This year marks 20 years since the Swiss fair came to town, bringing with it plenty of art, performances, an increasing tally of crypto-related things, and, yes, an absolutely insane number of parties.
While Art Basel's official dates are December 1-3 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the surrounding parties flow throughout the entire Miami Art Week. And the parties are everywhere and everything, ranging from free public spectacles to ultra-private, invite-only affairs.
Amid hundreds and hundreds of options, here are the ten best parties the general public can attend — invite not required.Elemental with Malaa, Duke Dumont, and Others
Elemental has all the elements for a good time for crypto-loving denizens. Billed as having one of the largest collections of NFTs and with daytime talks focusing on tech, policy, virtual reality, and seemingly everything in between, Elemental nighttime programming will be a time to turn up. DJs slated to perform include masked French producer Malaa (November 30), English producer Duke Dumont (December 1), RL Grime (December 2), and Madeon (December 3). 9 p.m. Wednesday, November 30 through Sunday, December 4 at Elemental Compound, 59 NW 36th St., Miami; elemental.miami. Tickets cost $25 to $70 via elementalmiami.xtixs.com.
Elrow Delusionville at Factory Town
Chug a Red Bull before hitting this sunset-to-sunrise affair. Techno, underground house, and technicolor art aplenty are coming together for Elrow's Delusionville party at the edge-of-Hialeah venue Factory Town. The two-stage festival is the collaborative brainchild of contemporary art icon Ron English, party brand Elrow, and Link Miami Rebels. More than 80 art pieces will be on display as various acts spin, including Barcelona-bred Paco Osuna, England's Cloonee, Dombresky, and De La Swing. 7 p.m. Thursday, December 1, at Factory Town, 4800 NW 27th Ave., Miami; elrow.com. Tickets cost $60 to $232.20 via dice.fm.
Zamna Festival at Island Gardens
Perhaps you've heard of the über-vibey, free-spirited Zamna Festival that has become a staple in Tulum? Well, it's coming to Miami for the very first time in the form of a three-day experience. Whereas the Tulum festival takes place in a jungle-meets-cenote landscape, the Miami version is going down with panoramic water vistas at Island Gardens. It starts with a set by the legendary English electronic duo the Chemical Brothers on December 1. On December 2, Miami fave Diplo will perform. Artbat, CamelPhat, and Mathame will close things out on December 3. 6 p.m. Thursday, December 1 through Saturday, December 3 at Island Gardens, 888 MacArthur Cswy., Miami; zamnafestival.com. Tickets cost $70 to $150 via mrnicevip.com.
Michelob Ultra's Courtside Countdown Challenge at Maps Backlot
A free performance by 21 Savage? Yes, it's true, and it's that 21 Savage with hits like "My Life," "Runnin," and "Rockstar" with Post Malone. The superstar Atlanta-based rapper will perform as part of Michelob Ultra's Courtside Challenge event. In addition to a set by 21 Savage and Miami's own DJ Irie, artist-created NBA team cans will be unveiled, created by the likes of Chuck Anderson, Bigshot Robot, and Eric Elms. For basketball fans, there will be some hoops too. Heat legend Alonzo Mourning and Chris Brickley will face off against fellow legend Gary Payton and WNBA/Los Angeles Sparks player Nneka Ogwumike. 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 1 at Maps Backlot, 301 NW 23rd Street, Miami. Admission is free with RSVP via rsvpify.com.
Pussy Riot at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami
You know who really hated all of Vladimir Putin's bullshit long before it was a global norm? The Russian punk collective Pussy Riot. In what is sure to be one of the most unique musical happenings on planet Earth, the group will perform at ICA on December 2. The show is presented by NFT collective CryptoPunks, which will unveil its piece, Punk #305, at the event. 7 p.m. Friday, December 2 at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, 61 NE 41st St., Miami; icamiami.org. Admission is free with RSVP.
Rakastella at Virginia Key Beach Park
Promising to "make your heart swell," Rakastella is back at Historic Virginia Key. Since its first fest in 2017, this sundown-to-sunrise party — from Innervisions and Life & Death — has kept the warmest of vibes. This year's performers include Diplo, Carlita, DJ Boring, DJ Tennis, Seth Troxler, and Quest. Adding to the inclusive vibes are clubbing collective He.She.They and Miami's Where Are My Keys which will host the event's two stages. 4 p.m. Saturday, December 3 at Virginia Key Beach Park, 4020 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami; rakastella.com. Tickets cost $60 to $140 via ticketfairy.com.
KEEP MIAMI NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started Miami New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami, and we'd like to keep it that way. With local media under siege, it's more important than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" program, allowing us to keep offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food and culture with no paywalls.