Miami may be the only city in America where you know what someone does for their workout better than you know what they do for a living. And do you know why we work out so much? Because of weekends like this, where much of the city shuts down in the name of gluttony for the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. But even if you’re not down to deal with the traffic and triple-digit ticket prices, you’ll still find plenty of ways to stuff yourself silly, whether it’s at St. Sophia’s Greek Festival, a Mardi Gras party, or drinking your calories on National Margarita Day. All that and Jerry Seinfeld highlight the best stuff going on in South Florida this weekend.
Hang out with Thrillist, Guy Fieri, and Dwyane Wade at the SOBEWFF
Friday, February 21 – Sunday, February 23
Various locations
In case the massive tents and pervasive smell of cooking food didn’t give it away, the South Beach Wine and Food Festival is back all weekend! There are literally over 100 events, but the highlights are gonna be Michael Schwartz’s pizza party on Friday, the D-Wade wine and cheese hour Saturday, and of course, Thrillist and Guy Fieri’s Beachside Barbecue on Saturday night.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Play ping pong with chef Jean-Georges
Friday, February 21
Market at Miami Beach EDITION
Though it’s not the eye-popping bargain it was when it started, the annual Ping Pong, Pizzas, and Peroni party is still one of the best festival deals going. You’ll get endless pizza, beer, rose, and lavish desserts, plus the chance to challenge celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten to a game of ping pong from 10pm-midnight.
Cost: $70
Stop sinking into your couch and turn your cooking show binge into a reality along the beautiful sands of South Florida. With over 100 events including happy hours, massive walk-around tastings, bottomless brunches, intimate beachside dinners, and, of course, late night parties -- you’ll have a lot on your plate. Grab your tickets for the events whether packages or single day festivities, with ticket prices starting under $100. Tickets are available at sobewff.org.
Find out what’s the deal with Jerry Seinfeld
Friday, February 21 – Saturday, February 22
Hard Rock Live
You ever watch a rerun of Seinfeld and realize, like, 70% of the observational humor wouldn’t even make sense today? See how Jerry’s updated his act when he takes the Hard Rock Live stage at 8pm both nights.
Cost: Tickets start at $80
Get yourself to the Greek…festival
Friday, February 21 – Sunday, February 23
St. Sophia Orthodox Cathedral
If you’re getting into the gluttonous spirit but don’t wanna drag the kids to a fancy SOBEWFF event, head to St. Sophia’s this weekend for the annual Greek Festival. In addition to epic amounts of gyros, souvlakis, and spanakopitas, there’ll be Greek dancing, Greek crafts, and even lessons in Greek mixology.
Cost: $7
Watch crossfitters actually doing crossfit
Friday, February 21 – Sunday, February 23
Bayfront Park
Everyone you’ve ever heard casually mention they do crossfit after zero people asked will be at Bayfront Park this weekend for Wodapalooza. If you’re unfamiliar with this particular fitness genre, this is your perfect introduction where you’ll watch the best in the world compete in weightlifting, workout competitions, and other feats of fitness all weekend long.
Cost: One-day tickets start at $48
Crush National Margarita Day
Saturday, February 22
Bodega/COYO Taco
Sometimes made up food holidays fall at perfect times. Case in point: This Saturday when National Margarita Day lands on a weekend, and you can get insane marg bargains all over town. The best will be at Bodega, who’s offering BOGO margs from noon-6pm; and at COYO taco who’ll have $5 margaritas all day long at most locations.
Cost: Probably most of your Sunday
Make room for more food with rooftop yoga
Saturday, February 22
W Miami
Odds are at some point this weekend, your stomach is going to need a little vertical stretching. No better place to do it than the rooftop at the W Miami, where Yoga Lab will be running a free class at the WET Deck at 10am, complete with sprawling views of the skyline.
Cost: Free
Collect beads, win a Wharf bar tab
Saturday, February 22
Wharf Miami and Ft. Lauderdale
No need to jump on a plane to New Orleans to do not-fit-for-Instagram stuff for beads. The Wharfs -- both of them -- are running an all-day Mardi Gras party where whoever collects the most beads will be crowned king and queen of Mardi Gras. Winner gets a bottle of Dom, the next two winners get Wharf bar tabs.
Cost: Free to attend, save for your dignity
Watch Moonlight in the city where it’s set
Sunday, February 23
Light Box at the Goldman Warehouse
O Cinema continues to peek its head out throughout Wynwood, this time teaming with the Wynwood Business Improvement District to screen 2016 Best Picture winner Moonlight at 7pm. In case you forgot, the film showcases a side of Miami rarely seen in films: a coming of age story of a young man growing up in Liberty City.
Cost: Free
Attend a family-friendly Mardi Gras parade
Sunday, February 23
Downtown Hollywood
If you’re all about the music, dancing, and outlandish costumes of Mardi Gras, but have kids you don’t want exposed to…well, anything else, head to Downtown Hollywood on Sunday for their annual parade. There’ll be a big crawfish boil, king cakes, crafts, and lots more, beginning at 1pm.
Cost: Free
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