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Greetings {name},

We hope you'll appreciate our curated list of community events and cultural opportunities in the coming days.

where the Gables Waterway meets Biscayne Bay, magnificent estates enjoy a scenic view of the Miami coastline, as well as Key Biscayne and the Atlantic Ocean

click on the image to see enlargement.

Coral Gables scenic photo illustrations © Robin and Robert Burr.

Friday, December 19, the third Friday in December, is National Ugly Sweater Day, a quirky celebration gives holiday lovers worldwide a chance to wear their ugly Christmas sweaters.

Saturday, December 20 is Go Caroling Day, singing Christmas songs from door to door as a form of seasonal celebration.

Sunday, December 21 is the Winter Solstice -- the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the astronomical start of winter as Earth's tilt points furthest from the Sun, signaling the return of longer days, celebrated globally with festivals of rebirth and light.

Wednesday, December 24 is National Egg Nog Day, so raise a holiday toast once a year -- on the day before Christmas -- to this rich, traditional creamy concoction enriched with brandy, Cognac, rum or whiskey.

Thursday, December 25 is Christmas Day, the pinnacle of the holiday season for many Americans and a traditional time for festive gatherings and the exchange of gifts within families.

Friday, December 26 is Kwanzaa, a holiday honoring the culture and traditions of people of African origin.

Wednesday, December 31 is New Year's Eve, a popular occasion for celebrations marking the end of the year, with elaborate gatherings, festivities and fireworks.

As always, make plans to enjoy the great outdoors in our little city. Walk down Miracle Mile, experience the live theatre and the best movies, browse the book stores, look into the art galleries and meet up with friends at the restaurants -- including restaurant row in the 100 block of Giralda. Visit the parks and public spaces to appreciate the bounties of nature.

Enjoy the best of Coral Gables in the coming days.

Robert and Robin Burr

Thursday, December 18 at 7:30am
Good Morning Coral Gables at The Biltmore Hotel
Attend the Coral Gables Chamber's signature monthly networking event -- breakfast at the Biltmore hotel with chamber members, featuring keynote speaker Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins offering the State of Florida's 2025 Economic Outlook and Forecast for 2026. Get details online.

Thursday, December 18 at 6:15pm
Avatar: Fire and Ash
James Cameron takes audiences back to Pandora in an immersive new adventure. A year after settling in with the Metkayina clan, Jake and Neytiri's family grapples with grief after Neteyam's death. They encounter a new, aggressive Na'vi tribe called the Ash people, led by the fiery tribe leader, Varang, who has allied with Jake's enemy, Quaritch, as the conflict on Pandora escalates to devastating consequences. Get details online.

Friday, December 19 through January 4
Very Merry Garden at Fairchild
Celebrate the holidays at Fairchild’s Very Merry Garden with festive activities, Santa visits, and fun for the whole family. Get details online.

Friday, December 19 at noon
Dr. Seuss' The Grinch - 20th Anniversary
Attend a special theatrical re-release of the beloved 2000 live-action Jim Carrey film for its 25th anniversary. Get details online.

Friday, December 19 at 3:30pm
Popcorn Pals: Fun Family Films
Bring your family and friends to the Coral Gables Library for fun movies and enjoy some delicious popcorn. Call 305-442-8706 or email: massarellis@mdpls.org. All ages are welcome. Get details online.

Friday, December 19 from 6 to 11pm
A Night At The Parthenon
Toga up for THesis Hotel’s first-ever toga party with Greek bites, drinks, live entertainment, plus an 8pm costume contest on the Paseo. An homage to ancient Greek life with Mediterranean and Greek cuisine, festive cocktails, and live entertainment under the Miami night sky. Costumes are required for entry -- but don’t stress if you’re not a toga pro. A classic all-white outfit works just as well. Get details online.

Friday, December 19 from 6:30 to 10pm
Nights of Lights at Pinecrest Gardens
Experience an enchanting winter wonderland at Pinecrest Gardens, featuring new light shows and displays -- a magical world of twinkling lights, festive treats, Santa sightings, a Holiday Bazaar, storytime, live performances in the historic Banyan Bowl, and more. Get details online.

