Art Basel, North America’s foremost international modern and contemporary art fair has called Miami Beach home since 2001, showcasing over 250 galleries from 31 countries inside the Miami Beach Convention Center. This year the event runs from December 3 – 6. Widely considered the most important and exciting time of year in Miami, Art Basel Miami Beach brings a certain electricity to the air. It attracts a sophisticated international crowd of gallerists, artists, collectors, and glitterati to the sands of South Beach and beyond. Here’s a preview of what to expect and how to get around.

SATELLITE FAIRS & EVENTS
While Art Basel Miami Beach is undeniably the main event, it’s spawned more than 20 satellite fairs, stretching from Midtown to Downtown. In 2004, Design Miami launched, a sister fair to Art Basel, exploring the global world of design, culture and commerce. Miami’s own museums and galleries present their most compelling work during Art Basel.

“It’s the quintessential place to show,” says Robert Fontaine, director of the Robert Fontaine Gallery in Wynwood. “It’s a spotlight on the newest of the new. These artists are producing the best works of their career to show at the world’s fair of fine art.”

Where art is found, a fashionable crowd is never too far behind. Designers and magazine editors throw events and parties, from luxury retailers in the Design District to the rooftops of chic boutiques in South Beach.

And speaking of parties, for those in the know and who can get past the velvet rope, Art Basel is a whirlwind of non-stop revelry. Nightclubs host celebrity-splashed soirees and “pop-up” clubs dot the city from South Beach to Wynwood, offering ephemeral experiences for lovers of nightlife.

In fact, Art Basel is all about surprise and delight. A simple stroll through South Beach or Midtown during the fair will offer public art and installations, unparalleled people-watching and unpredictable spectacles.

BACKGROUND AND ASPECTS OF THE FAIR
Art Basel Miami Beach is the sister fair to the original Art Basel, founded in Basel Switzerland in 1970. In Miami Beach, it capitalizes on its unique geography as the nexus of North America and Latin America. In 2013, a third iteration of Art Basel spawned in Hong Kong, a city known for being the gateway between East and West cultures.

At Art Basel Miami Beach, 500,000 square-feet of exhibition space is divided into seven sectors, Galleries, Nova, Positions, Edition, Kabinett, Public, Film, and Magazines. These sectors allow visitors to navigate the fair and experience the many dimensions of modern and contemporary art. For instance, much of the fair consists of the Galleries sector where individual galleries present a range of work from their artists inside their booths. Positions consists of booths with work by a single artist and Nova features new works. Editions premiered in 2013 featuring leading publishers of editions works and prints.

One of the most engaging sectors is Public. Set at Collins Park in collaboration with the Bass Museum of Art since 2011, outdoor sculptures, site specific installations, and performance art are found free and open to the public. The Film sector also presents work in an outdoor venue (in addition to at the Convention Center) at the Frank Gehry-designed New World Center’s  SoundScape Park, which boasts a 7,000 square-foot projection wall to showcase video art.

TIPS AND NEED TO KNOW DETAILS
With plenty of ground to cover and drawing crowds upwards 50,000 people, Art Basel Miami Beach is, in a word, overwhelming. And that’s not even counting the endless satellite fairs, parties, and events you’ll also probably want to pack into your calendar. It’s important to pace yourself so that you can get the most out of the experience without kicking into contemporary art overload.

Depending on the fairgoer, you may wish to let your whim be your guide as you wander the maze of booths, or use the floor map and select galleries of interest to prioritize your time. Guided tours by established art critics are also available if reserved in advance.

You can easily make a day of it at Art Basel, and the Convention Center is equipped with two self-serve restaurants, five cafes, and an outdoor café across the street at the Botanical Gardens—not to mention plenty of Champagne to get you in the mood. Allow yourself a lunch or snack break while you cover the grounds.

For first timers, a good starting place is to attend Art Basel and then select one or two other satellite fairs of interest. Don’t plan on attending more than two fairs in a day to keep from wearing yourself out.

TICKETS
While it’s easy to purchase tickets onsite any day of the fair, you can save time waiting in line by purchasing online ahead of time. For more information visit Art Basel Miami Beach.

WHERE TO STAY
Blocks away from the Convention Center, Loews Miami Beach Hotel is the ideal spot to serve as your home base for Art Basel. Accommodations are spacious and luxurious, and with the selection ofrestaurants and lounges you’re sure to remain well nourished.
And before or after a day of art discovery, there’s always the exhale spa to leave you rejuvenated and refreshed.
Read our review here.

