Miami Beach packs four family outings into the weekend of Oct. 24 and 25, from pumpkins on Lincoln Road to a night of Afro-Puerto Rican music at the North Beach Bandshell. All four are on the City of Miami Beach events calendar, and three of them are listed as free.

Saturday: pumpkins under the Euclid Folly

Lincoln Road hosts a pumpkin decorating workshop on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., set up under the Euclid Folly at the Euclid Oval, 660 Lincoln Road. The first 300 children who stop by get a free mini pumpkin to decorate and take home, and there is face painting on the side. It is free, with sign-up through the event's Eventbrite page linked from the city's listing. Questions go to the Lincoln Road organizers at [email protected].

Sunday afternoon: a free day at The Bass

The Bass Museum of Art, at 2100 Collins Ave., opens its doors free for Family Day on Sunday, Oct. 25, from noon to 5 p.m. Families with children of any age can make art in the museum's Creativity Center, where materials are supplied, then work through the galleries with an art explorer guide that turns the current exhibitions into a scavenger hunt: find the piece, answer the question. Each Family Day also includes Art Cares projects, activities built around well-being and emotional expression through art. Details are on The Bass's Family Day page, and the museum answers at 305-673-7530.

Sunday evening: the Boo Bash at Scott Rakow

The city's parks department runs its Boo Bash for Miami Beach residents on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Scott Rakow Youth Center, 2700 Sheridan Ave. The evening has carnival games and rides, a Treats for Tots area for toddlers and young children, and food trucks and vendors selling food.

Wristbands are required for every ride and attraction, including the shuttle bus from the parking lot. The city lets residents skip the line by pre-registering at register.miamibeachparks.com and picking up wristbands ahead of time at the Scott Rakow Youth Center or North Shore Park and Youth Center, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free shuttle parking runs from the Miami Beach Senior High School lot. The youth center's number is 305-673-7767.

Sunday night: bomba and plena at the Bandshell

The weekend ends in North Beach. The 3rd Festival de Bomba y Plena runs Sunday, Oct. 25, from 4 to 10 p.m. at the Miami Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave., and admission is free.

The festival celebrates Afro-Puerto Rican heritage through the music and dance traditions of bomba and plena. Four groups take the stage: D'Pleneros, Los Capullitos de Alelí, JACAREO and Miamibloco. The program also includes an open bombazo, a session built for audience participation, so people in the crowd can join in rather than only watch.

Afro Borinken Roots Performing Group produces the festival, which also includes cultural demonstrations, artisan vendors and family programming. According to the city's listing, it has drawn more than 1,000 people each year since it started in 2024. The Bandshell answers questions at 786-453-2897.

The weekend at a glance

  • Pumpkin Decorating Workshop: Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Euclid Oval, 660 Lincoln Road. Free; first 300 kids get a mini pumpkin.
  • The Bass Free Community Day: Sunday, Oct. 25, noon to 5 p.m., 2100 Collins Ave. Free.
  • MB Parks Boo Bash: Sunday, Oct. 25, 5 to 8 p.m., Scott Rakow Youth Center, 2700 Sheridan Ave. For residents; wristbands required for rides.
  • 3rd Festival de Bomba y Plena: Sunday, Oct. 25, 4 to 10 p.m., Miami Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave. Free.

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