Calle Ocho Music Festival

In Greater Miami & Miami Beach, mid-February through early-April brings Carnaval Miami, a festive celebration of the destination’s vibrant Latin and Caribbean cultures. Spanning 15 city blocks in the heart of Little Havana, the Calle Ocho Music Festival is the marquee event. As the largest street festival in Miami – and the largest Hispanic festival in the United States – it draws about one-million attendees year after year.

Founded in 1978 by the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, the fun-filled, family-friendly celebration is an annual tradition with musical performances and folkloric dance on multiple stages as well as international food vendors, arts and crafts, activities and more entertainment. Entry is free and open to the public, while upgraded VIP experiences are available that grant premium access to backstage lounges and parties.

Music, Art & Dance

At the Calle Ocho Music Festival, join the party in the streets, where you can dance and sing along to everything from merengue to reggaeton, bachata, balada, salsa, hip-hop, rap, jazz, blues and more. While the official 2024 Calle Ocho Music Festival event guide and music lineup is coming soon, there’s a good chance you’ll catch a performance by the next Latin pop superstar or a living legend. Past performers have included Maluma, Pitbull, Tito Puente Jr., Gloria Estefan and Nicky Jam.

Revelers can also expect traditional Caribbean dance demonstrations and lessons as well as vendors selling folkloric artwork and crafts throughout the day’s festivities.

The Food

Like any good street fair, food is one of the big attractions of the Calle Ocho Music Festival. Get a taste of home-cooked Latin and Caribbean staples, from empanadas to arroz con pollo and arepas. The festival has hosted El Croquetazo, the World Championship Croqueta Eating Contest, and the Cubano Wars, where chefs compete – and attendees taste test – for the title of Best Cuban Sandwich.

More Carnaval Miami

The Calle Ocho Music Festival is just one part of Miami’s larger Carnaval celebrations. To kick things off on February 10, the 42nd Annual Miss Carnaval Miami pageant will crown its next goodwill ambassador, with prizes that include a college scholarship and paid entry to Miss Florida USA.

Carnaval on the Mile will celebrate its 25th anniversary March 2-3 with its own free, family-friendly street festival in Coral Gables, including live music, international cuisine, local art and children’s entertainment.

Carnaval Miami also hosts a golf classic on February 10, a dominoes tournament March 4-6 and a youth soccer challenge with more than 100 teams on April 6.

Community Impact

All of this is made possible by the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, which was founded in 1975 and has grown into a major service organization in Miami with an economic impact of $40 million annually. Through its Kiwanis of Little Havana Foundation, it funds college scholarships, sports leagues, summer camps and school supplies and also supports families dealing with unforeseeable hardships. When you join the party on the streets during Carnaval Miami and the Calle Ocho Music Festival, take extra satisfaction in knowing it’s all for a good cause.

By: Shayne Benowitz | November 30, 2023