Call it Cultural Whiplash. It’s officially that time of year when your social calendar looks like a ransom note. The Grove’s rolling out concerts, costumes, crafts, and carnivals faster than you can say “unsinkable ship.” You can start by haunting Coral Gables High, end up waltzing with a peacock at Books & Books, and still make it to church by Sunday. Multitasking, Grove-style.
Give Me a G! Once a Cavalier, always a Cavalier — so expect plenty of familiar faces when Friends of Gables High rolls out the red carpet for its 75th. Campus tours, alumni reunions, food trucks, music, and dancing, capped by a pep rally led by 2007 World Series MVP (and proud alum) Mike Lowell. Coral Gables Senior High School, 450 Bird Road, Coral Gables. Friday 10/24 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Free. Details.
Little Bahamas Celebration — Honoring Grove Roots. Coconut Grove was built by Bahamian settlers whose descendants still call it home. This celebration pays tribute to those pioneering families and marks the City of Miami’s 2022 designation of the West Grove as “Little Bahamas.” Christ Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 3481 Hibiscus Street. Saturday 10/25 at 6:00 p.m.
Early Voting starts Saturday — and Miami’s voters have choices. Beginning Saturday 10/25 at 8:00 a.m., early voting opens for Miami’s municipal elections — where ballots include races for mayor and District 3 city commissioner. Many Grove early voters will head to Miami City Hall, while Shenandoah Branch Library offers another nearby option. You can also drop off your vote-by-mail ballot securely at either site. Bring a valid photo ID with signature; your voter card isn’t required but never hurts. The hurt will come later if you don’t vote.
Tour de Fright (Costumes on Wheels). Join Friends of the Commodore Trail and the Underline for a family-friendly Halloween ride led by experienced guides — helmets and comfy costumes encouraged, bring your own bike and gear. Vizcaya Station Plaza, 3205 SW 1st Avenue. Saturday 10/25 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. RSVP/Tickets.
Haunted Hike, Happy Screams. Older kids only — this one’s scary. Bill Baggs goes full fright with carnival rides, pumpkin patch, face painting, music, food trucks, and a special Little Monsters show at 7:30 p.m., plus ghoulish tram rides and lighted robot/fairy cameos. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, 1200 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne. Saturday 10/25 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Tickets and info.
Haunted Mooring Field. The Coconut Grove Sailing Club’s most-loved Halloween tradition turns Biscayne Bay into a floating trick-or-treat wonderland. As the sun sets, costumed sailors board safety boats bound for about 25 member vessels lit up with spooky lights and candy stations — a watery neighborhood where every “house” is a boat. Parents and friends cheer from shore, with games, snacks, and plenty of festive mischief waiting dockside. Coconut Grove Sailing Club, 2990 South Bayshore Drive. Saturday 10/25 at sundown. Free for members and guests.
Haunted Birdhouse Hunt. Fairchild Garden transforms into a wonderland of riddles, folklore, and ghostly Florida tales — 13 haunted birdhouses tucked along winding trails, each with a story to solve. Armed with a scavenger map, visitors hunt clues and uncover eerie but kid-friendly legends from Florida’s past. Perfect for all ages, it’s mystery over mayhem, curiosity over fear, and a fun prize for those who finish the quest. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road. Open throughout October during regular hours; tickets required.
More than a Costume. A shape-shifting, one-actor thriller lands as a regional premiere: a timid Midwesterner remakes himself as “Harry Clarke,” charming his way into a wealthy New York family until the lies catch up. GableStage at the Biltmore, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables. Performances run through 11/2. Tickets required.
Before Tea and Poets falls to the wrecking ball, young adults hang at this old-school late-night coffee shop hidden inside The Shops at Sunset Place. Saturday is Band Night. A recent evening featured an ever-changing group of U-Miami and high school musicians and vocal artists jamming on songs from the Great American Songbook. By Metrorail to University Station. 10/25 at 8:00 p.m. Free.
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church Celebration. The congregation marks its 130th anniversary with a close-out service honoring the past, rejoicing in the present, and embracing the future. Reverend Lance B. Bailey Sr. leads the service, joined by guest speaker Rev. Dr. Walter T. Richardson. Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 3515 Douglas Road. Sunday 10/26 at 11:00 a.m. Details.
Halloween Harmonies with Miami Pixel Symphony. Celebrate spooky season with symphonic flair as Miami Pixel Symphony — a local nonprofit orchestra that brings video game and anime music to life — performs in Vizcaya’s courtyard. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, 3251 South Miami Avenue. Wednesday 10/29 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Courtyard tickets are modest and family-friendly; children under 5 free.
