Annual Events & Festivals
Major Events:
- Art Basel Miami Beach (December): World's premier contemporary art fair attracting collectors, artists, and celebrities. Week-long parties, gallery exhibitions, and cultural events throughout the city.
- For 2026, Miami Music Week ran March 24–29; dates vary by year: Electronic music festival with Ultra Music Festival as centerpiece. Pool parties, club events, and beach performances city-wide.
- South Beach Wine & Food Festival (February): Celebrity chef demonstrations, tastings, and parties. Benefiting Florida International University's hospitality program.
- Miami International Film Festival (March): Showcasing independent and foreign films with focus on Ibero-American cinema.
- Calle Ocho Festival (March): Massive street festival in Little Havana celebrating Latin culture with food, music, and dancing. Over 1 million attendees.
- The 2026 tournament ran March 15–29 at Hard Rock Stadium; check the official calendar for future dates.
- Art Deco Weekend (January): Celebration of Miami Beach's architectural heritage with tours, concerts, classic car displays, and period fashion.
- Miami Carnival (October): Caribbean culture celebration with colorful costumes, steel drums, and parade through downtown.
- King Mango Strut (December): Quirky parade in Coconut Grove satirizing year's events - Miami's alternative to conventional parades.
National Holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (3rd Monday Jan), Presidents' Day (3rd Monday Feb), Memorial Day (last Monday May), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (1st Monday Sept), Thanksgiving (4th Thursday Nov), Christmas (Dec 25). Expect closures and traffic during holiday weekends.
Note: Book accommodations months in advance during major events. Prices increase significantly, especially during Art Basel and Miami Music Week.