Loews Miami Beach
1601 Collins Ave,
Miami Beach, FL 33139
T: (305) 604-1601
www.loewshotels.com/miamibeach

WHERE TO PARTY

Thursday, December 3

PAMM presents “Dimensions” by Devonté Hynes (Blood Orange) and Ryan McNamara, Pérez Art Museum Miami, 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Open only PAMM Sustaining and above level members as well as Art Basel Miami Beach, Design Miami, and Art Miami VIP cardholders.

Life and Death Art Basel with Tale Of Us, Mind Against, Thugfucker, and special guest Richie Hawtin, Mana Wynwood, 318 NW 23rd St., Miami. Doors 9 p.m.; tickets $15 to $66 via residentadvisor.net.

Connan Mockasin, Bardot, 3456 N. Miami Ave., Miami. Doors 10 p.m.; tickets $15 to $20 via showclix.com.

A Jetset Jubilee with Aeroplane with a super special guest (TBA), presented by Superfine! House of Art and Design, the Citadel, 8300 NE Second Ave., Miami. Tickets $25 via superfine.design/tickets.

Immortal Technique with Hasan Salaam, DJ Static, and El B. 7 p.m. at Churchill’s Pub, 5501 NE Second Ave., Miami; 305-757-1807; churchillspub.com. Tickets cost $25 plus fees via  eventbrite.com  Ages 18 and up.

Baby’s All Basel present by Poplife and Baby’s All Right. Location TBA. RSVP at babysallrightmiami.splashthat.com.

Fuck Art Let’s Dance with Kim Ann Foxmann, Justin Strauss. Psychic Mirrors (live), and Miami Players Club, Electric Pickle, 2826 N. Miami Ave., Miami. Tickets $10 to $5 via residentadvisor.net.

The Surf Lodge, along with Shepard Fairey, Juxtapoz Magazine, and Art Alliance: The Provocateurs celebrate artist Sage Vaughn, the Hall South Beach, 1500 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. 10 p.m.; by invitation only.

DJ Mustard. 11 p.m. Thursday, December 3, at E11even Miami, 29 NE 11th St, Miami. Tickets cost $20 to $40 via 11miami.com.

Casa Bacardi curated by Swizz Beatz, with Alicia Keys, Hannah Bronfman, Guru, and Nan Kwabena 35 NE 29th St, Miami.

Le Baron Pop-Up, FDR at Delano, 1685 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.

Never Never Pop-Up, Nautilus, 1825 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Open until 4 a.m.; by invitation only.

No. 8 Pop-Up with Chris Bachmann, Jus Ske, and more. Thursday, December 3, at Rec Room, 1690 Collins Ave, Miami Beach.

Tumblr’s Shack-tacular! with art by Art by Marc Dennis and special treats from Shake Shack, 1111 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach. From 9 to 11 p.m. First-come, first-served.

Galore’s Basel Bombshells presented by Tumblr and Delmar Swim, with special performance by Miguel and DJ sets by Mia Moretti, Chelsea Leyland, YesJulz, and Sam French, Rockwell, 743 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Starts at 11 p.m.

Satellite Party with Prince Rama, ZS, PC Worship, M. Beharie, Reptile Chapel, Objekt, Ultrademon, Clay Wilson (Bunker NY), Zemi17 (Bunker NY), and visuals by Trouble, at Jazz Club at Deauville Beach Resort, 6701 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. From 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Fractal Basel with TRUTH, Somejerk, Nocturnal Status, Afro Monk, and more, 122 NW 25th St., Miami. Tickets $15 at fractalbeach.com.

We For Real House Party with DZA and Arthur Baker, WeWork Miami Beach, 350 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach. RSVP at weareallfriendshouseparty.splashthat.com.

Cosmo Baker, Matthew Law AKA DJ Phsh, and DJ Ynot, Coyo Taco, 2300 NW Second Ave., Miami. No cover.

Giorgio Moroder and Horse Meat Disco, hosted by Yabu Pushelberg, Basement Miami at Miami Beach Edition, 2901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. RSVP to reservations@basementmiami.com.

Basel House, RC Cola Plant, 594 NW 23rd Street, Miami. From noon to 2 a.m.

MuzArt presents Rony Seikaly and Casey Kiss, Do Not Sit On the Furniture, 423 16th St., Miami Beach. Doors 10 p.m.; tickets $30 via residentadvisor.net

Friday, December 4

When Pigs Fly presented by Link Miami Rebels with artists TBA, Trade, 1439 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Tickets $15 to $35 via residentadvisor.net.

tINI and Bill Patrick, Heart Nightclub, 50 NE 11th St., Miami. Tickets $20 to $30 via residentadvisor.net.

