The Flagler Street beautification project in downtown Miami is more than two years in with about another two to go, and last month, residents got a glimpse of what’s to come of it.
The intersection of SE Third Avenue and East Flagler Street came to life Nov. 17, 2023, with a free, live performance by the Miami Symphony Orchestra (MSO), along with a 20,000-piece holiday light installation created by Miami Christmas Lights.
The event was the first of its kind in decades, bringing back a tradition to Miami’s iconic “Main Street” that the city used to hold dear.
(Samantha Morell for Biscayne Times)
Nathasha Bravo sings with Miami Symphony Orchestra during its holiday performance on Flagler Street last month.
“We wanted to bring a holiday tradition back to Flagler Street, which used to happen more than 50 years ago,” said Christina Crespi, CEO and executive director of the Miami Downtown Development Authority (MDDA).
Families, couples and friends swayed and danced to the grooves of MSO’s holiday set list, which included tunes from “The Nutcracker Rocks” score and by Latin favorites such as Gloria Estefan. The symphony is one of the recipients of MDDA’s collaborative grant program, which provides close to $800,000 annually to various organizations to activate downtown with arts and culture.
Hundreds of people gathered on the street to enjoy the Friday evening performance. The thoroughfare functioned as a promenade for the evening and, according to Crespi, it won’t be the last time that it does.
“I always like to say that I envision Flagler Street with this new renovation becoming similar to what Lincoln Road was back in the day,” said Crespi. “There definitely will be more activations and concerts on the street.”
(Miami Downtown Development Authority)
City of Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins and Miami Downtown Development Authority CEO Christina Crespi (L-R) at the Nov. 17 holiday performance.
Over the next month, MDDA will be finishing up renovations on Flagler Street just a block west from where the Nov. 17 performance took place. Construction will then move to the next section from North Miami Avenue to NW First Avenue, which is expected to be completed by 2025. The roads will remain closed to vehicles but open to pedestrians until the entire project is finished.
“We want to kind of visualize what this can become in the future for an event space and a space for all to come out and enjoy, patronize our businesses and bring back the energy into downtown that we’re seeking to create,” said Crespi.
“Downtown Miami’s coming back,” said Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes at the event. “I promise you that.”
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(Samantha Morell for Biscayne Times)
A more than 30-piece orchestra preceded the downtown Flagler holiday light reveal.
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(Samantha Morell for Biscayne Times)
The Nov. 17, 2023, holiday event on Flagler Street restored a Christmas tradition in downtown Miami that hadn't occurred in more than 50 years.