To quote Justin Timberlake… it’s gonna be May! Cue NSYNC ’cause a new month is rolling into the 305 and with it are countless things to discover and adventures to go on. From new immersive experiences to dazzling candlelight concerts and everything in between, here are fabulous activities that absolutely need to be on your calendar for the month ahead:
Mirrored mazes, glowing lightbulbs, blooming florals and plenty more breathtaking installations await at this multi-sensory art gallery! More than just your typical museum, Superblue offers over 50,000 square feet of boundary-pushing art experiences by renowned artists like James Turrell, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, teamLab and Es Devlin.
Of all the exciting events taking place this month, the annual Hyundai Air & Sea Show in Miami Beach is undoubtedly one of the best. It’ll make its return this Memorial Day Weekend on May 23-24 to wow spectators lined up along the shore. Take in the show-stopping view as F-16s, B-52s and dozens of different jets fly overhead, complete with divers and parachute teams doing their thing!
In case you weren’t aware, Miami has become quite the hub for sports lately. For the fifth straight year, the Hard Rock Stadium will host the F1 Miami Grand Prix from May 1 to 3, bringing a weekend full of high-speed racing and not-to-miss events!
Classical music meets astronomical visuals in this breathtaking tribute to Hans Zimmer in Miami Beach. Running on select dates from May 2 to 9, this one-of-a-kind concert features dynamic projection mapping and a full symphony orchestra performing legendary scores from films like Interstellar, Inception and Dune.
With over 70 interactive, brain-twisting exhibits and optical illusions, Wynwood’s Paradox Museum will have you defying gravity, rethinking your perspective and taking some of the most surreal photos you’ll ever take! Have your reality challenged at this playful museum that promises endless laughs with the whole family.
Mark your calendars for May 2nd because the city’s buzziest open-air food festival is taking over Mana Wynwood! The Complex Family Style Food Festival is an epic mashup of street food, streetwear drops and live music, where you can have a taste of collaborative dishes and merch exclusively available at the event.
Home to multiple galleries, a full-service bar and a retail shop, this interactive exhibition space offers a thought-provoking look at human sexuality and intimacy. Attendees have described the experience as a “delightful twist on intimacy and art” and a “fresh take on a subject that is often considered taboo.” Snag tickets today to experience the Museum of Sex for yourself!
Rev your engines at this Cadillac F1 fan festival
Formula 1 fever is hitting Miami’s Design District as the new Cadillac F1 Team takes over Jungle Plaza from May 2 to 3! This free weekend festival will bring the heat with racing simulators, exclusive merch and curated eats from local favorites like Chug’s Diner and Kween Patty’s. Catch a Saturday night pep rally featuring an appearance by driver Sergio “Checo” Perez, sip on Jim Beam cocktails and watch the race live on the big screens. RSVPs are highly recommended.
Sing, dance and read at the Little Haiti Book Festival
Celebrate Haitian culture and heritage with readings by acclaimed authors, a vibrant marketplace, writer workshops, live performances and more at the Little Haiti Book Festival! The free festival will take place on May 3 at the Little Haiti Cultural Center. The fest is presented by the Miami Book Fair and Sosyete Koukouy of Miami, Inc.
Experience classical music in a whole new light with these sensational concerts in historical Miami spaces! All throughout the season, the Candlelight series will feature a wide variety of shows from Adele to Juan Gabriel and more. Here are candlelit concerts to catch this month:
Choose your cosmic fate at Frost Science
In celebration of National Space Day and Star Wars Day (May 1-4), The Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science is debuting “How to Die in Space: An Interactive Adventure Through the Cosmos.” This choose-your-own-adventure planetarium show, inspired by astrophysicist Paul M. Sutter’s book, puts the audience in control of a doomed space mission. Guests can also take part in a museum-wide “Space Passport” program featuring hands-on activities and experiments.
This iconic National Historic Landmark served as Miami’s first skyscraper, the headquarters of its first newspaper and the legendary ‘El Refugio’ for Cuban exiles. Given its storied past, it’s the perfect spot to spend an afternoon wandering through exhibits that pulse with the city’s rich history.
Three permanent exhibitions anchor the experience: Libertad traces the building’s legacy and tells the story of those who found refuge and built new lives in Miami; Languages of Migration explores global journeys through rare maps, books and more; and Unidad: The World’s Game offers a FIFA Museum-curated look at soccer’s unifying power. Each gallery is thoughtfully designed to reflect the building’s evolution from a center of information to a living archive of Miami’s diverse communities.
The special programming continues with family days and community events, so keep an eye on the Freedom Tower’s socials to stay up to date and book your tickets here!
This year calls for outdoor dining and we’re loving it, especially when it comes with a side of gorgeous city views! From wonderful waterfront enclaves like Watr at the 1 Rooftop to lush gardens such as Serena Rooftop, these Miami rooftops have it all.
Put on your brunch best and head on out to try the best brunches Miami has to offer. There’s no shortage of options, so we gathered several spots offering meals and bottomless drinks that definitely won’t disappoint, below.
Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, so head to Wynwood Marketplace for the city’s largest Cinco de Mayo block party! Taking place on May 5th, it features DJs, live mariachi, mechanical bull rides, street food and oversized margaritas. General admission is free with an RSVP, with optional open bar upgrades available. Find more Cinco de Mayo celebrations below.
Head to the ultimate Kentucky Derby watch party
Don your best hats and join Gulfstream Park for a thrilling Kentucky Derby watch party on Saturday, May 2. From 3 to 7 p.m., feel the thrill of live racing alongside a simulcast straight from Churchill Downs. With a live DJ keeping the energy high, yard games, mouth-watering BBQ and plenty of photo ops, it’s the finest way to experience the fastest two minutes in sports without leaving South Florida.
For a getaway that feels worlds away from the city, Key West Outpost is a popular, pastel houseboat Airbnb in the middle of the ocean. In fact, Airbnb unveiled its most wishlisted stays across the U.S. and in Florida, that dream destination sleeps up to four guests and emphasizes a secluded, nature-focused stay with decks, snorkel gear, kayaks and limited solar-powered amenities.
Check out CityPlace Doral’s “Summer Lovin’” installation
Get ready for a blast of color! Starting May 15, CityPlace Doral is transforming into a photo-ready escape with its free “Summer Lovin’” art installation. Stroll under a canopy of 186 custom overhead hearts, snap a pic by the oversized heart-shaped lock or grab a custom lock of your own to add to the multi-colored bridges at Fountain Plaza.
