Miami Carnival 2026: What to Know Before You Go
Miami Carnival 2026 brings its main parade and fete to Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill on Sunday, October 11, with costumed masquerade bands, Caribbean food and live entertainment scheduled from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For first-time visitors traveling from Miami, the essential detail is the destination: this year’s Sunday celebration takes place in Broward County.
Presented by the Miami-Broward One Carnival Host Committee, the festival connects costume design and music with Caribbean cultural traditions. Sunday offers an introduction to several elements in one place, while Saturday’s Official J’ouvert centers on soca, dancing, paint and powder.
Choose Your Carnival Experience
Official J’ouvert, Saturday, October 10: Scheduled for 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Central Broward Park, this is the early-start option. Expect a participatory celebration built around music and movement, with paint and powder part of the experience.
Parade and fete, Sunday, October 11: Organizers say more than 16 masquerade bands are expected to participate, followed by live Caribbean entertainment. The day’s programming also includes a Caribbean Food Village and arts and crafts vendors.
The broader schedule began October 3, with Junior Carnival and the steelpan-focused Pan Jamboree scheduled together at Tamarac Sports Complex. An additional Friday event appears on CaribTix as Red Road J’Ouvert for October 9 in Broward County. Check that event’s listing separately when planning the weekend.
Watching the Parade or Playing Mas?
A mas band is an organized group of costumed participants whose designs tell a shared story or interpret a theme. Music trucks accompany the groups as they dance along the parade route.
Watching and participating require different arrangements. To “play mas,” or join a costumed band in the parade, visitors must register and pay through a participating band. A costume brought from home does not grant access to the band’s procession. Use the official Carnival website to reach the band directory and ask about remaining availability, costume collection and package inclusions.
Tickets: Check Exactly What You Are Buying
CaribTix lists the Official J’ouvert and Sunday’s Parade & Bacchanal Sunday Fete as separate events. Confirm the date, admission category and included access before paying, particularly if you plan to attend both days.
If purchasing a band package, ask whether event admission is included before buying another ticket. Check the live checkout for current prices and fees, and confirm any age restrictions or collection requirements with the seller.
Getting There
Both main weekend events are listed at 3700 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill, FL 33311. Use that address when planning a drive or rideshare from Miami or Miami Beach, and allow additional time for arrival and entry.
Some material on the Carnival website still describes shuttle stops at the Miami-Dade fairgrounds. Those instructions should not be treated as confirmed transportation arrangements for the 2026 Lauderhill events. Check with organizers for current parking charges, entrance directions and pickup locations before leaving.
What to Wear
Choose lightweight clothing and comfortable shoes suitable for hours of walking and dancing. For J’ouvert, wear items you are willing to have stained, and protect your phone from paint and powder.
For Sunday spectators, practical clothing is a sensible choice. Bring sunscreen and plan regular water breaks. Check the event’s current bag and outside-drink rules before packing.
Make Time for Caribbean Food
The Caribbean Food Village is part of Sunday’s announced program. The organizer’s food guide describes cooking traditions from Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and other Caribbean countries, including jerk dishes, curries and stews. Individual vendors and menus should be checked on site.
Visitors who need accessibility information can contact organizers at 305-653-1877. The official visitor guide states that event venues and bathrooms are wheelchair accessible.