Winter Party Festival

Warm winter days and ocean breezes make Greater Miami & Miami Beach a natural home for one of the world’s best-known LGBTQ gatherings. What began in 1994 as a one-day dance event on the sand has grown into a week of large-scale parties, poolside celebrations and community programming that draws thousands of visitors each year.

For 2026, the National LGBTQ Task Force’s Winter Party Festival returns for its 33rd edition from February 26 to March 2, once again combining “parties with a purpose” with fundraising for local and national LGBTQ advocacy, organizing and education.

Below is an overview of the 2026 festival’s anchor events and how to experience them.

Schedule of Events

Winter Party Festival 2026 will feature a full slate of events at venues across Miami and Miami Beach, including a host hotel on Miami Beach, late-night club experiences and its signature beachfront celebration. Additional wellness, cultural and community-focused programs will be announced closer to the festival dates.

February 27

RESIST.

Friday night’s kickoff event, RESIST., sets the tone for the weekend with a high-energy dance floor at Mad Live from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The night features music by Morabito and Abel Aguilera, bringing big-room sound and late-night energy to one of the festival’s most anticipated indoor gatherings.

February 28

The POOL Party

Winter Party’s legendary daytime pool event returns to its historic home at the National Hotel Miami Beach from 1 to 7 p.m. on Saturday. Set along the hotel’s palm-framed pool and beachfront backdrop, The POOL Party features music by GSP and offers guests a chance to spend the afternoon dancing, socializing and cooling off between sets.

Masterbeat Service Station

Saturday night moves to M2, where Masterbeat Service Station runs from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. With Joshua Ruiz and Karsten Sollors on the decks, this marathon event channels late-night club culture into an extended celebration that carries the festival deep into Sunday morning.

March 1

The BEACH Party

The festival’s flagship event once again takes over the sands of Miami Beach near 10th Street from 1 to 8 p.m. A large-scale production with elevated staging, immersive lighting and a panoramic ocean setting, The BEACH Party features Joey With The Mustache, Jace M and Toy Armada. Guests can dance at the water’s edge or upgrade to VIP and Cabana Club options that provide express entry, dedicated viewing areas, open bar access and private cabana spaces for groups.

Masterbeat Odyssey

Sunday night heads back indoors as Masterbeat Odyssey brings Winter Party’s weekend arc to a peak at M2 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Music by Brady Prince and Sagi Kariv keeps the energy high for festivalgoers who want to extend the night after the beach.

March 2

The Red Eye Afterhours

For those not ready to call it a weekend, The Red Eye Afterhours offers one last dance floor, running from 5 a.m. to noon at a venue to be announced. With Oscar Velazquez providing the soundtrack, this Monday-morning event closes out Winter Party in classic afterhours style.

Tickets and Passes

Guests can purchase individual tickets to each event or choose from multi-event passes designed to make the most of the festival. Pricing tiers and availability may vary by event, and many gatherings historically sell out, so advance purchase is recommended.

For 2026, pass options include:

• VIP Passes: Express priority admission to all festival events, access to exclusive VIP areas and full open bar all day at The BEACH Party, along with other enhanced benefits.
• Festival Passes: General admission entry to every Winter Party Festival 2026 event across the five-day schedule.
• Weekend Passes: General admission to the core weekend lineup, including Friday night, Saturday pool and night events, The BEACH Party and Sunday night.

Where to Stay

For 2026, the National Hotel Miami Beach serves as the official host hotel. The oceanfront Art Deco property sits directly on Miami Beach, offering easy access to the shoreline and a central location for festival events.

Winter Party guests can take advantage of exclusive rates starting at $350, reduced resort fees and special pricing on poolside cabana rooms and suites. Staying on-site provides convenient access to the POOL Party and a home base close to Miami Beach’s dining, nightlife and cultural attractions.

Additional hotel options are available throughout Miami and Miami Beach, but the host hotel typically sells out quickly, so early booking is encouraged for those who want to stay in the heart of the festival experience.