{"id":2711,"date":"2018-02-02T19:47:23","date_gmt":"2018-02-02T19:47:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lifestyle.acqualinaresort.com\/?p=2711"},"modified":"2025-09-26T15:06:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T20:06:18","slug":"winter-festivals-miami","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.acqualinaresort.com\/blog\/sports-culture\/winter-festivals-miami\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Can\u2019t-Miss Festivals in Miami This Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Paul Rubio<\/em><\/p>\n

Throughout February and March, South Florida erupts with a blockbuster lineup of annual festivals and events, drawing millions to the streets, the beaches, and the clubs to celebrate lifestyles and diversity that define the Magic City. Easily accessible from your beach hideaway at Acqualina Resort & Spa, here\u2019s our guide to the five best festivals<\/a> to attend this season.<\/p>\n

South Beach Wine And Food Festival<\/h2>\n

\"South

Top chefs, rising chefs, TV personalities, and more than 60,000 foodies and fans take over South Beach during The Food Network & Cooking Channel\u2019s indulgent five-day festival in late February. By day, eat your way through more than 50 restaurants at the tented Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village on the beach, while sipping on fine wines and watching chefs in action on culinary demo stages. By night, choose from nearly 100 chef-hosted and winemaker-hosted dinners and seminars at famed local restaurants and hotels. Since many events sell out quickly, purchase tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.<\/p>\n

*Photo: Seth Browarnik\/WorldRedEye.com
\n<\/em>
\nWhen<\/strong>: February 21-25, 2018
\nLocation<\/strong>: Various
\nMore Info<\/strong>: 1-877-762-3933; <\/a>sobewff.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Calle Ocho Festival<\/h2>\n

\"Calle

On March 13, 1988, 119,986 partygoers made history when they formed the world\u2019s longest recorded Conga line at this Little Havana block party, a mind-boggling street festival celebrating Hispanic culture. While that Conga-chain record has yet to be topped, nowadays the festival attracts over a million people for a wild day of live music, DJs, salsa and merengue dancing, and feasting (on ropa vieja) across the entirety of Southwest 8th Street, from 4th Avenue to 27th Avenue. Those who want more of the Carnaval-style fun can participate in a week of pre-events leading to the big day. Highlights include a Domino Tournament with the Cuban old guard in Little Havana and Carnaval on the Mile, a family-friend street fair in Downtown Coral Gables’ with live Latin Jazz, Funk, and Caribbean musicians, food stands, and arts and crafts booths.<\/p>\n

*Photo: Calle Ocho Festival
\n<\/em>
\nWhen<\/strong>: March 11, 2018
\nLocation<\/strong>: 4th to 27th Avenues on SW 8th St., Little Havana
\nMore Info<\/strong>: carnavalmiami.com\/events\/calle-ocho\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Miami OPEN<\/h2>\n

\"Miami

Step aside, Wimbledon. In late March, Miami hosts a world-class tennis tourney\u2014the largest in the world outside of the Grand Slams\u2014on the breezy bayside courts at Crandon Park, Key Biscayne. Expect tennis royalty and their A-list followers at the two-week affair, as 96 men and 96 women compete in singles, and 32 men\u2019s and 32 women\u2019s teams in exhilarating doubles competition. This even is so huge, it attracts over 300,000 annually and rakes in a whopping $386 million (put in perspective, that\u2019s more than the Super Bowl). Of course, there\u2019s also plenty of apr\u00e8s-tennis fun, with beachside pop-up boutiques and food trucks, public parties, and invitation-only soirees where you\u2019ll rub elbows with your favorite tennis pros.<\/p>\n

*Photo: Ian Cornish
\n<\/em>
\nWhen<\/strong>: March 19-April 1, 2018
\nLocation<\/strong>: Crandon Park, 7300 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne
\nMore Info<\/strong>: miamiopen.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Winter Party Festival<\/h2>\n

\"Winter

Celebrating its 25th year in 2018, this extended weekend of LGBTQ beach parties, pool parties, and spirited nightlife extravaganzas is the ultimate pageantry of Speedo-clad beachgoers with bulging muscles and toned bodies. More than 10,000 descend on South Beach for a series of extra-fabulous daytime and nighttime events benefitting the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. The one not to miss: the Sunday Beach Party at Lummus Park, a daytime, DJ-led, eight-hour, all-out throw down on the beach.<\/p>\n

*Photo: Winter Party Festival<\/em><\/p>\n

When<\/strong>: Feb 28-March 6, 2018
\nLocation<\/strong>: Various locations in South Beach and Downtown
\nMore Info<\/strong>: winterparty.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Miami Music Week<\/h2>\n

\"Miami

In late March, South Beach returns to its party-hard 90s roots with a week that includes two of the most important events in the electronic dance music (EDM) industry: Winter Music Conference and Ultra Music Festival. The largest DJ showcase in the world, Winter Music Conference is a time when fans and partygoers can preview new tracks and remixes by their favorite DJs while industry executives sign deals with established and fresh talent to the backdrop of ground-breaking electro, drum \u2019n\u2019 bass, techno, and house. Choose from several hundred high-octane parties, which take place at the lobbies and pools of Miami’s most iconic hotels, public spaces, and event arenas.<\/p>\n

Also during this week is the annual Ultra Music Festival\u2014a hardcore, three-day EDM party held at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. With eight stages, including one major headlining stage (and a lineup that has previously included the likes of David Guetta, AVICII, and Skrillex), expect upwards of 70,000 attendees daily (but be forewarned that most of Ultra\u2019s crowd skews on the younger side, as it is an 18 and older event).<\/p>\n

When<\/strong>: March 20-25, 2018
\nLocation<\/strong>: Various locations in South Beach and Downtown
\nMore Info<\/strong>: miamimusicweek.com<\/a><\/p>\n

*Featured photo: Seth Browarnik\/WorldRedEye.com
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

About the Contributor<\/strong><\/p>\n

Travel journalist Paul Rubio is a Miami native who has lived in nine countries and traveled to 125 (and counting). Rubio\u2019s writing appears in\u00a0Cond\u00e9 Nast Traveler<\/em>,\u00a0LUXURY<\/em>,\u00a0Robb Report<\/em>,\u00a0Private Clubs<\/em>, and\u00a0ultratravel<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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