November 2018 Miami Events, Holidays and Festivals

With the cooler weather approaching and hurricane season behind us, November is a great time to head outdoors. Beaches are still balmy but the scorching days are over.

November in Miami, still tropical, balmy and beautiful

Migrating birds are making their way back and manatees will be looking for the warmer waters, our National Parks will be teeming with wildlife soon.

Miami in November celebrates several exciting festivals and holidays: a weekend of NASCAR racing and the Miami Book Fair are back this year.

The Concert and Entertainment Calendar is busy this month with Elton John, Marc Anthony, Travis Scott and Ozuna in town. Broadway comes to Miami with two smash hit musicals, Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I and Hello, Dolly!...

In sports, the Dolphins, the Canes, the Panthers and the Heat are well underway in their regular seasons.

Thanksgiving is upon us and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! From tree lightings to enchanted forests, the holidays are here!

This Month's Miami Highlight Events:

NASCAR Ford Championship Weekend - November 16 - 18, 2018
Miami Book Fair International - November 11-18, 2018
Coconut Grove Food & Wine Festival - November 24, 2018
NightGarden Magical Light Spectacular at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens - November 23 - January 6, 2019
Miami Lantern Light Festival - November 30, 2018 - January 20, 2019

The concert and entertainment scene in November 2018 features:

Booking.com

Tracy Morgan - November 3, 2018 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina with Pitbull, Nicky Jam, Becky G, Steve Aoki, Nacho & Farruko - November 3, 2018 at AmericanAirlines Arena
Twenty One Pilots Bandito Tour - November 4, 2018 at BB&T Center
Snow Patrol - November 6, 2018 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra - November 8, 2018 at Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Travis Scott - Astroworld - Wish You Were Here Tour - November 11, 2018 at AmericanAirlines Arena
Drake & Migos - November 13-14, 2018 at AmericanAirlines Arena
Marc Anthony Legacy Tour - November 16, 2018 at AmericanAirlines Arena
Gipsy Kings - November 16, 2018 at the Fillmore
Top Of The World - A Tribute To The Carpenters - November 17, 2018 at Aventura Arts & Cultural Center
Stephen Stills & Judy Collins - November 18, 2018 at the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King And I - November 20 - December 2, 2018 at the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Hello, Dolly! - November 20 - 25, 2018 at the Ziff Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center
Banda MS - November 23, 2018 at AmericanAirlines Arena
Ozuna - Aura Tour - November 21, 2018 at BB&T Center
Elton John - Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour - March 16, 2019 at BB&T Center and November 24 at AmericanAirlines Arena
Fonseca & Bacilos - November 29, 2018 at AmericanAirlines Arena

Concerts and Sport Tickets Savings

TicketNetwork

Holidays in November

Veterans Day - November 11, 2018, this year observed on Monday November 12
Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 22, 2018, Thanksgiving Day is a public holiday and also the "unofficial" start to the Holiday shopping season. Some stores and malls will be opening on Thanksgiving Day, ahead of highly anticipated "Black Friday", THE shopping day of the year. If you don't like crowds, stay away from shopping malls these days!

In the Sports Calendar:

NASCAR Ford Championship Weekend - November 16 - 18, 2018
Miami Heat Basketball Schedule - November 2018 Home Games and Tickets
Miami Dolphins Football Schedule - November 2018 Home Games and Tickets
Miami Hurricanes College Football Schedule - November 2018 Home Games and Tickets
Florida Panthers Hockey Schedule - November 2018 Home Games and Tickets

Specially for kids and families This November 2018:

Miami Book Fair International - November 11-18, 2018
Santa's Enchanted Forest - November 1, 2018 to January 6, 2019
NightGarden Magical Light Spectacular at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens - November 23 - January 6, 2019
Christmas Tree Lighting at Bayfront Park - November 23, 2018
Harry Potter and The Goblet Of Fire - In Concert - November 24, 2018 at the Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center
Koo Koo Kanga Roo - November 13, 2018 at Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King And I - November 20 - December 2, 2018 at the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Miami Lantern Light Festival - November 30, 2018 - January 20, 2019
More Things To Do With Children!

Coming Up: Hot Tickets Now On Sale

Candlelight Concerts

Several Venues
Select Dates

Miami City Ballet: The Nutcracker

Adrienne Arsht Center
December 13 - 24, 2024

Andrea Bocelli

Kaseya Center aka Miami Heat Arena
December 22, 2024

November 2018 Highlight Events in Miami

NASCAR Ford Championship Weekend

A must weekend for NASCAR afficionados, featuring three season ending championship finales in the sport's top three national series:

Camping World Truck Series
Nationwide Series
Sprint Cup Series

And it's all happening here in South Florida at the Homestead Miami Speedway.

When?: Friday through Sunday November 16 - 18, 2018
Where?: Homestead-Miami Speedway, 1 Speedway Boulevard, Homestead, FL 33035
How Much?: Single Day Tickets $35 - $140, Two and Three-Day Packages also available.