Friday, December 19 at 8pm
Friday Jazz - Steve Lee Magic City Jazztet
Multi-award-winning pianist Steve Lee, saxophonist Jake Monk and drummer Richard Siegel perform as the Magic City Jazztet every Friday evening at Armstrong Jazz House, 271 Miracle Mile. Call 305-448-9955. Get details online.

Friday, December 19 at 8pm
Sentimental Value
Sisters Nora and Agnes reunite with their estranged father, the charismatic Gustav, a once-renowned director who offers stage actress Nora a role in what he hopes will be his comeback film. When Nora turns it down, she soon discovers he has given her part to an eager young Hollywood star. Suddenly, the two sisters must navigate their complicated relationship with their father -- and deal with an American star dropped right into the middle of their complex family dynamics. Get details online.

Friday, December 19 at 8:30pm
Winter's Breath at Sanctuary Of The Arts
Dance NOW! welcomes the holiday season with its iconic "Winter's Breath" dance program. Set to the striking sounds of Antonio Vivaldi, reimagined by Max Richter, the ballet's sweeping movement and crisp soundtrack will bring a chill to the air rarely felt in South Florida. Also on the program for the evening, the iconic work "Ave Maria," from modern dance founder Isadora Duncan created in 1920s, and other works celebrating the holidays. Special Guest for this evening of contemporary dance, DNM welcomes Jon Lehrer Dance Company from New York to share the stage featuring the company’s dynamic, athletic and powerful modern dance style. Get details online.

Saturday, December 20 from 9am to 11am
Hot Chocolate with Santa
Sip Hot Chocolate with Santa and get exclusive access to the Holiday Park playground at city hall, 405 Biltmore Way. The event includes a photo opportunity with Santa, hot beverage and children's activity. Cost is $30 for a group of four. Exclusively for Coral Gables residents. Call 305-460-5600 or email: specialevents@coralgables.com. Advanced ticket registration is required to participate. Get details online.

Saturday, December 20 from 9am to noon
Santa On The Lawn at The Plaza
Bring the kids to The Plaza for photos with Santa Claus; 30-minute storytelling; plus Entertainment Bubble Show by Santa’s Elf until 1pm. On the Inflatable Stage: Interactive entertainment with lights, fog, and magical bubble tricks, with holiday music and holiday cookies. Get details online.

Saturday, December 20 from 11am to 3pm
Tropical Audubon Holiday Pop-Up Shop
Send or Give unique Bird Note Cards that feature exquisite renderings of indigenous and migrating South Florida birds, including the enchanting Roseate Spoonbill, elegant Blue Heron and more by Artist Louise Gardner Schwartz. Sweeten up your Holidays with luscious wild TAS Tropical Honey — produced in on-campus beehives and harvested by Beekeeper and TAS Board Member Kirsten Hines. Stuff stockings with Birdiful Enamel Pins featuring Florida resident birds -- Great Blue Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, Brown Pelican, Florida Scrub Jay, Snail Kite. Get details online.

Saturday, December 20 at noon
Mrs. Warren’s Profession - National Theatre Live
Five-time Olivier Award-winner Imelda Staunton (The Crown) joins forces with her real-life daughter Bessie Carter (Bridgerton) for the very first time, playing mother and daughter in Bernard Shaw’s incendiary moral classic. Vivie Warren is a woman ahead of her time. Her mother, however, is a product of that old patriarchal order. Exploiting it has earned Mrs. Warren a fortune -- but at what cost? Filmed live from the West End, this new production reunites Staunton with director Dominic Cooke (Follies, Good), exploring the clash between morality and independence, traditions and progress. Get details online.

Saturday, December 20 from noon to 10pm
Photos with Santa at City Hall Park
Bring the kids to Coral Gables Holiday Park for a full color photo with Santa Claus, which includes a framed postcard. Get details online.

Saturday, December 20 at noon
UM Hurricanes at Texas A&M
The Hurricanes challenge the Aggies, coached by Mike Elko, at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. The game is televised by ABC. Get details online.

Saturday, December 20 at 2pm
A Christmas Carol, The Musical
Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre presents A Christmas Carol, The Musical. The Charles Dickens classic takes a musical turn in this festive holiday favorite. Tiny Tim and the entire Cratchit family join three unearthly spirits in trying to convince Ebenezer Scrooge to change his Bah Humbug ways. This fabulous musical adaptation written especially for family audiences will warm your heart as it reveals the true meaning of the holidays. The play continues on Saturdays through December 20. Get details online.

