From a Dolce and Gabbana exhibit at ICA and the jazz-age glamour of Miami’s Art Deco Weekend with a new culinary addition, to diving into Robert Rauschenberg’s experimental world, or enjoying an intimate, soulful dinner at Maison Ostrow and more, this month offers an exciting  choice of things to do in January.

The talk of the town among fashionistas is the upcoming Dolce and Gabbana exhibit at ICA Miami in the Design District. Following sell out runs in Paris, Rome and Milan, ‘From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce&Gabbana’  runs from February 6 to June 14, 2026. They invite you to journey into the minds of two of the fashion world’s most celebrated designers in the first ever exhibition of the brand’s most revered creations, tracing the translation of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana’s ideas from the heart through to their realization, by hand.

Discover the sources that spark the designers’ inspiration and learn about the intricate craftsmanship that goes into Dolce&Gabbana’s final pieces, embodying the spirit of Fatto a Mano – or hand-made. Showcasing iconic pieces from across their Alta collections and set against a backdrop of spectacular installations, the exhibition also features work by visual artists in dialogue with Dolce&Gabbana’s designs.

Tickets are on sale now starting at $26. You can choose a specific day and time or “anytime” for a supplement. To book tickets click here.

The Palm Beach Group is bringing the inaugural Miami Jewelry & Watch Show to the Hyatt Regency January 8-11. Expect over 100 exhibitors offering jewelry from all genres and ages. To get tickets click here.

Things to do  in January

Another exhibit not to be missed, in Fort Lauderdale at the NSU Art Museum from now to April 2026 is Robert Rauschenberg: Real Time, part of the centennial celebration of the artist’s birth. Hosted in South Florida, the state Rauschenberg called home from late 1970 until his death in 2008, the exhibition features NSU Art Museum’s extensive holdings of experimental prints from the 1970s and his photographs from the early 1950s on loan from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation. Also on view are films by Charles Atlas of Rauschenberg’s set and costume collaborations with choreographer Merce Cunningham. And while you’re there check out the other four exhibits including an islands documentation exhibition of Christo and Jean-Claude.

Make a day of it in Fort Lauderdale and have lunch or dinner at one of my picks for the best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale (click here for the post).

Things to do  in January

You heard it here first! The Funding Arts Network (FAN), which does all the wonderful work of giving grants to the performing and visual arts organizations, and to which I belong, is opening up its January 13 lunch and a great program to non-members. FAN is where friends meet to support the arts by providing grants for music, theatre, dance and visual arts and attending these events together.  For the January 13 luncheon, after check in and mingle at 11 a.m., a buffet  lunch follows and then the program:

The Arts Today and Tomorrow: Gain insight about the cultural landscape from a prominent group of arts leaders, hosted by FAN’s Thea Goldman:

GableStage – Bari Newport, Producing Artistic Director
Miami City Ballet – Gonzalo Garcia, Artistic Director
New World Symphony – Stéphane Denève, Artistic Director
PAMM – Franklin Sirmans, Museum Director

Tickets are $75. Location: Temple Israel of Greater Miami – Wolfson Auditorium
137 NE 19th Street, Miami FL 33132

To reserve, click here: https://fundingartsnetwork.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/fundingartsnetwork/event.jsp?event=1221

Art Deco Weekend, now in its 49th year, returns to Miami Beach January 9-11, offering guided tours of some of the city’s most historic and design-forward art deco structures, including hotels, homes and buildings seen in Hollywood films and popular culture over the past century. PLUS, A “FIRST”: An Art Deco Taste of Ocean Drive, the first-ever culinary series designed to spotlight Ocean Drive’s dynamic dining scene

The iconic curved corners, bold colors and playful geometric patterns of Miami Beach’s more than 800 art deco buildings transport visitors to the glamour of the 1920s and ’30s, making every stroll feel like a scene from a vintage postcard.

Here are Miami Beach’s top art deco activities, architectural icons and ways to experience Art Deco Weekend.

Things to Do During Art Deco Weekend: January 9-11 

Centered on the theme “Celebrating Air, Land & Sea,” the Art Deco Weekend highlights how travel innovations of the 1920s and ’30s helped shape global culture and bring art deco style to Miami Beach’s iconic streets.

