Gear up, art and boat lovers. This year’s Presidents Day weekend will feature a crossover between two of the Biscayne Corridor’s most anticipated events, taking you directly from the canvas to the sea.
Art Wynwood and the Miami Boat Show will take place side by side Feb. 14-18, 2024. The art show will be borrowing the traditional venue of sister fairs Art Miami and CONTEXT Art Miami to interlink with the boat show at One Herald Plaza, located next to I-395 and overlooking Biscayne Bay.
“There is great crossover between art collectors, art enthusiasts and boat lovers,” said Art Wynwood director Julian Navarro in an email to the Biscayne Times. “The combined efforts of both events in such close proximity provides a full day of culture for guests.”
Miami Boat Show
(Courtesy of Miami Boat Show)
The world’s largest yachts will be on display at the 2024 Miami Boat Show.
The Miami Boat Show, known as the largest boat and yacht show in the world, is back for its 80th year with more than 1,000 boats on display. The show typically boasts more than 100,000 attendees and an economic impact of $1.34 billion. This year should be no different.
The One Herald Plaza site is enough to excite watercraft lovers with featured powerboats, motor yachts ranging from 30 to 125 feet, yacht tenders, engines, marine accessories and retail pavilions. Attendees will recognize some of their favorite luxury brands, including Viking Yachts, Sanlorenzo and Ferretti.
The entire show, however, extends further along the corridor, with five additional locations showcasing their own particular selection of products.
(Courtesy of Miami Boat Show)
The Miami Boat Show will exhibit more than 1,000 boats.
The main event will take place at the Miami Beach Convention Center, for which Andrew Doole, president of U.S. Boat Shows, says tickets have already sold out, as out-of-towners flocked to secure theirs during advanced sales. The convention center will exhibit a series of boats up to 49 feet long, new electronics and major manufacturers from the U.S. and Europe. Those going can also be on the lookout for national and world premieres.
Just outside the convention center and available to anyone with a general admission ticket will be the Progressive Boat Show Experience at Pride Park. Here, attendees can expect an “AquaZone” hosting a variety of water sports and innovative marine products; an interactive learning center, offering advice and tips for fellow boat owners and enthusiasts; educational seminars on fishing techniques and fish species; and, of course, food and drinks.
Venetian Marina is where individuals can test drive up to 75 trial vessels, while Museum Park Marina is all about the sailboats, including catamarans and sailing accessories.
Lastly, SuperYacht Miami at Yacht Haven Grande Miami will feature an exclusive look into the world’s largest yachts, some of which are more than 200 feet long.
“I think we’ve got some fabulous product for people to come and see – all of the new boats that are premiering, lots of world premieres and national premieres. You’ve got the best of all the U.S. manufacturers exhibiting at the show, so it’s an incredible event happening here in Miami,” said Doole.
Additionally on Feb. 16, Yachting Ventures and Seaworthy Collective are hosting an inaugural Blue Startup Pitch event, showcasing global startups in the ocean and maritime innovation spaces, presentations from keynote speakers and panel discussions. A series of judges will then evaluate the pitches, linking innovators with potential investors and funding sources.
(Courtesy of Informa Markets)
Enthusiasts who flock to Art Wynwood each year will have to go downtown this month instead.
The show will also feature an electric pavilion presented by EVOA Propulsion, which will give attendees a first look at the latest in electric-powered boats, outboards and sustainable products.
Art Wynwood
Just feet away from the boat show, Art Wynwood will be presenting its 11th edition, beginning with an exclusive VIP preview Feb. 14 before opening up to the public Feb. 15.
This year’s show will honor visual artist Peter Tunney with the Art Wynwood Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award. Local residents may recognize Tunney’s work if they’ve ever been to Wynwood Walls, where the artist has maintained a gallery for the past eight years. Tunney’s will be the first work attendees see as they enter through the fair entrance, where an outdoor mural will greet incoming guests.
The 2024 exhibitor list had not been released by the time this publication went to press, although the 2023 rendition featured more than 50 displays.
(Courtesy of Informa Markets )
Art Wynwood organizers believe there is great crossover between art collectors and boat lovers, prompting the relocation of the 2024 event.
How to Get There
Both Art Wynwood and the Miami Boat Show are promoting Brightline as a mode of transportation to each event, but for those who prefer to drive, Doole suggests parking on the mainland where parking is more readily available.
The boat show will also be offering water taxis or shuttles between each of the event’s six locations. Additional advice on where to park can be found on each of the show’s websites.
Adult tickets to the Miami Boat Show range from $43 to $550, while Art Wynwood tickets range from $26 to $230. VIP tickets for each include one-day general admission to the neighboring event.
Other Events in Town
The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is also happening President’s Day weekend. Celebrating its 60th year, this legendary juried art show goes on for blocks – if you go, wear your walking shoes.
If the Gay8 Festival in Little Havana is your annual holiday weekend event, it’s been unfortunately canceled this year, but promises to be back in 2025.
Then get your palate ready for the South Beach Wine & Food Festival happening Feb. 22-25. Read all about it in Boulevard Living, just a few pages away in this edition of the Biscayne Times.