Look to Greater Miami & Miami Beach for Hi-Energy LGBTQ+ Events

If you're looking for high-energy and inclusive LGBTQ+ events, Greater Miami & Miami Beach is a perfect choice. Spring is a particularly great time that's filled with amazing weather and a diverse lineup of LGBTQ+ experiences and events that are as vibrant and colorful as the greater LGBTQ+ community itself.

Winter Party Festival: February 28th-March 5th, 2024

Party with a purpose at the Winter Party Festival. This week-long celebration of music, dance, and community is put on by the National LGBTQ Task Force to help raise critical funds for the LGBTQ+ movement. This annual event started in 1994 as a single dance party on the beach and has since evolved, including events like Ignite on February 29th, Elevate Pool Party and HEAT on March 1st, Under One Sun at Oasis Wynwood on March 2nd, and the marquee event The Beach Party on March 3rd. For the LGBTQ+ community and allies, this is a great opportunity to enjoy community, rejuvenate, and recharge under Miami's golden sun. This year the official host hotel will be the Royal Palm South Beach Miami – an iconic 1930s Art Deco hotel on the beach.

Aqua LGBTQ+ Family BBQ: March 3rd, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

The Aqua Foundation for Women's annual LGBTQ+ Family BBQ returns to Historic Virginia Key Beach Park this year. This event first started in 2011 to help bring LGBTQ+ families together. This inclusive fun-filled day of connection, new friendships, and community will be held in the park's Main Pavilion. Some of the activities that attendees can look forward to are a water slide, games, music, and great food. Allies and LGBTQ+ supporters are welcome, and all attendees are encouraged to bring their own towels, beach chairs, and blankets.

Miami Beach Pride: April 2nd-April 14th, 2024

Miami Beach Pride originally began as a relatively small event in 2009 and has grown to become one of the largest Pride festivals in the country, bringing over 170,000 attendees to Greater Miami & Miami Beach. This year you can celebrate all things LGBTQ+ throughout Miami Beach with 10 days of back-to-back events culminating in the Pride Festival and Miami Beach Pride Parade. Other key events include a Pride Flag Raising at Miami Beach City Hall and Pride Lights the Night on April 5th; The Fun Dip Pool Party on April 6th; a Family Picnic on April 7th; Queer Art Showcase on April 8th; Miss Miami Beach Parade Pageant on April 9th; Social Justice, Health & Wellness Evening at O Cinema on April 10th; and a VIP Beach Affair on April 12th. You can find more details about these events on their website as they're announced.

OUTshine Film Festival: April 18th-28th, 2024

Take part in a weeklong celebration that offers historical and contemporary perspectives on the LGBTQ+ experience through film. This preeminent showcase for LGBTQ+ films shines a light on talented LGBTQ+ filmmakers and films ranging from full-length features to short films and documentaries with screenings across different venues in Miami. Enjoy electrifying, must-see films from emerging and established LGBTQ+ filmmakers at a range of venues across Greater Miami & Miami Beach.

CONEXION Queer Tango Festival: April 11th-14th, 2024

This festival is Miami's way of inviting LGBTQ+ dancers to the milonga. The elegant and sensual Argentine tango is especially popular in Miami but for a long time, the LGBTQ+ community felt left out due to the dance form's traditional emphasis on male and female dance roles. CONEXION Queer Tango Festival is a chance for gay and trans partners to bring creativity and play with these traditional gender roles.

SweetHeat Miami May 14th-May 20th, 2024

SweetHeat Miami is a popular Pride celebration that was created by women, for women. The founder, Myah Mustafa describes it as "the only continuous party in South Beach catering to women. The atmosphere since its start has always been one of celebration, appreciation, and acceptance of what women represent both in their personal lives and as a community... It's a judgment-free zone where you can let down your hair and have fun."

This women-focused festival is comprised of events across South Beach, Wynwood, and Downtown Miami. Some of the events to look forward to this year include daytime pool parties, yoga and other wellness events, a yacht party, and sizzling nightlife with food, drinks, DJs, live music, themed parties, and dancing.

Sizzle Miami May 25th-27th, 2024

This popular event takes place over Memorial Day Weekend as a way of celebrating life, pride & community. Get ready for a beautiful blend of dazzling daytime events and sizzling nightlife. Typical events include parties, concerts, fashion shows, cultural events, and workshops. Key components of this event include its vibrant and inclusive atmosphere, its focus on celebrating Black LGBTQ+ culture, and the promotion of social justice and equality.

Where to Stay

While Miami and Miami Beach are home to a range of boutique to luxury hotels perfect for every visitor, Miami Beach is also home to the popular queer hotels AxelBeach Miami and Hôtel Gaythering.

Where to Play

Outside of these outstanding annual events, Greater Miami & Miami Beach boast a vibrant LGBTQ+ nightlife and entertainment scene. From a drag show at the iconic Palace Bar & Restaurant in Miami Beach or at R House Wynwood by drag queens currently featured in Ru Paul's Drag Race, to a night out at Twist, a late night out at LPN, or an improv comedy show at Haus of YAS, there's always lively entertainment and live events happening in this vibrant hotspot.