So with weeks left to Miami Carnival 2018, I’m pretty sure you’ve gotten some sort of planning under your belt or at this point have decided to wing it with costumes, events etc. In partnership with Miami Carnival committee Inc. – I wanted to share some helpful tips that may help some last minute planners or anyone that doesn’t know that much about Miami Carnival in general.

1. IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT MIAMI CARNIVAL.

Well it is and it isn’t- there’s so much more to carnival than carnival. Miami Carnival really begins with the traditional cultural events surrounding the parade like the Jr. Carnival, Kings & Queens + Panorama and the official Miami Carnival Jouvert.

Miami Carnival Signature events:

JR. CARNIVAL – Saturday Sept 29, 2018-12 noon to 10pm ($10 tickets)

*a little birdie confirmed that Alison Hinds is performing*

Location: Central Broward Regional Park | 3700 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill FL 33311

Join Miami Carnival as they celebrate young people with their annual Jr. Carnival Parade of Bands and a cultural celebration that features music, spectacle, and fun for the whole family. The event takes place Saturday, September 29th, 2018 from 12noon-11pm at Central Broward Regional Park. Presented by TD Bank, the day includes the parade of masqueraders competing for bragging rights and prizes, arts and crafts, face painting, Jr. Calypso and Jr. Pan Soloist, and other kid inspired activities.

Check out past highlights from Jr. Carnival HERE.

KING & QUEENS -Friday October 5, 2018 – 4pm to 11pm ($15 tickets)

Location: Central Broward Regional Park | 3700 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill FL 33311

This is a favorite of Carnival revelers. Over 30 people wearing very colorful, very large costumes, will compete in each contest for the titles of King and Queen at the Central Broward Regional Park. They will be judged on their pageantry, portrayal, colors and creativity.

Scratch this one off your bucketlist ASAP. Imagine all your favorite bands in a competition for prizes and bragging rights for who has the best costume that year. I had the tremendous opportunity to participate in an individual costume a few years back. I didn’t win first place but it was so much fun planning and piecing together this amazing Individual costume by Shidor LLC formerly known as iWill Designs.

PANORAMA -Friday October 5, 2018 – 4pm to 11pm ($15 tickets)

Location: Central Broward Regional Park | 3700 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill FL 33311

Love Music? Then join Miami Carnival for their annual Panorama on Friday, October 5th from 4pm-11pm at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida. Enjoy the sweet sounds of world-renowned steel bands as they compete for the crown of Panorama Champion 2018. One of the staple events within the cultural offerings at Miami Carnival, Panorama promises to be a musically inspired, family event. Caribbean Airlines is the official Panorama Airline Carrier. 

Check out your steel pan bands and highlights from previous years HERE.

J’OUVERT – Saturday October 6th, 2018 -7am to 2pm ($30 tickets)

Location: Central Broward Regional Park | 3700 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill FL 33311

J’ouvert is a massive street party created in Trinidad held during Carnival, though now celebrated throughout many Caribbean cultures, and subsequently in areas where Caribbean peoples have immigrated.It’s mud, paint and pure bacchanal at the official Miami Carnival J’ouvert. Over 25 participating mas bands.

Check out some J’ouvert bands HERE.

MIAMI CARNIVAL -Sunday Oct 7, 2018 – 11am-11pm ($30-$100 tickets)

Location:  Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds (10901 SW 24th St, Miami FL 33165)

Miami Carnival is a kaleidoscope of Caribbean cultures under one umbrella that will celebrate one of Miami’s premier cultural festivals that captures the spirit, passion, and essence of the Caribbean-American community. The event takes place 12noon-11pm at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Expo. Presented by The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the day also includes the diverse and unique flavors of Caribbean food, drinks, and crafts. JetBlue is the official airline carrier. Patrons are encouraged to use one of the three free park and ride locations.

Check out some Miami Carnival highlights HERE.

[Read more…]