• At The Wolfsonian–FIU, curated lectures and talks delve into the intersection of design, transportation and technology, with topics ranging from early seaplane travel to the golden age of ocean liners.
• Entertainment fills Lummus Park with live music, dance demonstrations, and free swing and shag lessons, offering guests a chance to step directly into the rhythm of the Jazz Age.
• Along Ocean Drive, bustling market tents showcase vintage finds, artisan crafts, artwork and local cuisine, creating a vibrant open-air shopping and dining experience.
• Families will find plenty to enjoy as well, from hands-on activities to engaging displays and exhibitions that bring the art deco era to life.

Things to do in January

Experience The Art Deco District 

Greater Miami and Miami Beach celebrates the styles of the 1920s and ’30s in Miami Beach’s Art Deco District, which is home to the nation’s largest concentration of the sleek and bright architectural aesthetic with more than 800 designated historic buildings. The district is located between Fifth and 23rd streets along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue. Visitors can learn more during one of the daily walking tours offered by the Miami Design Preservation League, which provides an introduction to art deco, Mediterranean Revival and Miami modern styles found in the historic district’s hotels, restaurants and other notable buildings. Art deco highlights include the Colony Hotel, the Clevelander South Beach and the Villa Casa Casuarina (the former Versace Mansion).

An Art Deco Taste of Ocean Drive

Art Deco Weekend is getting a delicious new twist this year, as the Ocean Drive Association and the Miami Design Preservation League debut An Art Deco Taste of Ocean Drive, the first-ever culinary series designed to spotlight Ocean Drive’s dynamic dining scene. Throughout the weekend, participating restaurants will offer thoughtfully curated prix-fixe menus ($35 for lunch and $45 for dinner), giving art enthusiasts a chance to experience Ocean Drive’s standout culinary offerings at an approachable value while moving between events. With top restaurants representing a wide range of cuisines, guests can enjoy a true taste of Ocean Drive while taking in the architecture, culture and energy that define Art Deco Weekend.

Art on Ocean Drive

Through January 31, 2026, Galeria Ocean Drive presents 100 Years of Art Deco: A World Celebration in Miami Beach, an open-air exhibition that traces the global reach of the art deco design movement while highlighting Miami Beach’s signature tropical deco style. Featuring more than 100 images from around the world, the installation invites visitors to stroll, snap photos and reflect on the enduring impact of one of the 20th century’s most influential design styles. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Location: Galeria Ocean Drive, Ocean Drive between 11th and 12th streets, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Art Deco Restaurants

J’Adore Miami Beach

The landmark at 1060 Ocean Drive has entered its most seductive era yet with the arrival of J’Adore Miami Beach, a modern supper club and cabaret that honors the building’s past while redefining its future. Constructed in the early 1930s, it first opened as the Bon Air Hotel, a Mediterranean Revival property featuring arches, stucco walls and handcrafted details that exemplified the architectural style that preceded the art deco wave soon to follow. Over the decades, this corner played a role in the city’s evolution from a winter retreat to a cultural capital. Today, the legacy of Old Miami continues with J’Adore’s weekly performances where musicians, dancers, acrobats and more carry forward the timeless spirit of the 1930s with the electricity of modern Miami.

Important: Just advised today that the event is moved to April 23. 

On Monday, January 12, the newly opened Maison Ostrow , will host an intimate evening of music, storytelling, and shared connection: Unplug with Noam Bouskila.

The night pairs a live, unplugged performance by Israeli singer and musician Noam Bouskila with a four-course dinner curated by Chef Olivia Ostrow.

Driven by a lifelong mission to bring light to Jewish communities through music, Noam has spent the months since October 7 balancing two intertwined roles: serving on Israel’s northern border and traveling internationally to strengthen the bond between Jews and Israel through song and story. He has performed for countless Jewish communities worldwide, becoming a beloved and recognized voice in the global Jewish community.

Throughout the evening, Noam will share acoustic performances and personal stories, creating a gathering that feels less like a concert and more like a shared table, with moments that naturally invite guests to sing and dance together.

Event details:
– Maison Ostrow, North Bay Village (1666 79th Street Cswy, Suite 102)
– Monday, January 12, 2026
– 7:00 PM
– $250 per guest + tax (includes four-course dinner and live performance)
– Book here: https://resy.com/cities/north-bay-village-fl/venues/maison-ostrow/events/unplug-at-maison-ostrow-with-noam-buskila-2026-01-12?date=2025-12-18&seats=2