Miami Events Fall 2009

October | November | December

October

National Hockey League

The National Hockey League’s rough and tumble world packs a motherlode of milestones, from 1917’s NHL opener, to when Maurice Richard was first to score 50 goals in one season in 1944-45, to when Clint Benedict was the first goalie to put on a mask after a shot knocked him unconscious, to when Manon Rheaume made headlines in 1992 as the first woman playing in one of the four major sports leagues, goaltending for the Tampa Bay Lightning against the St. Louis Blues. From October on, it’s non-stop action in the world of hat tricks -- three goals in a game by a player -- and sudden death overtime.

Florida Panthers - To book for the Florida Panthers, click here.

 

Columbus Day Regatta
More than 200 sailboats from more than a dozen classes race on Biscayne Bay from north to south on Saturday, and back on Sunday. Call (305) 858-1733 for more information.

 

South Florida Dragon Boat Festival
Sponsored by the United Chinese Association of Florida and always after Columbus Day weekend, the South Florida Dragon Boat Festival at Haulover Park & Marina provides two family-oriented days of Dragon Boat racing on the Intracoastal Waterway plus martial arts demonstrations, Asian food booths, a Dragon Kids Playground, and more. Call (305) 345-8489 for more information.

Miami Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
Hong Kong-style Dragon Boats race along a waterway. Call (305) 633-0168 for more information.

Head of Indian Creek Regatta
More than 750 competitors including high school, collegiate, and master rowers from more than 30 organizations compete in the 2.7 mile Indian Creek Regatta along Miami Beach’s Indian Creek Waterway. Call (305) 861-8876 for more information.

 

Coral Gables Oktoberfest
Food, beer, music, polka dancing, and plus kid’s activities are sponsored by Mozart Stube Restaurant. Call (305) 446-3364 for more information.

 

Discovery of America Day
This all-day festival of ethnic food, live music and fun includes a re-enactment of Columbus' discovery of America, at Bayfront Park Amphitheatre. Call (305) 541-5023 for more information.

 

Festival of the Americas
Latin musical headliners entertain at this giant street party with food and fun along Sunset Drive between U.S. 1 and Southwest 57th Avenue. Call (305) 461-1014 for more information.

 

FIU Music Festival
Top talent performs in assorted musical genres showcasing the Wertheim Performing Arts Center at Florida International University University Park Campus. Call (305) 662-6960 for more information.

Miami Short Film Festival
At the Tower Theater, the Miami Short Film Festival features a week of short films from around the globe combined with gala festivities. Call (305) 586-8105 for more information.

Hispanic Heritage Festival
This month-long celebration at varied locations hails the Hispanic role in discovery of the Americas. Call (305) 461-1014 for more information.

Japanese Cultural Weekend
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden hosts a weekend of music including Taiko drumming, lectures, Ikebana demonstrations and more. Call (305) 667-1651 for more information.

Jewish Book Fair
Famous Jewish authors lecture at bookshops throughout Dade County, particularly in Kendall. Call (305) 271-9000, ext. 268 for more information.

MetroBoo!
Trick-or-treating and costume contests with prizes for ages 12 and younger take place at Miami MetroZoo. Call (305) 251-0400 for more information.

Stone Crab Seafest at North Beach
The beach around 73rd Street and Collins Avenue becomes an outdoor feast scene with live music, drinks and gourmet delicacies. Call (305) 865-4147 for more information.

November

National Basketball Association

Toronto, Canada was the site of the National Basketball League's first game on Nov. 1, 1946, with the Huskies hosting the New York Knickerbockers at Maple Leaf Gardens. Thirteen original rules were drafted by Dr. James Naismith, creator of basketball. Pro basketball suffered in popularity in the early 1950's, but one rule change -- that of the 24-second clock -- transformed the sport from a dull, stalling game to an exciting, offensive showcase. Icons along the way, from Bob Cousy and Wilt Chamberlain to Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, have immortalized what's now the National Basketball Association's game, creating long-standing rivalries from coast to coast.

Miami Heat - To book seats to root for your Miami Heat, click here.

College Basketball
First devised by James Naismith in 1891, with the first recorded collegiate game in 1893, legions testify there’s no sound so soothing as a basketball whooshing through the net after a flick of the wrist. NCAA basketball brings grass roots hoop dreams to an entirely new level each fall, building toward March Madness, the NCAA Division Basketball Championships.

