The best June events in Miami

For a long time, Miami had politely excused itself from partaking in annual World Pride Month celebrations. By June, the Miami sun is already hot enough to melt off even the most seasoned drag queen’s full face—and who wants to plan a parade in the midst of hurricane season Besides, New York pretty much has the East Coast covered when it comes to Pride festivities, and April’s Miami Beach Pride is a fun way to kick everything off. At least, this had been the thinking from 1995 until around five years ago, when Wynwood Pride was born. The annual Pride celebration on the mainland stands defiantly in the face of heat waves, tropical storms and gay flight to Fire Island, boldly asserting: We’re here, we’re queer and Miami’s LGBTQ+ community deserves the world—including a proper World Pride celebration alongside everyone else. The concept was to create a more music and performance-driven atmosphere in the heart of Miami’s booming arts district that appealed to different ages and underserved groups. “The core belief was to be a Pride for everyone,” says Liza Santana, Wynwood Pride’s founding spokesperson. When is Wynwood Pride 2024? Don we now our gay apparel. Wynwood Pride is almost here! The annual LGBTQ+ festival kicks off June 1 with a fabulous party at Arlo Wynwood, followed by a month of speaker panels, drag performances and more. Stay tuned to their Instagram page for the latest.

Faena Theater has put a fresh spin on its avant-garde cabaret, “Allura,” with a new performance titled “Ascension.” New York singer Rocky Lanes stars as master of ceremonies, leading showgoers through a series of spicy vignettes with aerial acts, acrobats, killer live music and a hint of naughty antics. “Ascension” shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Get there early to check out Faena’s incredible public art, including murals by Argentinian artist Juan Gatti and Damien Hirst’s famous wooly mammoth.

Fairchild Garden transforms into a prehistoric playground this summer. Explore the lush grounds where life-size dinosaurs hold court amid a collection of cycads, ferns, conifers and all sorts of flowering plants that date back to primitive times. Kiddos can get hands-on during the ancient artifact digs, egg hunts and more while learning all about what the world was like 65 million years ago. Be sure to check the Fairchild Garden website for up-to-date information on upcoming dino events.

This annual, month-long music festival platforms over 200 classical musicians across Miami Beach for a series of free public performances and ticketed events, including three full opera productions and three symphonic concerts. This year features the return of its popular Fourth of July orchestra and fireworks show at Lummus Park and an immersive space symphony concert at Faena Forum backdropped by 360-degree live projection-mapped visuals, among other unique offerings.

"The Messi Experience: A Dream Come True" launches its world tour in Miami this spring, just as the city's fever for the famed footballer kicks into high gear. The sprawling, immersive multimedia exhibit traces Leo Messi's childhood and powerhouse soccer career to now, taking visitors of all ages through approximately 75 minutes of projection-mapped installations and interactive games at The Hangar Coconut Grove.

Hyde Beach at the SLS South Beach is basically a nightclub—but it’s during the day, everyone's in a bathing suit and the dance floor is a pool. If it’s a Vegas-style bash with bottle service and champagne showers you seek, the SLS Pool party is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 7pm, while the Haus of Hyde nightclub rages on from 10pm to 3am. Though weekends are the busiest, hit up the SLS pool any day of the week for a guaranteed fist-pumping good time—especially during Spring Break and Miami Music Week, when the party programming doesn't stop.  

Kick off the season with an assortment of South Florida’s sweetest all-natural treats. The annual event showcases local and tropical fruit and fruit trees, and guests are invited to browse, sample and purchase their favorites. Once you’ve indulged in the cornucopia of tropical fruits, partake in arts and crafts activities and lawn games and make sure to walk the grounds and experience the gorgeous park.

Playwright Joshua Harmon, who captured neurotic family dynamics so memorably in his hit “Bad Jews,” returns with another scorched-earth comedy centered on a middle-aged mother Jodi as she deals with twin relationship grievances: Her ex-husband is courting a 24-year-old woman, and her father has taken up with a glistening himbo named Trey, who may be an adult film star. Island City Stage, 2304 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors (954-928-9800, islandcitystage.org). May 30–June 23; various show times; $40–$45

The Coconut Grove Farmers Market is probably Miami’s most well-known. Every Saturday, Homestead's Glaser Organic Farms transforms an unoccupied corner of Coconut Grove into a full-fledged produce market with dozens of fruit and vegetable stands, a raw bar featuring prepared foods and salads and coolers filled with cold-pressed juices and nut mylks. There’s even velvety vegan ice cream for sale and several rows of picnic tables where you can sit and enjoy your bounty. Along its periphery, you’ll find other local vendors selling honey, homemade soaps, handmade jewelry and other artisanal items. And the setup and breakdown are so fascinating to watch! Much like the circus leaving town, everyone quickly dismantles their tents and packs up just after sunset, leaving no trace of the bustling day on the empty gravel lot.

This annual festival in the heart of Miami Beach features five days of screenings, celebrity interviews, workshops, panel discussions and networking events celebrating Black television and filmmaking. As in years past, the 28th ABFF will host a packed schedule of Hollywood premieres, an indie showcase, a comedy night, an awards show and an epic closing gala on Saturday. Events take place primarily across Miami Beach Convention Center and New World Center.