The 47th Annual Art Deco Weekend is happening January 12-14th in Miami Beach. Join us for three days of live jazz, educational lectures, a classic car show, and more – all amidst the endless Art Deco of Ocean Drive and Miami Beach.
In addition to our world-famous Ocean Drive Architectural Tours, festival visitors have a plethora of specialty tours available during the weekend – thoughtfully planned by our volunteer Tour Guides. Tour proceeds support Miami Design Preservation League’s mission to preserve, protect, and promote.
Major funding support is provided by the City of Miami Beach and the Original Miami Beach Antique Show (Jan 11-15). Check out the tours below and book your tickets in advance – most tours will sell out!
Deco Nights and Neon Lights
SAT | JAN 13 ❖ SUN | JAN 14
5:00 pm
Similar to our regular Ocean Drive Tour but focuses on neon lighting. Our Art Deco buildings come alive when the lights go on! Neon lighting has always been associated with glamor and excitement. Learn about the history of neon lighting, its rise, fall, and resurgence.
Jewish Miami Beach Tour
SAT | JAN 13 ❖ SUN | JAN 14
11:00 am
This walking tour explores the rise and fall of the Jewish population of Miami Beach over the past 100 years, including a look at the impact of selected key Jewish individuals and institutions, plus an overview of architectural styles in the southernmost part of the city. Tour starts at the Welcome Center tent and ends at the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, at Third Street and Washington Avenue.
Collins Park Tour
SAT ❖ JAN 13
11:30 am
Starting at one of the grandest of the “Grand Dame” hotels on Collins Ave, the National Hotel, our guide will wind his way through an up-and-coming neighborhood named for one of the earliest founders of Miami Beach. Stroll past storied historic structures by iconic Miami Beach architects. See where WWII Cadet Clark Gable stayed. Find an under-the-radar bar listed as one of America’s best. History, art, celebrity, and architecture are all within a few blocks.
Legends of Lincoln Road
SAT ❖ JAN 13
12:00 pm
Take a stroll down one of Miami Beach’s most famous thoroughfares, once referred to as the “Fifth Avenue of the South.” Discover how geography and history influenced the architecture of Lincoln Road from 1912 to the present and what led to the revitalization of the area we experience today.
Depart from the Albion Hotel
1650 James Ave
Movie Lovers Guide to South Beach
SAT ❖ JAN 13
1:00 pm
We will reconstruct the history of Art Deco and the City of Miami Beach by presenting short movie clips and freeze frames from films to illustrate the ever-changing nature of Miami Beach, its buildings, and its people. “Movie magic” will be dissected with a demonstration of a hard-to-see internal joke and impossible location movements not readily visible to the casual observer.
South Beach Crimes & Scandals
FRI | JAN 13 ❖ SUN | JAN 14
2:00 pm
This tour focuses on illegal activities and shady characters in Miami Beach history. Topics include political corruption, illegal gambling, alcohol during prohibition, and organized crime figures.
‘Mizner’s Dream’ Boat Tour
SAT ❖ JAN 13
4:30 pm
Join us as we enjoy the sunset on a cruise back in time, where we share the history of a once-forgotten swamp and the inspirational people who made Miami what it is today. The cruise will take you up the Miami River to learn about Julia Tuttle and her great achievement of partnering with Henry Flagler to bring the railroad to Miami, Carl Fisher and the creation of the ‘Venice of the Americas’ Star, Hibiscus, Palm, and the Venetian islands. Not to worry for those that want to hear about the modern city. We will also point out celebrity houses as we cruise through the bay.
Spanish Art Deco Walking Tour [FREE!]
SUN ❖ JAN 14 11:00 am
A free Art Deco Walking Tour sponsored by the Miami Design Preservation League. Tour Guide Carolina Isabela, also known as Caro the Tour Guide, will lead the tour around the district. The tour will last between 90 minutes and 2 hours. This tour will be conducted in Spanish.
