By Jennifer Agress and Yours Truly
Looking for different July events Miami? From the first-ever PARAISO at FUNKSHION event for Miami Swim Week, a five-day festival honoring Ernest Hemingway and a Cuban music concert, to the 20th Annual Mango Brunch, Shakespeare by the Sea and more, there’s so much to do and see. On top of that, we’ve rounded up a bunch of year-round activities that we think would make an excellent addition to your summer to-do list.
Study the art of bonsai at Miami Tropical Bonsai.
Want to try growing and styling your own bonsai tree? Head to Miami Tropical Bonsai on the third Saturday of every month, from 9 a.m. to Noon, and learn the basics of growing one from Bonsai Master Randy Brooks, himself. Once you get the hang of it, change up your schedule and attend Randy’s class on the first Saturday of every month, from 9 a.m. to Noon. Geared towards more advanced bonsai enthusiasts, this second class will teach you about the art of bonsai and even show you how to master different styling techniques. If you have your own Bonsai tree, bring it! If not, don’t sweat it. All materials are included in the cost of the class. Miami Tropical Bonsai is located at 14775 SW 232nd Street. Classes are priced at $35 per person, and reservations are required. You can reserve your spot by calling (305) 258-0865, adding your name to the class sheet and confirming your attendance the Friday before the class. Parking is available onsite.
Go ice skating at Kendall Ice Arena.
You might be surprised to find out that Miami has its own ice skating rink. But hidden in West Kendall, you’ll find one! Go during one of the public sessions and free-skate to your heart’s content—they’re available Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; on Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to Midnight; on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to Noon, 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to Midnight; and on Sundays, from 10 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Feeling pretty confident on the ice? There are even figure skating and ice hockey programs for kids and adults alike. Kendall Ice Arena is located at 10355 Hammocks Boulevard. Parking is available onsite. Figure skating pricing can be found here and ice hockey pricing can be found here. Pricing for public sessions varies, depending when you go. Costs are as follows: $9 admission and $3 skate rentals, all hours Sunday through Thursday, and during the day on Fridays and Saturdays; and $12 admission and $3 skate rentals, after 8:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. All non-skaters are charged a $15 admission fee.
Make candy at Spun Candy.
Coming from London all the way to Midtown Miami, this candy-making studio takes sugar lovers beyond their wildest dreams… and lets them make their own! From live candy “theatre” and interactive candy masterclasses, to full-on candy-making parties and exclusive orders of branded candy masterpieces, Spun Candy lets your candy creativity run wild. The entertaining masterclasses are our favorite. Using only premium ingredients and the most innovative candy-making and confectionery techniques, you can create swirly, colorful lollipops, candy faces, candy flowers and more. Spun Candy is located at 3401 Buena Vista Boulevard, Suite 123. Masterclasses start at $60 per person. Garage and street parking are available. Reservations are required and can be made here.
Attend PARAISO at FUNKSHION for Miami Swim Week
From July 12th to 16th, as part of the annual Miami Swim Week, fashionistas can attend the debut of a new fashion fair, PARAISO. Taking over Collins Park, this South Beach event will be filled with immersive brand activations; dynamic events for influencers, VIPs and consumers; concerts; fashion shows; culinary experiences; fitness classes and wellness treatments; art installations and more. As has always been the case at FUNKSHION, all fashion events will center around resort and swimwear—which makes it perfect for Miami. Collins Park is located at 2100 Collins Avenue. Street, garage and lot parking is available nearby. For more information about pricing and events, call (305) 673-2756 or send an email to lara@funkshion.com
Eat your heart out at the 20th Annual Mango Brunch at Fairchild Tropical Gardens.
In conjunction with the 27th Annual International Mango & Tropical Fruit Festival, the 20th Annual Mango Brunch is one of the tastiest events in town. Taking place Sunday, July 15th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., this brunch is prepared by some of South Florida’s greatest chefs. Buy a ticket and enjoy a delicious mango-inspired brunch while raising money for Tropical Fruit Program—a program committed to continuing the pioneering work of Dr. David Fairchild, founder of the Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction Division of the United States Department of Agriculture, by collecting, conserving, curating and distributing only the best tropical fruit from the Americas and Asia. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road. Tickets are priced at $100 for Fairchild members and $125 for non-members, and can be purchased here. Parking is available onsite.
See the Clásicos Tradicionales Cubanos concert at Trinity Church.
Music in Miami is a local organization that works with a diverse array of South Florida musicians and hosts concerts that blend classical styles with modern interpretations. This summer, you can hear them at Trinity Church, where they’re performing a “Three Summers in July” concert series. The last of these will be a Cuban-music extravaganza, “Clásicos Tradicionales Cubanos,” performed by Fabian Alvarez (flute), Modesto Marcano (violin), Oma Pedreira (piano), Ranses Colon-Bass (bass) and Eduardo Rodriguez (percussion). This concert will start promptly at 4 p.m. on July 22nd. Trinity Church is located at 464 NE 16th Street. Tickets to this concert are priced at $15 online and $20 at the door, and can be purchased here. Entry is free for children 12 and under.
Attend a performance of Shakespeare by the Sea.
Spread across two, four-day weekends, one starting July 12th and the other starting July 19th, the annual Shakespeare by the Sea is back again with a professional, under-the-stars production of Shakespeare’s “Antony & Cleopatra.” Like it has since 1990, all performances are free and will be held at Carlin Park’s Seabreeze Amphitheater, in Jupiter, FL. Couples, friends and families alike are invited to bring their own blankets or beach chairs, and either pack a picnic basket or buy food and drinks from various food trucks that will be onsite. Seabreeze Amphitheater is located at 750 South State Route A1A. Parking is available onsite.
Party and network at No Sleep Miami.
Starting at Noon on Friday, July 20th, and running all the way to 11 p.m. on Sunday, July 22nd, the 6th Annual No Sleep South Beach Weekend will be a networking event like no other. Designed with Millennial businessmen and women in mind (but often packed with celebrities and A-list athletes), expect fun-filled networking events like a meet and greet, day parties with live DJs, a “Ciroc Sunday Funday” pool party and the All-White Yacht Party, to name a few. No Sleep Miami will take place at various venues across South Beach. Tickets start at $75 per person and can be purchased here.
Go to the 38th Annual Hemingway Days in Key West.
This annual event was created to pay homage to the great Ernest Hemingway, whose famed house in Key West is still visited by writers, anglers and fans of the late author’s work, today. Running from Tuesday, July 17th, to Sunday, July 22nd, Hemingway Days is a festival packed with a Hemingway® Look-Alike Contest, prose and poetry readings, the wacky “Running of the Bulls,” symposium presentations on Ernest and his influence, a commemoration of the 119th anniversary of his birthday (July 21st!), a museum exhibit of rare Hemingway memorabilia, and even a three-day marlin tournament to honor his passion for deep-sea angling. As part of the festival, the 26th Annual Hemingway 5K Sunset Run/Walk & Paddleboard Race, the original and longest-running 5K in Key West, will have participants running past poignant Key West locales—like Green Parrot and Sloppy Joes—on Saturday, July 21st. Hemingway Days will take place at various venues across Key West. For more information and updates about Hemingway Days, click here.
