. The Arc, 675 Ali Baba Ave; Dec 2–10 10am–10pm; Free