Silly Season at Silly Monkeys. Before the moon comes up and spooky-silly creatures start knocking, little pumpkins can get their Halloween fix without the fright. The Silly Non-So-Spooky Halloween is made for tiny tricksters 12 months to 3 years old — full of friendly mummy and witch puppets, singalongs, giggles, and gentle playtime on the indoor playground. Costumes welcome (comfy ones best) but no face masks or scary outfits, please. Silly Monkeys Playhouse, 3310 Virginia Street. Saturday 10/25 from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. or 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Ticket info.
Halloween Bingo at the Woman’s Club. Did someone say “Spirit”? The Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove brings the laughs with community bingo, costumes, and plenty of friendly banter — come for the games, stay for the giggles. Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove, 2985 South Bayshore Drive. Thursday 10/30. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Modest admission price includes ten bingo cards.
13 Days of “Killer Krafts.” Help conjure horrifyingly creative masterpieces — from creepy dolls to sinister pumpkin heads — in this hands-on craft hour for ages 8 to 12; bring big imagination, leave with spooky souvenirs. Shenandoah Branch Library, 2111 Southwest Nineteenth Avenue. Monday 10/27 through 10/31 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Free; info at 305.250.4688.
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. No better place to become a peacock than spending an evening with Michal Bardavid. A journalist and dance therapist she struts into Books & Books with wit, candor, and color for a talk on authenticity. Drawing from her new book Becoming a Peacock: Strut Your Way into Self-Love, she shares stories and tools for embracing imperfections and shining anyway. Books & Books, 3409 Main Highway. Monday 10/27 at 6:30 p.m. Free; RSVP recommend.
Geek out on the rare and beautiful at this collector-favorite night where South Florida’s top growers and rare plant nurseries donate their best specimens for a good cause. Funds raised from the auction support scholarships, speakers, and community programs. Preview at 7:00 p.m.; auction begins at 7:30 p.m. Tropical Fern & Exotic Plant Society Annual Auction. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Montgomery Garden House, 10901 Old Cutler Road. Monday 10/27. Free entry.
O Caledonia. Beneath the castle stairs, Janet lies murdered in her mother’s black lace gown — and her story haunts the moors in Elspeth Barker’s darkly poetic O Caledonia. Katherine Wakefield leads this month’s discussion of the cult classic that made gothic girlhood unforgettable. Books & Books, 3409 Main Highway. Tuesday 10/28 at 7:00 p.m. Free; part of the store’s monthly Fiction Book Club series.
Horror Movie Trivia. Calling all horror buffs — think you know your screams from your slashers? Test your fright-film knowledge in this trivia showdown, solo or with friends, for a chance to claim horror champion bragging rights and a prize. Virrick Park Branch Library, 3255 Plaza Street. Wednesday 10/29 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Ages 12 and up. Free; info at 305.442.7872.
Campfire Tales & S’mores. Calling all young adventurers — gather ‘round for digital campfire stories, s’mores, and just the right amount of spook! Bring a blanket or favorite plush and settle in for an hour of spine-tingling tales and sweet treats. Coconut Grove Branch Library, 2875 McFarlane Road. Thursday 10/30 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Free.
On Halloween Grovites know the neighborhood’s many small streets are welcoming to youngsters. Some streets have well-deserved reputations as kid-magnets, while others are upping their game to make the evening special. Walking is best, as parking is always scarce, and cars can be dangerous especially for little ones.
Newcomers can follow the little ghosts and gremlins in their family to:
- Irvington Ave. – a South Grove cul-de-sac with a reputation for creativity
- Prospect Dr. – an Edgewater loop road devoted to the spirit of the season
- Armbrister Park – a Grove treasure on west Grand Ave.
- Swanson and Overbrook – an inspired North Grove neighborhood
Tent or Treat at Armbrister Park. Pitch a tent, bring candy, and join the Grove’s biggest Halloween night party — complete with haunted house, bounce houses, food, and music. Families are invited to decorate their own tents for trick-or-treaters, with a $100 prize for the best setup. Armbrister Park, 4000 Grand Avenue. Friday 10/31 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. Free; community sponsors include Coconut Grove Redskins, Hornets Track Club, and One Grove Foundation.
