The best things to do in Miami this week

Gird your loins! The much-anticipated III Points Festival returns to Mana Wynwood this weekend, October 16-17, featuring nearly 300 artists and 13 stages sprawled across five city blocks. This year, local musicians comprise nearly one-third of the lineup and share the spotlight with world-famous acts like Underworld, Lil’ Kim, Blood Orange, Tokischa, and Adam Port.

Performances take place from 4pm to 4am each day, rain or shine. While you’re bouncing from stage to stage, carve out time to explore. The III Points team is all about hidden “Easter eggs” and surprise moments. Visit the interactive wonderland of Miami-born multimedia artist Mokibaby, or pick up a disposable camera and develop your pics on-site at Cardinal Labs’ film pop-up. Several of Miami’s best restaurants will pop up, too, including Tâm Tâm, Ghee Indian Kitchen, and Wolf of Tacos. Arrive early to beat the traffic, and maybe bring a poncho, just in case (it’s still hurricane season). Remaining two-day tickets start at $379 for General Admission Plus and $475 for VIP.

Can’t make the festival? III Points has expanded its pre-festival program with seven days of satellite events taking place all over town, from October 13 to October 20. Mingle with III Points’ creative team at their magazine launch party, October 13 at Dalé Zine, or head to ZeyZey on October 14 for rare DJ sets by Washed Out and Neon Indian. Bone Thugs & Harmony takes the stage at E11EVEN on October 15, rock bands take over Las Rosas all week long, and Club Space keeps the party going with star-studded lineups including horsegiirL, Honey Dijon, Adam Ten, and dozens more. View the Satellite schedule online and pick your poison. Prices and age restrictions vary by venue.

Sweet Liberty is one of our favorite bars in Miami Beach, not least of all for piña coladas and late-night dance parties. Even as the neighborhood transforms around it, Sweet Libs holds it down with affordable drinks and a low-key atmosphere that’s actually fun for locals (and tourists, too). The City of Miami Beach agrees, having officially proclaimed October 13 as Sweet Liberty Day. This year, the bar is celebrating big with 10 guest bartenders representing several other 305 icons including Bar Kaiju, The Sylvester, and Cafe La Trova. Shenanigans ensue the evening prior, on Monday, October 12, starting at 7pm. Stick around for a “birthday” surprise at the stroke of midnight. Free to attend for ages 21 and older. No RSVP required.

This month, the Frost Science museum debuts The Science Behind Pixar, a multimedia exhibition that pulls back the curtain on Pixar’s movie-making magic through sophisticated math, engineering, state-of-the-art technology, and good old-fashioned human imagination. More than 50 interactive experiences offer rare insight to the studio’s filmmaking techniques behind such classics as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, WALL-E, Monsters, Inc. and more. Admission is included with all museum tickets, priced at $24.95 for children (ages 4-11) and $29.95 for adults. Free for ages 3 and under.

Catch a free outdoor movie every Wednesday night at SoundScape Park in Miami Beach. Running October through May, the annual SoundScape Cinema Series welcomes all ages for weekly screenings spanning Blockbuster hits, vintage classics, and holiday films. The series kicks off with Selena (Oct. 7), followed by The Goonies (Oct. 14), Casper (Oct. 21), and The Addams Family (Oct. 28). Screenings take place rain or shine, starting at 8pm. Bring your own setups to watch comfortably; think lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and fresh-made subs from La Sandwicherie. The venue accommodates 200 to 300 on the lawn, but prime spots get scooped up quickly, so plan accordingly. Free to attend, no reservations required.

A night of Cuban sazon is served at UMA House South Beach on Sunday, October 18, as Miami chef Mika Leon celebrates her debut cookbook, Cuban Soul: 100 Vibrant Recipes from Mi Cocina. Your $35 ticket includes a rooftop soirée with Havana Club cocktails, live music by a four-piece Cuban band, and passed bites prepared by Chef Mika and her culinary team. Feeling inspired? Pick up a signed copy of Cuban Soul and try the recipes at home.

Actors’ Playhouse is leaning into the spooky season with Jekyll & Hyde, a Broadway musical inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s Gothic novella, The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde. Running October 7 through November 1 at Coral Gables’ Miracle Theatre, the psychological thriller follows a London lawyer as he investigates the experiments of Dr. Henry Jekyll and ties to a mysterious criminal, Mr. Hyde. Tickets from $65. Ages 13 and up.

A new citywide cocktail program is offering discounted drinks at some of the best bars and restaurants in Miami, all October long. Back for its second year, ¡Salud! is sort of like the Miami Spice program, but instead of prix-fixe dinner, you get happy hour pricing on exclusive ¡Salud! cocktail menus. The catch? Offers are only available ‘til 10pm. More than 50 local spots are participating this year, including old favorites like Macchialina, Grazianos, Fox’s Lounge, and Sweet Liberty. See what the hype is about at spots like ViceVersa, go for glamour at the Delano’s Rose Bar, or check out newer, curious spots like Lovecat by Bar Not Found.

The Surfside farmers market is back in season, popping up every Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am to 3:30 pm, steps from the shoreline at 96th Street. Each week brings new local makers and a range of purveyors to the beach, slinging everything from acai bowls to Kosher smoked barbeque. Arrive early for stress-free parking and a free beach yoga class on the sand, 9:30 to 10:30am.

What do women really want? Mid-week martinis and pasta. Harbour Club’s swanky Italian restaurant, A’Riva, offers just that with Pastatini Nights, featuring $10 martinis and $15 pasta dishes every Wednesday evening. Rotating specials include A’Riva signatures like the Sweet Corn Agnolotti and Spaghetti Alla Nerano, served alongside classic martinis like watermelon and espresso. Pro tip: pair your outing with weekday happy hour, available on Wednesdays from 5 to 7pm.