North Miami Beach and other parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties will celebrate a carnival atmosphere this October.
The weekend-long Miami-Broward Carnival event is full of colourful costumes, musical celebrations, parades, and more, all inspired by Caribbean culture. The festivities will kick off with a Steelband Panorama Competition, a competition originating in Trinidad between bands featuring steel drums. Saturday will feature the official J’Ouvert, from the Creole word meaning “dawn,” where celebrants embrace colourful costumes or body paints. The main event will take place on Sunday with a parade of bands, exhibits, and costumed individuals.
Local brands and crews confirmed for the event include D-Junction Mas, Ju Ju Nation, and Red Antz Jouvert. This year’s event will feature added safety protocols and will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative PCR test. There will also be virtual tickets available and dedicated live-streaming locations. One of the customary events, the family-focused Junior Carnival, has been cancelled this year.
The carnival tradition is celebrated across the Americas, with major festivals occurring in cities like New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro at different times of year. These events are distinguished through their distinct music, imaginative banner printing, and outlandish costumes.
The Miami-Broward Carnival celebration will take place from October 8 to 10, with the parade taking place on the Sunday at Miami Dade County Fairgrounds.
