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Festival of Chocolate, South Florida Fair, and More Great Things to Do in Miami This Weekend with Kids

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1/7/26 - By James Smith

Looking for the best things to do in Miami and South Florida this weekend? Here are some great family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

The final full weekend of January brings a host of family-friendly activities to Miami and South Florida, beginning on Thursday when the South Florida Fair extends its run in Boca Raton and continuing with the delicious Festival of Chocolate at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden.

The circus is in town as Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey bring the Greatest Show on Earth to the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, while The Berry Farm hosts its annual Strawberry Festival.

Young builders will want to check out the Miami Springs Young Innovators Marketplace, while the whole family is invited to Fort Lauderdale's Picnic in the Park. 

For even more weekend inspiration, check out our South Florida Activities Calendar, which is updated regularly with the best Miami and South Florida happenings for kids and families. As always, if you have an event we should check out, feel free to e-mail us. Don't forget to bookmark this page and share with a friend. 

More Things to Do in Miami this Week with Kids: 

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The circus is in town as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey arrive in Miami. Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment
The circus is in town as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey arrive in Miami. Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment

Best Things To Do This Weekend in Miami with Kids

South Florida Fair

West Palm Beach
Thursday, January 22-Sunday, January 25
Each January, more than a half-million visitors enjoy two weeks of shows, concerts, carnival rides, unique shopping, and fair food. The 2026 fair features an incredible journey through 15 interactive exhibits. Discover the wonders of science, technology, engineering, math, biomedicine, artificial intelligence, and more. READ MORE

Island City Stage presents The Little Foxes

Fort Lauderdale
Thursday, January 22-Sunday, January 25
Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes, a searing Broadway and silver screen classic, storms into Island City Stage with all its ruthless ambition, razor-sharp dialogue, and Southern gothic splendor, from January 8 to February 1. READ MORE

Weston Winter Safety Expo

Weston—FREE
Friday, January 23
Enjoy an entertaining, fun-filled and educational evening with multiple law enforcement, fire rescue, and emergency medical service agencies. There will be a helicopter, boats, bomb squad, SWAT truck, K9s, military vehicles, and more. READ MORE

Free Friday Drum Jam

Miami—FREE
Friday, January 23
Everyone is invited to try out the instruments, learn from each other, and just jam out. It is always different and always fun. Come and learn something new every Friday night. READ MORE

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents The Greatest Show On Earth in Sunrise

Sunrise
Friday, January 23-Sunday, January 25
The Greatest Show On Earth® is back with a high-energy, music-driven experience featuring bold circus performances, unforgettable characters, and a nonstop party vibe. This new production moves at the speed of today’s world—fast-paced, dynamic, and full of energy—bringing audiences closer than ever to the talent and heart that make The Greatest Show On Earth® unforgettable. READ MORE

Miami Springs Young Innovators Marketplace

Miami Springs—FREE to attend
Saturday, January 24
The Miami Springs Young Innovators Marketplace brings together young creators ages 6–16 to share their talents, crafts, and creative products with the community. READ MORE

Hello Kitty Cafe Truck Pop Up at CityPlace Doral

Doral—FREE
Saturday, January 23
For the third year in a row, Sanrio’s Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is rolling into CityPlace Doral’s Fountain Plaza. The community is invited to shop Hello Kitty-themed sweet treats and merchandise while supplies last on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 11am to 8pm. READ MORE

Festival of Chocolate at Fairchild Botanical Garden

Coral Gables
Saturday, January 24-Sunday, January 25
Kick off the new year by indulging in chocolate confections, decadent desserts, and savory bites at A Festival of Chocolate. Enjoy a weekend dedicated to all things chocolate, with tastings, cooking demos, and chocolate-inspired activities that will excite your taste buds. READ MORE

Miss Nelson is Missing

Coral Gables
Saturday, January 24-Sunday, January 25
Based on the popular children’s book by Harry Allard and James Marshall, the story follows Miss Nelson’s unruly class as it confronts its worst nightmare, substitute teacher Viola Swamp. Join these rambunctious students as they discover some valuable lessons on their search for their favorite teacher Miss Nelson. READ MORE

Master Builder Weekends at the Museum of Discovery and Science

Fort Lauderdale
Saturday, January 24-Sunday, January 25
Unleash your imagination with LEGO bricks. Tackle exciting engineering challenges, Build change by experimenting with creative solutions, and show off your moves in a LEGO Coding Dance Party. READ MORE

The Berry Farm's Strawberry Festival

Miami
Saturday, January 24-Sunday, January 25
Celebrate strawberry season the South Florida way—with food, flavor, family fun, and festival weekends you won’t want to miss. From strawberry picking and farm-fresh barbecue to the signature competition series and seasonal treats, the sixth annual Strawberry Festival at The Berry Farm is a sweet spot this winter. READ MORE

Picnic in the Park

Fort Lauderdale—FREE
Sunday, January 25
The conclusion of the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival is Picnic in the Park. This FREE event promises to be fun-filled, with curated food trucks, family-friendly cooking demos, live entertainment, local artisan vendors, the JDCH Teddy Bear Clinic, adult beverages for the parents, and more. READ MORE

Mutts Gone Nuts – Unleashed!

Aventura
Sunday, January 25
Dog lovers will rejoice during an entertaining afternoon with a dozen of the world’s most talented four-legged performers starring in a comedy dog spectacular that is leaving audiences everywhere howling for more. It's Mutts Gone Nuts – Unleashed! READ MORE

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About the Author

James Smith
James Stephen Smith is a seasoned journalist who transitioned from reporting at Newsday to a more relaxed life as a father and director of media relations at St. John's University. He manages the university’s messaging while also contributing to Mommy Poppins, a site he discovered after his third daughter was born in 2011. Fun fact: James nearly made it on Jeopardy but missed a Final Jeopardy question on art history—only to watch a colleague nail it and become a two-time champion.
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