Winter is coming. You aren’t worried, though, because you’re escaping to relish the sunshine in romantic Miami, Florida. Here are seven live events for your holiday vacation rendezvous.

#1. Miami City Ballet (Dec. 24)

Helmed by the legendary Cuban-American dancer, Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez, the Miami City Ballet is a sight to behold. This year at the Adrienne Arsht Center, Miami’s premiere performing arts venue, Lopez supervises George Balanchine’s choreography of The Nutcracker. With a live score performance by the Opus One Orchestra, the closing night of this production is a must-see experience. Browse tickets to the Miami City Ballet.

Before the show, take a stroll through the stunning Perez Art Museum (PAM), only a few blocks away.

#2. Jim Gaffigan (Dec. 29)

The two-time Grammy-nominated, New York Times best-selling comedian is back with a new tour, The Fixer Upper. You may have seen him recently on The Jim Gaffigan Show on TV Land, but Gaffigan’s comedy specials are really where he shines. As one of the few family-friendly comics in the biz today, you can take the kids, the parents, or both to enjoy the show. Browse tickets to Jim Gaffigan at the BB&T Center.

Join Jim at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida – about a 45 minute drive from Miami proper – and stop by Juana La Cubana Cafe on your way back for a Cuban sandwich to die for.

#3. The Orange Bowl (Dec. 30)

It’s the second longest-running bowl game and Florida’s biggest sporting event every year. Lucky for you, it falls smack dab in the middle of your trip! Regardless of who plays, the game is high-stakes college football at its finest. And if UM makes it back for the first time since 2004, you’ll be the envy of every Miamian that didn’t get tickets soon enough. Browse tickets to the Orange Bowl here.

After the game, rehydrate with a guarapo (sugarcane) shake from the Miami staple, El Palacio de los Jugos.

#4. Billy Joel (Dec. 31)

After ringing in the new year last December, it might just become an annual tradition for Mr. Joel to host a South Florida New Year’s. His “Miami 2017” track, the final song on the 1976 album Turnstiles, couldn’t be more fitting, and you can be sure he’ll play it again this year. Sing along with the piano man as you countdown to 2018. Browse tickets to Billy Joel here.

Billy Joel not your ideal New Year’s Eve? Head to the Gale Hotel Rooftop Party, where the year’s hottest music and an amazing view of the bayside fireworks will usher you into the new year with a bang.

#5. WWE: Raw (Jan. 1)

New Raw general manager Kurt Angle and crew will make their way to downtown Miami for a live evening of smackdown. Giants will battle it out, including Roman Reigns, current Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, and Women’s Champion, Alexa Bliss. Get in on the action at the American Airlines Arena, where there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. Browse tickets to WWE Raw here.

If that’s not enough intensity for one evening, make the trip to North Miami Beach’s Argentine steakhouse Las Vacas Gordas for a churrasco (skirt steak) the size of a small child. Honestly.

#6. Jazz at Heat (Jan. 7)

Watch Goran Dragic, Dion Waiters, and Hassan Whiteside of the Heat face off with the Utah Jazz. As one of the perpetually underrated teams in the West, the Jazz always make for surprisingly low-priced tickets. Led by Rudy Gobert, the 7’1” defensive juggernaut, Utah moved into the second round of the playoffs last season before being defeated by the NBA champion Golden State Warriors. Count on the Whiteside/Gobert matchup for a colossal clash. Browse tickets to Jazz at Heat here.

If you want to top it off with jazz music, head to Lagniappe, a live music space with an amazing wine selection. Pick your bottle off the rack, assemble your tasty plate of charcuterie, and enjoy live jazz in a classy but low-key venue that clearly used to be somebody’s living room.

#7. Shakira (Jan. 12)

You fell in love with the city. You had a bite of the Abuela Maria flavor at Little Havana’s Azucar Ice Cream Company and decided to stay for a few more days. Now you really have to go, but not before seeing Shakira live at American Airlines Arena. What’s Miami without some Latin music after all? Browse tickets to Shakira here.

Bid farewell to the magic city in a hip-shaking fervor.

(Image courtesy of Ruimc77 via Flickr.)