Coconut Grove is celebrating its 150th anniversary in January 2023, and you’re invited to the party.

Grove Heritage Month, hosted by the Coconut Grove Business Development District, commemorates the granting of a post office to the village of Coconut Grove in 1873. Now, a century-and-a-half later, Coconut Grove (locals call it “The Grove’’) is one of Miami's most beloved and quirky neighborhoods.

From its early days, the village drew an eclectic mix of immigrants, entrepreneurs, writers, artists and millionaires to live and work among its palm trees, peacocks, historic buildings and lush, tropical landscape. Its history reflects a diverse population including historic Black and Bahamian communities. Come experience Coconut Grove in January 2023 and celebrate all month long.

Coconut Grove offers a month of family-friendly fun this January with events, historical tours, a photo walk and even a treasure hunt. Here are some highlights:

Coconut Grove 150th Anniversary Birthday Party

Friday, January 6

Gather at the intersection of Grand Avenue and the Fuller Street pedestrian road from 5 to 7 p.m. for Coconut Grove’s 150th birthday party with a live DJ, historical reenactors, Bahamian junkanoo performers and free cake. It’s the kickoff of a month-long celebration of Coconut Grove’s role as Miami’s legacy village. Attendees will be invited to address “Postcards to the Future” to themselves – the cards will be mailed to them later in the year as a reminder of their personal reflections and resolutions for 2023.

HistoryMiami Walking Tour with Dr. Paul S. George

Saturday, January 7

HistoryMiami Museum resident historian Dr. Paul S. George and Ingrid E. Argueta, the museum’s Coordinator of Education Programs and Community Engagement, will host a History in the Grove Walking Tour. The two-hour guided stroll starts at 10 a.m. in front of Miami’s City Hall, built in the 1930s as the Pan American Seaplane Base and Terminal Building. You’ll visit the Barnacle (built in 1891) and hear stories about its builder and other community founders including Dr. Horace Porter (who applied to establish the post office that gave the village its name), E. W. F. Stirrup and Mariah Brown and the Beasley, Frow and Pent families. Learn how Bahamian settlers’ expertise with local building materials and tropical plants influenced the culture and architecture of the area. The tour is free, but you must register in advance.

Grove Heritage Celebration at Barnacle Historic State Park

Saturday, January 7

Step into the 1880s at The Barnacle Historic State Park, the former home of Ralph Middleton Munroe, a businessman and yacht designer who was the first commodore of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club. The Barnacle, the oldest house in Miami-Dade County standing in its original location, is now the Munroe House Museum; visit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for tours ($3 per person) with guides in historical costumes. Rangers will lead 30- to 45-minute guided nature trail hikes (the park is known for great birdwatching) through the tropical hardwood hammock at 1 and 3 p.m. Bring your camera; families will have a “historic photo op” from noon to 4 p.m. to don costumes and pose in an antique boat, so set your camera for a black-and-white shot to get that old-time look.

Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove Celebrates Grove Heritage

Tuesday, January 17

The Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove will present “Ladies of the 1880s,” an evening celebrating the founding women of Coconut Grove and the history of the club (established in 1891) with historical costumes, a video and refreshments. The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on January 17. Lifetime Coconut Grove resident John Nordt will speak about “Some Early Coconut History.” Reservations are requested.

Coconut Grove Arts Festival Poster Unveiling

Thursday, January 26

Stop by the CocoWalk shopping center and get a sneak peek at the 2023 poster for the Coconut Grove Arts Festival celebrating its 59th year in February.

More Coconut Grove Happenings in January

The Barnacle Historic State Park is closed on New Year’s Day but you can take a ranger-guided 1.5-mile First Day Hike of downtown Coconut Grove locations that have a historical connection to the Munroe family. The tour begins and ends at the front gate of the park at 11:30 a.m. on January 1, free with paid park entry. While you’re in town, join the fun at the King Mango Strut Parade on January 8 and browse the all-vegan SEED Food & Wine Festival Day at Regatta Park from noon to 6 p.m. on January 28.

Getting To and Around Coconut Grove

Coconut Grove lies south of Downtown Miami and east of U.S. Highway 1 (South Dixie Highway). It hugs the shore of Biscayne Bay from the Rickenbacker Causeway in the north, to North Prospect Drive in the south. If you’d prefer not to drive, you can take Metrorail or Metrobus to get there, then use the Coconut Grove Trolley to get around.