Here’s a list of Miami’s not-to-be-missed LGBTQ+ events throughout the year

From iconic party festivals such as Winter Party, Miami Beach Pride, Aqua Girl and Circuit Festival Miami, to cultural happenings including OUTshine Film Festival and Art Gaysel, there’s something for everyone to experience and have fun year-round.

Gay8 Festival (February)

Hosted in Miami’s historic Calle Ocho in Little Havana, Gay8 is a free LGBTQ+ art, music and food street festival celebrating the city’s vibrant Latino community. The one-day festival has something for everyone with featured activities such as cultural programming, movie screenings at the Tower Theater, a Best of Miami Sandwich competition and a gigantic block party headlined by the likes of Albita, Lucy Grau, Pepper Mashay and DJ Abel.

Wigwood (February)

Wigwood is a three-day queer and drag culture extravaganza. Now on its 4th year, Wigwood is held the first weekend in February and caters to the local queer community including drag performers and artists of all kinds. The festival is hosted throughout Miami, but Wynwood’s beloved Gramps is home to most of its events. Attendees can expect performances from the best of local talent as well as national and international stars. Previous performers include Wigwood creator Queef Latina, RuPaul’s Drag Race queens Thorgy Thor and Serena Cha Cha, and LGBTQ+ nightlife icons including Amanda Lepore and London-based DJ Jodie Harsh to name a few.

Winter Party Festival (March)

It all started with one dance party on Miami Beach in 1994. More than 25 years later, Winter Party is renowned worldwide as a premier, go-to LGBTQ+ event to take a break from the cold winter temperatures, bask in the Miami sun and party with a purpose. With over 10,000 partygoers from around the world, Winter Party offers an action-packed weeklong celebration featuring celebrity DJ performances, swanky cocktail receptions and the hottest beach and hotel pool parties on the planet. Best part? Proceeds benefit the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and local LGBTQ+ organizations.

OUTshine Film Festival (April)

Miami’s OUTshine Film Festival has put on a spotlight on the best of LGBTQ+ cinema from around the world for more than 20 years. Considered to be the largest LGBTQ+ cultural arts event in South Florida, the festival presents a wide variety of full-length features, short films and documentaries across different venues in Miami. The mission of the festival is to inspire, entertain and educate, while encouraging a sense of community through culturally diverse films that offer historical and contemporary perspectives on the LGBTQ+ experience.

Miami Beach Pride (April)

Miami Beach Pride is synonymous with fun in the sun! Hosted every April for more than a decade, Miami Beach Pride offers a thrilling nine-day celebration with dance parties, a VIP gala, beach festivals and an incredible parade down South Beach’s iconic Ocean Drive. The LGBTQ+ community and allies show their pride and support throughout the week culminating with the big Sunday parade which welcomes over 100,000 spectators. Artists such as Adam Lambert, Gloria Estefan, Betty Who, Iggy Azalea, Jordin Sparks have lit up Miami Beach Pride’s global stage in the past.

Sizzle South Beach (May)

Sizzle South Beach turns up the heat every Memorial Day weekend! Known as one of the country’s most celebrated urban LGBTQ+ events, this five-day festival takes place across multiple sizzling locations in Miami Beach and beyond. Attendees can expect pool and yacht parties along with a comedy brunch and several nightlife events with performances by DJs and artists which have included hip-hop star Trina, Amara La Negra from VH1’s Love & Hip Hop: Miami and reality TV favorite Tiffany “New York” Pollard.

Out In The Tropics (June)

Out in the Tropics is an exciting multi-disciplinary month-long performing arts festival. Taking place every June for more than a decade, Out in the Tropics continues to wow audiences with daring performances spotlighting LGBTQ+ Latin artists and their works including live poetry readings, folkloric music and micro-plays/musicals.

Wynwood Pride (June)

Hosted during Pride Month in Miami’s colorful Wynwood Arts District, Wynwood Pride is a new, free pride celebration with a focus on diversity, activism and culture. The three-day festival offers performances, lip-syncing battles, DJs, dance parties, family programming, art installations, a non-profit village, a culinary experience and more. Performers include local talent ranging from drag queens to bands, as well headliners from around the world such as Pablo Vittar and Ivy Queen who drove the crowds wild in 2019. Best of all, proceeds from the event support local and national non-profit organizations.

Aqua Girl (October)

Aqua Girl is an iconic, fun-filled five-day celebration and the largest gay women’s charity event in the country. Now on its 20th anniversary, Aqua Girl continues to welcome thousands of women from around the world to South Beach to celebrate life and pride. Guests enjoy a variety of dance parties, live music, comedy shows, dining events and a VIP reception. Proceeds benefit the Aqua Foundation for Women which provides scholarships to help the LGBTQ+ community in South Florida.

Celebrate Orgullo (October)

Free and open to the public, Celebrate Orgullo is a two-week festival showcasing Hispanic LGBTQ+ pride during National Hispanic Heritage Month. The festival celebrates the contributions of the local and international Hispanic and indigenous LGBTQ+ community through a series of performances, movie screenings, fashion shows and cultural bus tours. A portion of the event’s proceeds benefit the organization’s Unity Coalition fund which focuses on the protection and promotion of Hispanic LGBTQ+ rights.

URGE Miami Festival (November)

URGE Miami Festival is the ultimate gay dance festival getaway! Hosted during Thanksgiving weekend and produced by major circuit party players such as Matinee Group, White Party and Urge, Circuit Festival Miami attracts partygoers from around the world for five-days of non-stop fun. The festival offers massive nighttime events with world-class production in spectacular locations, daytime parties including its legendary Beach Party, and the best international DJs on the scene. Miami is the ideal setting for Circuit Festival partygoers to vacation while enjoying the company of friends, life and music.

Art Gaysel (December)

Taking place during Art Basel Miami Beach and Miami Art Week inside South Beach’s Gaythering Hotel, Art Gaysel lures in the crowds with its unique showcase of LGBTQ+ artists which take over the entire hotel. Free and open to the public, guests are invited to visit all three floors of the hotel to view fascinating and provocative exhibitions of paintings, photography, wearable art, knitted work and more. This queer art festival continues to grow year after year and provides art lovers with the perfect opportunity to discover, connect and support LGBTQ+ artists from their own community and across the world.