Saturday, December 20 from 2 to 10pm
Giralda Plaza Artisan Market
Flamingo Fling Productions is thrilled to host the Giralda Plaza Artisan Market every first and third Saturday of the month from 4 to 10pm. Experience the best artisan vendors from across South Florida while enjoying fine dining and drinks from the best restaurants in Coral Gables along Giralda Plaza. Featuring over 15 vendors with a variety of products ranging from jewelry, clothing, candles, handbags, accessories and various artisan goods. Get details online.

Saturday, December 20 at 2pm
Milk and Cookies with Santa at Gables Library
Bring the family to the library for a sweet holiday visit with Santa -- featuring milk, cookies, games, and plenty of Christmas cheer. Call 305-442-8706 or email: capleybr@mdpls.org. All ages are welcome. Get details online.

Saturday, December 20 from 3 to 6pm
Things Swap at Gables Museum
This month, Recircle Society will be joining the Museum Things Swap to accept clothes and accessories. And The Toy Library will be swapping toys. Share and connect with others while letting go of those things you have been holding onto. Discover treasures for your own use and keep them out of a landfill. Get details online.

Saturday, December 20 at 7:30pm
The Keys to Romance: An Evening with Drew Petersen
American pianist Drew Petersen performs a program that starts with one of Mozart’s loveliest sonatas followed by the exquisite Sonatine of Ravel. The evening concludes with three concert etudes and the thrilling Don Juan Fantasy by Liszt at UM Knight Center for Music Innovation, 5513 San Amaro Drive. Get details online.

Saturday, December 20 at 8pm
Left on Tenth
Adapted from Delia Ephron’s bestselling memoir, this inspiring story is about love rediscovered and the thrill of new beginnings. When a chance email reconnects two people from the past, a surprising and transformative romance unfolds. Brimming with Ephron’s signature charm, the play is a celebration of resilience, connection, and the possibility of rewriting your story at any age. The play continues until December 21. Get details online.

Saturday, December 20 at 8pm
Man of La Mancha
The musical that opened Actors’ Playhouse in its Kendall location and again at the Miracle Theatre, Man of La Mancha 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 is inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th-century masterpiece Don Quixote and set during the Spanish Inquisition. Cervantes, imprisoned and awaiting trial, leads his fellow inmates in a play-within-a-play that tells the story of Alonso Quijana, an aging man who imagines himself as the knight Don Quixote and sets out on a quest to right all wrongs in the world. Featuring a stirring, Spanish-inflected score with beloved songs like "The Impossible Dream," "I, Don Quixote," "Dulcinea," "I Really Like Him," and "Little Bird," this five-time Tony Award-winning musical is a moving tribute to hope, imagination, and the power of dreams. The play continues until December 21. Get details online.

Saturday, December 20 at 9pm
The MysteryTones at Titanic
A unique mix of funk, rock and jazz, featuring a powerful horn section that sets them apart from the ordinary bar band -- The MysteryTones have been performing throughout South Florida for more than a decade. Get details online.

Sunday, December 21 at 10am
George Merrick’s Villages Bike Tour
When George Merrick founded the City of Coral Gables 100 years ago, he planned 14 international-themed villages for Coral Gables, but only seven were built. Be amazed at the architectural styles from around the world that exist right here in our own backyard. Thanks to support from the City of Coral Gables, this police-escorted tour will start from the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center at 405 University Drive. Get details online.

Sunday, December 21 from 10am to 2pm
Signature Sunday Brunch at the Biltmore
Utilizing the restaurant’s handsome interior and courtyard, the Biltmore Sunday Brunch features an extensive array of selections, including omelet, caviar, crab, sushi, carving stations, fresh pasta and decadent desserts -- plus bottomless bubbly. Get details online.

Sunday, December 21 at 11am
Bonsai 101: An Introductory Workshop
Explore the art and science of bonsai in this hands-on Fairchild Gardens workshop, an introduction to the fascinating history of bonsai. Learn how to identify and select pre-bonsai material, and familiarize yourself with various bonsai styles, root cleaning, repotting into a bonsai pot, directional trimming, and wiring for shaping. The class also covers proper fertilizing, watering, and ongoing maintenance to keep your bonsai thriving. Get details online.

