Miami's warm weather and appetite for good times mean a packed calendar of events year-round. The only time things really wind down is the hottest dog days of summer (which is also hurricane season) although even then monthly parties are still a popular way of blowing off steam.
Book a trip to this glamorous city now during the winter months, when Miami is at its best. Cooler temperatures and winter sunshine is the perfect antidote to the winter blues. Here are our picks for the best time to go to the jewel in Florida's crown any month of the year.
High Season: November to March
Best for festivals and outdoor events
The warm, dry weather and festivals draw in tourists from all over the country. This is Miami's liveliest time of the year so expect higher prices galore and packed locales.
Shoulder Season: April to June
Best for celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community
Not as muggy as summer, but lusher and greener than winter. Not as many tourists but a slew of Pride events means there’s plenty to do. And as far as hotels and airfares, you’re sure to snag a deal.
Low Season: July to October
Best for indoor artsy activities and budget travelers
When it’s not as hot as an oven, there are storms: it’s hurricane season. Prices will be at an all-year low, but be sure to check the weather forecast before booking a trip during this time.
Enjoy the thriving culinary scene or take in a show or two – the annual International Ballet Festival of Miami is held from the last week in August to mid-September.
January
The beginning of the new year is also the height of the tourist season. Expect fair weather, crowds, higher prices than usual, and a slew of special events.
Key events: Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, Art Deco Weekend, Miami Jewish Festival, Miami Marathon.
February
The last hurrah for northerners escaping the harsh winter, February brings arts festivals, street parties and excellent wildlife-viewing in the Everglades.
Key events: Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Original Miami Beach Antique Show, South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Virginia Key Grassroots Festival.
March
Spring arrives, bringing warmer weather, world-class golf and tennis festivals, and St Patrick’s Day. Expect to see some Spring Breakers behaving badly on the beach.
Key events: Carnaval Miami, Miami International Film Festival, Ultra Music Festival.
April
Welcome to shoulder season: lower prices, balmier temperatures and some choice events. This is Miami’s best transition period between winter crowds and summer swelter.
Key events: Miami Beach Gay Pride, Wynwood Life, MiFo LGBT Film Festival.
May
Spring in South Florida can either mean pleasantly subdued heat or sweaty soup. This is when mosquito season begins in earnest in the Everglades.
Key events: Aqua Girl, Sizzle, Miami Museum Month.
June
In June, the real baking heat and wet humidity begins in Miami, and the events calendar tones down a little as a result.
Key events: Goombay Festival Coconut Grove.
July
Not only is it hot, but it’s also hurricane season. Yay! But seriously, this is a good time to visit. There are fewer crowds and locals are friendlier and more accessible to tourists.
Key events: Independence Day.
August
August is sweltering and it's the deepest dip in the low tourist season. Many Miami residents head to cooler climes for a break from the humidity.
Key events: Miami Spice.
September
The weather is still steamy, and fall brings back college students – expect lots of revelry in the university hoods such as Coconut Grove and Coral Gables.
Key events: International Ballet Festival of Miami.
October
Temperatures drop a little though it's still balmy and the threat of a hurricane is always in the air. Still a great chance to luck out with excellent weather, small crowds and lower prices.
Key events: BK Beach Run, South Beach Seafood Week
November
Tourist season kicks off at the end of the month, bringing more crowds and cooler days. Festival time starts in earnest with the White Party.
Key events: White Party, Miami Book Fair International.
December
Tourist season is in full swing. Northerners book rooms well in advance so they can bask in sunshine and be here for holiday festivities.
Key events: Art Basel Miami Beach, King Mango Strut, Art Miami, Orange Bowl, New Year’s Eve.
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