The holidays are upon us so quickly this year and perhaps a few last-minute gift ideas might help fill some stockings and bring year-round memories.
Must-have: Free subscriptions to the Spotlight for everyone on your Christmas list. Ho ho ho! Quick and easy. You can download and print a low-budget gift card and embrace frugality or combine the subscription with a gift of your own.
Memberships to a Grovey organization including:
- The Barnacle Society celebrates the state park in the center of Coconut Grove.
- The Kampong welcomes you to their growing program and nationally recognized garden.
- Friends of the Commodore Trail help guide the creation of a unifying pathway through the Grove. Free.
- Friends of the Underline help transform an urban thoroughfare into a tropical park serving many. Free.
- The Vizcayans preserve and protect our treasured Vizcaya Museum, garden and grounds.
- The Native Plant Network of Fairchild Tropical Gardens brings native pine rock land habitats to your garden. Free.
- A Miami Dade County Public Library card provides access to a near limitless array of media resources. Free.
- Miami Waterkeeper takes actions to improve the health of Biscayne Bay. Free.
Coconut Grove Library presents Disney’s A Christmas Carol (This is the Jim Carrey version of the timeless tale. PG. All ages.) Saturday, December 21. 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. 2875 McFarlane Rd. Free.
The final Wallcast® lawn concert of the year, Sounds of the Season, creates a perfect venue to listen to the New World Symphony’s holiday concert among friends and a bottle of champagne. At SoundScape Park outside the New World Center, 500 17th St, Miami Beach. Saturday 21 December. 7:30 p.m. Free.
The Coconut Grove BID tracks many of the holiday happenings through their robust calendar which generally focuses on activities in the center of the Grove.
There are many deeply meaningful religious celebrations during the week to come and houses of worship welcome visitors warmly. Among them:
- Christmas Eve will see St Stephens Episcopal Church’s Christmas Pageant start at 4:00 p.m. Music at 10:30 – 11:00 p.m. and service starts at 11:00 p.m. 2750 McFarlane Rd. Free.
- Plymouth Congregational Church holds its Christmas Eve Family Service at 5:00 p.m. followed by a cake reception. The evening continues with song (8:00 p.m.) and candlelight service (11:00 p.m.) 3400 Devon Road on Main Highway. Free.
Save Me a Seat
The Miami City Ballet’s The Nutcracker is nationally—and deservedly—famous, but it’s not the only game in town. NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet tours the US and soon will reach Miami Beach. Local child dancers join the touring company for a matinee performance Monday 30 December at 3:00 p.m. The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater. 1700 Washington Ave, Miami Beach. Tickets.
