While some are getting ready to enter winter hibernation mode, others are packing up for the most important art event of the year: Art Basel Miami . Since its 2002 American debut – as an off-shoot from the original fair in Basel, Switzerland – #ABM has been the catalyst for an immense cultural boom in Miami, attracting over 20 art fairs and hundreds of pop-ups across the city, so much so that this time of year has been renamed Miami Art Week. 

And so, when the gallery scene's deep pockets mix with celebrities and the spirit of wholesale vanity that is Miami, extravagant parties are inevitable. One does not simply just get on the list for an after hours at Diddy’s mansion – but you don’t really have to be in order to have a good time. Here are the picks that will complement a week’s worth of art education and socialization for an epic time in the 305. 

What: Walls of Change Opening Night Party
When: Tuesday, December 1 
Where: Wynwood Walls, 2516 NW Second Avenue, Miami 
Tickets: Free and open to the public from 11 pm to 2 am

Art is a powerful agent of social change, and is the hero of many gentrification stories – something you'll see all over Miami's Wynwood area. The area, previously a culturally barren and socially unstable area, has radically developed its industrial stretches into a ground zero for gallery owners, public art, and artistic cliques from Northern and Latin America. At opening night at Wynwood Walls for the Walls of Change party, you'll glimpse world-renowned artists like Inti, completing impressive pieces before your very eyes. After a tour of the massive pieces inside the gallery, go outside and partake in a slew of events at the local galleries and warehouses.

Photo by: The Wall

What: Damian Lazarus, Behrouz, and Bedouin
When: Wednesday, December 2 
Where: The Wall, 2201 Collins Avenue, Miami
Tickets

Miami is lucky to have an authentic music pioneer like Behrouz to call the Magic City his home. The experienced DJ and producer, weekend after weekend, pushes boundaries by curating some of the most interesting progressive underground parties at his club, Do Not Sit On The Furniture. This Wednesday he will bring deep, melodic, sub-Saharan vibes to South Beach’s megaclub, WALL, alongside none other than the dynamic producer and guru of global sound, Damian Lazarus, as well Brooklyn’s rising stars Bedouin. 

Photo by: Bacardi

What: Casa Bacardi curated by Swizz Beatz
When: Begins Wednesday, December 2, runs through Saturday, December 5
Where: 35 NE 29th Street, Wynwood
Tickets: Morning free. Evening free with RSVP 

Hip-hop mogul and art authority Swizz Beatz partnered with Bacardi to shake things up with a fresh concept of a no-commission art fair where all the proceeds of pieces sold will go to the featured artists. The pieces come from both up-and-comers to more known names, including works from Dustin Yellin, Swoon, and the birthday boy, Shepard Fairey. Happy birthday Obey! After dark, the Bacardi casa will dim its lights and transform the Wynwood space into a musical extravaganza with a FOMO-inducing program that includes performances by Alicia Keys, Pusha T, Wiz Khalifa and DMX. Make sure to RSVP ASAP.

Photo by: Baby's All Basel

What: Baby’s All Basel
When: Wednesday, December 2 through Sunday, December 6 
Where: TBA
Tickets: Must RSVP here

In partnership with the party instigators Poplife, Brooklyn’s finest indie club Baby’s All Right will bringing its signature sophisticated funky vibes to Miami this week. The lineup and location are all a surprise but by looking at their track record of bookings – ones that give audiences the chance to boast that they “saw them before they got famous” – we’d put money on the fact that those who RSVP are in for a soulful treat.

Photo by: Life and Death Art Basel

What: Life and Death Art Basel
When: Thursday, December 3
Where: Mana Wynwood, 318 NW 23rd Street, Miami
Tickets

The keyword here? TECHNO. If your thing is a proper hedonistic party a la Ibiza, this is the party you must attend. The infamous electronic label Life and Death will bring under the same roof the mesmerizing Italian duo Tale of Us alongside NYC’s party monsters Thugfucker and psychedelic house master Mind Against. As if that weren't enough, the legend Richie Hawtin will also grace the decks. If you have an early art viewing planned for Friday, we suggest you push it back because odds are you will be here ‘til the sunrise.

Photo by: Black Madonna

What: Black Madonna
When: Friday, December 4
Where: Electric Pickle, 2826 N Miami Avenue, Miami
Tickets 

This is just the beginning for Black Madonna, the Chicago-based producer who has worked the club circuit for nearly a decade. It was only after getting discovered at Berlin’s iconic club Berghain that this prolific music connoisseur is finally getting the attention and adoration she deserves. Come get hypnotized by some real deep Chicago and Detroit sounds from one of the most exciting electronic music acts at Wynwood’s Electric Pickle.

Photo by: Verboten Stage One

What: Verboten’s Stage One
When: Saturday, December 5
Where: 540 NW 23rd Street, Wynwood Arts District
Tickets

After a successful summer outdoor festival series in Brooklyn, Verboten will bring its world-class electronic talent and mesmerizing visuals to Miami with Stage One. This day-long party will showcase an impressive lineup that leaves little room for possible schedule conflicts. Because when you have names like Black Coffee, Matthew Dear, Art Department and Nicola Zanatta on the list, where else would you possibly want to be?

Photo by: Visionquest

What: Visionquest
When: Sunday, December 6 
Where: Electric Pickle, 2826 N. Miami Avenue, Miami
Tickets 

The dynamic trio Visionquest will close off this party filled week with a chilled out house and techno BBQ at one of the best venues in Miami.

Photo by: NU

What: Art Basel Closing Party with NU
When: Sunday, December 6
Where: Do Not Sit on The Furniture, 423 16th Street, Miami Beach
Tickets

Ready to wind down from Basel? Make this Do Not Sit on The Furniture party your final Basel stop and touch base with all the friends you couldn't find time to meet up with during week. NU will showcase his unique style which flawlessly threads mystic Latin tunes with deep house and emotional techno to make it one helluva nightcap.

If you want more options, here is an extensive party list to build your week around. Happy Basel!

Photo by: Becks