Miami draws people from all over the world, partially thanks to its vibrant and diverse community. LGBTQ travelers are especially in for a treat – the city hosts some of the most popular LGBTQ events in Florida, all throughout the year.
Keep reading for our guide to the fun and fabulous festivities you can experience in Miami. We’ve gathered a list of the most popular LGBTQ events in Miami.
January
Dreamland New Year’s Eve
Dubbed Queer-chella, Dreamland’s New Year’s Eve spans late December to early January. Queer-chella is full of beach parties, immersive events, and even beachside yoga and workouts. Plus, it features some of the hottest pop music and superstar DJs – Todrick Hall headlined last year, and the event was a smashing success!
February
Gay8 Festival
The Gay8 Festival is a celebration of Latino heritage in the LGBTQ community. Gay8 is a day of movie screenings, art, and incredible food. Neighborhood restaurants even compete in a Best Sandwich In Miami contest. Gay8 takes place on Calle Ocho in Little Havana, with the street shut down for the festivities.
Wigwood
Wigwood is a three-day dragstravaganza featuring local drag talents and even some headliners from RuPaul’s Drag Race. This little event started as a one-night affair and has grown into a festival full of performances, comedy, and plenty of drag.
Wigwood is held throughout Miami but the main stage is at Gramps in Wynwood.
March
Winter Party Festival
The Winter Party Festival started as a small beach party in 1994 and has since grown into a staple of the Miami season. Today, it’s a week-long festival celebrating love, diversity, and equality that gives back to the LGBTQ community. The Winter Party Festival benefits the community through a partnership with the National LGBTQ Task Force.
April
Miami Beach Pride
The pièce de résistance of Miami gay happenings, Miami Beach Pride has been going for 14 years. This is one one of the biggest LGBTQ events in Miami. Add it to the top of your list. People come from all over for fun beach bashes, pool parties, and concert stages.
There is so much to do in the 10 days of the Miami Beach Pride Festival. Participants can enjoy a fairground, a vendor market, and celebrity-studded events.
OUTshine Film Festival
One of the largest film festivals in the sate, OUTshine is a combination of the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and the Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. OUTshine presents two lineups that feature LGBTQ filmmakers: one in Miami, and one in Fort Lauderdale.
It strives to be outrageous, outspoken, and outstanding in its programming. The film festival draws submissions from all over the world, screening movies featuring big names like Matt Bomber and Anna Paquin.
May
Sizzle Miami
Sizzle Miami is a series of events held over the Memorial Day weekend. The festival features a whole lineup of beach and pool parties and more, all geared toward members of the LGBTQ community of color.
Aside from the pulsing nightlife, Sizzle Miami also hosts more educational events, such as a panel on the black experience in America and workshops about living and thriving with HIV.
June
Out In The Tropics
Out in the Tropics is an art festival that happens every summer in Miami. This festival runs through the month, highlighting Latin artists, local music, dance, even poetry, and short musicals. Performances often tackle difficult themes like immigration and identity.
Wynwood Pride
Wynwood, which used to be a decrepit business district, is now a lively neighborhood in Miami known for its street art and nightlife. The Wynwood Pride Music Festival features a few days of musical stages, art installations, funhouses, performances, and more. This is one of the more unique LGBTQ events in Miami as it’s more of a concert than the typical June pride festival.
The proceeds of this event go to a charity that is near and dear to the LGBTQ community. The beneficiaries change every year – this year’s beneficiary is Equality Florida.
October
Task Force Gala
The Tasks Force Gala is a fundraising event for the LGBTQ Task Force. Founded in 1973, the LGBTQ Task Force helps the community in Miami work towards justice and full equality for LGBTQ people.
A glamorous affair held at the convention center, the gala honors the heroes who have emerged in the community in the year. Last year’s festivities included a sit-down dinner, a silent auction, and an awards ceremony. Attendees also enjoyed an after-party.
Aqua Girl
Aqua Girl is the biggest lesbian charity benefit in the country. Get ready for five days of music, dancing, swimming, and partying. The all-female festival is a charity fundraiser for the Aqua Foundation For Women, a scholarship and mentoring program for gay, bisexual, and transgender women.
Save Halloween Ball
Every year, SAVE hosts a themed Halloween Ball with drag performances that go late into the night. Last year’s circus-chic theme was called “Under The Big Top”, so this year’s theme (yet to be announced) is sure to be just as outrageous. Proceeds go toward SAVE’s various efforts in fighting anti-LGBTQ discrimination.
Celebrate Orgullo
Celebrate Orgullo is a Hispanic arts festival that celebrates the diversity of the Latin experience in America. Spanish for “Pride”, Orgullo celebrates the Spanish-speaking LGBTQ community and their unique contributions to the arts in Miami. Celebrate Orgullo goes on for two weeks during Hispanic heritage month.
November
Urge Miami Thanksgiving Weekend
Dubbed one of the biggest gay events in the city, the Urge Miami Thanksgiving Festival features a few days of heart-pumping, hard-dancing tunes across various stages.
December
Art Gaysel
In December, LGBTQ artists take over Hotel Gaythering for Art Gaysel. Art enthusiasts come from all over to see the featured work from a wide range of mediums, from wearable art to visual art.
Conclusion
No matter when you visit, there are always LGBTQ events in Miami. With its jam-packed schedule of festivals, unique culture, and robust nightlife scene, Miami offers good, gay fun all year round for the queer community and its allies.
Also check out our complete LGBTQ Tavel Guide to Miami.
And if you love the featured photo, make sure to check out Ravi Roth’s guide to Miami on Instagram! AKA RaviRoundTheWorld, this queer definitely brings the gay to the gayborhood.
**Disclaimer: There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate or sponsor links. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you (for which we are extremely grateful).
Also, while we do our best to highlight LGBTQ-friendly destinations and businesses, info provided is based solely on personal experience and recommendations by community partners. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or homophobia while visiting Florida, but we make no guarantees. Please inform us if you experience discrimination or homophobia while visiting any destination so we can make updates to our recommendations.
Events and schedules are subject to change.
