This holiday season, locals and visitors alike can experience a series of dazzling spectaculars of music and light as the Miami Beach Holiday Festival of Lights takes to South Beach December 1 through December 23.
Presented by the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival (MMF), a nonprofit dedicated to providing affordable, world-class musical instruction and groundbreaking performance experiences to young artists and the South Florida community, these first-of-their-kind live musical performances will feature cutting-edge projection-mapping technology where intricate lighting designs and captivating visuals overlap, turning some of South Beach’s most iconic building façades into interactive exhibits with vibrant imagery. Every surface during these awe-inspiring productions will become a living canvas as the projections play off the buildings’ various shapes and textures in perfect unison with the rhythm of the music.
Performances will take place over three weekends at three South Beach locations:
• Lincoln Road’s Euclid Oval: Dec. 1 & 2 at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. o Attendees can expect beloved holiday characters, including Santa Claus, the Grinch and Elsa; snow for kids to play with; a live orchestra; and more.
• The Gabriel South Beach: Dec. 15 & 16 at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. o Watch in awe as the projection mapping visuals span all buildings of the hotel.
• The Betsy Hotel: Dec. 22 & 23 at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. o Enjoy a captivating holiday show featuring a blend of music, lights and project mapping.
Produced by Michael Rossi, MMF founder and artistic director, with the support of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority and the City of Miami Beach, the Miami Beach Holiday Festival of Lights will span a diverse range of genres, promising to captivate audiences of all ages while celebrating the rich tapestry of international holiday traditions.
“We are excited to showcase our all-new holiday productions featuring state-of-the-art projection-mapping technology at some of South Beach’s most iconic locales,” said Rossi. “These performances will transport viewers into a world of mesmerizing visuals and live music, creating a unique experience for audiences of all ages. We can't wait to share it with our community and visitors alike.”
"In this inaugural year, Miami Beach shines even brighter during the Miami Beach Holiday Festival of Lights,” said David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Conventions & Visitors Bureau. “The magical display of music and lights is a perfect reflection of what Miami Beach represents – a vibrant, dynamic, and welcoming destination that celebrates the joy of the holiday season like no other. We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival for creating this enchanting program that brings our community together and captivates visitors from around the world. It's moments like these that make Miami Beach a truly special place to be during the holidays."
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, MMF is South Florida’s first immersive symphony and opera experience and the first theatre company to implement 360-degree projection mapping technology in a live performance. Previous state-of-the-art project-mapping performances included a Valentine’s Day performance at the Betsy Hotel and several summertime performances at the Faena Forum as part of MMF’s annual six-week summer festival.
MMF has plans for more performances in 2024 starting June 8 through July 28, including 4 full operas, 3 symphony concerts, and several Opera Aria, Zarzuela, and Chamber concerts in the summer, including “The Magic Flute” by W.A. Mozart and “Die Walküre” by Richard Wagner, and an immersive symphony concert.
For more information about the Miami Beach Holiday Festival of Lights performance schedule and other event details, visit miamimusicfestival.com.
