Calle Ocho Festival

Name: Calle Ocho Festival
Start: 2025-03-08
Location: Miami

A Day When Miami Bursts with Latin Color, Rhythm, and Flavor

2026/03/07

Every March, Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood is transformed by the Calle Ocho Festival, an explosion of music, flags, and mouthwatering aromas. Stretching across 15 to 19 blocks of SW 8th Street, this one-day event is the grand finale of Carnaval Miami and the largest Hispanic street festival in the United States. Whether you’re a salsa lover, a foodie, or simply seeking the electric energy of the city, Calle Ocho draws over a million people to dance, eat, and fully immerse themselves in Latin culture.

The festival takes place in Little Havana, Miami, typically in early to mid-March. Admission is free and open to all ages, welcoming families, music fans, and travelers eager to experience the diversity of Latin America and the Caribbean in one vibrant street party.

Main Attractions

Live Music & Dance Stages

Calle Ocho is famous for its more than 15 to 30 stages of nonstop live performances. Salsa, reggaeton, bachata, merengue, hip-hop, jazz, and more fill the air, with local stars and international artists igniting the crowd. Conga lines and spontaneous street dancing break out everywhere. In 1988, Calle Ocho set a Guinness World Record with nearly 120,000 people in the world’s longest conga line.

Key Events

The festival is packed with highlights: the parade of flags, where national banners from across Latin America are proudly displayed; beauty pageants, domino tournaments, and charity runs. Food competitions, kids’ zones, and art installations keep all 15+ blocks buzzing with “Latin pride” and Miami flair.

Costumes and Decorations

The streets are awash with the yellow of Colombia, the blue of Cuba, the red of Puerto Rico, and more, as people wear their national flags. Dancers in sequined costumes, feathered headdresses, and folkloric dress swirl through the crowds. Buildings and booths are festooned with colorful banners and balloons, while the scent of cigars and roast pork drifts in the air.

Traditional Food & Drink

Food is a star attraction: Cuban sandwiches, arepas, empanadas, tamales, croquetas, pastelitos, and more are served from countless stalls. Dominican mofongo, Venezuelan cachapas, Colombian arequipe, and other specialties are on offer. Drinks range from fresh guarapo (sugarcane juice) and fruit smoothies to classic mojitos. The flavors are as bold and diverse as the music.

Cultural and Historical Background

The Calle Ocho Festival began in 1978, started by Cuban immigrants to share their culture and educate South Floridians about their heritage. Over time, it grew to include all of Latin America, becoming a symbol of unity, pride, and Miami’s multicultural identity. Organized by the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, the festival also funds scholarships, food programs, and youth support for local children. For Miamians, Calle Ocho is a day to celebrate family, roots, and reunion—a festival where everyone, regardless of origin, can be the star.

Participant Voices

I came from New York just for this day. I danced salsa in the street, tried Cuban coffee for the first time, and joined a never-ending conga line! The energy—so full of smiles and pride—was overwhelming.

Fun Facts

Calle Ocho draws over one million people each year, making it one of the world’s largest street festivals.
In 1988, 119,986 people set the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest conga line.
In 2010, the Florida legislature officially recognized Calle Ocho as the state’s official festival.