The list is long: music, visual and performing arts, food, comedy, and sports, to name a few. The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau website has one of, if not the most comprehensive list of events throughout the year, which is easily searchable based on date and type of event. Keep in mind this does not include the local concerts, openings, and the like, which take place daily at individual establishments. Here are a few of the best festivals Miami has to offer. And for further information, here is a great site for more local events.
Food
Foodies from all over the world flock to Miami for the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, which takes place annually in February. Famous international chefs grace the city, appearing at the large public tents for demonstrations and private events. Many enthusiasts buy packages to participate in as many of the tastings, demonstrations, and parties as possible.
Music
There are always new beats coming out of Miami, but two festivals in particular draw loyal crowds every year. Ultra Music Festival is one of the world’s best known electronic music festivals, which takes place annually in late March. The weekend festival is densely packed with the top artists at venues able to hold thousands - where partygoers sway to the beats until the early hours of the morning. On the other end of the spectrum is Urban Beach Week, a hip hop festival that has taken place over Memorial Day weekend since 2001. Hip hop lovers will revel in five days saturated with hip hop, particularly during club parties, which local and international celebs grace the stage. Past guests have included Busta Rhymes, T.I., and local hip hop DJs, among others.
Arts
Art Basel Miami Beach is hands down one of the most well-known events in Miami, and is the place to be for artists and lovers alike each year. The event takes place annually in December and features the latest works of all mediums from galleries around the world. The most popular and accessible event is typically at the Miami Beach Convention Center, a fair of sorts with works displayed throughout the massive space. Talks with curators and artists are scheduled both their and at other on-site locations, including museums and galleries. The event is a see-and-be-seen engagement for many, and the after parties are just as if not as important as the main events. Local art lovers can also attend weekend street festivals that take place during the year in various neighborhoods - notable events are in Coconut Grove, South Miami, and on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach.