Friends of Cape Florida upcoming events

National Lighthouse Day Celebration (08/07/2026)

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Unique Lighthouse Fun For All Abilities & Ages!

NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY 2026 - FREE COMMUNITY EVENT.

FREE Tickets HERE

Let's celebrate 200 YEARS of our CAPE FLORIDA LIGHTHOUSE - the oldest historic standing structure in Miami-Dade, 250 years of America and 35 Years of the Village of Key Biscayne.

The 2026 National Lighthouse Day celebrates the Phase I re-opening of the new Cape Florida Interpretive Museum inside the Keeper’s Cottage and a milestone in the Friends of Cape Florida’s mission to protect, preserve, and enhance the natural and cultural resources of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park through education, accessibility, and to grow community engagement.

On this day we will recognize the project leaders, supporters, grant makers, partners, volunteers, and contributors whose commitments helped bring these new interpretive experiences to life.

FREE COMMUNITY EVENT - BUT TICKETS ARE REQUIRED for all guests.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026

5PM to 8:30PM

Park Entrance Fee required.

GOOD TO KNOW: Park Entry is FREE with the Annual State Park Pass. Lighthouse Ambassadorships include the annual pass AND your FOCF membership.

LOCATION: Lighthouse Compound. (the ground around the lighthouse is gravel and sandy, please choose appropriate footwear). Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.

LIGHTHOUSE GROUNDS OPEN AT 5:00PM. Guests can climb the historic tower & the new virtual 360VIEW TOUR.
REFRESHMENTS & LITE BITES
INTERACTIVE POETRY with word smiths from OMiami and KB Poetry Share
ARTIST INSTRUCTIONS & CRAFTS with local artists
EXPLORE OUR HISTORIC AI VIDEOS of CAPE FLORIDA HISTORY in moving pictures by Hosford Studio
HOLOGRAM of BILL BAGGS - Namesake and visionary of our park by Hologram Solutions and Technologies
INFORMATION: MEMBERSHIP SIGN UP, TURTLE PROGRAM, BIRD BANDING, OMIAMI.
CHECK OUR OUR NEW VIRTUAL 360-TOUR of the LIGHTHOUSE created by Preference Consulting RealitySync.
GIFT SHOP WILL BE OPEN.

TICKETS ARE REQUIRED for all guests.

SUGGESTED DONATION for NON-MEMBERS: $ 15.00
Become a member or a Lighthouse Ambassador TODAY. Click HERE!

BRING: your folding chair, your reusable cup and a friend. Donations are welcome! We aim to make all of our events "zero waste".

EXPECT: a great time at a unique place.

Tickets include

Explore the newly opened Interpretive Museum.
Free Refreshments and lite bites.
Free Art Workshop "Create Your Own Lighthouse Canvas".
Free parking with park entrance fee.
Unique after-hour access to the Cape Florida Lighthouse Compound and the spectacular sunset viewing tour.
New special access "360 Cape View" Lighthouse tour.
Tour of the historic structure, lighthouse keeper's cottage and giftshop.
Giftshop will be open! Don't miss the chance to browse our merchandise.
Climb to the top of the historic lighthouse and breathtaking views over Downtown Miami and Stiltsville.
Meeting like-minded folks coming together in support of the historic lighthouse and the preservation of Bill Baggs legacy.
Knowing you are part of a fabulous group of people helping to protect and enhance the natural and cultural resources of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.

Become a member at FriendsCapeFlorida.org/Membership

Event sponsored by the Friend of Cape Florida Inc.

Rain or Shine. No refunds.

Release
By entering the premises of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF) event or activity, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on web sites, or any other purpose by the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF) and its affiliates and representatives. You release the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF) its volunteers and officers, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings. By entering the premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any exhibition, streaming, webcasting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF) or the person or entity designated to do so by the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF). You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the premise.

INT. OBSERVE THE MOON NIGHT (09/19/2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Saturday, September 19, 2026

6:30-9:30PM FREE COMMUNITY EVENT

Sunset Pavilion D-18

TICKETS on EVENTBRITE SOON!

Tickets required for all (Members and Non-Members).

Release: By entering the premises of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF) event or activity, you (and any persons you act as guardian) consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on web sites, or any other purpose by the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF) and its affiliates and representatives. You release the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF) its volunteers and officers, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings. By entering the premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any exhibition, streaming, webcasting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF) or the person or entity designated to do so by the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF). You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the premise.

Bill Baggs Birthday Bash (09/30/2026)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 22:00:00 GMT

BILL BAGGS BIRTHDAY BASH

What Would Bill Baggs Do?

