Family-friendly things to do October 22-25
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22
Great Balls of Fire! Comets, Asteroids and Meteors
Kids will have a blast at this interactive exhibit learning about these mysterious celestial bodies: Where do they come from and what are the risks of an eventual impact with Earth? Plus, your little astronaut can climb into a “spaceship” and blast off to Jupiter on a mission to gather data. Add to your out-of-this-world adventure with IMAX 3D: “Hubble 3D,” which takes a close-up look at the famous Hubble Space Telescope; or “Space Station 3D,” about the construction of the International Space Station.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, running through Jan. 3, at the Museum of Discovery and Science, 401 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale; 954-467-6637 or www.mods.org; $14, $12 kids 2-12.
Operation Pedro Pan Exhibition: The Cuban Children’s Exodus
From 1960-62, more than 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban children left their homeland in what became the largest recorded child refugee exodus in the Western Hemisphere. This new exhibit displays testimonies, photographs, letters and other items from the children, now adults.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, at HistoryMiami, 101 W. Flagler St., Miami; www.historymiami.org; free with museum admission ($8 adults, $5 kids 6-12, under 6 free).
Get Spooked: House of Horror Amusement Park
Why wait till Halloween for thrills and chills? South Florida’s largest haunted house brings more than 30 rooms of terror, two acres of new rides, live music, games and food. Costumes welcome as long as it doesn’t cover your face.
Details: 6-11 p.m. Thursday, 5:30 p.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday, and 5:30-11 p.m. Sunday, at Miami International Mall, 1455 NW 107th Ave., Doral; 305-639-6000 or www.houseofhorrorpark.com; $30, $15 kids 6 and under — includes unlimited rides.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23
Arts at St. Johns: Harvest Festival
Three-day family fun-fest features bounce houses; a pumpkin patch; face-painting; Duo Brubeck playing jazzed-up kids songs; a giveaway of Dave Brubeck’s children’s book, “Violin, Violin! What Do You Hear?”; a 7 p.m. Saturday concert by Miami’s favorite band of percussive primates, The Baboons; and genuine country and gospel music on Sunday.
Details: Noon-7 p.m. Friday, noon-9 p.m. Saturday, and noon-4 p.m. Sunday at Arts at St. Johns, 4760 Pine Tree Dr., Miami Beach; 305-613-2325 or www.artsatstjohns.com; free (Baboons concert $20).
A German Tradition: Oktoberfest
Celebrate German culture, music, folk dancing, food and beer for the grownups at the largest and longest-running Oktoberfest in South Florida, complete with bounce houses, carnival rides, obstacle courses and a big field for kids to run around in.
Details: 6 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday at the German-American Social Club, 11919 Miller Dr., Miami; 305-552-5123 or www.gascmiami.org; $10, $5 age 6-20, under 6 free.
Family Movie Nights: The Book of Life
The Golden Globe-nominated 3D-animated fantasy-adventure film tells the legend of Manolo, a conflicted hero and dreamer who sets off on an epic quest to rescue his one true love and defend his village. Features an outstanding soundtrack by Oscar-winning Argentine composer Gustavo Santaolalla. Bring a flashlight for Flashlight Tours at 7:30 and 7:45 p.m. — movie begins at 8.
Details: Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Pinecrest Gardens, Banyan Bowl, 11000 SW 57th Ave., Pinecrest; www.pinecrestgardens.org; $5.
Rock Opera: Jesus Christ Superstar
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s classic musical about the last week of Jesus’ life is set to a dramatic and emotional rock score. With mature themes and scenes of stage violence, the show might be disturbing for young children.
Details: 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, running through Nov. 7, at the Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre, Galleria Mall, 2542B E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. 954-763-6882 or www.flct.org; $24.50 advance, $28 at the door.
Blue Starlite by the Bay: Hocus Pocus
The Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In continues its countdown to Halloween with the 1993 comedy fantasy film “Hocus Pocus,” starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as a trio of witches; plus, a special Charlie Brown Halloween pre-show.
Details: 7 p.m. Saturday at Blue Starlite at Kennedy Park, 2476 S. Bayshore Dr., Coconut Grove; www.miamiurbandrivein.com; $5-$55.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
A Hugely Inventive Story: Big Friendly Giant
From the brilliant mind of storyteller Roald Dahl (“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “James and the Giant Peach”) comes a whizz-crackingly witty play with a far-out vocabulary that’s sure to spark the imagination of “chiddlers” of all ages.
Details: 11 a.m. Saturday at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, 10950 SW 211th St., Miami; 786-573-5300 or www.smdcac.org; $15.
Down The Rabbit Hole: Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the classic book by Lewis Carroll, this performance directed by Stephanie Ansin brings Alice’s colorful and surreal journey to life, amid iconic characters including the White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat.
Details: 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, at Miami Theater Center, 9816 NE Second Ave., Miami Shores; www.mtcmiami.org; $35.
Children’s Classic: Charlotte’s Web
Charming tale of Wilbur the pig who is saved from slaughter on the Zuckerman farm by a clever spider named Charlotte, whose messages about him written in her web turn him into an overnight sensation.
Details: 2 p.m. Saturday at Actor’s Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables; 305-444-9293 or www.actorsplayhouse.org; $23.
Musical: The Wizard of Oz
Join Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion as they follow the Yellow Brick Road to the magical Land of Oz as the 1939 movie classic is adapted to the stage.
Details: 4 p.m. Saturday at the Showtime Performing Arts Theatre, 503 SE Mizner Blvd., Royal Palm Plaza, Boca Raton; www.showtimeboca.com; $14, $10 kids under 12.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25
Flamingo Gardens: Storytime with the Good Witch
Friendly witches with their creepy pets make this an ideal day for young kids. The fun kicks off with a costume parade through the haunted woods, then story time, a costume contest, bounce house, games, crafts and scarecrows hanging out throughout the boo-tanical garden.
Details: 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Flamingo Gardens, 3750 S. Flamingo Rd., Davie; www.flamingogardens.org; $9.95, $6.45 ages 3-11, free for 2 and under.
FREE FOR ALL
Celebrate! Junta Hispana Festival
More than 20 countries are represented at this extravaganza showcasing Hispanic culture, complete with live music, food, prizes, craft-making and a diverse range of cultural performances.
Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday at the Fair Expo Center, 10901 SW 25th St., Miami; www.juntahispana.net; free.
Sign up for the Family Fare newsletter
Do you want to receive this list every week, along with news on important topics for parents? Click here and sign up for our new Family Fare newsletter.
This story was originally published October 20, 2015 at 3:24 PM with the headline "Family-friendly things to do October 22-25."