Alice in WonderGrove. Follow the White Rabbit to a Halloween mash-up of treats, live music, kids’ entertainment, and a costume contest — plus a special performance of Alice in WonderGrove by playwright Brandon Urrutia and a K-pop set by the 4Eva Dance Group. Downtown Coconut Grove. Friday 10/31 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Chamber Music. Halloween doesn’t have to be spooky or candy-crushed— trade jump scares for jetés of sound as the Frost School’s Stamps Woodwind Quintet takes the stage for an evening of chamber sparkle. Fall Recital. Newman Recital Hall, 5513 San Amaro Drive, U-Miami. Friday 10/31 at 7:30 p.m. Free.
Día de los Muertos: Honoring Our Pets. Gather at the Barnacle Historic State Park to celebrate the lives of beloved pets who’ve crossed the rainbow bridge. Led by Gueyita Mexicana, this community altar invites everyone to share memories over light bites and refreshments. Barnacle Historic State Park, 3485 Main Highway. Saturday 11/1 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Free.
Celebrate the love of family at Día de Muertos – Concert for Kids. A bright, family-friendly salute to Mexican composers and the traditions that honor ancestors — costumes, face paint, and flower crowns welcome, with hands-on activities before the show. New World Center, 500 Seventeenth Street, Miami Beach. Sunday 11/2/25 at 11:30 a.m. Advanced modestly priced tickets required.
Save Me a Seat
Art in Motion at Vizcaya Late. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens unveils Headwind, a site-specific installation and the first U.S. solo show by Brazilian artist Susanne Schirato. Set on the waterfront terrace, the work explores how wind and water shape movement — and us. Enjoy light bites, curator remarks, and a chance to meet the artist as the sun sets over Biscayne Bay. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, 3251 South Miami Avenue. Wednesday 11/5 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Tickets $5; free for members, children under 5, and SNAP/WIC beneficiaries with registration.
Ready. Set. Write! Miami Writers Workshop: Writing Sprints. Bring a notebook or laptop and settle in for timed writing bursts with author–bookseller Cortney Casey — optional prompts, quiet focus, quick check-ins, plus a little cheerleading to push a project across the finish line. Books & Books, 3409 Main Highway. Thursday 11/6 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets include a drink.
Titanic: The Musical. Epic and majestic, this five-time Tony Award–winning musical captures the triumph and heartbreak of those aboard the “unsinkable” Ship of Dreams. With a soaring score, the production brings to life the stories of real passengers whose hopes set sail — and met tragedy — on that fateful voyage. Jerry Herman Ring Theatre, University of Miami, 1312 Miller Drive, Coral Gables. Thursday 11/14 through Wednesday 11/20. Matinees at 2:00 p.m. Evenings at 8:00 p.m. Tickets.
Seraphic Fire sings Bach’s Motets. The acclaimed chamber chorus and period orchestra bring J.S. Bach’s most enduring choral works to glowing life — all six motets in one evening of sublime precision and spiritual power. Featuring Ensemble Artist apprentices from UCLA alongside Seraphic Fire’s celebrated voices. St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 1121 Andalusia Avenue, Coral Gables. Friday 11/14 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets required.
Double-Date Car Pool WALLCAST Concert. Blanket, picnic, stars — this free outdoor concert beams Dvořák’s New World Symphony live onto the New World Center’s projection wall for an easy, elegant night out. SoundScape Park, 500 Seventeenth Street, Miami Beach. Saturday 11/15 at 7:30 p.m. Free; no tickets required; nearby garage parking.
Santa Paws on the Bay — Holiday Barkzaar at The Barnacle. The Barnacle’s bayfront lawn turns into a pup-friendly holiday market packed with music, food, and furry fun. A Lure Course, a Dog Fun Zone, local treats and crafts, adoptable pets from Paw Patrol Animal Rescue, and plenty of shopping for both two- and four-legged friends. Bring your blanket, your appetite, and your best-behaved canine for a breezy day under the trees. The Barnacle Historic State Park, 3485 Main Highway Coconut Grove, Florida 33133. Sunday 11/16 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Modest entrance fee; kids under 6 free.
Pay What You Wish Concert — November Nightmusic. Feeling like a big spender? The New World Symphony’s “Nightmusic” concert invites listeners into a world that glows after dark, with nocturnes and Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht among the highlights. New World Center, 500 Seventeenth Street, Miami Beach. Monday 11/17 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are pay-what-you-wish starting at $5; free tickets available upon request at 305.673.3331. This event sells out quickly. Just saying…