Protecting Democracy Through Local Journalism

As we honor Bill Baggs on his birthday, we also look to the future of journalism inspired by the Press Forward initiative. Just as Baggs believed in the power of a free and fearless press to strengthen democracy and protect our communities, Press Forward seeks to ensure local journalism continues to thrive. Together, we celebrate Baggs's enduring influence and recommit ourselves to the essential role of news in preserving freedom, justice, and the environment."

DATE: Tuesday, September 30, 2026

TIME: 6:00PM to 8:00PM

LOCATION: Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, by the Lighthouse. Lighthouse, Keeper's Cottage and Giftshop will be open.

TICKETS: A ticket is required for this is FREE event (with park entry fee). Visit Eventbrite to get your free ticket.

TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE 1 month before the event.

You can support our efforts to strengthen journalism, democracy and civic advocacy through education of Bill Baggs life and work, by adding an event contribution on Eventbrite or at www.FriendsCapeFlorida.org/give

WHAT TO EXPECT

6:00PM REFRESHMENTS and lite bites. Enjoy the newly painted Cape Florida Lighthouse, the oldest historic structure in Miami-Dade.

6:30PM PRESENTATION: HoloPod(R) of William Calhoun Baggs - Technology and teaching tools to bring Bill Baggs to life. More event details will be announced closer to the event.

7:00 PM PANEL DISCUSSION: What Would Bill Baggs Do? The Future of Journalism and Democracy.

8:00PM Event ends.

Event sponsored by the Friends of Cape Florida.

No refunds. Rain or Shine.

Release
By entering the premises of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF) event or activity, you (and any persons for whom you act as guardian) consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on web sites, or any other purpose by the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF) and its affiliates and representatives. You release the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF) its volunteers and officers, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings. By entering the premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any exhibition, streaming, webcasting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF) or the person or entity designated to do so by the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF). You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the premise.

Haunted Hike - 10th Anniversary of our Halloween Extravaganza (10/24/2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

10th Anniversary of the

HAUNTED HIKE

Saturday, October 24, 2026 6:00PM - 10:00PM

The most spook-tacular annual Halloween Extravaganza in Miami! FRIGHTFUL FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY...SAVE THE DATE for Bill Baggs State Park's scariest event of the season.

TICKETS will start to go on sale September 15, 2026.

EVENT OPENS AT 6 PM. Details for 2026 event entertainment and special performances will be published closer to the event.

Since this will be our 10th anniversary of the first Haunted Hike our team is preparing a new and special program for the 2026 event.

HAUNTED HIKE GUIDELINES & CODE OF CONDUCT: To provide the safest environment for guests and performers guests are reminded to follow these safety precautions:

No costumes and masks are permitted on the Haunted Hike
No touching of props or performers.
Haunted Hike Tickets are valid for one (1) walk-through. They do include unlimited access to all other event attractions.
Carnival Admission Tickets include unlimited rides and event attractions but no Haunted Hike access.

Rules are strictly enforced to ensure a safe and fun experience for all guests. Non-compliance can result in expulsion from the event and the park.

This event is sponsored by the Friends of Cape Florida. All proceeds from this Friends of Cape Florida annual charitable event benefit Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.

NO REFUNDS. Rain or Shine.

Holiday Paddleboard Flotilla & Boat Parade! (12/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Dec 2026 20:30:00 GMT

FREE COMMUITY EVENT. JOIN US! Get ready to light up the night! Bring your holiday spirit to the park and join us for a night of festive fun. Dress up and participate in the Holiday Paddleboard Flotilla, win prizes for the best holiday outfits.

RSVP on EVENTBRITE for this FREE Event (with park entry fee). Paddleboarders and boaters welcome! For Holiday Paddleboard Flotilla participation RSVP at Events@FriendsCapeFlorida.org. To participate with your decorated boat, reach out to the Key Biscayne Yacht Club at memberservices@kbyc.org.

PRIZES for 4 category winners!

THE CLEAT will be open. Enjoy the sunset and a beautiful evening by the bay.

4:00PM - 5:00PM Join the FRIENDS PADDLE BOARD FLOTILLA

MEET & PUT IN LOCATION: No Name Harbor by Boater's Grill.

MC & PRIZES: Prizes for the participants: "Best Holiday Spirit", "Most Creative" and "Best Holiday Outfit for your Pet" - and our new category of the year 2025: "The Best Shiny Lighthouse"!

DETAILS: Participants will complete a small loop around No Name Harbor. Paddleboard and kayaks allowed. Safety boat on patrol.

PADDLE BOARD FLOTILLA PARTICIPANTS SHOULD RSVP THEIR SPOT AT Events@FriendsCapeFlorida.org

6:00PM-7:00PM BOAT PARADE

BOATS WILL ARRIVE AROUND 6:00PM. ENJOY MUSIC, THE MC NARRATING WHILE DECORATED BOATS SAIL THROUGH THE HARBOR.

Bring your blankets and folding chairs to enjoy the festive show!