Miami is a city that excels at many things — chief among them, beaches, Cuban food and the entertainment industry. The 305 is one of the most oft-heard area code references in lyrics, and it’s not hard to name at least one music legend who calls Miami home. Paired with year-round warm weather and direct flights from airports around the world, Miami has developed a reputation as a destination for music festivals.
It doesn’t matter if you like hip-hop or jazz, country or rock — there’s an event for you at the best music festivals in Miami. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
January
South Beach Jazz Festival
The South Beach Jazz Festival is an annual concert series that stretches over several days in January. Performances take place on stages across various venues in South Beach, outdoors and indoors, with a good number being free to the public.
Where to Stay: Enhance your Miami experience with complimentary admission to the Bass Museum of Art with your keycard from W South Beach.
February
Vibra Urbana
Dating back to 2020, Vibra Urbana is the largest reggaeton and urbano music festival in the United States. It runs for a couple of days at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition. Artists like Ivy Queen, Farruko, Rauw Alejandro, Arcángel and Bizarrap have all performed at this festival. You won’t have to bailar solo (dance alone) here, with tens of thousands of attendees per fest.
There are multiple stages, and performances overlap, so plan your schedule in advance to make sure you see all the artists you’re excited about. And if you can’t get enough, Vibra Urbana has expanded to include Las Vegas and Orlando events, as well.
Where to Stay: Nearby Element Miami Doral is an ideal base, with full kitchens and pillowtop mattresses.
NoMi Music Festival
Hosted by the City of North Miami, NoMi Music Festival showcases the best of local artists, food and entertainment. It started as a Black History Month celebration in 2016 and has since evolved into an annual event. Past headliners include Johnny Gill, En Vogue and Trina.
Where to Stay: To combine shopping for the event with your hotel stay, book a room at Courtyard by Marriott Miami Aventura Mall, across the street from one of the largest malls in the United States.
GroundUP Music Festival
Founded in 2017, GroundUP Music Festival celebrates diversity with an eclectic, worldly mix of artistic genres, from jazz to hip-hop to rock. It takes place at the Miami Beach Bandshell across two performance stages — and the festival purposefully avoids overlapping sets, which means you’ll be less likely to have to scramble mid-set from one stage to another to see your favorite acts.
In addition to watching the performances, you can also participate in interactive workshops and masterclasses.
Where to Stay: Residence Inn by Marriott Miami Beach Surfside sits on Collins Avenue and is a 5-minute rideshare away.
March
Calle Ocho Music Festival
Calle Ocho Music Festival is the marquee event of Carnaval Miami and is the biggest Latin music festival in the country. It spans 15 blocks along Southwest Eighth Street in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood, filling the space with stages, food stands and more. Past performances have included everything from folkloric dances to sets by Daddy Yankee and Pitbull.
Where to Stay: With a central location, Aloft Coral Gables is perfect for resting up after the pachanga (party) is over.
Jazz in the Gardens
Originating in 2006, Jazz in the Gardens is an annual Miami event celebrating the diversity and richness of Black culture. It’s all chill vibes and smooth tunes, with jazz, hip-hop, R&B, gospel and more. Huge names like Mary J. Blige, Lionel Richie and Jill Scott have previously graced its stages.
Where to Stay: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Miramar is less than 15 minutes away from the festival venue, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Plus, with free hot breakfast and an outdoor pool, your pregame activities are set.
Ultra Music Festival
Miami has become synonymous with Ultra Music Festival, which began in 1999 and has grown into one of the largest electronic music showcases in the world. At this festival at Bayfront Park, you’ll get the chance to see more than 100 artists playing on multiple stages, spread across several days.
Ultra is the grand finale of Miami Music Week, and the world’s best DJs, including greats like Calvin Harris and David Guetta, have all appeared here — but look around the crowd and you’ll find that the attendees are often as famous as the performers on stage.
Where to Stay: Situated just over a quarter-mile away, Courtyard by Marriott Miami Downtown/Brickell Area is within walking distance — a phrase not frequently heard in Miami.
July
Miami Beach Classical Music Festival
Classical music lovers, rejoice — Miami Beach Classical Music Festival is robust, with several weeks of summer programming, including symphonic concerts and opera productions.
Performances are a mix of free and ticketed events by professionals and students alike. One especially popular event is the Immersive Space Symphony, with 360-degree visual animations accompanying a live orchestra, bringing music to life in a mix of traditional and modern mediums.
Where to Stay: With Miami Beach Classical Music Festival events generally taking place around Lincoln Road and South Beach, W South Beach is a great option for your stay.
October
III Points
III Points is for night owls, with more than 100 performances and shows starting in the afternoon and lasting till the wee hours of the next morning. The music is an international blend of genres, and artists like Rosalía, Busta Rhymes and LCD Soundsystem have all played the festival.
This festival takes place in Wynwood, Miami’s arts neighborhood, so immersive, glowing environments and full-scale murals are a part of the III Points experience.
Where to Stay: AC Hotel by Marriott Miami Wynwood puts you right in the middle of the action and is only a 10-minute drive from Miami Beach. After the performances finish, you can keep the party going at Nikki Beach Restaurant & Beach Club.
November
Country Bay Music Festival
Country Bay Music Festival brings out top names in the country music genre, with the likes of Zac Brown Band and Sam Hunt. It takes place at Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key, right on the water. That means you can arrive to the festival on foot or snag a boat pass and dock your vessel at the Boat Basin.
Where to Stay: Continue your waterside adventures — with a dash of relaxation — at the pool at JW Marriott Miami.
December
Rolling Loud
Rolling Loud is an international hip-hop music festival that takes place in several cities across the world, with Miami as the flagship location. Spanning several days, this Miami fest has included performances by rap greats like Future, Travis Scott, Kid Cudi and Kendrick Lamar.
You can expect everything from mosh pits to tattoos and a beauty bar for VIP guests. This is an event to dress up for, so go full glam and don’t shy away from sparkles or neon hairstyles.
Keep a close eye on Rolling Loud because it has occurred in different months, including May, July and December in past years.
Where to Stay: SpringHill Suites Fort Lauderdale Miramar is a convenient 10-minute drive from the venue, Hard Rock Stadium.
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