October Best Bets: Haunted Birdhouse, The Biltmore Halloween Party, and More
Haunted Birdhouse Scavenger Hunt
All throughout October, join Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for its kid-friendly Haunted Birdhouses event, included with your general admission ticket. Daily from 10 am to 5 pm, follow spooky clues to find the 13 haunted birdhouses throughout the Garden and fill out your map for a chance to win a family membership to Fairchild. Tickets are free for children under six, $11.95 for children under 18, $17.95 for seniors, and $24.95 for adults.
10901 Old Cutler Rd
305.667.1651
fairchildgarden.org
Free Kids’ Piano Lessons
The latest community offering from one of our favorite performance venues in the Gables is here, as Sanctuary of the Arts is now offering free piano lessons for elementary-aged students on Thursdays from 3 to 4 pm. The group classes are in partnership with the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and will be held at St. Mary’s Church. Email musicreach@miami.edu to secure your child’s spot.
136 Frow Ave
786.362.5132
Email: musicreach@miami.edu
A Signing with Rupi Kaur
No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Rupi Kaur is coming to Books & Books on Oct. 9 at 6 pm to sign copies of her 2014 poetry collection “milk and honey,” the self-published book that launched her into fame with over six million copies sold worldwide. Hailed as “the writer of the decade” by The New Republic, Kaur is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of “milk and honey” in Coral Gables. For $25, guests will receive a deluxe 10th anniversary edition of the book and a chance to have it signed. The new version of the book features a new chapter of poetry, a new introduction, and a collage of behind-the-scenes photos.
265 Aragon Ave
305.442.4408
Tickets at booksandbooks.com
A Brief History of Western Music
Florida’s GRAMMY-nominated vocal ensemble Seraphic Fire is kicking off its 2024-2025 season with a performance of “A Brief History of Western Music” at the Church of the Little Flower on Oct. 11 at 8 pm. Under the direction of Patrick Dupre Quigley, a GRAMMY-nominated conductor, producer, and arranger who has worked with celebrities such as Shakira and Lady Gaga, this concert explores western musical eras, ranging from the Medieval era all the way through contemporary times. Tickets range from $45 to $65.
2711 Indian Mound Trail
305.446.9950
seraphicfire.org
Matheson Hammock Beach Clean-Up
On Oct. 12, Keep Coral Gables Beautiful is partnering with Phade, a company whose all-natural, compostable straws have revolutionized the fight against plastic, to host a beach and mangrove cleanup at Matheson Hammock from 9 am to 11 am. Volunteers will have the opportunity to receive exciting products and gift cards from Phade and students can receive volunteer hours. Take the step to eliminate litter from our beautiful coastal areas by registering at miamidadeparks.com today!
9610 Old Cutler Rd
305.619.4258
miamidadeparks.com
Creature from the Black Lagoon
The classic horror flick from 1954 is back, celebrating its 70th anniversary at the Coral Gables Art Cinema Oct. 12 and 13. Perfect for the Halloween season, and one of the stranger love stories from the world of kitsch black & white scream movies. Tickets $10 to $12.
260 Aragon Ave
786.472.2249
Gablescinema.com
Trails and Trials Centennial Concert
Featuring the University of Miami’s first centennial commission, a work by Dorothy Hindman, as well as Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hänsel und Gretel Suite” and Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Fifth Symphony,” the Frost Symphony Orchestra takes the stage at the Gusman Concert Hall on Sat., Oct. 19 to bring these iconic works to life. At 7:30 pm, conductor Gerard Schwarz and the orchestra will premiere Hindman’s work, the first of six new works created to celebrate the university’s centennial throughout this season and next. Tickets range from $10 to $20 and can be found at events.miami.edu.
1314 Miller Dr
305.284.2241
events.miami.edu.
Napoli Nobilissima: Art and Music in 18th Century Italy
Art and music lovers will enjoy this spectacular lecture and performance on 18th century Italian art and music on Oct. 22 from 7 pm to 9:30 pm at the Lowe Art Museum. Located on the University of Miami campus, the event features a lecture from Lowe Curator Dr. Jill Deupi on “The Martyrdom of Saint Catherine,” an 18th century Neapolitan painting by Giacinto Diano . There will also be a performance featuring 18th century Italian music by Illuminarts, a Miami-based organization that collaborates with museums and galleries to present curated music programs. Tickets are $15 for general admission and free for Lowe members.
1301 Stanford Dr
305.284.3535
lowe.miami.edu
The Biltmore Halloween Party
Coral Gables’ most haunted landmark is back to celebrate the spooky season with its annual Halloween Party on Oct. 26 from 8 pm to 1 am. The 11th edition of the soiree will feature an open bar, dinner, and, of course, a costume contest. Categories include Best Couple, Most Creative (must be handmade), and Best Group (max six people). Winners will receive exclusive Biltmore certificates. Tickets are $300 and can be bought at eventbrite.com
1200 Anastasia Avenue
855.969.3080
Best Reason to Leave the Gables: South Beach Seafood Festival – October 23rd through October 26th
The South Beach Seafood Festival is back for the 12th year in a row! Brought to you by Breakthru Beverage and partners, this festival is a curated showcase of all the culinary talent and divine seafood offered up in South Florida. Guests can kick off stone crab season by enjoying the four blocks of pop-up cafes, bars, games, music, and cooking demonstrations, all while walking along iconic Ocean Drive. Runs from Oct. 23 to 26 all day. For more information on specific events, ticket prices and packages, go to sobeseafoodfest.com.
Lummus Park, 14th Street and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
305.255.3500
check out our best bets to make the most of the season.