Events

#1 Sports Event
This year, Discover Orange Bowl hosted 67,000 college football fans at Sun Life Stadium to see West Virginia set a record for most points ever in a bowl game. Next: January 1, 2013

#2 Sports Event
The tournament had another record year, with 326,000 spectators turning out for the Sony Ericsson Open that involved two weeks of men’s and women’s pro tennis matches. Next: March 18-31, 2013

#3 Sports Event (up from #5)
The three-day Nascar event, known as Ford Championship Weekend, drew a record 10.5 million television viewers for the 11th outing last year. Next: November 16-18, 2012

#5 Sports Event
The eighth annual edition of the Maserati Miami Beach Polo World Cup drew 7,500 fans, although the final matches were canceled due to rain. Next: Spring 2013

#6 Sports Event
The third and final leg of polo’s triple crown, the U.S. Open Polo Championships, marked its 108th year in 2012 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Next: March 31-April 21, 2013

#7 Sports Event
For the first time, the ING Miami Marathon hit the 25,000-runner milestone in 2012, up from just 3,400 in its first edition 10 years ago. Next: January 27, 2013

#10 Sports Event
The 10th installment of the World Sailfish Championship, a five-day fish-off in Key West, expanded to 53 teams. Next: April 16-20, 2013

#11 Sports Event
Combining car racing and fishing, the Sailfish Cup raises funds for the Nascar Foundation in a 43-team competition prior to Ford Championship Weekend. Next: November 12-14, 2012

#12 Sports Event
This year, Dig the Beach Volleyball Championships went with a new format: eight weekend events around South Florida, culminating with the tour championships in Clearwater. Next: summer 2013

#1 Film & Media Event
Drawing 70,000 people each year, the Miami International Film Festival is the country’s premier showcase for Spanish-language films and will mark its 30th anniversary in 2013. Next: March 1-10, 2013

#2 Film & Media Event
The Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival has grown from a three-day event 14 years ago to a 10-day fest screening 65 films. Next: April 26-May 5, 2012

#4 Film & Media Event
Founded in 1997, the American Black Film Festival promotes diversity in the American movie industry and hosted 5,000 film fans this year. Next: June 2013

#5 Film & Media Event
The largest event of its kind outside Brazil, the Brazilian Film Festival of Miami hosts 18,000 people for a week of film screenings at the Colony Theater and Miami Beach Cinematheque. Next: summer 2013

#6 Film & Media Event
This year, the 11th annual Miami Short Film Festival will screen 80 films hailing from 39 different countries. Next: November 24-December 1, 2012

#7 Film & Media Event
A sister event to the larger Miami version, the Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival expects 3,000 people for its fourth annual edition this year. Next: October 4-7, 2012

#1 Benefit
Last year, the InterContinental Make-a-Wish Ball hosted 900 guests for a Truman Capote-inspired black and white benefit, raising $1.1 million. Next: November 3, 2012

#3 Benefit
This fall the Best Buddies Gala's 16th outing will have a Russian theme. Rob Lowe, Cindy Crawford, and Tom Brady have been among the 800-odd guests at past galas. Next: November 16, 2012

#4 Benefit (up from #6)
Last year, the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Diamond Ball more than doubled its fund-raising haul, pulling in $4.5 million from 700 guests. Next: October 27, 2012

#5 Benefit
In 2011, Destination Fashion at the Bal Harbour Shops took a hiatus, but is set to return this fall with Tom Brokaw hosting and Enrique Iglesias performing. Next: November 10, 2012

#7 Benefit
Hosted by philanthropist Roy Black and wife Lea (of Real Housewives fame), the Blacks’ Gala featured performances from Tony Bennett and Queen Latifah this year. Next: spring 2013

#8 Benefit (up from #9)
The 38th annual edition of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation’s Love and Hope Ball hosted 500 guests, and, combined with a preview party in November, raised more than $1 million. Next: February 2, 2013

#9 Benefit
Entertaining 400 guests at a Fort Lauderdale costume party, the Déjà vu Ball raised $200,000 for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County. Next: October 2012

