As is true of most things in Miami, a citywide showing of gay pride was fashionably late to the 305. In 2009—more than three decades after San Francisco and New York—the Miami Beach Gay Pride parade took to the streets of Ocean Drive with more than 15,000 spectators. Fast forward to April 2018, and Miami-Dade County’s first official LGBTQ celebration will commemorate 10 years of honoring the growing community, with seven full days (up from last year’s three) of parties and the most colorful parade of the year.
Kicking off Pride for the second year in a row, buildings throughout Miami are illuminated in rainbow colors as a tribute to victims of the Pulse shooting. Join organizers on Lincoln Road and watch them flip the switch on Miami Beach City Hall, Faena Hotel, Freedom Tower and more iconic structures on the beach and the mainland.
The street parade begins with opening remarks from one of this year’s grand marshals, local favorite Roxanne Vargas, before a caravan of glittering floats (more than 70 entries have been received) travel 10 blocks down Ocean Drive. It all wraps up at 9pm with a spectacular fireworks display over Lummus Park.
Miss Miami Beach Gay Pride Pageant
After years at Miami Beach gay club Scores, the sixth annual pageant moves to the luxurious Faena Theater. See some of the city’s fiercest, most fabulous queens compete in four categories—presentation, evening gown, swimwear and talent—to win the coveted title.
Get fancy AF when the museum hosts a soiree on its bright, multicolored terrace. While details on this year’s event haven’t been announced, previous celebrations featured a free screening of Moonlight and Q&A with the cast, rowdy drag performances and an outdoor dance party.
HQ for all things Pride, the tented village includes two stages for the week’s surprise lineup of drag entertainers, DJs (like Australian Dan Slater on Apr 7) and other performers. