Garlic’s a Good Thing (So Are Bacon and Bourbon!) at These SoFla Spring Events

There’s perhaps no better time to pay a visit to South Florida than late winter and early spring. You’ll experience the best weather of the year, with plenty of sunshine making it perfect for beach days. Best of all, the social calendar is jam-packed with unique events you won’t find anywhere else.

Admire Cutting-Edge Contemporary Art at Miami’s Art Wynwood

December’s Art Basel Miami Beach gets all the buzz, but you can still enjoy international cutting-edge contemporary art over Presidents Day Weekend with Art Wynwood. The fair’s focus is on emerging, mid-career and post-war blue-chip talent featuring 60 galleries and more than 180 artists. Expect to spy works by Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder and Banksy and uncover the next big star of the art world.

Two Sins Are Better Than One at the Bacon & Bourbon Festival

Wellington’s Bacon & Bourbon Festival has become an instant classic featuring a sinfully delicious array of bacon and pork dishes whipped up by local chefs, as well as bourbon and whiskey sourced from craft distillers.

Think chocolate-covered bacon, pulled pork marinated in bourbon, and whiskey seminars and tastings. It promises to be a boozy, gluttonous weekend — and a barrel of fun!

Become One with the “Stinking Rose” at Garlic Fest

Known as “the best stinkin’ party in South Florida,” Lake Worth’s Garlic Fest is a quirky culinary festival highlighting the talents of local chefs — and one very special ingredient — as they showcase everything from garlic crab cakes (yum) to garlic ice cream (better than it sounds).

Expect creative locals costumed as garlic cloves, as well as a stellar music festival with headliners that have included The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Steel Pulse.

Watch a Star-Studded Tennis Tournament at the Miami Open

The Miami Open moves from Key Biscayne to its new home at Hard Rock Stadium for a two-week tournament featuring the world’s top tennis players, including everyone from Serena Williams to Roger Federer.

Part of the Masters 1000 series on the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) calendar, it’s an amazing opportunity to watch dazzling tennis matches in an intimate environment as the season leads up to the final Grand Slam tournaments.

Support the LGBTQ Community at South Beach’s Winter Party

Produced by and in support of the National LGBTQ Task Force, Miami Beach’s Winter Party Festival is a weeklong party that stretches from the sands of South Beach to the hottest nightclubs, all in the name of pride and equality. Check out premier events like the Saturday afternoon dance party at Nikki Beach, which always features superstar DJ talent. It promises to be a wild party for a good cause.

Party with the Masses at Little Havana’s Calle Ocho Festival

Held in the heart of Miami’s Little Havana on famed Calle Ocho (Eighth Street), the Calle Ocho Festival is the largest Hispanic block party in the country celebrating Cuban, Caribbean and Latin American cultures. Immerse yourself in salsa and merengue music and dance, mouthwatering Cuban food, and folkloric arts and crafts during this daylong extravaganza, part of the annual Carnaval festivities.

Feel the South Florida Pride in Fort Lauderdale

Come out and show your pride in sunny FLL during the annual Pride fest. This action-packed weekend spans the beaches of Fort Lauderdale and includes everything from a drag brunch at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale to a block party and beach festival featuring performances by “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestants and other celebs, all culminating with fireworks — and, of course, the big parade!