Miami Beach Has Message for Spring Breakers: Don’t Come

The city of Miami Beach released its own reality show spoof on Tuesday to kick off its 2025 campaign to show that “Spring Break and Miami Beach don’t mix.”

Newsweek reached out to Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner and City Manager Eric Carpenter by email for comment.

Why It Matters

Florida—and particularly Miami Beach—has been considered the go-to place for college student’s spring break. Teens and those in their early 20s get excited about the possibility of sunbathing, parties and, of course, drinking, often by underage people. That created rowdy scenes that included public intoxication, property damage and fights.

By the mid-2000s, Miami Beach started to impose curfews and no-drinking zones to restrict public drinking. Major crackdowns started after a series of shootings took place in 2021 that prompted a state of emergency. Public intoxication laws since have been more heavily enforced, with limits to large gatherings and an increased police presence in the area during spring break.

What To Know

The new campaign, “Miami Beach Spring Break Reality Check,” went live on Tuesday.

The idea was developed by the city and the Greater Miami Convention Visitors Bureau to alert spring breakers that Miami Beach is not going to be the party destination they are expecting.

The 90-second video posted to X, formerly Twitter, starts with a man saying, “Miami Beach here we come.” The video goes on to show the group having fun at the beach and excited to celebrate at “my playground.”

“Once we got to Miami Beach, things went downhill fast,” one of the actresses said.

The video shows police cracking down on public intoxication, loud noises, going out late and parking violations. Additional clips from the fake reality show have popped up on the Instagram account @springbreakrealitycheck.

“Consistent with last year’s spring break, Miami Beach will once again impose tough measures in March to reinforce the message that the city is not interested in being a spring break party destination,” the city’s spring break website reads. “Disorderly crowds, lawless behavior and violence will not be tolerated.”

Additional measures regarding traffic, staffing and public safety have been put in place, according to a memo released by City Manager Eric Carpenter.

Parking garages and surface lots south of 23rd Street will be closed. A $100 flat fee for parking will be in effect for visitors at the Sunset Harbour Garage and the 42nd Street garage.

Sidewalk seating on Ocean Drive will be closed March 14 to 16 and again from March 21 to 23. There will also be limited beach entrances, which will have security checkpoints.

There will also be DUI sobriety checkpoints in place and a suspension from renting or leasing golf carts and mopeds. Packaged liquor stores will also adhere to an 8 p.m. closing time.

“I’d come back to Miami Beach, just not for spring break,” one of the actors in the video said.

What People Are Saying

Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, in a press release sent to WSVN in Miami: “We set a new standard for spring break in Miami Beach last year. This year, we’re building on that success, ensuring Miami Beach remains a welcoming destination where people can enjoy our world-class beaches, restaurants, and community in a safe family-friendly atmosphere.”

Miami Beach City Manager Eric Carpenter, in a memo on Monday: “Pursuant to City Commission direction, our Spring Break 2025 strategy will continue to be focused on public safety and include various high-impact measures that will be imposed along with traffic and staffing plans. City departments have been meeting regularly to ensure a coordinated major event plan to maintain safety and resident quality of life.”

What Happens Next

The majority of college and university spring breaks occur in mid- to late-March. A press conference on the “Miami Beach Spring Break Reality Check” guidelines will be held on February 11 at Miami Beach Police Headquarters at 10 a.m.