Miami Carnival Parade and Concert

Traditionally, the high-spirited Carnival season of Trinidad and Brazil is celebrated immediately before Lent every year, in February or March. But the biggest Carnival in the United States, Miami Carnival, takes place in October here in Miami. The Carnival Miami Parade and Concert returns for its 40th anniversary in 2024. The festivities begin on October 5 in Broward with the Junior Carnival followed by a Steel Band Competition on October 11, J'Ouvert on October 12 and wrapping up with the Parade of Bands & Concert at the Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds on Sunday, October 13.

Get Your Tickets For The Parade Of Bands and Concert

General admission tickets for the Carnival Parade and Concert are available for purchase. Sunday tickets include access to the parade, concert and the Dancehall Zone. Early registrants will be entered for a chance to win one of two Gambrell Renard special edition Miami Carnival watches, each valued at $5K.

What To Expect At Miami Carnival's Parade Of Bands and Concert

There will be an early bird arrivals toast to raise a glass for 40 years of Miami Carnival, a welcome party stage from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. with a kompa music hour to support Haitian-American culture and heritage, and a Dancehall Zone for those who want to mix dancehall music with reggae and soca. After the concert, guests can experience the exhilarating and much-anticipated judging of the bands.

The Parade of the Bands features more than 18,000 masqueraders in more than 20 Mas (short for masquerade) bands dancing freely through the parade route, including Ramajay Mas, last year's winners.

Carnival band members typically dress in costumes, masks and other colorful disguises, and carnival-goers are also encouraged to join a band. Mas bands often select a theme to portray on Carnival Day and name a King and Queen to represent this theme artistically.

Expect to see a vibrant rainbow of elaborate beaded and feathered costumes, some of which are more than 15 feet wide and 20 feet tall. The Kings, Queens and individuals will compete for a trophy and substantial cash prizes.

Music Trucks

The DJs and entertainers perform on music trucks, and the masqueraders will follow the moving vehicles as they make their way to the main stage for the judging portion of the day.

The Main Stage – Judging Point

This is where the bands will perform in colorful costumes before the judges, in an attempt to win the coveted title – Band of the Year – along with a cash prize. Experts come from across the globe to judge the bands in various categories.

Food and Drink

Expect to delight your senses as the aromas of Caribbean spices fill the air. There will be a food court with more than 50 food vendors offering culinary delights from the Bahamas, Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana and the Dominican Republic. You will also be able to enjoy rums, beers and other beverages from distillers and breweries from many Caribbean islands. Participating vendors include Kingston Delight, Aunt Mae's Fish, Island Delight and Cleveland Ice Cream.

Arts & Crafts Village

Arts and crafts vendors will be on hand to sell original T-shirts, flags, jewelry, mementos, artwork, wooden sculptures, aromatic incense, ceramics and other goods. There will be more than 30 vendors, including Rise & Shine and Arm Sleeves Flags.

Business Expo

A corporate pavilion will host sponsors' exhibition booths and give out swag bags and free samples while teaching about new products, services and destinations. Some exhibitors include the St. Lucia Tourism Authority, St. Thomas USVI Festivals, iHeart Media, Gambrell Renard, Lucian Carnival, Duke & Dame, MAD Productions and Caribbean American Passport Newspaper.

ADA Compliance

This event is committed to accommodating participants with disabilities and ensuring that the venue, including restrooms, is wheelchair accessible.

By: Kristina Puga | July 17, 2024