8 Best Music Festivals in Miami

Miami is buzzing with a vibrant mass of music festivals that keep tourists and locals on their toes throughout the year. So, if you are scouring Miami in hopes of uncovering the best music festivals in Miami, this is the list for you.

1. Ultra Music Festival

Ultra Music Festival originally started in Miami and features popular electronic dance music. Today it’s known as one of the largest music festivals in the United States and, every year in late March, some of the most famous DJs from across the world as well as around 150,000 music lovers head to Bayfront Park to enjoy this massive party.

Since the crowds that gather at Ultra come from all over the world, many musicians and DJs use this festival as a chance to debut new music. With free water stations, plenty of alcohol and food stands, and dozens of stages across the festival, Ultra is a great place to enjoy up to 3 days of dancing to your favorite music.

2. Afropunk Miami Festival

The Afropunk Festival is a black art music festival that includes live music, film, fashion, and art performances produced by an influential community of black artists. The festival made its debut at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) in 2005, and has since expanded to other parts of the world. Afropunk’s changes to its diverse cultural showcase has allowed for the festival to build its masses to 60,000 attendees.

AFROPUNK MIAMI 2022 represents AFROPUNK’s Miami Music Festival emergence from a pandemic-induced hiatus by way of a weekend-long music-led experience congregating producers, supporters, allies, and consumers of black culture. Each weekend day will include a unique lineup of curated music performances and culturally relevant programming.

3. Carnaval on the Mile

Every year in March, the city of Miami celebrates its popular month-long Carnaval festival. One of the highlights is Carnaval on the Mile, a weekend-long outdoor celebration that features the best of Miami’s local culture. Thousands of visitors come every year to listen to live music, eat delicious food, enjoy kid-friendly entertainment, and check out the incredible selection of local art.

Over 200 local artists set up their art for display for the crowds at Carnaval on the Mile. Spend an afternoon walking through the art stalls and you’ll find everything from paintings and sculptures to jewellery and photography for sale.

4. Rolling Loud

This summer, Rolling Loud (@rollingloud) returns to Miami with a coveted lineup of the most beloved rap and hip-hop talent. With its past shows featuring artists from Kendrick Lamar and Kodak Black to Playboi Carti, Post Malone, A$AP Rocky and beyond, this year's roundup of culture icons will be nothing less than spectacular. With its 2022 iteration set to take place on July 22 through July 24, get ready for three days of matchless excitement filled with hype by music moguls and bites by local Miami food vendors.

5. 9 Mile Music Festival

Celebrate one of Miami’s most exciting music events on Virginia Key. The 9 Mile Music Festival has previously included performances by NAS, Shabba, Capleton and Barrington Levy. Aside from the amazing music and lively atmosphere, the event has previously featured a holistic village with rejuvenating services from massages and yoga to nutritionists and life coaches. The occasion also offers a variety of delicious local fare from all cultures. Virginia Key Beach, Miami, @9milemusicfestival

6. South Beach Jazz Festival

The South Beach Jazz Festival is an annual event held every year in early January that kicks off a new year of lively outdoor festivals in Miami. Each year, over 30,000 people head to South Beach for this 3-day music festival that aims to spotlight the different styles of jazz. You’ll find every type of jazz music from traditional and contemporary to Latin and New Orleans styles.

Throughout the weekend, festivalgoers can enjoy a variety of free performances for up-and-coming bands and ticketed performances by famous jazz musicians. Tickets tend to sell out quickly, so make sure to buy yours in advance if there’s a band or musician you’d love to see

7. Calle Ocho Music Festival

Every year thousands of people make their way to Little Havana to experience the largest Latin street party: Calle Ocho Music Festival (carnavalmiami.com). Presenting dozens of stages and mouth-watering Cuban cuisine throughout one of the city's most iconic neighborhoods, enjoy time with family and friends as you get a diverse taste of Latin culture at large.

8. III Points

Presenting a lineup of established and up-and-coming DJ talent, III Points Music Festival serves as one of Miami's most iconic and intimate music festivals. Located in Wynwood, the two-day festival is armed with unforgettable performances alongside immersive art and cutting-edge audiovisual technology. While its past lineups have featured top artists such as Zhu, Rüfüs Du Sol and Wu-Tang Clan, the buzzy event continues to grow as it lures in a global audience to take part in the one-of-a-kind experience. 318 NW 23rd St. Miami