Miami Carnival Parade & Concert

The Miami Carnival festivities begin on October 3 with a series of exciting events leading up to the grand finale, the Parade of Bands & Concert at the Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday, October 11.

The 42nd edition of Miami Carnival is being presented by the Miami-Broward One Carnival Host Committee and showcases Caribbean culture through immersive experiences, live performances and lively, family-friendly events.

Recognized as one of North America's largest and most-influential Caribbean cultural celebrations, Miami Carnival attracts over 100,000 attendees annually from the U.S., Caribbean, Europe and beyond. The fun-filled festival features everything from the hypnotic rhythms of steelpan and soca to the vibrant pageantry and storytelling of masquerade bands.

Read on for detail about the 2025 Miami Carnival Parade of Bands & Concert

What To Expect at Miami Carnival’s Parade of Bands & Concert

In the past, the Parade of the Bands has featured more than 18,000 masqueraders in more than 20 mas (short for masquerade) bands dancing along the parade route. This massive procession features band members wearing traditional costumes as music trucks blast soca, calypso, reggae and dancehall music. Meanwhile, thousands of masqueraders dance their way through the parade route.

You can expect to see a wide-ranging array of elaborately beaded and feathered costumes. Many of these costumes reach more than 15-feet wide and 20-feet tall. Participants will be vying for trophies and cash prizes.

Plus there’ll be concerts all day long. Headliners include Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons and the Vikings Band, plus other artists like Blaka Dan, Julien Believe, Trilla-G, Reo, Shelly and many more. Carnival band members typically dress in costumes, masks and other colorful disguises, and carnival-goers are encouraged to do so too.

Tickets & Parking

Tickets for the Parade of Bands & Concert are available now starting at $55.75, including fees. VIP packages start at $215.50. Parking at the fairgrounds is free.

More of Carnival

Junior Carnival, Saturday, October 4, from 1-8 p.m. at Central Broward Park in Lauderhill, will give children the chance to experience Miami Carnival with fun costumes, dancing and music.

Pan Jamboree will take place on Friday, October 10, from 5-11 p.m. at Central Broward Park and feature steel bands, which are an important part of the Caribbean’s rich musical heritage. In the past, bands have traveled from Caribbean, Orlando and New York to participate in the competition.

Jouvert, on Saturday, October 11, from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. at Central Broward Park, will feature calypso and soca bands dancing through the streets with hundreds of festival-goers following them.

By: Amber Love Bond | September 10, 2025