๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Miami Carnival

Carnival lovers and Mas Players get excited because Caribbean Carnival is back! Get excited for the 2021 Miami Carnival, one of the only carnivals in the entire world to take place this year!

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    When is Miami Carnival?

    What is the Date of Miami Carnival 2023? Miami Carnival does not occur before the onset of Lent but is actually held in early October one week before Columbus Day. After a year of hiatus, the 39thย annual Miami Carnival will take place on the 2023 Columbus Day weekend. In 2023, Columbus Day will take place on Monday, 9 October, 2023.

    The official Miami Carnival events will take place between Friday and Sunday prior to Columbus Day which this year is from the October 6 – 9, 2023. The peak of Miami Carnival is Parade Day which always takes place the Sunday prior to Columbus Day the October 8, 2023.

    Where is the Miami Carnival?

    Where is the Miami Carnival

    Where is Miami carnival held? Theย majority of carnival events will take place at the Central Broward Regional Park in Fort Lauderdale. However, The Miami Carnival Parade of the Bands and Concert will take place in the Miami Dade County Fairgrounds.
    • Where is Miami Carnival located?
      • Central Broward Regional Park – 3700 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill, FL 33311.
      • Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds – 10901 Coral way, Miami, Fl.

    What is Miami Carnival?

    caribbean festival miami

    Miami Carnival is one of Trinidadโ€™s great exports combining Caribbean Carnival with the beauty and vibrancy of Miami. The 37th Annual Miami Carnival is a multi-day experience that draws over 75,000 attendees. Miamiย has a prominentย Caribbean-Americanย community due to its close proximity to theย Caribbean and every year they honour that community by hosting the most exciting and colorful Caribbean Carnival in the USA.

    Carnivals in Miami is all about embracing and celebrating the spirit, passion, heritage, traditions, art and music of Caribbean culture. It is a fusion of all the different Caribbean cultures that have made Miami home. Carnival Miami attracts visitors from all over the world! But in particular thousands of party-goers will actually travel from theย Caribbean Islandsย toย Miami to experienceย Caribbean Carnival Miami.

    How is Miami Carnival celebrated?

    miami carnival dates

    You can be guaranteed that this party city throws one of the BEST carnival celebrations in the entire world! For three decades, carnival and mas-lovers have flocked to Miami to celebrate Caribbean culture, soak up the sun and soca vibes, revel in the pageantry and participate in the Mas Band Parade. The signature, do not miss events of Miami Carnival are the Junior Carnival, Panorama Steel Band Competition, Jโ€™ouvert and the costumed Mas Parade & Concert Day.

    You can also sample delicious food and drinks from variousย Caribbeanย islands, watch live music shows, check out aย costume competition,ย attend a party or two, or even march in theย paradeย yourself. There are also plenty of pre and post carnival events, parties and fetes that are worth attending.

    Keyย Miami Carnival Events:

    • Panorama Steel Band Competition
    • Miami Carnival Jโ€™ouvert
    • Miami Junior Carnival
    • Miami Carnival Grand Parade & Concert

    Miami Carnival Parade of the Bands

    miami carnival bands

    The Parade of the Bandsย is the main attraction ofย Miami Carnival and every year over 75,000 revellers come out to watch.ย The Miami Carnival Parade of the Bandsย is the most spectacular showcase ofย color, costumes,ย pageantry and fantasy.

    The Miami Carnival Parade of the Bandsย features over 18,000 participants in 20 different masquerade bands. Accompanying the bands are large music trucks carryingย sound-systemsย or DJs. They pump out the rhythmicย Caribbeanย tunes for the participants to dance to.

    Theย Mas Bandsย compete for the bragging rights of being awarded the โ€œBest Band of the Yearโ€ and a large cash prize. Theย Mas Bandsย are marked by a panel of expert judges who critique theirย costumes, creativity, authenticity, choreography,ย music, enthusiasm and presentation.

    Carnivaland recommends tours, events and accommodation based on our extensive experience and knowledge of them. We may earn affiliate commission from affiliate links in this article.ย Read more about our policy.

    Playing Mas at Miami Carnival

    What is playing mas

    What is Playing Mas?

    When it comes to celebratingย carnival in Miami you can either be a spectator and watch theย parade from the sidelines, or you can join in the fun! Playing masย basically means that you are going to be a participant in theย parade.

    What is a Mas Band?

