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