#10 Benefit
Basketball great Alonzo Mourning’s 15-year-old fund-raiser, Zo’s Summer Groove, features a golf tournament, comedy shows, and celebrity performances. Next: To be announced

#11 Benefit
In December 2011, the Baptist Hospital Ball was replaced by a Celine Dion benefit concert, but the event will return in 2013. Next: fall 2013

#12 Benefit
The culmination of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Art’s Young Arts Week, An Affair of the Arts Gala honored Robert Redford in 2012. Next: January 12, 2013

#13 Benefit
Saluting the region’s artistic community, the Miami Art Museum Ball is a festive party that serves as one of the highlights of the Miami Art Week surrounding Art Basel. December 1, 2012

#14 Benefit
This year, the MOCA Gala marked the Museum of Contemporary Arts’ 15th anniversary with a fete that celebrated the many international artists who have been a part of the museum’s history. Next: spring 2013

#15 Benefit
This year, the masquerade ball for 400 will feature a Halloween theme. The Denim & Diamonds Gala benefits Deliver the Dream, which helps families touched by crisis or illness. Next: October 27, 2012

#16 Benefit (up from #19)
The annual fund-raiser for the Bass Museum of Art, known as a Night at the Museum, has become one of the hottest tickets for the artsy socialite set in just three years. Next: April 2013

#17 Benefit
One of the first events held at the new Marlins ballpark in 2011, Florida Marlins’ Fish ’N Chips Fund-Raiser hosted 700 outside the new stadium. Next: August 30, 2012

#18 Benefit
At the fourth iteration of the fund-raiser for the Humane Society of Greater Miami, Pawpurrazzi raised more than $500,000 from 500 people (and their furry friends). Next: January 25, 2013

#19 Benefit
This fall, March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction is set to mark its 23rd year of fund-raising from foodies. Next: September 15, 2012

#20 Benefit (new to the list)
Continuing to grow, the FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala brought out 750 people for its 10th annual outing this year, hosted by television personality Daisy Fuentes. Next: May 2013

#1 Trade Event, Expo & Convention
Covering three million square feet of indoor-outdoor space, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is the largest boat show in the world. Next: October 25-29, 2012

#2 Trade Event, Expo & Convention
Pumping $50 million into the local economy, the South Florida International Auto Show drew 665,000 visitors to its 40th edition last year. Next: November 9-18, 2012

#3 Trade Event, Expo & Convention
Although not quite the behemoth that the Fort Lauderdale show is, Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail still surpassed 100,000 visitors this year. Next: February 14-18, 2013

#4 Trade Event, Expo & Convention
Consisting of four annual events throughout the region, the Home Design and Remodeling Show draws a total of more than 70,000 attendees. Next: November 16-18, 2012 and May 25-27, 2013 (Fort Lauderdale); March 22-24, 2013 and August 2013 (Miami)

#6 Trade Event, Expo & Convention
For this year's outing, NBC Miami/Telemundo51 Health & Fitness Expo moved from April to September, and expects 40,000 people at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Next: September 22-23, 2012

#7 Trade Event, Expo & Convention
Already the largest indoor antiques show in the world, the Original Miami Beach Antique Show increased attendance 5 percent this year, to more than 20,000. Next: January 31-February 4, 2013

#8 Trade Event, Expo & Convention
Previously known as Exxxotica Miami Beach, Exxxotica South Florida is one of the pornography industry’s biggest gatherings, with some 20,000 attendees, and will move to Fort Lauderdale in 2013. Next: May 2013

#9 Trade Event, Expo & Convention
Formerly known as Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention, Cruise Shipping Miami had more than 11,000 cruise line owners, operators, and employees attend in 2012. Next: March 11-14, 2013

#10 Trade Event, Expo & Convention (up from #11)
Last year, America’s Food And Beverage Show brought more than 7,000 food manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers to the Miami Beach Convention Center. Next: September 24-25, 2012