Paris Hilton, Wall Lounge, 2210 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Tickets $50 to $80 via wantickets.com.

Safe Off/Basel 2015 with Martyn, the Black Madonna, and Diego Martinelli, Electric Pickle, 2826 N. Miami Ave., Miami. Tickets $18.35 to $21.15 via residentadvisor.net.

Miami Nice Art Basel, All-White Yacht Party, South Beach Lady, Hyatt Dock, 400 SE Second Ave., Miami. Tickets $60 via wantickets.com.

Jamie xx and Four Tet, presented by III Points and Young Turks, at Mana Wynwood, 318 NW 23rd St., Miami. Doors 9 p.m. Tickets $25 to $400 via showclix.com.

Miami Hearts Design, hosted by Karelle Levy with a KRELwear living installation, with Afrobeta and Millionyoung, presented by Superfine! House of Art and Design, the Citadel, 8300 NE Second Ave., Miami. Tickets $15 via superfine.design/tickets.

Avey Tare (Animal Collective) DJ set with Byrdipop and Uchi (live), Bardot, 3456 N. Miami Ave., Miami. Doors 10 p.m.; tickets $15 to 20 via showclix.com.

Nakid Magazine Issue Release Party celebrating Jen Stark. 10 p.m. Friday, December 4, at Libertine, 40 NE 11th St., Miami; 305-363-2120; libertinemiami.com. Admission is $10; RSVP at libertinemiami.com/nakid.

Baby’s All Basel present by Poplife and Baby’s All Right. Location TBA. RSVP at babysallrightmiami.splashthat.com.

The Surf Lodge’s André Saraiva party with special performance by Mickey Madden of Maroon 5, the Hall South Beach, 1500 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. 10 p.m.; by invitation only.

Casa Bacardi curated by Swizz Beatz, with Pusha-T, DJ Esco, and A-Trak, 35 NE 29th St, Miami.

Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series Finale hosted by Russell and Danny Simmons and Rosario Dawson, Beach Tent at Nautilus, 1825 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. 8:30 to 11 p.m.; by invitation only.

Bootsy Bellows Pop-Up with Vic Mensa, Devin Lucien, and Balthazar Getty. Friday, December 4, at E11even Miami, 29 NE 11th St, Miami. Tickets cost $20 to $40 via 11miami.com.

Le Baron Pop-Up, FDR at Delano, 1685 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.

MoMA PS1 party, 1685 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.; by invitation only.

Never Never Pop-Up, Nautilus, 1825 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Open until 4 a.m.; by invitation only.

Rumors with Guy Gerber. Friday, December 4, at 1 Hotel, 2341 Collins Ave, Miami Beach. RSVP via Residentadvisor.com.

Basel Castle presents Armand Van Helden, 1 Rooftop at 1 Hotel, 2341 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.

Satellite Party presented by Fade To Mind with Kingdom, Total Freedom, MikeQ Leonce, and visuals by Trouble, at the Pharmacy, 7430 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Starts at 10 p.m.

1Oak Pop-Up with Virgil Abloh (Flat White), Jus Ske, and Chapman, Rockwell, 743 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Starts at 11 p.m.

Look Alive Fest with Silver Apples, Wolf Eyes, Ava Mendoza, Eartheater, Greg Fox, Snakehole, Treasure Teeth, and Other Body, Churchill’s Pub, 5501 NE Second Ave., Miami. From 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tickets cost $15 to $18 via Eventbrite.com.

G. Love and Special Sauce, Blackbird Ordinary, 729 SW First Ave., Miami. Starts at 10 p.m. No cover.

Soulection Takeover with Joe Kay, Sosupersam, and the Whooligan, Coyo Taco, 2300 NW Second Ave., Miami. No cover.

“Barefoot” Afterparty hosted by A$AP Rocky and Mark Anthony Green, Highbar at Dream South Beach, 1111 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. From 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. By invitation only.

“Rap Tees” Launch Party with DJ Ross One and DZA, hosted by Peachfuzz, Basement Miami at Miami Beach Edition, 2901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. RSVP to reservations@basementmiami.com.

Basel House, RC Cola Plant, 594 NW 23rd Street, Miami. From noon to 2 a.m.

Playroom Art Basel Edition with Behrouz and surprise guests, Do Not Sit On the Furniture, 423 16th St., Miami Beach. Doors 10 p.m.; tickets $30 via residentadvisor.net.

Scope Official Party with Mack Wilds and Lil Dicky, Nikki Beach, 1 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach. By invitation only.

