These are the best things to do in Miami this weekend

The Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix returns from May 2nd through the 4th with one of the most exciting racing events the city has ever seen. The race, which is one of 24 worldwide comprising the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship, takes place at the Miami International Autodrome at Hard Rock Stadium. It's a sprawling, roaring campus designed to thrill at every turn, complete with luxe activations, bumping day clubs and curated food and drinks throughout the weekend. When your eyes aren't glued to the track, they'll be focused on the stage, which is packed with Hard Rock-curated entertainment for a fourth year. DJ Kygo plays on Friday, May 2, Kaskade on Saturday, May 3 and Pitbull on Sunday, May 4, while the legendary DJ Tiësto lights up the grid and podium with exclusive race day sets.

It's showtime at the Arsht Center's Ziff Ballet Opera House as Beetlejuice takes center stage for the latest edition of Broadway in Miami. Based on the original Tim Burton cult classic, this wild musical adaptation features over-the-top sets, an irreverent cast and an appropriately zany live score as teenage misfit Lydia Deetz teams up with a recently deceased couple and one very chaotic demon. Stop by the Arsht's highly dramatic Teatro restaurant before the show to try the limited-edition Day-O cocktail, a potent, neon-green rum punch.

Sydney, Australia's massive alternative dance trio Rüfüs Du Sol stops by for an outdoor show along the water in Downtown on Saturday, May 3rd in support of their fifth studio album, Inhale / Exhale. The lead single, "Music Is Better," signals a fresh direction for the group, one with more club bounce and groove—though they'll surely hit the deeper sounds and biggest tracks, too, from "Inner Bloom" to "On My Knees." For a more intimate experience, head to The Ground at Club Space on Sunday, where Rüfüs will play a DJ set from 11pm until late.

Yes, Chef! The illustrious Grant Achatz and his Alinea Group are back in Miami to celebrate two decades of boundary-pushing fine dining. As part of its 20th Anniversary Tour, the three-Michelin star restaurant returns to Faena Miami Beach—the site of its iconic 2016 residency—from April 30 through May 25. Expect an ultra-creative, cutting-edge culinary experience that nods to Alinea’s past while continuing to rewrite the rules of modern gastronomy. Reservations have already sold out, though there is a waiting list available.

Miami is a beautiful cacophony of blaring horns and multicultural sounds, but this is the music you most likely think of when you conjure images of the Magic City and its palm tree-lined streets. Reggaeton, Latin trap and urban beats are set to take over the Kaseya Center for another edition of Miami Bash by Alex Sensation on Saturday, May 3rd. Catch some of the biggest names in Latin music right now, including Farruko, Sech, Blessd, Alexis y Fido, De La Ghetto and more, presented by El Nuevo Zol 106.7 FM and the influential multiplatform radio personality Alex Sensation.

Authors from the Haitian diaspora, dancers, musicians, booksellers and so many more from Miami’s thriving Caribbean community descend on the Little Haiti Cultural Center for the eleventh-annual edition of this lively, family-friendly festival. Expect a full day of panel presentations, live performances, DJ sets, comedy, yoga, art, workshops, storytelling sessions and plenty of opportunities to sample delicious Haitian cuisine. It all goes down at the historic Little Haiti Cultural Complex, with programming kicking off at 11am and running through the afternoon.

On view from May 1 through October 12, ICA Miami debuts a landmark retrospective of Olga de Amaral, the visionary Colombian artist whose 60-year-plus career transformed textile and fiber art as it merged indigenous weaving with Bauhaus design and Modernist abstraction. Presented with Fondation Cartier, the show features over 50 works, from goldleaf Estelas to airy Brumas, including pieces originally commissioned for major public spaces and many never before seen outside Colombia. The show invites viewers to step into a meditative “vertical forest” designed by award-winning architect Lina Ghotmeh, where Amaral’s tactile, light-absorbing works take center stage.

Miami's downtown mainstay for underground dance music sounds and legendary after-hours parties hosts another epic weekend across its multiple venues. The Race Week-fueled festivities kick off on Friday with a visit from South Africa's famed Black Coffee performing a club set up on the Terrace. Other highlights include John Summit and Roddy Lima coheadlining the Terrace on Saturday and Rüfüs du Sol spinning a DJ set on Sunday (following up their live show at Bayfront Park on Saturday night).

Tired moms (read: all moms), Coconut Grove BID has your back this weekend. Ahead of Mother's Day (May 11, for all you slackers out there), neighborhood businesses have teamed up to treat Miami's hardworking mamas to a self-care day on Saturday, May 3. Expect discounts, live music, photo ops and complimentary personalized swag, plus three hours of free child care (!!) at Motivating Minds with proof of purchase from participating businesses. Those generous spots include Sana Skin Studio, 3D Brows Studio, Amal, Il Giardino, Eva, LoveShackFancy, Mayfair House Hotel & Garden, The Oyster Bar, Vinoteca, Chug’s Diner, Sweat440, The Blonde Tulip, Bartaco, The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove and Isabelle’s Coconut Grove. Two child care shifts are available: 9am to noon and 1 to 4pm. Spots are limited, so be sure to book early.

ZeyZey in Little River looks like it could be a friend’s bohemian bungalow—if your friend had their own natural wine gazebo, custom sound system and vinyl listening room, shipping container cocktail bar and mainstage for live performances. This weekend, they've curated another packed lineup of fun parties and eclectic performances, including Mild Minds (real name Benjamin David) bringing his AI-infused electronic productions on Friday and music and art collective The Kazbah bringing their Race Week-inspired lineup to the main stage and disco room on Saturday. On Sunday, it's another edition of the lively Casa Cumbia party, with Nickodemus and Sonoroa Tukukuy performing live.

