Summer is slowly making its exit and the air will not be getting crisper nor will the leaves turn brown, but that doesn’t mean we cannot still get into the spirit of the most basic season of them all — fall! Soon, we’ll have endless spooky vibes and the smell of everything pumpkin spice wafting in the air. So like we did with summer, we’re rounding up the must-dos of the season all the way from pumpkin patches to the spookiest of places.
Here are all the best things to do this fall in Miami, or as we like to call it, the ultimate fall bucket list — the Miami way:
1. Enjoy eerily enchanting Candlelight Concerts
This fall, Candlelight will host some gorgeous concerts in Miami’s best venues, made even more enchanting by flickering candles. From spooky, Halloween-themed classics to a night of beloved Latin hits, there’s a concert suited for every music taste. Check out the shows taking place this season:
Candlelight: 90s Hip-Hop on Strings - 4.83 · 23 reviews
Candlelight: Tribute to Luis Miguel - 4.82 · 22 reviews
Candlelight: Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More - 4.89 · 529 reviews
Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer - 4.88 · 247 reviews
Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer - 4.79 · 110 reviews
2. Discover bold digital art at ArtXSpace
Step into this magical immersive museum featuring VR tech, holograms, projections and landscapes themed after Nikola Tesla and the world of Oz to ignite your imagination and blow your mind (as well as your Instagram). Snag tickets to this next-generation art space here.
3. Attend Latin music’s largest industry gathering
Billboard Latin Music Week returns to the city for another five-day takeover (October 20-24) filled with panels, artist Q&As, live performances, networking events and more. You can expect to find some of the hottest names in Latin music, including Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Daddy Yankee, Anuel AA, Myke Towers and more.
4. Ease on down to the Arsht to see The Wiz
Click your heels and make your way to the South Florida premiere of this iconic twist on The Wizard of Oz! A reincarnation of the Tony Award-winning production that took the world by storm, The Wiz will feature an iconic score packed with pop, soul, gospel, 70s funk and R&B as we follow Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world. The production will run from October 7 to 12. Read more.
5. Stock up on pumpkins at a local pumpkin patch
If you need a break from all the frights you’re bound to stumble upon this fall, then you can make your way to a nearby pumpkin patch, from Tinez Farms to The Berry Farm! Whether you’re gathering pumpkins for pie or house decor, pick yourself a perfect gourd to carve for the season, pet farm animals and more. Find the full list here.
6. Indulge at the South Beach Seafood Festival
If you’re a huge lover of seafood, you’ll want to head to the South Beach Seafood Festival. The massive four-day culinary extravaganza is back for its 13th year and features the most appetizing bites we’ve seen in a while. From private dinners to a chef showdown competition and ocean-fresh delicacies, sample the best of the best from October 22-25.
7. Bend your mind at Paradox Museum
This Wynwood experience is a mind-twisting addition to the city’s unbeatable selection of immersive museums. It’s the perfect spot to bring out your inner child or have a great time with the family, with interactive exhibits and displays designed to play with the laws of physics as well as human cognition. Click here to get your tickets to Paradox Museum.
8. Live it up at III Points
Year after year, Miami’s own III Points Festival brings dozens of genre-spanning performers and a local art showcase to Mana Wynwood. For its 12th edition is this year, October 17-19, artists on the lineup include Peggy Gou, Tinashe, Magdalena Bay, Chase & Status, Phantogram and Denzel Curry, among others.
9. Experience immersive art like no other at Superblue
This fall, venture to this immersive art destination for a fun escape into large-scale installations from the world’s top contemporary artists. From mirrored labyrinths to rooms that react to movement and sound, it makes for a one-of-a-kind outing with friends. Be sure to try teamLab’s Massless Clouds Experience, which takes you inside fluffy bubble clouds! Grab tickets here.
10. Celebrate stone crab season with some fresh claws
October 15 designates the official start of stone crab season in Miami which means it’s time to roll up your sleeves and dig into some extra fresh, hearty claws. To help you find the freshest claws in town we’ve put together a list of the best places in which to enjoy stone crabs in the 305.
11. Awaken all your senses by Dining in the Dark
Ever wondered what it’s like to dine in complete darkness? One of the most original dining experiences in the city puts your taste buds to the test with a blindfold and a surprise menu for you to discover. Make your reservations now!
12. Go on a stunning fall hike
It’s the perfect time to get out and about. Following a brutal summer — although the heat is still not letting up — it’ll do you well to get a breath of fresh air and take a little adventure. Explore the great outdoors at these Miami hiking trails, perfect for all levels. And don’t forget to bring your camera with you because these gorgeous trails serve some equally gorgeous views! Check out the full list here.
13. Test your bravery at one of South Florida’s many haunted houses
What’s Halloween without a visit to a blood-curling haunted maze? As we do every year, we’ve rounded up the best haunted experiences in and around Miami that’ll get your heart pumping. Stay tuned for updated opening dates.
14. Feel the magic of a luminous ‘Ballet of Lights’ show
Dance, music and lots of lights – ‘Ballet of Lights’ is a dazzling show that’s illuminating Miami this October. Over the course of 60 mesmerizing minutes, graceful ballerinas take to the stage to enchant the audience with their raw talent, immaculate routines and spectacular glowing costumes. They twist and turn to the sounds of Tchaikovsky’s timeless compositions in Sleeping Beauty, putting a luminous twist on this 100-year-old classic. Get tickets here.
15. Saunter through South Florida’s picturesque parks
From Vizcaya to Morikami Japanese Gardens, these beautiful gardens are perfect for a relaxing stroll, but they’re especially lovely in the fall. Check out some of South Florida’s splendid gardens and parks here!
Weather aside, you’ve finally got all you need to start your autumnal adventure! Enjoy the season’s best activities — from fall festivals to pumpkin picking — in Miami this fall. What’s the first thing you’re checking off your bucket list?