Carnaval on the Mile

Coral Gables will come alive with color, culture and community when the 26th Carnaval on the Mile celebration takes over Miracle Mile, March 1-2. For two full days, this iconic boulevard – known for its shops, restaurants and entertainment – will be transformed into a lively festival of art, music and culinary delights that pays tribute to Greater Miami & Miami Beach’s Latin and Caribbean community. The event is part of the eight-week-long Carnaval Miami. No tickets are needed; entrance to the event and the live performances is free and open to the public.

Four City Blocks Of Art And Entertainment

Get your smartphones ready to capture every moment as you stroll through a half mile of local art, live music, food and activities suited for every member of the family. Whether you’re dancing to pulsating beats or reconnecting with familiar exhibitors, there will be plenty to enjoy. Art, food and drinks will be available for purchase along the way.

Within the artist villages, east and west of Ponce de Leon Blvd., more than 100 booths will feature eclectic displays of creativity, from paintings and photography to jewelry and crafts. Among the showcases will be the celebrated poster artist creating a live painting in their booth. As you wander through the village, you may stumble upon your next favorite piece by an exhibiting artist.

Performance stages at each end of Miracle Mile at Douglas Road (Southwest 37th Avenue) and Le Jeune Road (Southwest 42nd Avenue) will anchor the festival. A third stage will be centrally located off the intersection of Ponce de Leon Blvd. and Miracle Mile. Groove and move to the rhythms of jazz, funk, rock, Latin jazz and blues. Last year’s Carnaval on the Mile concerts included performances by School of Rock, The Smoogies, Astronaut City, Nil Lara, Liset Alea, Andrew Mijares, Tony Succar and Los Hacheros.

Families can explore the Kidz Nook, where children can enjoy activities like face painting, a petting zoo and live performances by talent from Academica’s charter schools. Kiddos Magazine will host engaging activations designed to captivate young audiences.

As you venture from activity to activity, take time to enjoy a melting pot of Miami’s abundant global fare. At more than 50 street food vendors, you can indulge in carnival classics like elephant ears and fried Oreos, Mexican favorites such as tacos and elote, or a variety of international cuisines. For those seeking a fine-dining experience, try one of Coral Gables’ top restaurants.

Getting To Carnaval Miami: Travel And Parking Information

Carnaval Miami draws more than 150,000 attendees each year, so plan ahead. Miami-Dade Transit offers Metrobus service to and from Coral Gables, while the  Metrorail  provides access with a stop at the Douglas Road station. From there, festivalgoers can transfer to the Coral Gables Trolley, which runs along Ponce de Leon Boulevard, from the Douglas Road Metrorail station to Miracle Mile. Track the trolley’s location on the ETA Spot app, available for iPhone and Android. Those arriving by Lyft, Uber or other rideshares will get dropped off a block away from the festival, as roads near the event will be closed.

If you’re driving, public parking garages, parking lots and street parking are available north, south and west of the festival area. To pay for parking, use the PayByPhone app. Parking signs are clearly posted, and payments can be made via iPhone or Android.

Tips For Festivalgoers

Since Carnaval Miami is an outdoor event, wear comfortable clothing and footwear. Don’t forget to hydrate and apply sunscreen before leaving your home and during the event. Attendees often bring umbrellas for extra shade on sunny days.

Bring cash. Some vendors do not accept credit cards. Several banks and ATMs are on Miracle Mile.

More Carnaval Miami Events

Carnaval on the Mile is part of Carnaval Miami, a series of six events from February 19 through April. Highlights include the Calle Ocho Music Festival, which spans 15 blocks in Little Havana with Latin and hip-hop music, folk dances and international food; the Miss Carnaval Miami pageant, the Putting for Education Golf Classic, the Domino Tournament and the Carnaval Miami Soccer 5v5 Challenge.

By Cristina Sorondo | January 31, 2025