#11 Trade Event, Expo & Convention (new to the list)
After reeling in 9,000 attendees in 2011, Florida Supercon returned to the Miami Airport Convention Center in late June. Next: summer 2013

#12 Trade Event, Expo & Convention
Last year, HD Boutique consolidated to a smaller size, with 300 exhibitors, but still boosted attendance to more than 4,500. Next: September 11-12, 2012

#1 Fashion Industry Event
The country’s largest fashion showcase dedicated to swimwear, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim returned for an eighth outing earlier this month. Next: summer 2013

#2 Fashion Industry Event
The ninth annual music and fashion showcase, dubbed Funkshion: Fashion Week Miami Beach, moved to a new location, the Moore Building in Miami’s design district. Next: October 2012, summer 2013

#3 Fashion Industry Event (up from #4)
After scoring a record attendance of 8,200 visitors from more than 60 countries at this annual showcase for swimwear buyers last year, SwimShow marked its 30th year in 2012. Next: July 13-16, 2013

#4 Fashion Industry Event
Focused on introducing up-and-coming designers from around the world to the American market, Miami Beach International Fashion Week held its 15th anniversary in 2012. Next: March 20-24, 2013

#5 Fashion Industry Event (up from #6)
The rapidly growing nationwide shopping extravaganza, known as Fashion’s Night Out, returns to Miami’s Design District this fall. Next: September 6, 2012

#6 Fashion Industry Event
Taking over the Moore Building for an evening, Shecky’s Girls Night Out offers free makeovers, product previews, and cocktails. Next: November 14-15, 2012

#2 Parade & Festival
The world’s largest HIV/AIDS fund-raiser, White Party Week, brings 15,000 revelers out for six days of parties and events. Next: November 21-26, 2012

#3 Parade & Festival
This year, Delray Affair marked its 50th anniversary by bringing 250,000 people to Atlantic Avenue in Delray for three days of arts, crafts, and food. Next: April 5-7, 2013

#4 Parade & Festival
The region’s biggest holiday festival, Winterfest Boat Parade includes a black-tie ball and a nationally televised parade attended by one million people. Next: December 15, 2012

#5 Parade & Festival
The country’s largest literary gathering, Miami Book Fair International has more than 250,000 visitors perusing books on the streets of downtown Miami. Next: November 11-18, 2012

#7 Parade & Festival
Drawing more than 100,000 people to a month-long run in Deerfield, the Florida Renaissance Festival is followed by a second engagement in Miami. Next: February-April, 2013

#8 Parade & Festival (new to the list)
Now four years old, Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade and Festival draws 35,000 people. Next: April 14, 2013

#9 Parade & Festival
Presented by Comedy Central, South Beach Comedy Festival featured TV names like Aziz Ansari, Lewis Black, and Donald Glover in 2012. Next: winter 2013

#10 Parade & Festival
The largest fair in Florida, Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition is also one of the most successful county fairs in the U.S. Next: March 14-31, 2013

#11 Parade & Festival
Each New Year’s Eve, King Mango Strut has 500 quirky costumed participants marching down the streets of Coconut Grove. Next: December 31, 2012

#1 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Now 11 years old, the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival has grown into the country’s premier high-end food fest, with 60,000 guests, many celebrity chefs, and nearly 50 events. Next: February 21-24, 2013

#2 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
In 2011, the Miami International Wine Fair shifted its focus, catering exclusively to wine industry professionals and growing to 70,000 square feet of exhibit space. Next: February 15-16, 2013

#3 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
What started as a local fund-raiser 50 years ago has since grown into an all-things-garlic party, known as the Delray Beach Garlic Festival, with more than 300,000 attendees. Next: February 8-10, 2013

#4 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
This year, the Taste of the Grove Food & Wine Festival brought in a new production team and doubled in size, bringing 50,000 foodies to Coconut Grove to sample bites from dozens of the area’s best restaurants, with local dignitaries serving as judges and naming the best dishes. Next: spring 2013

