Memorial Day Weekend in Miami: Where to Beat the Crowds & Still Celebrate in Style

The common thought in Miami on Memorial Day Weekend is to avoid the Beach because of Beach Week, but there are a lot of other fun (and more family friendly) options. 

So, here’s how to avoid the chaos of South Beach and celebrate Memorial Day in style in Miami:

Hyundai Air and Sea Show

Touted as “The Greatest Show Above the Earth,” the Hyundai Air and Sea Show brings America’s most awe-inspiring military jets over Miami Beach on the 24th and the 25th. This free public event begins at noon with a variety of water sport demonstrations featuring jet skis and cigarette boats. Then, get ready for a full afternoon of stunning aerial displays including F-16s, B-52 bombers and more. Saturday’s performance will conclude with a nighttime concert and an awe-inspiring firework show. 

Best of the Best Music Fest

Do you love Caribbean food, music and culture? Then bring the whole family to the 10-hour long Best of the Best International Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Sunday, May 25th. As the premiere Caribbean music festival in North America, you’ll dance the day away to a star-studded lineup of artists covering a wide range of genres, including pop, rhythm and blues, soca, hip-hop, and of course, authentic Caribbean reggae. Gates open at 2pm, and kids under 12 get in for free!

Deering Estate

Located on the shore of Biscayne Bay in Palmetto Bay, the Deering Estate is an early 1900s home and museum spread across nearly 450 acres of mangroves, native plants, gorgeous bay vistas and even ancient Native American burial grounds. On May 24th, 25th and 26th, the Deering Estate will be offering $8 general admission. Guests can enjoy a guided tour of the estate’s nature preserve, tour the museums on their own, or hop into a kayak and explore the bay. If you live close by, you should really consider an Annual Membership. It’s affordable and a great way to enjoy all of the yearly events and activities hosted there.

Smorgasburg

Let’s be honest: one of the best ways to enjoy Memorial Day eating your way through it. But beyond the traditional backyard barbeques, on Saturday, May 24th check out Smorgasburg, a massive food festival with more than 40+ vendors, waiting to serve you their most delicious items. Just head on over to the heart of Wynwood to find an electric array of vendors including Acai Way, Korean Kitchen, Kabuki Soba, the Lazy Oyster, Tio Paella, Puro Chocolate, La Picana Grill, and many, many more. When that inevitable food baby starts to crown, have no fear: there’s plenty of space to sit down and cool off in the shade before your next course. 

Great American Beach Party

If you’re looking for a lively, all-day event head on over to Fort Lauderdale for the Great American Beach Party. Over the course of Memorial Day Weekend, Fort Lauderdale’s iconic beach is transformed into a sprawling goldmine of entertainment and amusements. Kids can enjoy water slides, games, and contests, while the parents can dance to live music and browse the latest work from myriad local artists. Other highlights from this free event include a classic car show, a tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces, and even a SOCOM Para-Commandos parachute jump. 

With so much fun and joy everywhere you turn, events like this remind us why we’re so grateful to live in this beautiful country. Let’s thank our fallen heroes for their service by having a blast with the people we love in the party capital of the United States!