    Masย is just an abbreviation ofย masquerade. Aย mas bandย or aย carnival bandย is just a group of people that will perform together in the parade. Every year theย Mas Bandsย must select a theme and then represent that theme through theirย costumes,ย musicย andย dance.

    Anyone is welcome to join aย mas band. All you have to do is pick your favouriteย Mas bandย and purchase their chosenย costume. Mas Bands all wear matchingย costumes from the same designer. Theย costumesย are always bright, revealing, and feature lots of feathers, beads, sequins etc.

    Most importantly to take part you must be rhythmic andย danceย your heart out during the parade. And even more important, you MUST have fun while doing so!

    Miami Carnival Mas Bands

    miami carnival parade route

    If you want toย take part in the paradeย you have to join aย masquerade band.ย It isnโ€™t possible to just show up in a beautiful home-madeย costumeย and march in theย parade.ย You must select aย mas bandย you want to be part of, wear theirย costumesย and dance through the streets together with your chosenย band.

    To have the best time atย Miami Carnival donโ€™t just be a spectator! Absolutely find aย mas bandย that you want to be part of and join the party! We highly recommend it! Of course you do not have to take part in the parade, you can instead purchase a General Admission ticket and come and enjoy the good vibes and atmosphere.ย 

    The Miami Carnival Masquerade Bands are:

    Miami Carnival Masquerade Bandsย are

    Links to official websites and Instagram pages.

    How do I choose a Mas Band?

    How do I choose a Mas Band

    Well, thatโ€™s a difficult decision because you have so many good options.ย We recommend browsing all the band pages and Instagram accounts above and see what you like. Maybe you will select yourย bandย based on theirย costumesย with some groups wearing very sexy costumes, and others being more conservative. Some people base it on themes. Obviously, money can be a big factor when choosing toย play mas.

    What is included in the cost of a ticket?

    Miami Carnival is obviously different to other Caribbean Carnivals because it takes place in an enclosed park, so there are no stopโ€™s or glamhubs along the way like you would have at carnival in the Caribbean. Along with your costume you will receive meals and snacks, unlimited top shelf alcohol and the band will provide all the party equipment โ€“ speakers, DJ etc.

    A lot of the more popularย bandsย sell out early, so reserve as soon as you can.

    The Ultimate Carnival Party Package!

    Carnival Lyfe is one of the best carnival promoters on the scene. Every year they put together the ultimate carnival package that gives you access to 7 of the absolute best, do not miss Miami Carnival Fetes! More event details will be released soon, but they are currently offering early bird packages for only $100!!

    We recommend you get in early because they sell out quickly!

    Jโ€™ouvert Miami Carnival

    Jโ€™ouvert Miami Carnival

    Jโ€™ouvertย means day break inย French.ย Miami Carnival Jโ€™ouvertย is a smallย paradeย that occurs in the early morning. This is a tradition that originated in Trinidad and Tobago. Jโ€™ouvertย is considered to be a livelierย carnivalย celebration because of its spontaneity. It features lots ofย steelpan bandsย playing spontaneously while you march along making lots of noise.

    There are no prettyย costumesย to be seen here. If you do get up and attendย Jโ€™ouvertย a little warning is that you must be prepared to get hit with flour, paint, mud, water and maybe even clay. Thousands of partygoers throw paint and mud at each other and there is nothing you can do to avoid it, just get ready to get down and dirty and join in the fun! This tradition stems from aย Trinidadianย superstition where it was believed that an entireย Mas Bandย is supposed to look like an evil spirit when performing in the dark

    Miami Carnival Jโ€™ouvert Bands

    miami carnival parade and concert

    The Jโ€™ouvert bands are separate from the Mas Bands. When you join a Jโ€™ouvert Band you will get a costume which is usually a shirt or tank top, that gives you access to parade with the band. The packages will also include unlimited alcohol, breakfast, and a few other perks like a phone pouch, face mask or whistle.

    Here are some of the 2021 Jโ€™ouvert Packages:

    Party Room Squad Mas Band offers you General Admission to Jโ€™ouvert when you purchase a costume in their Mas Band. Freaks Mas Band offers a two-day carnival experience which includes Jโ€™ouvert when you purchase a ticket to their Mas Band.

    Where to stay for Miami Carnival?

    miami carnival parade

    There is plenty of accommodation including hotels, motels, hostels, apartment rentals, B&Bโ€™s for all budgets. We recommend you stay on Miamiโ€™s famous South Beach strip where there is always aย partyย going on and youโ€™re close to the crystal-clear blue waters and pristine sands of South Beach.