Sunday, December 21 at 1pm
Family and Me Painting Class: Poinsettia
Bring the family to enjoy a fun and educational painting session inspired by Poinsettias. Led by Raquel Torrent of Art and Juice, this class introduces easy and enjoyable techniques to help capture the beautiful essence of these winter blossoms on canvas. Get details online.

Sunday, December 21 at 3pm
The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker
The magician Herr Drosselmeyer is on a quest to save his nephew. Hans-Peter has been transformed into a Nutcracker doll by the wicked Queen of the Mice; the only way to break the spell is for the Nutcracker to defeat the Mouse King and find a girl to love and care for him. A flicker of hope comes to Drosselmeyer in the form of the young Clara, whom Drosselmeyer meets at the Stahlbaum’s Christmas party. With a swish of Drosselmeyer’s cape and a little bit of magic, a cozy festive gathering turns into a marvelous adventure. Get details online.

Sunday, December 21 at 6pm
Susana Behar in Concert at Deering
Join Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Susana Behar at the Deering Estate in a musical journey imagining Charles Deering’s soundtrack in his travels around the world. Charles Deering was a man of many interests -- art collector, preservationist, industrialist, amateur painter, philanthropist and an avid traveler. His passion for exploration and deep appreciation for the arts were boundless. Yet, we don’t truly know what kind of music he loved or what sounds filled the spaces of his life. Get details online.

Sunday, December 21 at 8:15pm
Köln 75
Keith Jarrett’s legendary performance in January 1975 nearly didn’t happen. Based on a true story, Köln 75 follows how the concert was conceived and orchestrated by the efforts of a teenage up and coming concert promoter, Vera Brandes, (played by German actress Mala Emde). Her enthusiasm set her to multitasking -- from organizing the concert venue (the Cologne Opera House), promoting the event, and selling the tickets, to convincing Jarrett to perform when he almost dropped out when the Bösendorfer Imperial Grand piano he was promised was nowhere to be found. John Magaro (Past Lives) plays Jarrett with his own intensity, a sublime counterpoint to Mala Emde’s joyful portrayal of the enthusiastic and unstoppable Vera. Köln 75 captures the compelling, entertaining and, until now, unknown backstory about Jarrett’s one-hour, entirely improvised concert, which became the best-selling solo album in jazz history. Get details online.

Monday, December 22 at 9:30am
Planting Possibilities: Pinecrest Pollinators Pantry
Discover the joy of gardening with the Pinecrest Library's free, self-service collection. Choose from a variety of vegetable, herb and flower seeds to start or expand your home garden. Participants may take up to two packets of seeds per day. Call 305-668-4571 or email: thompsonlo@mdpls.org. Ages 12 years and older. Get details online.

Tuesday, December 23 at 11am
Schnitzel Tuesday at Fritz And Franz Bierhaus
Meet up with friends at Fritz and Franz Bierhaus for the Tuesday Schnitzel Special all day long; and Wednesday to Friday during lunch from 11am to 3pm. Fritz And Franz Bierhaus offers authentic German and Bavarian cuisine, a fantastic selection of imported beer on tap (order Das Boot size if you dare). There's a fine selection of wine and a full liquor bar with cocktails. Try the oven roasted pork shank weekly specials, the gourmet burgers, the brats, Swabian käsespätzle pasta, the Rib-Eye Steak Au Poivre, and the best German potato salad in South Florida. After the meal, try a shot of schnapps or honey liqueur. The outdoor plaza is an ideal setting for gatherings. Call 305-774-1883. Get details online.

Wednesday, December 24 at 4pm
Metropolitan
Manhattan. Christmas Vacation. Not so long ago... An ironically comic look at Manhattan’s endangered debutante scene, Metropolitan chronicles the rise and ultimate decline of a group of young Park Avenue socialites who gather nightly to discuss love, honor, and the impending demise of their class. Into their midst comes an outsider in a rented tuxedo, Tom Townsend, a Fourierist socialist from the socially alien West Side. But there is a real escort shortage on, so Tom is welcomed into the group -- particularly by Nick Smith, the group’s ostensibly arrogant but oddly kind ringleader, and by quietly charming Audrey Rouget. A witty, richly detailed comedy-drama, Metropolitan accurately portrays the surviving remnants of the world, which F. Scott Fitzgerald’s This Side of Paradise caught at its heyday. Get details online.

