10 Fun Things to Do in Miami This Weekend

Eat your way through SOBEWFF, sip mezcal with celebrities, or sit front row for a drifting competition.

Food
Photo courtesy of Aimee Cooke (CC)

In case you somehow missed Guy Fieri’s frosted tips on every billboard in the city, the South Beach Wine and Food Festival is back this weekend. And while we’d highly suggest indulging in some of its top-notch dinners with celebrity chefs and special events, if you’re not feeling the crowds we’ve got plenty of other good stuff going on—like a drifting competition in West Palm and DJ Khaled at Story. All that and a chance to yell, “say my name!” at Bryan Cranston, are just a few highlights of the best things going on in South Florida this weekend.

Friday, February 24
Museum of Contemporary Art
It’s been a long week. And nothing is gonna help you wind down better than relaxing to live jazz in a balmy, art-filled courtyard. MOCA helps you out with a free performance from Troy Anderson and the Wonderful World Band, a local lineup of all-star musicians who’ll begin at 8 pm.
Cost: Free

Friday, February 24
Oasis Wynwood
Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston are back for their annual Miami bartending shift, hanging at their Dos Hombres mezcal truck parked at the Oasis. They’ll be running happy hour starting at 5 pm, where you can snap pictures and sip mezcal until 7 pm.
Cost: Free

Friday, February 24 – Sunday, February 26
Various locations
The annual orgy of food and wine that is the South Beach Wine and Food Fest takes over the city this weekend. You already know the heavy hitters like Burger Bash and the Grand Tasting, but this year brings a couple of cool new events like Foodie Con, where your favorite food Instagrammers will be offering up recipes and master classes, and Marcus Samuelsson’s Overtown Eat Up, featuring restaurants from Miami’s historic Black community.
Cost: Ticket prices vary

Saturday, February 25
South of Fifth
We’d say you could watch Miami’s most prolific producer perform on stage at Story starting at 11 pm, but we all know it’s going to be a full night of straight yelling, “we the BEST!” If you’re cool with that, DJ Khaled will hit the stage sometime before 5 am.
Cost: $50

Saturday, February 25
West Palm Beach
Drifting competitions aren’t just limited to shady back alleys late nights on Krome Avenue. There are actual competitions in this stuff, and you can see some of the best from 1 to 8 pm during Fuelfest hosted at the South Florida Fairgrounds. In addition to day-long drifting duels, you can also scope more than 600 modified cars, music, food, and more.
Cost: Tickets start at $25

Saturday, February 25
Downtown
Alvin Ailey’s Ailey II dance company—the country’s most diverse showcase for emerging modern dancers—will perform this Saturday at 8 pm inside the Knight Concert Hall. If you’d like some insight on how the company works, artistic director Francesca Harper will be doing a Q&A at 7 pm in the adjacent Peacock Education Center.
Cost: Tickets start at $30

Saturday, February 25
Brightline West Palm Beach
If you live in the 561, or are planning a trip up there this weekend to escape the SOBE madness, you’ve got a nice meal waiting for you at the Brightline station. Kapow Noodle Bar will be dishing up free ahi tuna poke tacos and vegetable fried rice to all who pass through from 11 am to 2 pm. Just please, for the sake of your fellow passengers try and finish it before you get on the train.
Cost: Free

Performers
Photo courtesy of Aimee Cooke (CC)

Saturday, February 25
Hallandale Beach
You know what makes the endless food and free flowing drinks of SOBEWFF even better? Winning bets. Horseplaying foodies would be well served to hit the Arabian-nights-themed Hallandale Beach Food & Groove, running from 7 to 10 pm at Gulfstream’s trackside carousel club, where 25 local restaurants will be posted up for post time.
Cost: $75

Sunday, February 25
Nautilus by Arlo
Whether you’re feeding yourself silly or not, by the end of the weekend you’ll probably need a little reset. Stop by the Nautilus’ Self-Love Retreat, which will kick off at 9 am with coffee, dance workshops, and a yoga flow, then move on to a healthy lunch and a gift bag worth $100.
Cost: $65

Sunday, February 26
Wharf Miami
Lovers of pink, spindly birds should make their Sunday plans at the Wharf, where the waterside watering hole returns its popular Flamingo Brunch. You’ll find $12 flamingo cocktails, plus $4 white, red, and watermelon sangria.
Cost: No cover. Drink and food prices vary.

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Matt Meltzer is a contributing writer for Thrillist. Follow him on Instagram @meltrez1.