Arts venues may be closed or operating at minimal capacity due to the COVID-19 precautions, but that doesn’t mean you have to forego those treasured holiday traditions like “The Nutcracker” and symphony concerts.
Local arts organizations and performers are taking their holiday activities outside in an effort to end 2020 with warm memories under South Florida skies:
George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker in the Park”
Miami City Ballet is performing George Balanchine’s signature work under the stars in Downtown Doral Park, 8395 NW 53rd St. in Doral, Dec. 18 – 31. From a socially-distanced pod on the lawn, audiences will be transported into the dream of a brave little girl named Marie and an enchanting world of Sugar Plum Fairies and dancing sweets. Reimagined for the outdoors, Tchaikovsky’s score will swell and all the iconic moments unfold through a combination of live performances and animation and video sequences on a giant screen. Tickets start at $120 for a four-person pod at MiamiCityBallet.org.
Sounds of the Season at Dezerland Park
On Saturday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m., the New World Symphony will be performing orchestral favorites in a drive-in style concert at Dezerland Park, 14401 NE 19th Ave. in North Miami. Chad Goodman and Dean Whiteside will conduct Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on “Greensleeves,” Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s suite from “The Nutcracker” and other familiar holiday tunes. Load up the car, tune the radio and enjoy the live performance on Dezerland’s 16x38 foot LED screen. After the concert, head inside for go-kart races, games and more. Tickets are $50 per vehicle at NWS.edu.
Holiday Artisan Market at Flamingo Gardens
COVID-19 has definitely put a damper on holiday shopping, unless you’re satisfied with the online experience. Flamingo Gardens, 3750 S Flamingo Rd. in Davie, is hosting a holiday artisan market on Sundays, Dec. 20 and 27 from 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Located in the park’s entrance courtyard, the market features handcrafted jewelry, bags, pashminas and accessories, candles and soaps, carved wood items, suncatchers, organic fabric children’s clothing, gourmet vinegar sets, gourmet foods and more. Admission to the market is free and purchases include a coupon for discounted admission to the park. More information at FlamingoGardens.org.
Jingle Jazz with Jamie Christmas Spectacular
Jazz pianist Jamie Lober will perform Christmas classics on Saturday, Dec. 26 at 2 p.m. at Royal Fiesta Event Center, 1680 SE 3rd Ct. in Deerfield Beach. Lober, who began studying piano as a young child at the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, is a regular performer at restaurants, bars, theaters and concert halls across South Florida and cites Whitney Houston, Ella Fitzgerald, Melissa Etheridge, Fleetwood Mac and Cher as her musical influences. Lober promises a fun afternoon of reinvented holiday classics enjoyed in the center’s scenic Intracoastal Waterway location. The concert is free, but due to social distancing guidelines, reservations are requested at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
