The best June events in Miami

For a long time, Miami had politely excused itself from partaking in annual World Pride Month celebrations. By June, the Miami sun is already hot enough to melt off even the most seasoned drag queen’s full face—and who wants to plan a parade in the midst of hurricane season? Besides, New York pretty much has the East Coast covered when it comes to Pride festivities, and April’s Miami Beach Pride is a fun way to kick everything off. At least, this had been the thinking from 1995 until around five years ago, when Wynwood Pride was born. The annual Pride celebration on the mainland stands defiantly in the face of heat waves, tropical storms and gay flight to Fire Island, boldly asserting: We’re here, we’re queer and Miami’s LGBTQ+ community deserves the world—including a proper World Pride celebration alongside everyone else. The concept was to create a more music and performance-driven atmosphere in the heart of Miami’s booming arts district that appealed to different ages and underserved groups. “The core belief was to be a Pride for everyone,” says Liza Santana, Wynwood Pride’s founding spokesperson. When is Wynwood Pride 2025? Don we now our gay apparel. Wynwood Pride is almost here! The annual LGBTQ+ festival kicks off June 1 with the always fabulous official pool party at Arlo Wynwood, featuring music by DJs Janky (Chicago) and Miguel Clark, plus drag performances from Gia Gunn (RuPaul’s Drag Race icon), FKA Twink and Persephone Von Lips. Later this month, look out for...

The NYC-imported Smorgasburg, Miami's largest outdoor food market, returns to its Wynwood outpost for a new season featuring over 40 vendors (including 10 new concepts) and more shaded areas for noshing. Graze from a variety of local street foods, international fare, healthy options and inventive creations from the likes of Acai Way, Korean Kitchen, Kabuki Soba, The Lazy Oyster, La Picaña Grill, Lechona Truck, Tio Paella, Puro Chocolate, Cool & Creamy Truck and more. Hours have shifted from 2 to 10pm every Saturday and Sunday this summer.

Think of it as a fun foray into an exciting new technology—or a harbinger of the imminent robot takeover. Either way, this new exhibition at Frost Science aims to fascinate with four thought-provoking sections that trace the evolution of AI and feature everything from research to artistic collaborations. Curated and organized by the City of London’s Barbican Centre and co-produced by Groningen Forum, Netherlands, AI: More Than Human presents works by leading artists, scientists and researchers, exploring what it means to be human, the definition of consciousness, the ethics around AI and whether machines will ever outsmart us.

Miami graffiti legend Jona Cerwinske flips the script on failure in Dog Ate My Homework, his new solo show opening on June 7th at the Museum of Graffiti. Instrumental in Wynwood's genesis as a street art mecca, Cerwinske brings his signature black-and-white, super-detailed aesthetic to a playful, immersive exhibition that reimagines classic classroom excuses as bold, satirical masterpieces. Curated by Alan Ket, the show merges street culture and contemporary art while exploring blame, creativity and the beauty of imperfection. A free opening party on Saturday, June 7th includes music by DJ Top Cat, drinks at the Modelo bar and artist-Levi's Trucker jackets while supplies last.

Back in the mid-aughts, Wynwood Art Walk emerged as a grassroots effort to bring together the local creative community through once-monthly late-night gallery hours and flowing drinks. For a while, it was quite the scene—scrappy, DIY and always fun. Though today's Wynwood looks vastly different, the neighborhood still vibrates with creative energy, and the museums and galleries that call it home would very much like to remind you of this fact. Which is why Wynwood Art Walk is officially reborn this summer. Starting on June 14th and every second Saturday after, spend the evening exploring Wynwood's renowned art spaces, immersive installations and live street art, with free access to Wynwood Walls, Gerez Gallery and the Peter Tunney Experience—plus reduced admission at ARTXSPACE and Paradox Museum. This Saturday, head to the Museum of Graffiti to catch a live mural painting with Peruvian artist Entes, plus wine and refreshments.

Tuesday and Saturday nights are prime times to get an authentic taste of Miami's vibrant salsa scene at La Pachanga, a free live music and dance party in the heart of Little Havana. The historic Calle Ocho venue opens up its doors, spilling the sounds of Miami's best salsa bands onto the streets as revelers sip excellent mojitos and take to the wooden dancefloor. Ball & Chain also hosts free salsa and bachata dance classes regularly (check their website for the latest schedule), so you can brush up on your moves—or just watch the pros do their thing as they twirl and gyrate around the crowds.

Pack a picnic blanket or lawn chair and stake out your seat on the lawn to enjoy a soothing live performance set to the backdrop of a gorgeous sunset over the Atlantic. This Sunday, June 8th, the free weekly concert at Lummus Park (between 14th Street and 14th Place) hosts renowned ensemble La Trova Lírica Cubana, known for their commitment to preserving Cuba’s rich vocal traditions at prestigious venues across Europe and the U.S. If it's raining, the show will be relocated to the nearby Betsy Hotel.

Lest we need another reminder that Miami summers really bring the bugs out, Fairchild is throwing a larger-than-life celebration of our six-legged friends from May 23rd through September 28th. From towering robotic sculptures to a walk-through butterfly pavilion and AR selfie station, hands-on bug encounters and interactive trails, this family-friendly exhibit zooms in on the tiny world of bugs. Select dates will also include the Bugs on Parade insect runway shows, Wander & Glow illuminated nighttime trails, Bug Bites & Brews 21-plus tastings and Big Bug outdoor movies under the stars. Included with general admission; free for members.

If you're looking for a trippy light show the whole family can enjoy, there's nowhere better than the Frost Planetarium’s 67-foot dome. Every month, they host a night filled with mind-boggling visuals, music and fun, with a different theme every hour. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for kids ages four to 11. Refreshments and light snacks are available for purchase in the Main Atrium until 10pm. May 10: K-pop, Taylor Swift, Daft Punk and Bad Bunny June 13: Elton John, Queen, Lady Gaga and David Bowie July 12: ABBA (new show), Fleetwood Mac and Red Hot Chili Peppers 

Rev your engines! The legendary RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars returns for its 10th season, and Willy's Neighborhood Bar in Wynwood is throwing weekly watch parties to catch all the action. Miami's own glam queen Patent Pending hosts on Friday nights with DJ Lagrimas de Oro on the decks and a Drag Race Happy Hour kicking off at 6pm (giving you ample time to get lubed up before the show at 8pm). For a full-throttle night, stick around after the credits for Friday Night Lights in the backyard.