Saturday, December 5

Danny Howells, Do Not Sit On the Furniture, 423 16th St., Miami Beach. Doors 10 p.m.; tickets $20 via residentadvisor.net.

Crew Love Art Basel with Soul Clap, PillowTalk (live), Nick Monaco, Navid Izadi, Jeremy Ismael, and Miami Players Club, Electric Pickle, 2826 N. Miami Ave., Miami. Tickets $15 to $35 via residentadvisor.net.

Big Times in Little Haiti with Jeffrey Paradise (of Poolside), Gilligan Moss, and Krisp, presented by Superfine! House of Art and Design, the Citadel at 8300 NE Second Ave., Miami. Tickets $25 via superfine.design/tickets.

DJ Mustard & Fabolous. 9 p.m. Saturday, December 5, at Toejam Backlot, 150 NW 21st St., Miami; toejambacklot.com. RSVP via CLSoundtrack@fresh.guestcode.com. 

David Squillace. 11:30 p.m. Saturday, December 5, at Wall Lounge, 2201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-938-3130; wallmiami.com. Tickets cost $40 to $70 via wantickets.com.

III Points Art Basel Concert Series with A$AP Rocky and Kaytranada. 9 p.m. Saturday, December 5, at Mana Wynwood, 318 NW 23rd St., Miami; 305-573-0371; manawynwood.com. Tickets cost $25 to $50 via showclix.com.

Baby’s All Basel present by Poplife and Baby’s All Right. Location TBA. RSVP at babysallrightmiami.splashthat.com.

Casa Bacardi curated by Swizz Beatz, with Swizz Beatz & DMX, DJ Runna, Araab Muzik, and Wiz Khalifa (DJ set), 35 NE 29th St, Miami.

Le Baron Pop-Up, FDR at Delano, 1685 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.

DJ Savi. 11 p.m. Saturday, December 5, at E11even Miami, 29 NE 11th St, Miami. Tickets cost $20 to $40 via 11miami.com.

Never Never Pop-Up, Nautilus, 1825 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Open until 4 a.m.; by invitation only.

Basel Castle presents Chromeo (DJ set), 1 Rooftop at 1 Hotel, 2341 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.

Satellite Party with Ghostface Killah, Dawn Richard, Antwon with special guest Lil Ugly Mane, Collapsing Scenery, and Kingdom (DJ set), Deauville Beach Resort, 6701 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. From 4 to 9 p.m.

Satellite Party with Otion Front, Dre Skull, the Large, Jubilee, Wildlife!, and visuals by Trouble, at the Pharmacy, 7430 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Starts at 8 p.m.

1Oak Pop-Up with DJ Daddykat (Wiz Khalifa), Jus Ske, and Chapman, Rockwell, 743 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Starts at 11 p.m.

G. Love and Special Sauce, Purdy Lounge, 1811 Purdy Ave., Miami Beach. Starts at 9 p.m. No cover.

Slick Rick, Blackbird Ordinary, 729 SW First Ave., Miami. Starts at 10 p.m. No cover.

Kon, Morse Code, and Induce, Coyo Taco, 2300 NW Second Ave., Miami. No cover.

Anonymous Gallery Miami Vice Party with DJ Lee Foss and Lazaro Casanova, Basement Miami at Miami Beach Edition, 2901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. RSVP to reservations@basementmiami.com.

Basel House, RC Cola Plant, 594 NW 23rd Street, Miami. From noon to 2 a.m.

Little Sister Afterparty presented by Spinello Projects and Porter + Sail with Nomi Ruiz (Hercules + Love Affair/Jessica 6), Bonnie Beats, Michelle Leshem, Libertine, 34 NE 11th St., Miami. Door at 10 p.m. No cover; RSVP at libertinemiami.com/spinello.

Sunday, December 6

The Visionquest Experience with Visionquest (Lee Curtiss, Ryan Crosson, Shaun Reeves), DJ Three, Behrouz, and more, Electric Pickle, 2826 N. Miami Ave., Miami. Tickets $20 to $30 via residentadvisor.net.

Dark Basel with Necro and Madchild. 7 p.m. at Churchill’s Pub, 5501 NE Second Ave., Miami; 305-757-1807;churchillspub.com. Tickets cost $20 plus fees via eventbrite.com. Ages 18 and up.

Hard 2 Leave Presents A-Trak. 11 p.m. Sunday, December 6, at E11even Miami, 29 NE 11th St, Miami. Tickets cost $20 to $40 via 11miami.com.

Baby’s All Basel present by Poplife and Baby’s All Right. Location TBA. RSVP at babysallrightmiami.splashthat.com.