#5 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
In 2012, Taste of the Nation celebrated its 25th year in Miami, with Allen Susser of Burger Bar as event chair and Andre Bienvenu of Joe’s Stone Crab as chef chair. Next: July 2013

#6 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Each spring, Pompano Beach Seafood Festival offers live music and shellfish for 25,000 guests at the Pompano Beach fishing piers. Next: April 2013

#7 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
This year, the Deering Seafood Festival purposely decreased its size, shrinking the festival to 7,500 guests in order to maintain a quality family experience. Next: March 2013

#8 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (new to the list)
In 2012, the United Way Miami Food and Wine Festival raised more than half a million dollars, with 4,000 guests attending four nights of culinary events. Next: April 2013

#9 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
One of the area’s hipper foodie gatherings, the New Times Iron Fork Competition drew 2,000 guests to Ice Palace Film Studios last year. Next: October 2012

#11 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
This year, the 17th annual Museum of Discovery and Science’s Wine and Culinary Celebration raised more than $180,000 from 2,000 guests. Next: April 5, 2013

#12 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
A five-day festival of food, wine, and cocktail parties surrounds the flagship street event known as the Las Olas Wine and Food Festival. Next: spring 2013

#2 Music, Theatre & Dance Event
With more than 200,000 attendees, this year Ultra Music Fest outgrew Bicentennial Park and relocated to Bayfront Park. Next: March 22-24, 2013

#3 Music, Theatre & Dance Event
Now in its 17th year, International Ballet Festival of Miami will include performances by companies hailing from 11 different countries. Next: August-September, 2013

#4 Music, Theatre & Dance Event (up from #5)
Founded in 1982, Sunfest attracted more than 270,000 visitors to West Palm Beach for acts like Snoop Dogg and Third Eye Blind in 2012. Next: May 1-5, 2013

#5 Music, Theatre & Dance Event (up from #6)
At the seventh annual edition this year, Jazz in the Gardens featured Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Kenny G, Kevin Eubanks, Patti LaBelle, and others. Next: March 15, 2013

#6 Music, Theatre & Dance Event
For its 2012 edition, Summer Shorts Festival featured nine mini-plays performed over the course of two weeks, staged at the Adrienne Arsht Center. Next: June 2013

#9 Music, Theatre & Dance Event
Promoting modern world music, Heineken Transatlantic Festival offers a diverse lineup of acts playing at Miami Beach clubs. Next: April 2013

#1 Art & Design Event
One of high art’s most prestigious gatherings, Art Basel Miami Beach will have more than 2,000 galleries from around the world participating this year. Next: December 9-11, 2012

#2 Art & Design Event
Leading into both the Switzerland and Miami Beach editions of Art Basel, Design Miami had Naomi Campbell, Sean Combs, and Andre Balazs among the 29,000 attendees at the Florida show last year. Next: December 5-9, 2012

#3 Art & Design Event (up from #4)
Dating to 1976, Art Deco Weekend Festival now draws close to 300,000 people for three days of film screenings, antique shows, dance performances, and more. Next: January 18-20, 2013

#4 Art & Design Event
Showcasing modern and contemporary art from 100 different galleries, Art Miami drew 55,000 attendees last year. Next: December 4-9, 2012

#5 Art & Design Event
Attracting 120,000 people to Coconut Grove every Presidents’ Day Weekend, Coconut Grove Arts Festival will mark its 50th anniversary in 2013. Next: February 16-18, 2013

#6 Art & Design Event
The area’s oldest juried art show, the Beaux Arts Festival brought out more than 100,000 art lovers for its 61st edition this year. Next: January 19-20, 2013

#7 Art & Design Event
At the 10th annual Miami Beach art fair, Arteamericas showcased Latin American artists from more than 50 different galleries. Next: March 21-25, 2013

Oh Snap! Smile offers a budget-friendly $725 booth for New York events, but the sky is the limit with its custom options. The company works with clients to create unique backdrops and props that incorporate brand imagery, plus quirky setups like their bed photo booth. They can also include social media integration.