A Look Back at Miami in 2016: Culture, Sports, and Chaos
Take a deep breath and smell the salt air—but wait, is that also the scent of artisanal donuts and industrial-grade mosquito repellent?
Welcome back to Miami 2016. It was a year of extreme highs, heartbreaking lows, and that specific brand of "only in Florida" chaos. Before the Brightline existed and before everyone you knew moved to Edgewater, the 305 was a very different beast.
Put on your mirrored aviators; we’re going back.
1. The Summer of Zika (and Bug Spray)
Before 2020 made "social distancing" a thing, Wynwood had its own version. In 2016, the CDC issued a travel warning for the neighborhood due to the Zika virus. Los mosquitos estaban acabando. Suddenly, the world's coolest outdoor art gallery was a ghost town, and the hottest accessory at Wood Tavern (RIP) wasn't a Gucci belt—it was a bottle of Off! Deep Woods.
New York Times
2. Farewell to the "Big Three" Era
For Heat fans, 2016 felt like the end of an empire. First, Lebron James had left in 2014 to return to to Cavaliers. Chris Bosh was sidelined by recurring blood clots (ending his Heat career), and then the unthinkable happened: Dwyane Wade left for the Chicago Bulls. The city’s collective heart broke into 305 pieces. We weren't just losing a player; we were losing "Father Prime."
Sports Illustrated
3. The Tragedy (and the Tribute) of José Fernández
The highest of highs turned into the lowest of lows in September when Marlins star pitcher José Fernández passed away in a tragic boating accident. The city mourned its Cuban born, American inspiration, but the moment Dee Gordon hit a lead-off home run in the first game back—while wearing Jose's helmet—remains the most emotional sports moment in Miami history. It was his only home run of the season.
Creator: Rob Foldy | Credit: Getty Images
4. Moonlighting at the Oscars
Long before the La La Land mix-up at the 2017 Oscars, the buzz was building right here. Moonlight, filmed entirely in Liberty City and directed by Miami native Barry Jenkins, was the talk of the town. It didn't just put Miami on the cinematic map; it showed the world a side of the city that wasn't neon lights and South Beach.
Genzcritics
5. The Great "Pokémon GO" Invasion
In the summer of 2016, you couldn’t walk through Bayfront Park without tripping over someone trying to catch a Magikarp. Thousands of people descended to parks every night, turning downtown into a giant, glowing-screen tailgate party. It was the most social (and weirdly wholesome) Miami has ever been.
Pokemon Go
6. Amendment 2: Si a Mari y Juana
In November 2016, Florida voters looked at the ballot and said "Yes" to Amendment 2 by a whopping 71%. While it would take a few more years for dispensaries to become as common as Starbucks in South Beach, this was the moment the "medical marijuana" era officially began. It was the highest-voted initiative in the state’s history—turns out, the 305 really just wanted to chill out.
Terrance Barksdale / Pexels
7. Satisfy the Munchies with Artisanal Donuts
Is it just me, or is there something medicinal in the air making me hungry? Imagine this: a guava and cream cheese filled brioche donut. Covered in a cream cheese glaze and topped with that Galleta Maria crumble—the crunch of my childhood, but like, elevated. You didn't have to wait for a weekend pop-up anymore. The Salty Donut finally put down roots with their first permanent spot right in the heart of Wynwood. Don't worry, los mosquito had left by then.
Salty Donut
8. The Mannequin Challenge Hits the Dolphins
If you didn't stand perfectly still while "Black Beatles" played in the background, did you even live through 2016? The Mannequin Challenge was everywhere. The Miami Dolphins cheerleaders had their version in the locker room. One of them holding herself in a exercise V-up, that I would not be able to hold for the life of me. Story Miami made their own nightclub versions well, my favorite part was the guy getting thrown out by the bouncers.
Lusco-fusco
9. Another One
In 2016, you couldn’t open Snapchat without DJ Khaled yelling "Another One!" or "Major Key!" while watering his plants. Whether he was getting lost at sea on a jet ski or explaining the "Lion!" lifestyle, he turned the 305 into the global capital of viral motivation—bless up.
Hip-Hop Records / via youtube.com
10. And the Biggest Celebration in Miami... The Death of Fidel Castro
In late November, the news broke that Fidel Castro had died. While the rest of the world watched the news, Westchester and Calle Ocho exploded into a massive street party. Pots and pans were banged, flags were waved, and the champagne (and cafe cubano) flowed at Versailles until sunrise. It was a historic moment generations of exiles had waited to see.
Remember when Salt Bae impersonated Fidel Castro? Barf.
News-Journal
Feeling nostalgic for the days before the Brightline and $20 lattes? Share this post with a friend who survived the 'Summer of Zika' with you, and let us know: which 2016 Miami moment was missed?