In the minds of organizers and event goers alike, 2022 was supposed to be the year things went back to normal in Miami.

After all, as COVID cases fell, fall events had returned in 2021. In October, Miami Carnival became the first Carnival in North America to return after the pandemic. The Miami Book Fair returned to Miami Dade College with in-person events and a street fair. Miami Art Week saw the return of mighty Art Basel and its many satellite shows, and such small theater groups as Miami New Drama and GableStage brought drama to dark, empty stages.

Miami’s entertainment scene, it seemed, was returning to normal.

Now, though, pandemic uncertainty has returned and left organizers watching and waiting.

“In March 2020, when we had to close everything, it was probably the hardest thing we’ve ever had to do,” said Johann Zietsman, president and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. “But we’re discovering that reopening is more challenging. Reopening is filled with uncertainty and unpredictability. We were constantly tentative. Is it going to change next week? Is it going to change next month?”

As COVID cases rise, these are important questions. The Arsht, which survived the pandemic with small outdoor pop-ups or socially distanced events like the 3D “Lasting Impressions” digital show, opened its popular Broadway in Miami series on Tuesday with the upbeat musical “Hairspray.”

Zietsman said the Arsht’s senior leadership team keeps close tabs on what’s going on with the virus and that they are advised on COVID protocols by a medical contact at Florida International University. Scheduling has been difficult: Rebooking shows and concerts has put a huge burden on the programming team (which “deserves a medal,” Zietsman said).

But despite what Zietsman said are effective protocols, the theater and others like it are at the mercy of the health of traveling companies. Broadway shows have been closed due to cast members testing positive; even the Radio City Rockettes had to shut down Christmas shows due to a COVID outbreak.

Outdoor events face similar issues, said Monty Trainer, president of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. The annual festival received about 20 percent fewer submissions from artists than usual, he said. As a result, there will be 280 artists in 2022 instead of the usual 350.

“We assured the artists that we’re alive and viable,” he said. “Most of them are coming, but there was a group that was very hesitant about making that commitment.“

Other event coordinators are waiting to see what comes next. Miami-Dade County Fair, which moved its 2021 fair to November but plans to return in March 2022, says organizers will monitor COVID updates and decide on protocols closer to March. The South Beach Wine & Food Festival, which pushed back its 2021 gathering from February to May in order to allow participants to get vaccinated, is confident in its ability to pivot should adjustment be necessary.

“The safety and comfort of our staff, talent, sponsors, volunteers and guests will always be our No. 1 priority,” said Lee Schrager, senior vice president, communications & corporate social responsibility at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “We learned much from our 2021 Festival in May, and in 2022 will continue to institute our COVID-19 health and safety protocols. We are ready and able to adjust our plans as needed as the situation changes.”

Zietsman, meanwhile, is hoping for the best for the Arsht Center schedule.

“We’re upbeat,” Zietsman said, “and we’re monitoring. We’re hoping it won’t have a negative impact.”

Here are some of the scheduled events for early 2022; all dates are subject to change:

Broadway in Miami series: The Arsht series, which also includes “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Jesus Christ Superstar,” has shows throughout 2022. The Arsht also hosts other arts events and concerts in its three theaters.

Art Wynwood, Feb. 17-21: The art show, a President’s Day weekend mainstay, is due to open in February at 1 Herald Plaza in downtown Miami.

Coconut Grove Art Festival, Feb. 19-21: The latest version of one of Miami’s favorite events will have fewer artists this year but has added a culinary battle of the chefs and artists painting murals live.

South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Feb. 24-27: In 2021, the event was held in May after being postponed to coincide with vaccine availability. In 2022 it returns to its original time slot at the end of February.

Jazz in the Gardens, March 12-13: The 15th annual jazz and R&B show held at Hard Rock Stadium will star Mary J. Blige, H.E.R., Rick Ross, the Isley Brothers and more.

Calle Ocho, March 13: The huge annual celebration is held outdoors, but a lively, robust crowd makes social distancing difficult.

Miami-Dade County Fair, March 17-April 10: You’re not imagining things. The fair was just here in November, postponed from March 2021. In 2022, organizers plan to put it back on its rightful place on the calendar (the week of spring break in Miami-Dade County).

Ultra Music Festival, March 25-27: The electronic music festival returns to its original home in downtown Miami.