Time to plan for the best carnival in North America – Miami Carnival. Miami Carnival has easily climbed the charts as one of the biggest and most attended in the states. Miami Carnival weekend kicks off from October 3 – October 9 this year.
WHERE IS MIAMI CARNIVAL?
For the people who are not playing mas, the Miami Carnival parade will take place at Miami Dade Fair Grounds — 10901 SW 24 St • Miami, FL 33165. You can pay $25usd to enter the grounds and spectate.
GETTING THERE
While Miami Carnival is one of the easier events to attend, when you purchase your flight can make or break your budget. FLY – Flying into Miami International Airport or Fort Lauderdale airport are your best options. We recommend buying flights before band launch to avoid paying outrageous airfare costs.
ACCOMMODATIONS
There are plenty hotel options in Florida. Luckily for most people, you have the option of staying in Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Miami will be more expensive but will be better located to all the events (except Jouvert which is in Lauderhill). AirBnB is another affordable option.
Staying in Miami will decrease cost regarding transportation. Feel free to reserve a car rental as you will need one in the Florida region. If you attend events in the South Beach/Miami Beach area, Uber or Lyft are also viable options.
COSTUMES
If you’re looking for bands with great costumes and customer service, this is the band for you. Miami Carnival bands:
- Mascots International
- Generation X Miami
- One Island Mas Band
- Freaks Mas
- Euphoria Mas
- Revel Nation [Global Carnivalist Recommended]
- D Junction Mas
- Jamborii Mas
- Bajan Fuh Evah Mas
- Party Room Squad
- Wassi Ones
- Dingolay Mas
- Ramajay Mas
FETES
Miami has one of the best Caribbean party scenes in the States with some of the top Carnival promoters. Expect fetes likes Soca Brainwash, Viva La Carnival, IceBox Ent and Scorch this year.
BUDGET
- Accommodations: $250-$400usd a night depending on where you’re staying
- Costumes: $300 – 700usd (backline – frontline)
- Fetes: $25 – $550usd (depending on how many, let’s assume you party from Thursday to Monday)
- Transportation: $18 – $30usd per day for a car rental depending on the location
Please feel free to comment below if there is something else you would like to know. Good luck with planning!
Yours in Mas
As a brand new Carnival goer all around I wanted TNT to be my first mas experience. Do u think playing mas in MIA will “ruin” my carnival journey by being the first?
No, it will NOT ruin your experience. Miami Carnival is most definitely the best Carnival in North America. You will have fun!
Now as for fetes…the TNT version is almost always better than the ones I’ve been to in the US. Soca Brainwash for example is AMAZING in Trinidad. I experienced it there first and will forever be disappointed at SBW in the US because they don’t have the same amenities (LOL). Every carnival has their own uniqueness to them.
Miami should be a GO, and TNT as well. 🙂
where do i go to buy tickets for events and costumes and so for
Hi there — If you click on the band names you can purchase costumes on their respective website. A fete list will be made available in August.
Do you have to join a band to participate in the parade? This will be my 1st time ever!!
Hi Arissa,
Yes you do, otherwise you will just be a spectator! Check out some of the bands I listed for a costume and join us on the road!
Which band would you recommend for someone that LIVES to party!!!!
Revel Nation!
I was referred to Revel Nation as well. First Time Masquerader. #I’mreadyfortheroad
My friends and I are coming to Miami. We plan on playing with a band for jouvert but spectating for the parade. is it best to stay In Miami or ft. Lauderdale. I already have an Airbnb minutes away from the fair ground
Heyy,
Do you know if any of the bands sell t shirt packages or just arm bands and allow revellers to wear their own body wear?
Hi Jai, Unfortunately, no band has a tshirt section..
Between Soca Brainwash Miami and Mai Tai,which fete is worth your money?
Mai Tai inclusive with inclusive being the operative word
Are you allowed to make your own costume and wear it to Miami Carnival? I understand you wont be in the parade. But as a spectator, is it possible to still go out and dance or are you confined to staying on the sidelines?
Hi Krystal, you will be confined to staying on the sidelines once you don’t register with a band, you are free to wear whatever you want as a spectator.