Miami has lots of specials to enjoy this Halloween month. There’s back-to-back seafood festivals, free tickets with Attractions Month, the biggest auto show in Florida, and the Grove’s version of the Oktoberfest to get in the right “spirits”. For our pick of Halloween week events, scroll to the bottom of the list!
Miami Attractions Month: October 1 – November 30
Various venues across Miami
This month, the Miami Temptations has something special for the entire family to enjoy. Visits to top attractions like the Miami Seaquarium, Zoo Miami, HistoryMiami Museum, the Everglades National Park and more will be discounted for two whole months. It’s the perfect excuse to plan a fun weekend and learn something new. Here is a complete list of participants.
Miami New Times Iron Fork: October 4
Hyatt Regency and James L. Knight Center, Downtown
Don’t put that fork down just yet! Miami Spice month may have come to an end, but the biggest culinary and tasting event in Miami is still on the menu. Save room for generous bites from top chefs and restaurants around Miami. There’s also music, live entertainment and a cooking competition to keep things spicy.
Italian Film Festival: October 5-9
Various locations in South Beach
Enjoy Italian cinema to the max with English subtitles to cue you in. Binge on Italia short films and documentaries, with a cocktail party to kickstart the 5-day event and gala awards night at the CIBO Wine Bar for a befitting conclusion.
Miami International Auto Show: October 5-13
Miami Beach Convention Center, South Beach
Calling all auto lovers! Check out the hottest wheels on the market, on display, at this annual crowd pleaser. You’ll find the best SUVs, trucks, convertibles, classics and more at this signature event. Best part, you even get to take the wheel on the latest offerings from popular automobile brands.
Burger King Beach Run: October 6
Lummus Park, South Beach
Turn your binge spree into fitness goals at the BK Beach Run. Run the 5K or the 10K and help support the Burger King Scholars Program. There’s also a kiddie dash where everyone is a winner. And, if that’s not incentive enough to run, then perhaps the post-race, free beach party could tempt you to hit the sand.
Miami Carnival Parade and Concert: October 7
Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds
Experience the colors of the Caribbean closer home with this week-long celebration. Flashy costumes, steel bands, vibrant masquerades, cultural performances and more take you through the heritage and traditions of the Caribbean. Authentic eats, live music and a junior carnival make sure everyone is in on the festivities.
Grovetoberfest: October 13
Peacock Park, Coconut Grove
Get a taste of the local version of Ocktoberfest with more than 500 local and exotic brews out for sampling. This is the largest craft beer festival in Florida. Live entertainment and popular games make this fest equally fun for the aficionado and the casual beer fan.
More than Pink Walk: October 13
Bayfront Park, Downtown
Put those walking shoes to good use as you show your support for the fight against breast cancer. With entry fee starting at $25, all funds will be used to support breast cancer research.
Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch Festival: October 13-14
Regatta Park, Coconut Grove
Get a head start on Halloween preparations with this kid-friendly festival. Find your perfect pumpkin, get creative at the decorating tent, enjoy the carnival, savor a cold one at the pumpkin beer bar and let the kids loose in the cornstalk maze. There will also be plenty of live performances, food and drink to spend the day well.
South Beach Seafood Week: October 16-20
Lummus Park, South Beach
Say hurrah for stone crab season is here! Get a taste of the most talented chefs in South Beach among other culinary celebrities. Freshly prepared seafood, pop up cafés, 30+ complimentary open bars, Rockwell DJs, three live music stages, demos and a chef showdown make this one of the most highly anticipated food festivals in Miami.
South Florida Seafood Festival: October 20-21
Miami Marina Stadium, Key Biscayne
Can’t have enough of paella, lobster rolls and sushi? Then get to Key Biscayne for delicacies of the sea prepared by more than 25 gourmet seafood partners of the festival. Cooking workshops, an eco discovery zone, live music and nautical-themed art and crafts make sure there’s lots more to do along with great noshing. Your tickets also automictically register you for a free sweepstakes charter on the Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Yacht.
Coral Gables Hispanic Cultural Festival: October 20-21
Between Biltmore Way and LeJeune Road, Coral Gables
Dedicate a fall weekend to delving into the Hispanic culture. Celebrate and indulge with authentic food, drink, art, clothing, music and much more. Bring the kids along for face painting and other activities at the children’s pavilion. You can also get your pooch for fun at the doggie booth that will have water and snacks.
Halloween: October 31
Various venues across Miami
Why just settle for trick-or-treating on the 31st, when the run up to Halloween can be as thrilling. Go hunting for your perfect pumpkins at Pinto’s Farm or The Little Farm. And, while you’re at it, do enjoy the pony rides, scarecrow forest and petting zoo too.
Mark the 27th and 28th for a trip to Miami Zoo for Zoo Boo, where you and the animals get to enjoy their Halloween treats along with costume contests, special performances and crafts. The Frost Museum too has its own frightful version with the Spooky Science Monster Mash on the 27th.
For grown-ups, a Nightmare on the Beach at Lummus Park gives the perfect head start on the 27th. The more adventurous can opt for a night aboard the Haunted Ghost Ship of Musette Yacht on the 27th. For even more chills and thrills, take a weekend haunted tour around the Grove. And finally, on that dreadful night, get to Lincoln Road for the craziest, spookiest time of the year.
Where will you be trick-or-treating this October?