Thousands of tourists will descend on South Beach this weekend for Urban Beach Weekend and Miami Beach Police are reacting with police-state-like tactics.
If that makes you want to skip town, check our guide to 12 quirky getaways just a short drive from Miami.
If all that special event action excites you, read on for the best things to do this weekend.
Check out this party guide to Memorial Day weekend as well as our around town live blog and indie cinema roundup.
Ed Ruscha
Through September 2
MOCA
Admission: $5
Artist Ed Ruscha inserts Jack Kerouac excerpts in the foreground before his stripped American landscapes. From snow-capped mountains to foggy skies, Ruscha's visions help preserve the mystique around Kerouac's enigmatic phrases.
Ayikodans
Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.
Arsht Center's Carnival Studio Theater
Tickets: $25
After rebuilding from the Haiti earthquake 2 years ago, the Ayikodans dance troupe is returning to Miami to celebrate its 25th season at the Arsht Center.
Best of the Best
Sunday, noon
Bicentennial Park
Tickets: $45 to $99
The all-ages music fest includes Shaggy, Mavado, DJ Khaled, Marcia Griffiths, Fabolous, Admiral Bailey, Iwer George, and French Montana, among others.
Memorial Day Comedy Fest
Sunday, 8 p.m.
James L. Knight Center
Tickets: $38.50 to $98
Comedians Tommy Davidson, Faizon Love, and Michael Blackson grab the mike at the Knight Center for Memorial Day laughs.
Nineties Homecoming
Sunday, 10 p.m.
The Vagabond
Tickets: $10
The Vagabond hosts their second annual 90s Homecoming with The Bailouts playing covers from the decade.
Miami Bike Prom
Sunday, 8 p.m.
Government Center
Free
Emerge Miami hosts its third Bike Prom, starting at Government Center and wheeling its way to The Vagabond. Prom get-ups encouraged. See footage of the original bike prom:
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Monday, 11 a.m.
O Cinema
Tickets: $10.50 per screening or $25 trilogy pass
Get out your elf ears and Arwen crowns and slip that gold ring onto your finger for O Cinema's marathon Memorial Day screening of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.