Explore South Beach’s iconic architecture and celebrate the 1920s during Miami Beach’s Art Deco Weekend in January.

The whole world recognizes Miami Beach’s glamorous Art Deco Historic District from movies and television, but locals and visitors to Greater Miami & Miami Beach can step right into the picture and join the celebration of this cultural gem during the 46th edition of the Miami Design Preservation League’s Art Deco Weekend, taking place January 13-15, 2023.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Art Deco Worldwide,” honoring the World Congress on Art Deco, coming to Greater Miami & Miami Beach April 20-28.

The Art Deco Historic District is bounded by 6th and 23rd streets, and stretches from the Atlantic Ocean almost to Alton Road, including Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The first nationally recognized 20th-century urban neighborhood in the United States, it contains more than 800 structures dating to the 1920s and 1930s. But these aren’t museum pieces – they’re vibrant buildings that are home to hotels, housing, shops and world-famous restaurants.

Activities during Art Deco Weekend center around the Art Deco Welcome Center and Museum, housed in the city-owned Ocean Front Auditorium building. The center is the hub for activities and walking tours during the three-day celebration and throughout the year. The museum presents permanent and special exhibitions about Mediterranean Revival, Art Deco and Miami Modern (MiMo) – architectural styles you’ll find throughout the district.

Highlights of Art Deco Weekend Events

Reservations are recommended for tours.

Artisan Market takes place on Ocean Drive between 5th and 10th streets. Admission is free. Noon to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Ocean Drive Architectural Tour is a walking tour of up to two hours introducing Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival and Miami Modern (MiMo) architecture within the historic district. The tour begins at the Art Deco Museum and Welcome Center. General admission is $35; $30 for seniors, military and students with ID. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday; 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday; and 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

“Radio Waves: Miami Beach and the Golden Age of Radio” is an exhibition at the Art Deco Museum and Welcome Center. General tickets are $5; free for Miami-Dade residents. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“Hidden in Plain Sight” is a walking tour to explore “Hotel Names, Bas Reliefs and Terrazzo Floors – Art Deco Secrets Hiding in Plain Sight” in Art Deco buildings in the district and explain their historical and political context. The tour begins at the Art Deco Museum and Welcome Center. General admission $35. 1 p.m. Saturday.

Deco Nights and Neon Lights Walking Tour highlights the neon lighting that’s a hallmark of Art Deco style. The tour begins at the Art Deco Museum and Welcome Center. General admission is $35. 4 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday.

Jewish Miami Beach Tour is a walking tour that looks at the impact and architecture of the Jewish population of Miami Beach over the past 100 years. The tour begins at the Art Deco Museum and Welcome Center and ends at the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. General admission is $35. 11 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.

Flamingo Park Walking Tour concentrates on the Art Deco multi-family apartment buildings in the Flamingo Park neighborhood. The tour (up to three hours and 2.5 miles) begins at the Art Deco Museum and Welcome Center. General admission is $35, with proceeds going to the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association. 10 a.m. Sunday.

By: Casey Kendall | December 22, 2022