Insider’s Guide To the Miami Book Fair’s Street Fair

The popular street fair of the Miami Book Fair is this weekend from Friday through Saturday at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, 300 NE 2 Ave. Above, a photo from last year’s Street Fair. (Photo courtesy of MDC/Miami Book Fair 2024)

Music, hands-on activities for kids, and plenty of books – that’s the recipe for the second weekend of the annual Miami Book Fair. 

The popular street fair at the 42nd Miami Book Fair, which takes place Friday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 23, once again features booksellers and publishers, a writer’s row, and an artisanal marketplace lining the Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus.

Here are some insider tips to make the most of it.

Saturday Early-Bird Activation: Author sessions begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, but arriving early has its perks. The first 100 fairgoers to arrive by 9 a.m. will receive a free cup of coffee from Spillmug Coffee, courtesy of Focus Features’ upcoming film “Hamnet.” 

The Book Fair’s mini music festival, Off The Shelf features DJs and live music, literary events and performances, art exhibitions and games and a food and drink court.

Highlights for Friday, Nov. 22, include music from Turntable Sharks (10 a.m.), Miami Beach Rock Ensemble (12:15 p.m.), West Little River Marching Band (1 p.m.). Saturday’s line up includes Miami Girls Rock Camp (10:15 a.m.), Bop Shop Brass (11:15 a.m.), Shira Lee (4:15 p.m.), and Colombian-American singer Itawe (6:15 p.m.). On Sunday, it’s the Jazz Collective (10:30 a.m.), Yacht Rock Miami (12:30 p.m.), and closing out the day is The French Horn Collective (6 p.m.). That’s just a sampling. See the complete schedule at Off The Shelf

Sprinkled in with the musical groups is Typewriter Dreams: Teen Poetry Open Mic hosted by The Biscayne Poet at 11:30 a.m. on Friday and The Biscayne Poet himself, Oscar Fuentes, at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.

[RELATED: Oh, So South Florida: Authors at the Miami Book Fair]

The Children’s Alley at the Miami Book Fair’s Street Fair is one of the main attractions. (Photo courtesy of MDC/Miami Book Fair)

Children’s Alley: The Children’s Alley gets bigger and better each year and this year, there’s a brand-new Innovate! Canopy, a digital playground for kids.

Some of the highlights of Children’s Alley this year include, the Chill Zone with Frost Science (11:30 a.m., Friday), a percussion workshop where making noise is encouraged (noon, Friday), be a Lego engineer (2:30 p.m., Saturday) and battle robots. (4:30 p.m., Saturday).

Get all the details of the Children’s Alley here.

Insider’s Tip: Visit the Info Booth to pick up a Wordsmith Passport and complete activities around Children’s Alley to earn stamps and redeem for a free book.

Download the Miami Book Fair guide to map out the three street fair days:  www.miamibookfair.com/downloadable-guide

WHAT: Street Fair at Miami Book Fair

WHERE: Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, 300 NE 2 Ave., Miami.

WHEN:  Gates open at 9 a.m., events and strolling begins at 10 a.m. through 7 p.m.

COST:  Free, Friday, Nov. 21; $12 admission at the gate Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23, $7 senior (over 62); $5 for teens (ages 13 to 18); Children ages 12 and younger admitted free and for Miami Dade College students, faculty and staff with valid ID. Multi-day tickets are $18, $12 and $8.

INFORMATION: miamibookfair.com/street-fair-hours-and-admission

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