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Whether you’re an artist, art collector or just lover of all things art, Art Basel and Design Miami are one of the best times to visit South Beach. The town is buzzing with events and open art galleries, and visitors from all over the world gather to celebrate both new and established artists. Here are some of the best things to do in Miami during Art Basel.
Check out Art Miami
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Art Miami returns for its 31st edition on the waterfront location of One Herald Plaza on Biscayne Bay. The modern and contemporary art fair showcases art from 17 countries and runs alongside its sister fair CONTEXT, which features up-and-coming artists in a series of special exhibits and solo presentations.
Art Miami consistently draws a crowd of serious art collectors, investors and museum directors, and it continues to be one of the longest-running contemporary art fairs in Miami.
Have a cocktail at Design Miami
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The internationally renowned fair Design Miami returns alongside Art Basel and features live fairs and experiences through vetted galleries. This year, Maestro Dobel is the official tequila brand of the fair launching the Artpothecary, a series of immersive experiences in partnership with Mexican-based creatives and artists.
The bespoke bar experience called “The Fruit Chemist” is curated by Artpothecary Creative Director, Alejandra Martinez, and will feature rare and unusual Mexican fruits to complement the brand’s line of smooth tequila. The activation will be available for viewing from November 30 through December 5.
Maestro Dobel has also partnered with high-end furniture stores Dupuis and Solesdi for additional activations throughout the week.
Check out the Wynwood Walls
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The colorful Wynwood Walls are a series of curated murals located in the pedestrian-friendly Wynwood Arts District. Over 80,000 square feet of walls on warehouse buildings have been painted with street art making it one of Miami’s hippest neighborhoods.
This year for Miami Art Week, the theme is “Agents for Change” with 13 new installations going up from both emerging and established artists including David Flores, Bordalo ii, AIKO, Diogo “Addfuel” Machado and more.
Have dinner at MILA
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MILA is an energetic Asian fusion rooftop lounge and restaurant in the heart of South Beach that blends eclectic cuisine and vibrant nightlife. Signature dishes include the black rock lava grilled prime filet, shawarma-spiced wagyu gyoza, foie gras & uni diver scallop, and a bar cart that comes with a mixology performance.
Book a table outside to enjoy a front-row seat of the live entertainment which includes fire dancers throughout the evening.
SCOPE Miami Beach
The SCOPE exhibit returns for its 20th anniversary and will highlight over 125 diverse exhibitors including a new experiential program called “The New Contemporary.” Daily programming, musical performances and large scale installations, in addition to wellness activities including meditation and yoga, will take place during the day and will transform into an after-hours nightlife experience with live music.
Visit the new Museum of Graffiti exhibit at The Confidante Miami Beach
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The Confidante Miami Beach, a retro-glam South Beach hotel, is gearing up for a week of art events including the new Museum of Graffiti Beachside exhibit featuring a body of work called “10 outta 10” by Few and Far All-Female Graffiti Crew. The hotel has an ongoing partnership with the Museum of Graffiti which aims to bring awareness to the art form and will feature a quarterly rotating local art residency on the first floor of the hotel.
During Art Week, the hotel will host a variety of activations including skating demonstrations and a custom-made large-scale skate ramp that will be painted in the hotel’s backyard in collaboration with BABE Rosé. The week will end with an all-female panel discussion on the importance of art and corporate culture.
Dance the night away at Villa Azur
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It wouldn’t be a trip to Miami without at least one night of dancing. Villa Azur, inspired by the South of France, is an upscale restaurant lounge in South Beach that turns into a late night dance party. The chic, airy restaurant features an open courtyard, live entertainment including saxophone players and a lively atmosphere.
For dinner, the creamy pasta served tableside in a flaming cheese wheel is a must – and don’t forget to dress to impress!
Flagler Street Art Festival
Flagler Street Art Festival is a new initiative for Art Basel this year, put on by the Miami Downtown Development Authority, Mana Public Arts and Urban Impact Lab. Downtown Flagler District will be undergoing a $27 million transformation to turn the neighborhood into a walkable community for both locals and visitors alike. The upgrades include 15 new murals on Miami’s high-rise buildings that will remain on view indefinitely.
Flagler Street Art Festival is a week-long celebration for the community that will feature digital art installations and NFT workshops for both new and experienced collectors, as well as a guided tour of the Miami Mural Festival.
Enjoy dinner with a view at Zuma Miami
After undergoing a total revamp this past summer, Zuma Miami reopened its doors and introduced a new menu of modern Japanese izakaya from the robata grill. The downtown hotspot overlooks the Miami River and is the first U.S. location for the global restaurant brand. The menu features modern Japanese cuisine served on plates meant to be shared.
End Art Week on a high note
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Miami’s newest outdoor music venue, Oasis Wynwood, welcomes two world-famous DJs to close out Art Week with back-to-back nights of electronic music performances by DJ Zedd and Kaytranada, respectively. Advanced ticket purchases are required. The venue also has six premiere restaurant vendors including Buya, Los Buenos, Prince Street Pizza and Tower Bar.
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