Miami is widely known for its festive and welcoming atmosphere, making it one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. The city offers a variety of annual festivals and events that celebrate its rich history and multicultural heritage.
If you are looking to have some fun in Miami beyond the usual landmark attractions and beach visits, check out these annual events for unique experiences celebrating everything from art and fashion to food, music, and sports.
Art Deco Weekend
Art Decor Weekend is a three-day event in mid-January where art and design aficionados from the South Florida region and beyond gather to enjoy exclusive access to limited edition pieces, meet up with artists, and purchase one-of-a-kind art pieces. Originally designed to draw people to Miami Beach, the event has grown into one of the biggest and longest-running free events of its kind in the City.
Coconut Grove Arts Festival
This three-day event takes place around the first weekend of March at Regatta Park in Miami's Coconut Grove neighborhood. The festival features artist booths, food stands, live music performances by local musicians, and a family zone with hands-on activities designed for children. Visitors are welcome to stroll through the open space art galleries inside the park, where they can browse through works from local, national, and international artists.
South Beach Jazz Festival
This three-day event celebrates the city's vibrant jazz scene while showcasing Miami's cultural and artistic diversity. More than 25 stages are set up along South Beach and offer free musical performances from renowned local and global artists. Proceeds of the event go to Power Access, a non-profit organization aimed at helping people living with disability.
Miami International Boat Show
This epic boating event takes place in February and features boat and yacht dealers from around the globe displaying their newest water vessels at the Miami Marine Stadium. Visitors can test drive luxury yachts, speedboats, fishing boats, personal watercraft, and RIBs. The event attracts over 100,000 people every year. Just take a drive up from Princeton!
Calle Ocho Music Festival
The Calle Ocho Music Festival is an annual celebration of Latin music, arts, and culture in Little Havana (near Little River). The free event features live musical performances by local and international artists, food stands, art, and activities for children. The Calle Ocho is the largest Hispanic festival in the United States and has been around for over 40 years.
Other top-rated annual events in Miami include Ultra Music Festiva, Miami Book Fair, Rolling Loud, Aqua Girl, Miami Fashion Week, Miami International Auto Show, and the Miami Open.