›› NASCAR Ford Championship Weekend

Miami Book Fair International

The Miami Book Fair International produced by the Center for Literature and Theatre at Miami Dade College is one of the nation's finest literary gatherings. It is 8 days of book parties, readings, street fairs and the highlight "Festival of Authors", which with over 350 participating renowned names in the literary world, who knows who you will run into this year?

But it's more than reading and books, lots of activities are planned also for kids including arts-and-crafts and theater events.

Last year's highlights included an appearance by former Vice President Joe Biden to discuss his memoir, Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship and Purpose. This year's authors include Laura Esquivel, Tina Brown, Liane Moriarty, among many others.

When? November 11 - 18, 2018. The Street Fair is Friday through Sunday November 16 - 18, 2018. Many events are held throughout the week.
Where? Miami Book Fair International * Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, 300 NE Second Ave., Miami, FL 33132
How Much? Tickets are needed for the Street Fair and the "Evenings With..." series author presentations.
Tickets for the Street Fair:
Friday, November 16 - FREE
Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18: $10, children (13-18) $5, seniors +62 $5, FREE for children under 12 and Miami Dade College students, faculty and staff with valid ID

More Info, tickets, confirmed authors and schedule of events: www.miamibookfair.com

Coconut Grove Food & Wine Festival

Explore and sample Coconut Grove's Newest Restaurants, Famous Chefs, and Caterers while enjoying being on beautiful Biscayne Bay at Coconut Grove's biggest culinary event of the year! What's on? Delicious Restaurant samplings, Fine wine & spirits tastings, Rum Bars, Craft beer, Culinary Demos...

Lots of family entertainment including a Kid's Zone, Doggies Bark in the Park Contest, Waiters' Race, Miami Cuban Sandwich Smackdown Contest and a Holiday bazaar featuring many local exhibitors and vendors.

Live music line up this year includes Blues Revival & VIVA Rock & Roll.

When? Sunday, November 24, 2018 - 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Where? Peacock Park at 2820 McFarlane Road in Coconut Grove
How Much? General Admission $25, individual sample dishes available for sale, prices $3+
VIP $75 includes unlimited sampling on-site from all participating restaurants, complimentary liquor, wine and non-alcohol drinks from all beverage tents, complimentary wine glass, and goodie bag.
Check out Groupon Discounts: General Admission ~~$25~~ $13, VIP ~~$75~~ $55

More Info, tickets: www.coconutgrovefoodandwine.com/

NightGarden a Magical Light Spectacular

NightGarden Magical Light Spectacular at Fairchild

An enchanted, illuminated experience full of fantasy and wonderment where things like the Wise Talking Tree, Flying Fairies and a Sunflower Maze come to life.
Come and marvel at unbelievable live effects such as holographic butterflies and floating orchids throughout multiple acres of dazzling magic.

When? Select dates November 15, 2024 to January 12, 2025
Where? Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens at 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL 33156
How Much? Weekday prices starting at $25.60. General Admission $41, Children 10 and under $26. Discounts for Fairchild members, students, senior, military, group (min. 6) bundle available.

More info and tickets, get 20% off: Nightgarden Magical Light Spectacular

Miami Lantern Light Festival

A spectacular evening of dazzling lights, colors, shapes, and themes.

The Lantern Light festival is a six week celebration of Chinese culture featuring massive lanterns, inspiring performances, and incredible cuisine.

Each Chinese lantern is custom-built by Chinese artisans and typically takes four weeks and a team of seven to complete.

The lanterns are handmade from hundreds of pieces of silky cloth. Some are over 30 feet high and others are up to 300 feet long.

When? November 30, 2018 to January 20, 2019 - Thursdays through Sundays 5:00 - 10:00 pm, Fridays and Saturdays open until 11:00 pm
Where? Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds at 10901 SW 24th Street,Miami, FL 33165
How Much? Adults $23, Children (3-12) $18, Seniors and Active Military $20, Children activity packages and group packages available.

You can get discount tickets for general admission and children activity packages at Goldstar, you must be a Goldstar member but membership is FREE! Just sign up it's worth the savings!

More Info, tickets: www.lanternlightfestival.com

Holidays in November

Veterans Day - a Public Holiday - November 11, 2018 (Observed November 12, 2018)

This is a public holiday observed every year on November 11 to honor all those men and women who have served in the armed forces.

This is different from Memorial Day, celebrated in May, which honors those who have died while serving the country.

This year, November 11, 2018 falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed the following Monday, November 12, 2018

Federal government offices and schools are closed on Veterans Day.

You can expect the following to be open and closed on Monday:

Closed

Government Offices
Schools
Post Offices
Banks
Public Libraries

Open

Shopping centers and malls
Grocery Stores
Restaurants
Federal, State, Regional Parks
Public Transportation (check for special holiday schedules)

Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 22, 2018

Thanksgiving Day is a public holiday observed every year on the fourth Thursday in November.

This holiday has its roots in the early pilgrim days as a celebration to the end of a fruitful harvest season.

For many americans it means time with family, turkey and mashed potatoes, a weekend of football, and naturally, the shopping.