 

Miami Hurricanes, FIU Golden Panthers
Miami Hurricanes - To book seats for the Miami Hurricanes, click here.

NASCAR Nextel Cup Series: Ford 400
The Homestead Miami Speedway is the site for this annual NASCAR race held in November.
To make reservations and purchase tickets, click here.

ExpoNica: The Fair of the Americas
The Fair Expo Center showcases Central and South American culture with arts, crafts, dance, bands and food. Call (305) 227-2929 for more information.

Harvest Festival
Historical re-enactments, music, antique automobiles, quilts, crafts and more are at The Fair Expo Center. Call (386) 860-0092 for more information.

Miami Book Fair International

One of the nation’s largest outdoor book fairs features some 300 booksellers and publishers, and more than 250 authors at Miami-Dade Community College Wolfson Campus. Call (305) 237-3258 for more information.

 

Nextel Cup Series Ford 400

The biggest names in auto racing each more than 140 m.p.h. at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Call (305) 230-5000 for more information.

 

Networking Show & Sale

At Miami Shores Country Club, this networking show and sale sponsored by the Miami Shores Business & Professional Women’s Club spills over with fine art, sculpture, gourmet items, gifts, kids' fashions, and more at pre-holiday pricing. Call (305) 270-3308 for more information.

 

Ramble – A Garden Festival

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden hosts this annual gardening festival with plants, accessories and activities for the whole family. Call (305) 667-1651 for more information.

 

South Florida Auto Show

Auto-related gear and more than 1,000 of the industry’s latest vehicles for the coming year are displayed at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Call (305) 947-5950 for more information.

 

White Party Week

A week of tea dances, fashion shows and an elegant bash at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens highlight this annual fundraiser fighting HIV/AIDS at various venues throughout the city. Call (305) 667-9296 for more information.

 

Miami International Wine Fair

Florida’s largest independent wine trade show hosts an annual edition at the Miami Beach Convention Center featuring some 400 wineries from 19 countries to benefit the Red Cross. Call (305) 777-2255 for more information.

 

Santa’s Enchanted Forest

Every evening, from early November through early January, Tropical Park, decorated with more than 3 million lights, hosts a huge outdoor Christmas fair with a petting zoo and visits from Santa. Call (305) 559-9689 for more information.

 

WinterNational Thanksgiving Day Parade

Walkers, riders, bikers, clowns, bands and floats participate in a Thanksgiving Day Parade, on 125th Street from NE 6th Avenue to NE 12th Avenue. Call (305) 893-6511 for more information.

December

Art Basel Miami Beach
Sister to Art Basel in Switzerland, Art Basel Miami Beach showcases art from more than 150 galleries in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia. Call (305) 674-1292 for more information.

Everglades Music and Crafts Festival
Alligator wrestling, air boat rides, Native American music, crafts and food highlight this event at the Miccosukee Indian Village. Call (305) 223-8380 for more information.

Festival of Carols
Kicking off the holiday season, the City of Miami Gardens stages the Festival of Carols, with a spectacular holiday light display and traditional holiday entertainment including caroling, soloists, choirs, jazz, and more. Call (305) 622-8000 for more information.

Greater Miami Dog Club Show
The Fair Expo Center show features several breeds with two rings of obedience training and an agility event, plus booths with food, treats and other specialty items. Call (305) 223-7060 for more information.

Junior Orange Bowl Parade & Festival
Floats and marching bands parade through streets of Coral Gables, with related events involving arts, crafts and children’s sports competition. Call (305) 662-1210 for more information.

King Mango Strut
This zany quarter-century old parody of traditional holiday parades spoofs newsmakers and current events. Call (305) 401-1171 for more information.

Matzo Ball
From a humble start in a Boston bar, Matzo Ball bashes unfolding in more than a dozen cities including San Francisco and Washington D.C. now make a splash in South Florida, attracting some 2,000 or more. Venues in Miami Beach, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach host this holiday party for Jewish singles on the night before Christmas. For more information, call (305) 531-5535 for Miami Beach's Opium Garden, (561) 392-3747 for Boca Raton's Club Boca, and (561) 833-6500 for the Monkey Club in West Palm Beach.

New Year’s at Vizcaya
With a champagne toast at midnight and fireworks over Biscayne Bay, La Lega dei Viscayani hosts a New Year’s Eve party at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens as a rain or shine semi-formal to black-tie event for celebrants age 21 and older. Proceeds benefit Vizcaya restoration. Call (305) 856-4866 for more information.

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