Holiday Wonderland Opens
December 1 - 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tour the elegant and historic houses of the Deering Estate, all decked out with holiday accents and decorations created by local garden clubs. On display through the month of December, the estate is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the last tickets sold at 4 p.m. Participating garden club members, students and teachers have used thousands of handmade ornaments, and yards and yards of ribbon and garland to decorate the Richmond Cottage and Stone House. Explore the beautifully landscaped grounds and historic buildings at your leisure or take one of the guided house tours daily at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. or tour the natural areas at 12:30. All tours are free with Estate admission, $12 for adults and & for children (4 to 14); free for Foundation members.

Deering Estate at Cutler
16701 S.W. 72nd Avenue, Miami
305-235-1668, Ext. 233

Art Basel Miami Beach enters its ninth year and brings with it a swarm of satellite art fairs and parties that envelope the entire city.  From Fairchild to Wynwood, the Design District, MiMo, Brickell, Downtown, Mid-Town, North Beach and South Beach, all of Miami-Dade is ready to host inarguably the largest convergence of people from the international art world to descend upon a single locale for the entire year.

For a kid-friendly basel event, visit the Sanrio Pop Up Tour (the makers of Hello Kitty) celebrating their 50th anniversary at Art Basel. 

Click here to learn more about this cultural and social highlight of Miami.


Wine Down Wednesday
Wednesday, December 1 at 5 p.m.

Head over to HistoryMiami (formerly the Historical Museum) after work and enjoy a glass a wine, live music provided by Bob Bannen and socializing with other professionals. Free for HistoryMiami members and $5 for non-members. RSVP by email or phone. rsvp@historymiami.org

HistoryMiami
101 W. Flagler Street, Downtown Miami
305-375-1614 RSVP

Miami Cougar Convention
Thursday, December 2 at 7:30pm

Florida is known for the panther and its cougars--the four-legged female in her sexual prime. Yes indeed, a massive gathering of Mrs. Robinsons will scout young lads, ready to dance and maybe pounce. Then you'll want to show up at the Embassy Suites Miami International Airport Hotel at 7:30pm and admire the latest in leopard print fashion and draw inspiration from the keynote address "Younger Men/Older Women: The Ideal Combination".

Miami Cougar Convention, Thursday, 7:30-11:30pm, $20, 415-507-9962

 
Pillow Fight
Saturday, December 4 at 7 p.m.

Local celebs, socialites, artists and designers have created a collection of one-of-a-kind throw pillows to be auctioned off to benefit Care Resource. The pillows, by celebrity designers Olivia Wilde, Sarah Silverman, Alec Mapa, Kourtney Kardashian, to name a few, will be displayed in a silent auction during an evening of cocktails, food and surprise entertainment. They're fun - from quirky to elegant - and for a good cause. Admission is free.

Baltus Collection
3925 N. Miami Avenue, Miami Design District
305-575-2620

What the Dickens - Holiday Festival and Gift Bazaar
Sunday, December 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Enjoy a holiday festival of music, merriment, madness and more at Pinecrest Gardens' Charles Dickens-themed Holiday Festival and Gift Bazaar. This all day extravaganza will feature the works of Charles Dickens and other performers with a Victorian Twist - Oliver Twist, that is. Join in for a day of shopping and food amid choirs, craft artisans, puppeteers, mimes, bag pipers, theatrical performances, holiday bell ringers and a special performance of Dickens', A Christmas Carol on the newly constructed stage located in the Banyan Bowl. The Gardens open with the lighting of a Christmas tree and close with the lighting of a Hanukkah Menorah. Admission is $5, children under 5 are free. Click here for the schedule.

Pinecrest Gardens
11000 Red Road, Pinecrest
305-669-6990

Coconut Grove Snow Day
December 4, December 11 (Saturdays)

The arrival of Santa by Rickshaw and Frosty the Snowman signals the winter season upon us. Free snow cones and free caricature drawings for everyone. Petting zoo and antique fire truck. In the spirit of the season, please consider bringing a new unwrapped toy to benefit city run daycares.

Location: Virginia Street, 11am - 2pm