How to Find Festivals and Special Events in Miami

Miami is known for its balmy weather and strong Latin cultural influences. Put these two together and you have a year-long calendar of special events and festivals that celebrate the music, food, cinema and heritage of the city's residents.

Things You'll Need

• Reservations
• Maps
• Walking Shoes

Instructions

Spring/Summer

1. Visit the Miami-Dade County Fair and Expo from mid-March to early April. A tradition for more than 50 years, the fair features midway rides, live entertainment, an agriculture showcase and lots of food and exhibits.

2. Celebrate spring at the Little Acorns International Kite Festival, held in mid-April on Miami Beach. The weekend includes guest kite flyers from around the world, kite-building classes, kitesurfing and precision flying. This is great fun for the whole family.

3. Enjoy the South Beach Film Festival in late April. Focusing on independent film, the annual festival features shorts, animation, experimental film and documentaries from around the world.

4. See the Festival de Cine Hispano de Miami - the "Hispanic Film Festival of Miami" - in late April and early May. The city's Latin heritage is honored on film and in discussions with Hispanic filmmakers, and a festive atmosphere prevails.

5. See Summer Shorts in June and July. A series of one-act plays - both comedies and dramas - is presented by the City Theatre, including works by playwrights such as David Ives, Richard Hellesen and Staci Swedeen.

6. Celebrate the mango at the International Mango Festival, held at Fairchild Tropical Gardens in early July. You can buy mango trees, sample foods that contain mangos and see mango art. The Mango Brunch, whipped up by top South Florida chefs, is a favorite.

Fall/Winter

1. Enjoy the Hispanic Heritage Festival starting in September. The festival goes into October and includes Hispanic dance, music, arts and crafts, food (tapas are a favorite) and a festival of the Americas.

2. Don't miss FLA/BRA, the annual Florida/Brazil Festival, which includes events from late September to mid-December. Music, dance, theater, film and visual arts from South Florida and Brazil are highlighted in more than 25 events with 50 artists.

3. Visit Art Miami in January. Works from more than 100 international galleries are displayed under one roof, and collectors can purchase their favorites. Some of the art is extremely expensive, but this is a must for art aficionados.

4. Take in the Bob Marley Caribbean Festival in mid-February. A tribute to the great reggae musician, the one-day festival features performances by Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers as well as other members of the Marley family and top-name musicians.

5. Catch the Miami Film Festival in late February. The ten-day filmfest includes screenings of films from around the world and appearances by special guests from the industry. An after-hours jazz club allows festival-goers time to relax and unwind.

6. Attend the Italian Renaissance Festival in mid-March at Vizcaya. The festival includes food booths, craft booths and such intriguing visitors as Merlin the Enchanter. Lots of fun for the whole family.

7. Participate in Carnaval Miami in mid-March. The 10-day event includes the Calle Ocho Street Festival, a Latin cooking contest, a Miss Carnaval Miami contest and a grand Noche de Carnaval, featuring top-name Latin stars.

Tips & Warnings

• Tickets to the most popular Miami events may sell out early, so reserve ahead if possible.