The best October events in Miami

Let's talk about sex, baby. In particular, the after-hours debut of Erotica by Nocturna at the Museum of Sex. Opening Saturday, September 20th, this limited-run cabaret in Allapattah blends burlesque, aerials, fire and aquatic acrobatics into a steamy, late-night spectacle. Book the 9:30pm slot ($79) for a guided tour of current exhibitions (Modern Sex: 100 Years of Design and Decency and Hajime Sorayama: Desire Machines), plus entry to Super Funland: Journey into the Erotic Carnival with interactive games and cocktails before the show. Those arriving for the 10:45pm slot ($55) skip straight to the main event: a hot and high-energy (and 21-plus) performance that lasts around one hour.

Brickell’s backyard transforms into a neighborhood bazaar for The Underline’s monthly Farmers Market, a bustling pop-up stocked with seasonal produce, baked goods, cheeses, honey, artwork, handmade crafts and more. Graze the artisanal prepared foods, grocery shop for the week and discover a new local maker you can't live without. Located at The Underline’s Brickell Backyard Promenade green crosswalk on Southwest 1st Avenue across from Southwest 9th Street, the outdoor market runs on select Saturdays through December 20th from 9am to 4pm. Free

Take a peek under a hood or two at the annual Miami International Auto Show, one of the largest in the world, taking place from September 26th to October 5th at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Stroll down Memory Lane to peep nostalgic rides; experience true 4x4 capabilities during a Camp Jeep outing and dive into the world of electric cars: The auto show also boasts an EV test track and is equipped with numerous charging stations, should you roll up in your own e-car. Merely shopping around for your next minivan? The show has those too, plus countless other makes and models on the market.

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) returns from October 29th to November 2nd, marking another edition of the world’s largest in-water boat show. Spanning seven locations and nearly 90 acres, the five-day event beckons more than 100,000 attendees and 1,000 global exhibitors, all there to flex on the water and gawk at the 1,300 boats on display—from superyachts and sportfishers to tenders, water toys and even luxury cars. Highlights include the Superyacht Village at Pier Sixty-Six, boasting some of the grandest vessels at the show, plus activations from top yacht builders and a collection of exotic vehicles. General admission grants access to all seven show locations (connected by water shuttles and buses), with food and drink available throughout, from satellite bars to floating barges. Expect everything from vegan and gluten-free bites to a Dark ’n’ Stormy at the Goslings Island Bar or a cold one at the Stella Artois Barge. The show's highest rollers will be found at the Windward VIP Club at Hall of Fame Marina, complete with premium open bars, gourmet dining, luxury activations and private lounge space.

Thrill me, chill me, fulfill me! Pinecrest Gardens celebrates the 50th anniversary of everyone's favorite campy Halloween classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, with a one-night-only interactive screening on Friday, October 3rd. The raunchy shenanigans come to life in the open-air Banyan Bowl with a live shadow cast, a costume contest with cash prizes and all the over-the-top energy that's kept crowds coming back for five decades. Gates open at 7pm, followed by a VIP cocktail lounge and cast meet-and-greet, the costume contest at 8 and the film screening at 8:45.

Back for its sixth season, The Horrorland unveils an 18-acre park with multiple scare zones, five all-new haunted houses, creepy carnival games and DJs spinning spine-tingling tunes all night. There are also Cirque-style horror shows and fire performances, the Coffin Bar and Ghostly Beer garden with themed libations, a Cemetery Food Village and much more. Basically, monsters, ghosts, zombies and all kinds of frightening creatures will jump up when you least expect it as you make your way through every themed passage, house and photo op.  The Horrorland runs Thursday through Sunday nights, from September 13th through October 31st, and takes place at The Scream Park located inside Jungle Island. Tickets start at $34.99, with a fast-pass option for $74.99. It’s a family-friendly attraction but the experience is recommended for children 10 and older, and carrying infants or children through is discouraged. 

This huge haunted experience is one of the largest of its kind in South Florida, and this season is stacking up to be the most epic yet, featuring five brand-new haunted attractions and Florida’s only 3D haunted house. Set inside the abandoned Sears at Miami International Mall, House of Horror 2025 spans more than 100,000 square feet of immersive, Florida-inspired nightmares (so you know it's going to be twisted), from cursed swamps and haunted farmlands to post-apocalyptic wastelands and twisted clown funhouses. Outside, two new scare zones—The Harvest and Midway Mayhem—transform the midway into a spooky realm where scare actors and creepy carnival characters lurk. Tickets include unlimited carnival rides (like the Scarecoaster, South Florida’s only haunted roller coaster) and classic midway games. While you're there, explore over 20 food and beverage options, including Halloween-themed treats and liquid courage in the form of beer from Cervecería La Tropical.

Oakland Park's beloved brewery brings a taste of Bavaria to South Florida with its annual Oktoberfest celebration. Running from September 19 through October 5, the multi-week festival brings all the German hallmarks to its taproom and outdoor space: seasonal brews, special Oktoberfest flights—including Funky Buddha’s flagship Floridian Hefeweizen—and an array of traditional bites. Think: house-made pretzels, chicken schnitzel and craft bratwurst. Expect live music every weekend, games and plenty of reasons to sport your finest lederhosen. 

On South Beach, Ocean Drive tends to get all the glory. But just two blocks west, Washington Avenue is home to countless local favorites and hidden gems, along with its own vibrant history as a business district. Every other weekend, explore all the latest the street has to offer at Vibration, the fourth-annual live music series that spans 11 genres across 11 diverse venues, from 5th Street to 17th Street. The roving live music tour hits the rooftop lounge at Esmé Miami Beach, Mickey Burkes Irish pub, the chill tap room at South Beach Brewing Company, inimitible dive bar Mac's Club Deuce and several more. Purchase a $25 passport to receive a free genre-themed drink at each of the 11 participating spots, where you'll hear everything from hip-hop, rock and jazz to reggae, funk and house. There's even a karaoke stop along the way.

The holidays are around the corner, which means now is a great time to level up your hosting game by adding some new culinary skills to your repertoire. Learn how to channel the fresh, flavorful and festive energy of Mediterranean cooking at Cleo's Mezze Masterclass Series, an intimate, hands-on workshop led by Michelin-trained Executive Chef Camila Olarte. The beautiful, Med-inspired restaurant inside the Balfour Miami Beach is the setting of this two-hour cooking class where you'll learn the art of Eastern Mediterranean mezze, from creamy hummus to smoky eggplant dips and spiced lamb cigars. Each session ($40) includes a welcome cocktail, guided cooking instruction and a shared meal of your gorgeous mezze, served with fresh-baked pita and sides. Reserve in advance.