ANTS with Gorgon City and Andrea Oliva. 11 p.m. Sunday, December 6, at Story, 136 Collins Ave, Miami Beach. Ticket cost $30 plus fees via flavorus.com.

Basel Tov 2015 hosted by YesJulz, Highbar at Dream South Beach, 1111 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. From 2 to 6 p.m.

Flat White (Virgil Abloh) and PartyNextDoor, hosted by Who’s Who and Unknwn, Basement Miami at Miami Beach Edition, 2901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. RSVP to reservations@basementmiami.com.

Basel House, RC Cola Plant, 594 NW 23rd Street, Miami. From noon to 9 p.m.

Le Baron’s Last Hurrah, Libertine, 34 NE 11th St., Miami Beach. Starts at 4 a.m. By invitation only.

Part with Nu Art Basel Closing Party, Do Not Sit On the Furniture, 423 16th St., Miami Beach. Doors 9 p.m.; tickets $20 via residentadvisor.net.

Nickodemus, DJ Moma, and Erick Paredes, Coyo Taco, 2300 NW Second Ave., Miami. No cover.

GETTING AROUND
With the Venetian Causeway closed for reconstruction during Miami Art Week and thousands of visitors expected to clog Miami Beach and the eastern mainland, getting around will be a challenge at best, and impossible at worst.

To help alleviate the traffic jams, public and private entities are getting creative. Free shuttles will be provided. New bus routes have been added. And Art Basel Miami Beach, Uber, Stella Artois and Related Group are teaming up to provide a yacht service across Biscayne Bay to move between the art fairs in Miami and Miami Beach.

In an intersection of improved connectivity, artistic expression and entertainment, the companies have partnered to provide a service that adds another dimension to the array of transit options for fairgoers, who also have a slew of shuttle services and a water taxi.

For a $35 flat fee, UberBOAT will transport people back and forth between a dock at Purdy Avenue and 17th Street and Paraiso Bay Beach Club, 600 NE 31st St. Riders will need to be in the designated UberBOAT zone in either city to request a regular Uber ride to the dock. The zone in Miami is bounded by 46th Street on the north, Interstate 95 to the west, Interstate 395 to the south and Biscayne Bay to the east. The zone in Miami Beach stretches from the bay to the ocean from 46th Street to South Pointe.

Through the service, six luxury yachts will be deployed from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. Dec. 3-5, with the boat option incorporated into the normal Uber mobile app. Normal Uber drivers will be able to take up to six people to dock locations. Once on the other side, riders can use the same trip to get an Uber to anywhere within the zone.

In addition to the UberBOAT, a water taxi launching from the boat ramp at Maurice Gibb Memorial Park will be available from Thursday to Sunday.

Shuttles
To move people around on land without a car, several shuttle services will be available.
A free trolley will shuttle visitors across Biscayne Bay via the Julia Tuttle Causeway from Wednesday through Sunday. A joint effort between Miami and Miami Beach, the trolley will run between the Art Basel Miami Beach’s home at the Convention Center and satellite fairs in Midtown Miami and Wynwood.

This shuttle runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Riders can expect service about every 15 minutes.

Another shuttle in the Beach will run from 10th Street and Washington Avenue north to 72nd Street, connecting South Beach and North Beach to the Convention Center.

Miami will also have trolleys running north to south in loops that stretch from the Central Business District north through Little Haiti and Little River. These trolleys will run from 11 a.m. to midnight from Tuesday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Riders can expect shuttles every 30 minutes.

Miami-Dade Transit will also roll out its own free bus route, called the Miami-Dade Art Express, from Tuesday to Sunday. The buses can be tracked on the Miami-Dade transit app and will stop at these locations:

▪ Miami Beach Convention Center, 17th Street and Convention Center Drive

▪ Design District, NE First Avenue and 38th Street

▪ Wynwood, NW Second Avenue and 29th Street

▪ Midtown, NE 29 Street and First Avenue

Buses will have WiFi, and stops in Miami will have free mobile device charging stations.

Over in Miami Beach, officials plan to pause some construction projects in a few key areas during the art fair.

“Washington Avenue, Purdy Avenue and 18th Street are expected to reopen for Art Basel,” said city spokeswoman Nannette Rodriguez. “Construction will resume after the fair. Other streets under construction are being minimized.”

With West Avenue under construction from 14th Street south to the MacArthur Causeway, drivers will need to take Alton Road to access the bridge.

Other fairs, like PULSE Miami Beach at Indian Beach Park, will have their own shuttles to and from the Convention Center.