Heiva Miami

A large-scale cultural festival transforms Miami Marine Stadium into a celebration of Polynesian tradition, performance and sport.

Heiva Miami 2026 unfolds over two days at Miami Marine Stadium, presenting South Florida’s first Polynesian cultural festival alongside the Black Belt Paddler Challenge. Drawing from traditions across French Polynesia, Hawaiʻi, New Zealand and other Pacific Islands, the event highlights music, dance, athletic competition and ancestral games within a waterfront setting.

Festival programming includes live island music, traditional dance performances and participatory cultural activities, as well as the Tamure Marathon and demonstrations of Polynesian sports such as coconut tree climbing, stone lifting, fruit carrying races and beach wrestling. A dedicated cultural zone features island food vendors, arts and crafts demonstrations, history exhibits and retail booths, while free dance lessons introduce attendees to hula and Ori Tahiti.

Running concurrently, the Black Belt Paddler Challenge brings elite paddlers to Biscayne Bay for a multi-day canoe and paddle race inspired by long-standing competitions in Tahiti and Hawaiʻi. The race includes multiple watercraft categories and age divisions, with courses stretching along the Miami coastline and offering views for spectators at Miami Marine Stadium.

Admission to the festival is free to the public. Sport competitions and activities take place at scheduled times throughout both days.