Here are this year's most popular Thanksgiving Weekend and Holiday Season events and celebrations in Miami.

Miami Concerts and Entertainment this November 2018

Twenty One Pilots - Bandito Tour

When? Sunday, November 4, 2018 - 7:00 pm

Where? BB&T Center, Sunrise

How Much? $67 +

›› Find Twnety One Pilots Tickets

Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra

When? Thursday November 8, 2018 - 8:00 pm

Where? Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts

How Much? $60+

›› Find Ottmar Liebert Tickets

Travis Scott - Astroworld - Wish You Were Here Tour 2018

When? Sunday November 11, 2018 - 7:30 pm

Where? AmericanAirlines Arena

How Much? $48+

›› Find Travis Scott Tickets

Marc Anthony Legacy Tour 2018

When? Friday November 16, 2018 - 8:00 pm

Where? AmericanAirlines Arena

How Much? $108+

›› Find Marc Anthony Legacy Tickets

Top Of The World - A Tribute To The Carpenters

It's Yesterday Once More when Debbie Taylor and her band bring the unforgettable, exquisite music of The Carpenters to the stage.
The warmth and tone of Debbie's vocals are so reminiscent of Karen Carpenter, at times you'll think you're listening to Karen herself!
This very talented and accomplished group of musicians bring to life the most authentic versions of the songs. Performing many memorable hits like "We've Only Just Begun", "Close to You" and "Rainy Days and Mondays", this show is a MUST SEE for any and all Carpenters fans.

When? Saturday, October 13, 2018 - 7:00 pm
Where? Aventura Arts & Cultural Center
How Much? $48+

›› Find Top of the World Tickets

Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King And I

When? November 20 - December 2, 2018

Where? Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts

How Much? $40+

›› Find Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King And I Tickets

You can get discount tickets for The Kind and I at Goldstar, ~~$55.25 - $85.25~~ $34 - $64, you must be a Goldstar member but membership is FREE! Just sign up it's worth the savings!

Hello, Dolly!

Rolling Stone calls it "a must-see event. A musical comedy dream. If you're lucky enough to score a ticket, you'll be seeing something historic. Wow, wow, wow, indeed!"

Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Betty Buckley stars in HELLO, DOLLY! - the universally acclaimed smash that NPR calls "the best show of the year!" Winner of four Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, director Jerry Zaks' "gorgeous" new production (Vogue) is "making people crazy happy!" (The Washington Post).

When? November 20 - 25, 2018
Where? Ziff Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center Miami
›› Find Hello, Dolly! Tickets

Ozuna - Aura Tour

When? Wednesday November 21, 2018 - 7:00 pm

Where? BB&T Center, Sunrise

How Much? $90+

›› Find Ozuna Tickets

Elton John Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour

Elton John's most anticipated 300-date Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour will bring him to South Florida early on the round this November on what is expected to take about 3 years to complete. If you can't catch him this time around, he will be returning in March 2019 for a second appearance in South Florida.

After almost 50 years of performing, he has amassed fans all over the world, and he expressed the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour is his chance "to say thank you to all my fans around the world and then to say goodbye"

Two South Florida performances:

When? Friday, November 23, 2018 - 8:00 pm
Where? BB&T Center, Sunrise
How Much? $90+
›› Find Elton John Tickets at BB&T Center

When? Saturday, November 24, 2018 - 8:00 pm
Where? AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami
How Much? $90+
›› Find Elton John Tickets at AmericanAirlines Arena

Miami For Kids And Families This November 2018

Santa's Echanted Forest

The largest Christmas-Themed Amusement Park and Carnival is back with its millions of dazzling lights, South Florida's tallest christmas tree, and the carnival rides for little ones and those wanting a little more extreme.
Santa's new home in Doral is bigger than ever with more than 40 acres of attractions, plus 3 entrances and expansive parking. It is a huge sprawling lively event, just coming to see the lights is worth the trip. Tons of entertainment for kids and families round it all up.
There are the many live shows, games, magic acts, mazes, all sorts of rides, from carrousels to roller coasters and drop towers and of course, the carnival food!

When? TBA November 2024 to January 2025
Where? 7400 NW 87th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33166
How Much? TBA, last year Adults (9-64) $44.86, Children (3-8) and Seniors 65+ $36.45. Season Passes, military discounts, group discounts and express passes available.

More Info: Santa's Enchanted Forest

Christmas Tree Lighting at Bayfront Park

The official kick off to the holiday season in downtown Miami takes place the day after Thanksgiving as Bayfront Park unveils its 50-foot tree covered with glittering lights.

The countdown to the tree lighting is accompanied by cheery holiday music, so come and take a break from the shopping and enjoy the spirit of the holidays.

When? Friday, November 24, 2017, tree lighting at 7:00 pm
Where? Bayfront Park 301 N. Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132
Where to Park?: There is limited, paid parking at Bayfront Park. You can also park at Bayside Marketplace nextdoor or take the Metrorail to the Government Center Station then transfer to the Metromover Inner Loop to Bayfront Park.
How Much? FREE!

More info, Directions and Parking: www.bayfrontparkmiami.com