Wednesday, December 24 at 7pm
Anaconda
Doug (Jack Black) and Griff (Paul Rudd) have been best friends since they were kids, and have always dreamed of remaking their all-time favorite movie: the cinematic "classic" Anaconda. When a midlife crisis pushes them to finally go for it, they head deep into the Amazon to start filming. But things get real when an actual giant anaconda appears, turning their comically chaotic movie set into a deadly situation. The movie they’re dying to make? It might just get them killed... Get details online.

Wednesday, December 24 at 9pm
Karaoke Wednesday at Taurus
The City of Miami’s longest-running liquor license belongs to The Taurus, a Coconut Grove bar institution if there ever was one. Your local hub for live comedy and sports announced a pair of upgrades in the form of Masa Craft’s Cuban and Filipino-American style food menu along with Silver Dragon’s Karaoke That Cares! You'll find the host Rob The Rum Guy there every Wednesday night tweaking the vocals from 9pm to 1am, with specials just for karaoke night that include your first shot free when you sing, plus $10 Old Fashioned, $9 Gin or Vodka Gimlet, $9 Tommy-Style Margarita, and $8 Modelo beer at 3540 Main Highway. Call 305-529-6523. Get details online.

Thursday, December 25 from noon to 4pm
Christmas Brunch at Americana Kitchen
Bring the family to Americana Kitchen at Lowes Coral Gables Hotel for a delightful Christmas Brunch. $75 per person; kids 6-12 are $40; kids 5 and under eat free. Get details online.

Thursday, December 25 at 3pm
Marty Supreme
Timothy Chalamet plays a young man with a dream that no one respects. In the 1950s, young Marty Mauser goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness -- pursuing his dream to become a champion table-tennis player. Get details online.

Thursday, December 25 at 6:15pm
The Secret Agent
Amid the raucous revelry of Carnival week, a widower named Marcelo arrives in 1977 in Recife, Brazil, a city as vibrant as it is violent. A technology researcher who suddenly finds himself an unwitting target in the heart of the dictatorship’s political maelstrom, Marcelo is a man on the run from mercenary killers, from ghosts of the past and from the ruthless, mischievously militant spirit of Brazil during this time. Master filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho teams up with renowned actor Wagner Moura -- giving a career-defining performance -- to craft a thrillingly unpredictable, playfully shape-shifting epic steeped in history, even as it feels remarkably contemporary. Get details online.

Thursday, December 25 from 7 to 10pm
Fontana’s White Truffle Experience
The White Truffle Experience at Fontana celebrates the fleeting indulgence of this culinary rarity through a four-course dinner menu designed to showcase its elegance in every form. Each dish invites you to savor the essence of northern Italy, where time, terroir, and tradition converge in one of gastronomy’s most extraordinary pleasures. Get details online.

Wednesday, December 31 starting at 8pm
New Year's Even with Orchestra Miami
Orchestra Miami presents the ultimate New Year’s Eve Celebration -- an unforgettable, free, family-friendly, beachfront concert performed by Miami’s premiere professional orchestra, Orchestra Miami, led by Miami native and Artistic Director Elaine Rinaldi. Ring in the New Year with Maestro Rinaldi, the 42-piece symphony orchestra, and special guests, Miami based, Grammy and Latin-Grammy nominated Afro-Cuban Funk Band PALO. Get details online.

Dependable Friendly Computer Service
Two Computer Guys
Since 1998, the team at Two Computer Guys has been available for safe, reliable, efficient and friendly service -- for small businesses, families, students, seniors and anyone who needs a little help with their computer. TCG solves problems to get computers up and running quickly. Be safe -- call when you need help with virus issues. Serving more than a thousand clients in South Florida over the past three decades. Call 305-444-1984 when you need a little help. Get details and schedule an appointment online.

Online Safety Recommendation
Surfshark VPN for Online Security
Check out Surfshark, a cybersecurity bundle for all-over protection. This award-winning VPN service creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet. It's a necessary protection in the modern world. Get up to three months of free service when you get details online.

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