Technically On Break

The Culture Edit is On Holiday!

Author

Susan Bannon
December 14, 2025

This is a reminder that the newsletter is on a short holiday break, returning in the new year when things get rolling again.

But as long as we’re here… I might as well lay out the (admittedly few) things on the cultural calendar for the next couple of weeks. I hope you get a chance to enjoy some of them or just revel in a little recharge time over the holiday.

See you in 2025!

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Dance

Miami City Ballet’s The Nutcracker

The quintessential Christmas spectacular, Miami City Ballet’s The Nutcracker has it all: gorgeous sets with a stunning snow drop, sumptuous costumes, Tchaikovsky’s glorious score, and some thrilling dancing by MCB’s precise, energetic dancers. Plus, it’s just a lot of fun, with a new immersive pre-show “Journey to the Land of Sweets” this year. If you need to put yourself in the holiday mood, look no further.

December 12th-28th, Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Arsht, $53-$264

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

Nearby Eats: Mignonette, Yamashiro, Casadonna | Drinks: Klaw, ViceVersa

Dance NOW! Miami: Winter’s Breath

Dance NOW! Miami presents a dash of cold winter air with Winter’s Breath, a company repertoire work set to Max Richter’s dramatic recomposition of Vivaldi, along with Ave Maria, a 1914 work by modern dance icon Isadora Duncan. Special guest performers, New York-based company Jon Lehrer Dance Company, will present Here in Eden, a poetic duet featuring Ricardo G. Barrett and Cristiana Cavallo.

Friday, December 19th, 8:30pm, Sanctuary of the Arts, $15-$25

Neighborhood: Coral Gables

More Upcoming Dance:

  • December 19th-21st: Peter London Global Dance Company presents an evening of world premiere works, including ONENESS, a solo featuring choreographer and former Alvin Ailey principal dancer Jamar Roberts, at the Carnival Studios Theater at the Arsht Center.

Music

Sounds of the Season

My absolute favorite Miami holiday tradition! The New World Symphony is so good, I often forget they are technically students (albeit post-grad students and some of the most talented musicians anywhere). Their youthful energy and playfulness are on full display for this annual holiday concert of Christmas and Hanukkah favorites, where everyone is just having a ton of fun. Tickets sell out fast for this one, but if you miss out, you can enjoy a free WALLCAST of the concert in adjacent Soundscape Park.

Saturday, December 20th, 7:30pm, New World Center, $40-$120 or free outdoor WALLCAST

Neighborhood: Lincoln Road

Nearby Eats: Casa Tua, Blue Ribbon Sushi, Pauline | Drinks: Little Torch, Water Lion at the Sagamore

Andrea Bocelli Holiday Concert

Adrienne Arsht Center presents Andrea Bocelli in concert for the holidays at the Kaseya Center this December. One of the most beloved voices in the world, Bocelli will perform songs from his No. 1 album, A Family Christmas, and his solo album, Believe.

Sunday, December 21st, 7:30pm, Kaseya Center, $101-$859

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert

A Miami New Year’s tradition for over fifteen years, the Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert is a champagne toast to the music of Johann Strauss. Dancers from the Budapest Ballet join the Strauss Symphony of America and celebrated guest vocalists for a sparkling holiday performance of Strauss’ waltzes and festive overtures, bringing Vienna’s Golden Age to life.

Sunday, December 28th, 8pm, Knight Concert Hall at Arsht Center, $60-$187

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

More Upcoming Music Events:

Theater

Man of La Mancha

Actors’ Playhouse presents Man of La Mancha through December 21st. Photo Credit: Alberto Romeu

Man of La Mancha, the musical that opened Actors’ Playhouse in its original Kendall location, and again at the Miracle Theatre, returns to celebrate the company’s 30th anniversary at the Miracle Theatre. One of the world’s most popular and enduring musicals, Man of La Mancha envisions Cervantes, imprisoned during the Spanish Inquisition, leading his fellow inmates in a play-within-a-play, featuring beloved songs like The Impossible Dream and Dulcinea.

Through December 21st, 8pm evenings, 3pm matinees, Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, $50-$100

Neighborhood: Coral Gables

Left on Tenth

Gablestage presents Left on Tenth, a story of second chances in life and love, based on Delia Ephron’s best-selling memoir. After the devastating loss of her husband, Ephron is certain she’ll never love (or write) again. But an unexpected email from an old flame lands in her inbox, setting off the kind of whirlwind romance she used to write about.

Through December 21st, 7:30pm evenings, 2pm matinees, Gablestage at the Biltmore, $40-$60

Neighborhood: Coral Gables

& Juliet (a.k.a. The Max Martin Jukebox Musical)

I’ll admit, I’ve never been a fan of jukebox musicals, but this hilarious review by a skeptical New York Times critic (“So shoot me: I liked it. It felt so wrong; it felt so right,” lol) has convinced me that & Juliet, a twist on the Romeo & Juliet story set to songs by record-breaking hit-maker Max Martin, is a must-see. Besides, even if the plot is thin, seeing top-notch singers and dancers deliver Baby One More Time, Since U Been Gone, Teenage Dream, Break Free, et al, is just going to be awesome.

December 30th-January 4th, Ziff Ballet Opera House at Arsht, $53-$181

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

More Upcoming Theater:

  • December 2nd-20th: the Children’s Theatre at Actors’ Playhouse presents its annual production of A Christmas Carol: The Musical, a family holiday favorite.

Happy holidays, everyone! Cultured Miami Weekly will be back January 4th. As always, if you know a friend that would like this newsletter, please forward it. Thank you!

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