Craving a strong hit of adrenaline minus the big hit to your wallet? Head to Racing Fan Fest, Miami's largest off-track experience during Race Week. From F1 tire change challenges to racing simulators, virtual reality and exclusive brand pop-ups (Red Bull, Ford, Ferrari and New Era, to name a few), this four-day fan-fueled party in the hart of Wynwood has something for every level of F1 enthusiast. Score limited-edition merch and giveaways, catch live DJ sets, sip cocktails and meet race car legends throughout the weekend. Free with RSVP

Among the reasons Time Out named Little River one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world in 2024: its incredible art scene, propped up almost entirely by local artists. Tap into this bubbling creative energy during the Little Haiti Little River Art Days, a quarterly celebration of art and culture with a laid-back format and loads of charm. On Saturday, May 3rd from noon to 5pm, explore exhibitions across participating galleries including Locust Projects, Collective 62, Diana Lowenstein Gallery, Homework, Laundromat Art Space and more. Cap off the day with an after-party at Off Site, Nano Brewery + Kitchen from 5 to 7pm. Free

Channel your inner Parker Posey à la White Lotus Season 3, sip Mint Juleps and embrace the Southern charm at The Hampton Social’s Derby Day celebration. Partake in $13 Derby-themed cocktails and half-off select rosé, and don your finest florals for a chance to win best dressed (and a $100 gift card). The party kicks off at 2pm and deals run through 7pm. Hats high, spirits higher, y'all.

The NYC-imported Smorgasburg, Miami's largest outdoor food market, returns to its Wynwood outpost for a new season featuring over 40 vendors (including 10 new concepts) and more shaded areas for noshing. Graze from a variety of local street foods, international fare, healthy options and inventive creations from the likes of Acai Way, Korean Kitchen, Kabuki Soba, The Lazy Oyster, La Picaña Grill, Lechona Truck, Tio Paella, Puro Chocolate, Cool & Creamy Truck and more.

The Dig at Frost Science is the region's only paleontology exhibition and research department, inviting visitors to step into the shoes of a real-life fossil hunter. On view in the museum’s West Wing, this interactive experience lets you explore the science behind prehistoric life through tactile displays, hands-on activities and a team of on-site paleontologists and technicians. Watch trained pros work in a real fossil prep lab, digitally try your hand at cleaning fossils, hear how a living dinosaur may have sounded and marvel at a life-size cast of the “Tufts-Love” T. rex skull—the most complete of its kind ever found. The Dig is included with general museum admission.

R House in Wynwood has earned its crown as the queen of mainland Miami drag brunches. This adults-only spectacle takes over the dining room and patio every weekend with high-energy performances, Latin-inspired eats and bottomless mimosas, sangria and mojitos. Brunch is $60 per person (or $80 for the premium seats) and includes the show, drinks and a family-style feast—just be sure to book early, since it sells out fast. If you do miss your chance to snag a brunch seat, R House also serves up weekly evening drag shows and themed drag bingo nights.

Red Rooster Overtown by celebrated chef Marcus Samuelsson presents Sunday Evenings in Historic Overtown, a new music and dining series that blends the neighborhood’s rich jazz legacy with a soulful Grand Buffet. From 5 to 9pm, guests can graze on everything from Mac & Cheese and the famous M’s Fried Chicken to mezze, raw bar selections and decadent desserts, all while taking in live music from rotating acts. With a mix of buffet dining and bar seating on a first-come, first-serve basis, this weekly event keeps the spirit of Overtown’s jazz scene alive in one of the area's most iconic dining spots. $65 per adult, $32.50 per child (ages 6 to 13), free for children 5 and under

Tuesday and Saturday nights are prime times to get an authentic taste of Miami's vibrant salsa scene at La Pachanga, a free live music and dance party in the heart of Little Havana. The historic Calle Ocho venue opens up its doors, spilling the sounds of Miami's best salsa bands onto the streets as revelers sip excellent mojitos and take to the wooden dancefloor. Ball & Chain also hosts free salsa and bachata dance classes regularly (check their website for the latest schedule), so you can brush up on your moves—or just watch the pros do their thing as they twirl and gyrate around the crowds.

Nestled in the lobby of The Betsy, a Michelin-awarded hotel famed for its arts programming, The Piano Bar hosts Miami Beach’s longest-running live music series. The space's relaxed, Old Havana atmosphere gets amped up by a rotating roster of local and visiting talent, with free public jazz shows nightly through December starting at 6pm. Some of the scheduled musicians include Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Tal Cohen, composer Leonard Reina, Beau Cornelius, Pato Romero, Brian Murphy and Jim Gasior. Food and drinks are available for purchase from LT Steak & Seafood, The Betsy's on-site restaurant by chef Laurent Tourondel.

In this seductive new production at Faena Theater, free-spirited heroine Carmen finds herself in a labyrinth of two opposing lovers. The provocative, adults-only journey explores themes of devotion, jealousy and betrayal as it blends elements of flamenco, cabaret, fire artistry, cirque nouveau and modern beats, all infused with a Spanish flavor. Master of Ceremonies Mimi Barber lends her soulful vocals to the show, accompanied by an award-winning ensemble and stunning visuals that all come together to breathe new life into this reinterpreted classic.

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.

Looking for a sleek, understated cocktail bar in Brickell—one that channels the effortless cool of Williamsburg, for instance, and hasn't been overrun by the neighborhood's swarms of tourists or recent transplants? The intimate ground floor of this bi-level modern Asian restaurant fits the bill. Aside from its solid drinks and friendly prices, The Listening Bar at Kaori also hosts weekly Sound Sessions on Fridays and Saturdays, when some of Miami’s best DJs spin vinyl and keep the chilled vibes going all night.

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.