#1 Music, Theater & Dance Evens (up from #2)
Now in its 20th year, the landmark festival will feature live sets by the Chainsmokers, David Guetta, DJ Snake, and more. The sold out festival features multiple state-of-the-art stages throughout Miami’s Bayfront Park. Guests are now encouraged to download the Ultra app to create personalized schedules and get updates from organizers. Next: March 23-25, 2018
#2 Music, Theater & Dance Event
A destination event for the electronic and dance-music industry around the world, the conference brings together industry professionals from over 70 countries for seminars and panel discussions. This year’s edition was hastily announced after speculation as late as early March that it would not take place. The 33rd edition has a new home—Miami Beach’s Faena Forum—and will be three days instead of a week. Running concurrently with WMC are the International Dance Music Awards. Next: March 20-22, 2018
#3 Music, Theater & Dance Event
The 35-year-old “where music meets the waterfront” festival showcases performances from big names in pop, rock, and hip-hop. The 2018 lineup includes performances from Pitbull, Nick Jonas, Billy Idol, and 311. This year the festival, held in West Palm Beach’s Flagler Drive waterfront, also will feature a 5K race and an art exhibit. Next: May 3-6, 2018
#4 Music, Theater & Dance Event
The three-day country, rock, and roots music festival has a mission to increase public awareness about the issues impacting the world’s oceans and to support scientific research, education, and ocean conservation initiatives. This year fans will take in performances by Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban, and Snoop Dogg at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park. Next: April 6-8, 2018
#5 Music, Theater & Dance Event (up from #7)
The eclectic and fast-growing music, art, and technology festival had a sold out fifth year at Mana Wynwood—despite Hurricane Irma touching down just weeks before. The lineup included sets by Gorillaz—who made their Miami debut—as well as the xx, Nicolas Jaar, Richie Hawtin, Kaytranada, and Bonobo. III Points has expanded into year-long programming, presenting Wu Tang Clan during Miami Art Week 2017. Next: October 2018
#6 Music, Theater & Dance Events
For 23 years the International Ballet Festival has worked to introduce audiences to an array of national and international ballet companies. The event features performances by 100 principal dancers representing more than 20 ballet companies, a dance film series, art exhibits, book presentations, workshops, and master classes. Next: September 2018
#7 Music, Theater & Dance Event
North Miami and the City of Miami Garden’s top music festival is ringing in its 13th year with Chaka Khan, Trick Daddy, Biz Markie, Salt-N-Pepa, and more at Hard Rock Stadium. The opening-night party will take place Friday night at the Hyundai Club located inside Hard Rock Stadium. Next: March 17-18, 2018
#8 Music, Theater & Dance Event
City Theatre’s Summer Shorts series is a cornerstone on the Miami cultural calendar. Presented in conjunction with the Adrienne Arsht Center and now in its 23rd year, the event celebrates plays that run 10 minutes or less. The 2017 edition featured the mini-musical 21 Chump Street, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning creator of the Broadway sensation Hamilton. Next: Summer 2018
#9 Music, Theater & Dance Event
The Miami Salsa Congress flaunts more than 500 performers, 30 hours of workshops, and non-stop dancing and parties. The energetic five-day event turns 17 in 2018, calling the Eden Roc Hotel on Miami Beach home and welcome Johnny Vazquez, the “Prince of Salsa,” as a headliner for the first time. Next: July 25-29, 2018
#10 Music, Theater & Dance Event
The Rhythm Foundation has been introducing South Floridians to international music for three decades, managing the North Beach Bandshell for the City of Miami Beach and producing the world music Transatlantic Festival. For two nights, global acts playing jazz, funk, rock, and other genres are brought to an eager live music community. For 2018, A.C.H.É, an Afro-Cuban-meets-house collective headlines the first night while Sinkane, a Sudan-raised funk-pop artist headlines the second night. Next: April 21-22, 2018
#11 Music, Theater & Dance Event (up from #12)
A sold-out crowd took in the sounds of Ricky Martin, Gente De Zona, Camila Cabello, Luis Fonsi, Diplo, and more at AmericanAirlines Arena. Organizers say millions more viewed a live stream and broadcast of the concert. During the festival, Martin received the second annual iHeartRadio Premio Corazon Latino Award by iHeartRadio and Enrique Santos for his relief support following Hurricane Maria and his work fighting human trafficking. Next: Fall 2018
#12 Music, Theater & Dance Event (new to the list)
The Premio Lo Nuestro awards are one of the biggest in the Spanish-speaking world and remain Univision's longest-running show. For 2018 and its 30th anniversary, the show switched gears, honoring musical legends and milestones that spanned its three-decade run, including Miami’s own Emilio and Gloria Estefan. The show aired live from downtown Miami’s AmericanAirlines Arena. Next: Winter 2019
#13 Music, Theater & Dance Event (new to the list)
The biggest festival of flamenco dance and music in the Southeast wrapped its 11th season with the world’s performances by Ballet Nacional de España at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Andalusian Voices was a new addition to the roster, showcasing the musical side of flamenco. After selling out four performances during the Flamenco Festival in 2015, Sara Baras is back as the star of the 12th annual Flamenco Festival Miami in 2019. Next: March 13-16, 2019
