What began as a popular holiday to raise awareness of South Beach’s movement to preserve its plethora of neglected Art Deco buildings and hotels, has grown into the largest celebration of historic structures from the 20s, 30s and 40s era. Today, Art Deco weekend has evolved to include musical performances, fashion shows, walking tours, film screenings, lecture cycles and vintage cars. Over 400,000 people attend each year and it is a must-see event for locals and tourists alike.
Initially, the push to recognize South Beach’s Art Deco architecture was spurred on by activists Barbara Baer Capitman, John Capitman, and Leonard Horowitz, who founded the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL) in 1976. Two years later, the first edition of the Deco Art Festival was held, which was actually a week-long event. As the festival grew, so did the preservation movement, and since 1992, South Beach’s Art Deco buildings are no longer in danger.
This victory, however, has not meant the end of the festivities related to Art Deco. On the contrary. The annual celebration features a multitude of albums and multiple events. For a weekend each January, Ocean Drive is closed to traffic as vendors sell antiques, artwork, photography, funnel cake and even vintage clothing. There’s an impressive display of vintage Art Deco cars at the southern end of Ocean Drive, evoking the bygone era with sleek lines and oversized headlights. It’s a festival in every sense of the word, and some complain that the event has become too commercialized.
True lovers of Art Deco prefer to delve into the more “serious” events that surround the weekend, that is, the cycle of conferences. As every year is thematic, speakers highlight the finer points of the theme.
Another component of Art Deco Weekend is the Music Festival, which is led by Music Director Doug Wimbish, who selected live musicians to jazz over the evening. There are also a number of films, with films of the appropriate era such as “Annie”, “Chicago” and “The Great Gatsby”. And the fashion component, which was introduced in 2011, has proven hugely popular, with local designers presenting Art Deco-style clothing inspiration during a fashion show.
Of course, the best way to appreciate South Beach’s Art Deco treasures has to offer is to see them up close. There are several walking tours offering the whole weekend, all led by local architects, historians and conservators. Through these tours, you’ll gain a better understanding of the unique features of Miami’s art deco architecture and its significance. In addition, there are themed tours that span the entire Art Deco district through the lens of organized crime, gays and lesbians, Lincoln Road, Jewish Miami, neon lights, Espanola Way, and even a “tracking” cocktail.
All told, the weekend is a true appreciation of how South Beach’s Art Deco architecture has impacted the waterfront tourist destination. This streamlined style of buildings was influenced by the sea, sand, foliage and climate. Today, due to the hard work of the MDPL, Ocean Drive, and the surrounding streets, it is radiant with the neon and pastel colors of these colorful buildings. South Beach has the highest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the United States, and the Art Deco district was understandably placed on the National Register of Historic Places for this very reason.
Whether you’re coming for a story or architecture lesson or just to have fun, guests at Art Deco Weekend always enjoy the era appropriate antiques, clothing, automobiles, fashion, music and overall atmosphere. The three-day event is free and family-friendly, with plenty of activities for kids. There’s also a festive atmosphere, with many restaurants on Ocean Drive offering food and drink specials. Since Ocean Drive is closed to vehicular traffic, there is ample space to enjoy the sights and sounds of the event. It is also a great opportunity to make a whole day of it, between the various conferences, live concerts, shops, people watching, food stalls and sailing.
Art Deco Weekend is a unique Miami-style evening, and you can expect to see drag queens, stilt walkers, tourists and locals. There is a happy atmosphere that permeates the whole weekend. It’s considered one of the highlights of our annual calendar, and for good reason.