1. Carnaval Miami
Carnaval Miami, presented by the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, culminates its weeklong celebrations with Calle Ocho. Comprising 20 blocks, Calle Ocho is the largest Hispanic/Latino event in the United States. Ten stages will dot the streets in 2019. Expect a croqueta eating contest, a Cuba chef battle, and a performance by Gente de Zona. Next: March 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Carnaval Miami
2. Miami Beach Pride
The weeklong celebration of L.G.B.T.Q. communities, Miami Beach Pride will light up the 1111 Parking Garage in rainbow colors, present networking events and parties, and host a free museum night at the Perez Art Museum Miami. An energy-packed parade closes the week, shutting down Ocean Drive for the 11th year in a row. Celebrity Cruise is the year’s primary title sponsor. Next: April 1-7, 2019
Photo: SRL Media, Inc.
3. Winterfest Boat Parade
The Florida Festivals & Events Association awarded the Winterfest with 15 honors in 2018. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Winterfest Boat Parade in Fort Lauderdale estimates that one million people watch the parade along the 12-mile route while even more tune in on television and via the online stream. The 2018 theme was Best of the 80s with the singer Huey Lewis serving as grand marshal. Next: December 2019
Photo: Ginny Fujino
4. Delray Affair
The 12-block Delray Affair is promoted as the largest arts and crafts fair in the southeastern United States. The 57th edition of the free public gathering in Downtown Delray will expand to three Beer Gardens backed by Delray Honda and also debut the McManis Family Vineyards Wine Garden. When the sun sets, revelers can hang out at Delray Affair After Dark. Next: April 12-14, 2019
Photo: Julia Rose
5. White Party
Once a weeklong jubilee, White Party has been condensed into one night but still remains one of the biggest HIV/AIDS fund-raising parties of the year. In 2018, the all-white party took place at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens to benefit Care Resource, a not-for-profit community-based healthcare organization serving South Florida. Next: November 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Care Resource
5. Winter Party Festival
Miami Beach’s Winter Party Festival raises money for L.G.B.T.Q. communities. Its 26th year had the theme Open Arms and featured Bravo’s Jai Rodriguez as the celebrity emcee. Next: Winter 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Winter Party Festival
7. Florida Renaissance Festival
The Florida Renaissance Festival summons swashbucklers and sirens to Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield every February through March. Themed costume weekends with local media partners (this year Y-100 led the list) drew in costumed revelers by the droves. Family-friendly demonstrations include archery, medieval jousting tournaments, and glass blowing, as well as 100 artisans exhibiting crafts and wares. Other popular activities included a five-stop Pub Crawl. Next: February-March 2020
Photo: George Quiroga
8. Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition
The Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition (also known as the Youth Fair) is turning things up for its 68th anniversary, landing Latin pop superstar Becky G and Grammy-winner Zach Williams to headline its entertainment lineup. In 2018, nearly 500,000 guests attended the 21-day event that included livestock expos, carnival rides, and outrageous foods. The nonprofit provided more than $530,000 in academic scholarships, cash premiums, plaques, and awards. Next: March 14-April 7, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition
9. King Mango Strut
The parade is brimming with personality, parodies, and political satire: The King Mango Strut is a longstanding Coconut Grove tradition. There is no entry fee to participate or attend, and no limit to what can be said or done. What started as a rejected group from the King Orange Bowl Parade enters its 38th anniversary in 2019. Next: December 2019
Photo: Art Seitz
10. Miami Carnival
It’s time to fete when Miami Carnival colors the Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds every fall with thousands of costumed masqueraders and parades. Kes the Band headlined the 2018 event. Sponsors included the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, JetBlue, and Caribbean Airlines. Next: October 13, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Miami Carnival
11. O, Miami Poetry Festival
Every April, Miami muses on words with the monthlong O’Miami Poetry Festival and its mission to have every person in Miami-Dade County encounter a poem. This year marks its eighth anniversary, and it will herald in its first permanent installation, the sculpture "Stay Gold" by Jessy Nite, which was inspired by a Robert Frost poem. In another project, a “flash-mob” style gathering will have people in custom flip-flops leave impressions of text on Miami Beach’s sands. O, Miami is backed by the Knight Foundation. Next: April 1-30, 2019
Photo: Charlotte Kesl
12. Urban Beach Week
Memorial Day Weekend on Miami Beach is synonymous with Urban Beach Week, a decentralized celebration of black and urban culture and nightlife. Upwards of 300,000 people have flocked to South Beach to attend, though 2018 reported smaller crowds due to rain and overlap with the Air & Sea Show. The Best of the Best Music Festival went on as planned. Next: May 2019
13. Aqua Girl
The five-day celebration and the largest L.B.T.Q. charity event (benefiting Aqua Foundation for Women) in the country turns 20 this year. About 5,000 women attended the 2018 event that featured Grammy-nominated singer/writer, Leslie Cartaya, YouTube star Amber’s Closet, and singer Madison Paige. Next: Fall 2019
Photo: Daniella A. Rascon
