Art Deco Weekend

Art Deco Weekend returns for its 49th edition, transforming Ocean Drive into a celebration of all things design, culture and community on Jan. 9-11, 2026. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Air, Land & Sea,” explores how technology revolutionized travel in the 1920s and 1930s, which impacted how art traveled across continents. This shift created ripples of change that brought the iconic Art Deco style to South Beach, shaping the local design culture over the past 100 years.

Art Deco Weekend 2026 is a free festival showcasing vintage exhibitions, architecture tours, lectures, family-friendly activities and more. Join over 50,000 visitors to soak in the cultural heartbeat of South Beach. Admire the pastel yellows, pinks and blues on Art Deco buildings throughout the Collins Avenue/Ocean Drive Shopping District as you notice the nautical themes and geometric patterns characteristic of Art Deco architectural design.

Hosted by the Miami Design Preservation League, Art Deco Weekend in Miami was created in 1977 to highlight Art Deco architecture during the organization’s largest education outreach program of the year while also showcasing its historic preservation initiative throughout the destination.

Festival Theme And What To Expect Event Schedule

While the full schedule of events will be available in December, there’s plenty to get excited about to start planning your Art Deco Weekend experience now. This year’s theme explores how the monumental shifts in transportation in the early 20th century contributed to the travel boom, driven by airplanes, automobiles and cruise lines.

Miami Beach blossomed as a travel destination thanks to this revolution, which helped bring the Art Deco style from its creative hometown in Paris to the shores of Greater Miami & Miami Beach. The architectural style of Art Deco mirrored the innovative momentum of its time through its sleek, modern and aerodynamic design present in South Beach today.

During Art Deco Weekend, watch immersive lectures on the intersection of design, architecture and transportation, including:

• Stories of the historic airport that was once located at Miami Beach City Hall, where Art Deco elements were infused into the design of the former Pan American Airlines Seaplane Terminal
• The age of Transatlantic ocean liners and cruises that brought travelers from Europe, Latin America and the northeastern U.S. to the tropical destinations that helped shape local culture
• How the Art Deco hotels and design elements throughout the destination attracted a new wave of global visitors far beyond the roaring ‘20s

With at least three lectures on Saturday and two more on Sunday at The Wolfsonian - FIU, there’s plenty of educational experiences to learn all about Art Deco during the weekend-long festival. Enjoy live music and performances at the Lummus Park stage on Friday evening for the VIP experience and Saturday evening to visit vendors, antique shows and interactive experiences for all ages.

Brief History Of Art Deco In Miami Beach

Before heading to Art Deco Weekend, brush up on some Art Deco history to amp your excitement for the festival. Art Deco architecture originated in France in the 1910s and emerged in places like New York, Shanghai and Miami in the 1920s as a creative response to the post-war era. By the 1930s, the destination was becoming widely known for its retro yet modern style.

After World War II, many Art Deco hotels and buildings faced demolition in the 1970s as architectural trends started shifting to more modern, large-scale urban renewal projects. Determined to preserve the neighborhood, the Miami Design Preservation League was founded in 1976.

Their efforts led to the designation of the Art Deco Historic District, which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Shortly after, Art Deco Weekend began in 1977, and has now become a cornerstone for preserving and showcasing the architectural gems in the historic district while educating thousands of visitors each year about the destination’s architectural legacy.

Get ready for Art Deco Weekend with our guide to the Art Deco Historic District.

By: Zebrina Edgerton-Maloy | October 30, 2025