Welcome to your community calendar. It's your one-stop shop to finding out about events taking place around your community. We have everything to help you make the most of your free time, from festivals and fundraisers to music and museums.
Events are listed on a monthly basis. Most are free or low cost to the public.
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Now – Jan. 8
Lantern Light Festival
Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo
10901 SW 24th St. (Coral Way)
Miami
Time: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The festival offers a spectacular evening of dazzling lights, colors, shapes and themes. The entire family can enjoy and experience the majestic skills of the world's finest lantern makers.
Cost: Tickets start at $19; free admission for children under age 2
For more information, visit lanternlightfestival.com.
December 2016
Drugs: Cost & Consequences Exhibit
Museum of Discovery & Science
401 SW Second St.
Fort Lauderdale
Time: Museum hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Presented by the Drug Enforcement Administration, this 4,000 square foot, nationally traveling exhibit offers a local, global and historical view of the many costs and consequences of drugs on society. It's designed to open the eyes to the science behind drug addiction and the damaging impact of illegal drugs. It provides youth and adults a unique learning opportunity and a chance to be part of the solutions in their communities.
Cost: Included with museum admission cost; adults $15, children 2 to 12 $13, children 1 and under free
For more information, visit mods.org.
Thursday, Dec. 1
National Career Fairs Hiring Event
Miami Airport Marriott
1201 NW LeJeune Road
Miami
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Miami City Career Fair will feature hundreds of interview and job opportunities, as well as a chance to meet employers face-to-face.
Cost: Free
For more information, visit nationalcareerfairs.com or call 877-561-5627.
Thursday, Dec. 1 to Saturday, Dec. 4
Visions of Our 44th President Barack Obama Exhibition
Lyric Theater Cultural Arts Complex
819 NW Second Ave.
Miami
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South Florida kicks off its 40th anniversary with this special event. The exhibition displays life-sized busts of our nation’s first African American president designed, painted and/or embellished by 44 contemporary African-American artists from across the U.S.
Cost: $20 general admission; $15 Seniors 62+; $15 students; free Admission for Black Archives members, active U.S. military with ID and kids age 6 and under
For more information, contact Jessica Garrett Modkins at 305-970-1518.
Friday, Dec. 2
Noches Tropicales
Tropical Park
7900 SW 40th St. (Bird Road)
Miami
Time: 8 p.m.
Bring a picnic basket and a blanket and enjoy an evening under the stars as you listen to this FREE, Latin music concert. Latin Grammy Winner Pepe Montes y su Conjunto will be performing. The concert is part of the Noches Tropicales (Tropical Nights) series presented by Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces.
Cost: Free admission and parking
For more information, please visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/concert-series.asp or call 305-271-0812.
Wednesday, Dec. 7 to Sunday, Dec. 11
South Beach Jazz Festival
Various locations
4101 Pine Tree Drive
Miami Beach
Time: Various
With each musical performance, the first annual South Beach Jazz Festival will offer a medley of melodies and syncopated rhythms resounding from a stage on Euclid Circle. The festival will also showcase the artistry of at least one person with a disability. The sheer talent of the artists will promote the festival's primary goal, to define others by ability rather than disability.
Cost: Various
For more information, visit sobejazz.com.
Saturday, Dec. 10
Holiday Signing Stories
West Dade Regional Library
9445 Coral Way
Miami
Time: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Waving Hands, a nonprofit which benefits the deaf and hard of hearing, will host Holiday Signing Stories. All-time favorite Christmas stories will be read and interpreted in sign language for all to enjoy. There will also be fun activities, face painting, giveaways and an opportunity to donate a new, unwrapped toy.
Cost: Free
For more information about the event and Waving Hands, call 786-505-7926 or email info@wavinghands.org.
Saturday, Dec. 10
Family Holiday Event
Key Biscayne Beach Park
The intersection of E. Enid Drive and Ocean Drive
Key Biscayne
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Chief Press Foundation and Miami Children's Initiative invite you to this event which will offer lunch, games and fun for the entire family. Each household will receive one free turkey and every child will receive a toy.
Cost: Free
For more information, call 305-361-2770.
Saturday, Dec. 10
Christmas Near the Beach
Arts Park at Young Circle
1 Young Circle
Hollywood
Time: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
This can be a history-making event. Join Christmas Near the Beach for a chance to break the Guiness Book of World Records for "most people caroling." The caroling is a pre-event to the family-friendly Christmas festival which features music, drama and a free photo with Santa. Register to be a team leader and bring 50 people to historic Downtown Hollywood.
Cost: Free
For more information, visit christmasnearthebeach.com.
Saturday, Dec. 10
Nicole Henry – 4th Annual Winter Concert
Colony Theatre
1040 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach
Time: 8 p.m.
Enjoy the soothing sounds of musical artist Nicole Henry at this concert to benefit the Miami Children’s Initiative.
Cost: Tickets start at $30
For more information, call 1-800-211-1414 or visit colonymb.org.
Sunday, Dec. 11
Free Gospel Sundays – Miami Mass Choir
Adrienne Arsht Center
John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall
Miami
Time: 5 p.m.
As the center's resident choir, Miami Mass Choir, together with Adrienne Arsht Center, invite audience members to enjoy this invigorating fusion of traditional, contemporary and multicultural styles of gospel music. The stirring performance is in celebration of the group's new album.
Cost: Free
For more information, call 305-949-6722 or visit arshtcenter.org.
Saturday, Dec. 17
Hope For Tomorrow Foundation – Family and Community Fun Day
Homestead Air Reserve Park
27401 SW 127th Ave.
Homestead
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Families and the entire community will gather to enjoy food, games, music, mental health awareness, health awareness, holiday giveaways and so much more. This event will also help families and individuals identify what benefits they may qualify for and how to apply for them.
Cost: Free
Saturday, Dec. 17 to Sunday, Dec. 18
Miracle on 112th Street
Kendall Community Church of God
8795 SW 112th St.
Miami
Time: Saturday 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Kendall Community Church of God will transform its campus into a marketplace that will showcase a live performance telling the story of the miracle of Jesus's birth. The marketplace will provide a fun and memorable experience for all, adults and kids alike, as they explore replicas of places that were said to be found in Bethlehem. Visit the shops and see vendors display wares and goods from that time period. Witness real-life dramas in the center of town. Enjoy the adult and children's choirs and become immersed in this Biblical time.
Cost: Free
For more information, call 305-274-3072 or visit kendallcog.org.
Monday, Dec. 26 to Sunday, Jan. 1
Miccosukee Indian Arts and Crafts Festival
Miccosukee Indian Village
Mile Marker 35 on US Highway 41 (8th Street)
Miami
Time: All day
The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians is hosting their 42nd annual Arts and Crafts festival, where visitors will experience a full day of fun and educational entertainment. Presented in a traditional everglades environment, the festival will boast the very best in Native American arts and crafts, live music and dance. Enjoy a full day of shopping and delicious Native American Cuisine while you bounce between cultural artifacts and ethnic stage performances that are sure to put a smile on your family's face.
Cost: Adults: $12.00 per ticket; Children (7-12): $6.00 per ticket. 6 years and under are FREE; Seniors (65+): $6.00 per ticket; Teachers, Students, Police Officers and all Emergency Response Personnel (with Government Issued ID): $8.00 per ticket; Group Offer (10 People or more): $8.00 Per person/Ticket
Please call (305) 552-8365 for more information and pricing.