Halloween’s barely out the door, but we’re not done dressing up—just trading cobwebs for culture. The week ahead is all rhythm and shimmer: live music under the palms, art that hums long after you’ve left the gallery, and films that haunt in the best possible way. Style and substance, that’s the Grove way. And come Tuesday 11/4, don’t forget the biggest event of all — Election Day. Mayor, referendums, a brand-new District 3 commissioner. Show up, make it count, and call it democracy with flair. Don’t ghost your ballot.
Bonus Round. Daylight savings ends early Sunday, which means one glorious thing: an extra hour. You could spend it asleep (the respectable choice), or still out somewhere — at the after-after-party that refused to quit, laughing with friends as the clock rewinds itself. Either way, time’s on your side – for once.
Early Voting ends this weekend — and Miami’s voters have choices. Friday until 7:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., early voting is open for Miami’s municipal elections — where ballots include races for mayor and District 3 and District 5 city commissioners. 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Mahler Under the Palms. New World Symphony brings back a crowd favorite with an encore WALLCAST® performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 9, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas. Pack a picnic, pull up a chair, and settle in beneath the bougainvillea as SoundScape Park’s 7,000-square-foot wall lights up with music and motion. 400 17th Street, Miami Beach. Saturday 11/1 at 7:30 p.m. Free.
The Spitfire Grill. Closing weekend for this tender, folk-infused musical about second chances and small-town grace. A young woman named Percy arrives in a Wisconsin diner searching for renewal and finds it in the most unexpected places — through forgiveness, community, and a little music that lingers. 280 Miracle Mile. Through Sunday 11/2. Tickets at Actors’ Playhouse.
Offer You Can’t Refuse. The Great Movie Ride Film Series rolls on with The Godfather Part II — a free screening of Coppola’s sweeping tale of power, betrayal, and legacy, presented by the Kirk and Lydia Menendez Family Endowment. 280 Miracle Mile. Sunday 11/2 at 2:00 p.m. The only cost is the popcorn. Advance free tickets required at Actors’ Playhouse.
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 at 11:30 a.m. Advanced modestly priced tickets required.
Election Day 11/4 — Your Vote, Your Voice.
Tuesday 11/4 is the moment to show up — not just for the tap-on screen or the paper ballot, but for the story we make together. The race for mayor, key referendums, and the District 3 and District 5 commission seats all land on your ballot.
Want to keep the energy going after you vote? Circle the results-watch parties: at least 13 mayoral-candidate gatherings will light up screens and conversations around town. Find one, bring your opinions, and wait for the moment everything clicks.
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.
Aix Marks the Spot. Local photographer Alice Goldhagen returns with a luminous travelogue from Aix-en-Provence, capturing Cézanne’s hometown through doorways, fountains, and markets that shimmer with southern-French light. Her presentation blends art history and wanderlust — bringing a bit of Provence to the Gables. 3443 Segovia. Wednesday 11/5 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Free; refreshments served. RSVP for seats at alicegphotos.com.
25 Years of the Blues. Titanic Brewery’s Wednesday night Blues Jam Spectacular keeps rolling into its 25th year — Miami’s longest-running, most unpredictable jam. A rotating lineup of house regulars and drop-in musicians keeps the sound loose, loud, and alive (horns optional, soul required). 5813 Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Every Wednesday from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. Free.
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.
Four by Four. The Sanctuary of the Arts Choreographic Ensemble returns with 4×4 — four choreographers, four bold new works, and a rare look inside the creative process. What begins as a spark becomes motion, structure, and emotion, revealing the raw heart of dance itself. 410 Andalusia Avenue. Friday 11/7 at 7:30 p.m. Modestly priced tickets at OvationTix.
Sones and Songs. Grammy-winning powerhouse Aymée Nuviola — “La Sonera del Mundo” — returns for one night only with a celebration of Cuban roots and rhythm. Joined by her sister Lourdes Nuviola, she reimagines son, bolero, and timeless classics in a night that pulses with joy and memory. 410 Andalusia Avenue. Saturday 11/8 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets at OvationTix.
Save Me a Seat
Hometown Gold. A new street sign will honor Gerald Tinker — Olympic gold medalist and proud G.W. Carver alumnus — at the corner of Jefferson Street and Charles Terrace. The dedication ceremony begins Monday 11/10 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a community reception at the Grove Sports Hall of Fame, 3634 Grand Avenue. Free. Read more about Tinker’s journey at coconutgrovespotlight.com.
Salute in Motion. Coconut Grove’s annual Veterans Day Celebration begins with a 9:00 a.m. graveside ceremony at 3650 Charles Avenue, followed by a parade stepping off at 10:00 a.m. from 3400 Grand Avenue and ending at Armbrister Park, 4000 Grand Avenue. A proud neighborhood tradition led by American Legion Post 182, honoring those who served and still stand tall. Tuesday 11/11. Priceless.
Forum for the Future. Anticipating a runoff election, the League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade County will host a Mayoral Runoff Candidate Forum moderated by Nicole Perez of Local 10 News. Miami-Dade College’s Koubek Center, 2705 Southwest 3rd Street. Thursday 11/13 at 7:00 p.m. Standby for required tickets that will be released Wednesday 11/5.
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. Friday 11/14 through Thursday 11/20. Matinees at 2:00 p.m. Evenings at 8:00 p.m. Tickets
Wordsmith Wonderland. The Miami Book Fair takes over downtown with its annual carnival of ideas — authors, poets, and readers filling every corner of Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus. Expect late-night readings, pop-up stages, and enough panels to drown in ink. The Opening Day Black Party (11/16) anchors a full week of talks and events. See the stacked lineup and ticket info at miamibookfair.com. Download the program guide and schedule here.
Moonlight Mojo. The Barnacle’s beloved Moonlight Concert Series returns with the groove-heavy Caribbean funk of Mama Fuma — think southern rock swagger, island rhythm, and plenty of soul under the palms. The Barnacle Historic State Park, 3485 Main Highway. Friday 11/14 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Modest admission. Picnics and blankets welcome (no pets).
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…
I Am Don Quixote! Man of La Mancha rides again to celebrate Actors’ Playhouse’s 30th anniversary — a return to the musical that helped launch the company decades ago. Cervantes, awaiting trial, spins his immortal tale of an old man chasing windmills and impossible dreams, reminding us that hope can be heroic. Actors’ Playhouse Theater, 280 Miracle Mile. Wednesday 11/19 through Sunday 12/21. Tickets at Actors’ Playhouse.
How Much a Heart Can Hold. Step quietly into Petah Coyne: How Much A Heart Can Hold, a deeply personal survey of the artist’s sculptural worlds — wax and silk, hair and shadow, tenderness and loss. Each work feels like a whispered confession about beauty, grief, and the fragile ways we hold on. Lowe Art Museum, 1301 Stanford Drive. On view through Saturday 3/14/26. Admission is free, thanks to the generosity of Beaux Arts members. Learn more at lowe.miami.edu and Beaux Arts.