    Check out Booking.com for some accommodation options close to Miami Carnival here.

    Where to party at the Miami Carnival?

    broward county carnival

    “Party in the city where the heat is on. All night, on the beach till the break of dawn. Welcome to Miami. Bienvenidos a Miami.”

    Miami has one of the absolute best party scenes in the world and it features some of the worldโ€™s best Carnival promoters. Every type of party you can possibly imagine will be thrown during Miami Carnival weekend!ย Foam Parties,ย glow parties, pool parties, raves and hundreds more.ย Parties take place in clubs, restaurants, hotels, rooftops, boats, pools, wherever. Many nightclubs will feature star performers and DJs but itโ€™s up to your individual taste on what kind of party you feel like.

    The Official Miami Carnival Fete List will be released in August.

    Top things to do in Miami

    Where Do I Buy Tickets?

    Official Carnival Events

    Tickets to the traditional carnival events – Panorama, Jโ€™ouvert, official Miami Carnival Parade & Concert and the Junior Carnival they can be purchased here.

    Top Carnival Fetesย 

    Miami Carnival Live Music Concert

    Miami Carnival Live Music Concert

    When theย Miami Carnival Parade of the Bandsย is over theย partyย doesnโ€™t stop there. There is a big liveย music concertย which featuresย Caribbean bands and musicians, mainly soca and Steel Bands. The concert draws big crowds of people who dance, drink, socialise andย partyย the night away. The 2020 Miami Concert line up will be announced closer to the event!

    Miami Carnival Panorama Steel Band Competition

    Miami Carnival Panorama Steel Band Competition

    โ€œPan is the rhythm that fuels the lifeblood that flows through the heart of Carnival.โ€

    – Dexter Bleasdell, Steelband Coordinator.

    Miami Carnival Panorama Steel Band Competition showcases the rich cultural heritage of Trinidad and Tobago, through melodic, incredible Steel Band Performances. This event takes place on the Friday prior to the Carnival Parade at the Central Regional Park in Fort Lauderdale. Watch world-renowned Steel Bands battle it out for the title of Panorama Champion 2021.

    Steel Bands have always been an important part of carnival. Steel Pan was invented back in the 1930โ€™s in Trinidad and is actually the only instrument that was created in the twentieth century. Today this artform is celebrated all over the world and holds great significance in the musical world! Since its inception it has taken the world by storm, with its range, sweet sounds and melodies.

    This event is so much fun and a great night out for the entire family! It is one of the absolute highlights of the Miami Carnival! There is a great atmosphere and it draws large crowds who come out to listen to the music, drink a little rum and eat some delicious Caribbean food.

    Miami Childrenโ€™s Carnival

    The Miami Carnivalย also allows the kids to get involved and hosts aย Junior Carnival Paradeย which occurs the week before the Adultโ€™s Carnival Parade. It is essentially a mini version of theย main parade. It is a cute and colourfulย paradeย that allows the children to experience performing in aย paradeย and is all about keeping the tradition alive for the next generation. It is a fun day out for the whole family!

    Crowning of the Miami Carnival King & Queen

    The Miami Carnivalย holds several competitions which are very popular to watch and take part in, if you so wish. The most popular competition ofย Miami Carnival is the crowning of theย Carnival King and Queen.ย Another favorite is theย Miss Miami Broward Carnival Pageant Competition.

    Caribbean Street Markets

    Caribbean Street Markets

    Duringย Miami Caribbean Carnivalย street vendors fill the air with exotic smells. There is so much mouth-wateringย Caribbean foodย you can eat, from rice and beans to jerk chicken. Or why not drink some delicious Caribbean cocktails because theย Caribbeanย is famous for their rum!

    The vendors also sell gorgeous Caribbean arts and crafts that come from many different Caribbean countries. There are clothes, jewelery, t-shirts, bags and so much more.

    How to Get to Miami Carnival?

    miami broward carnival

    The quickest way to get to Miami is to fly! The city has two well connected international airports. Fly into (MIA) Miami International Airport or (FLL) Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.ย As this is Miami, the best way to get around is by car!

    Carnivaland recommends tours, events and accommodation based on our extensive experience and knowledge of them. We may earn affiliate commission from affiliate links in this article.ย Read more about our policy.

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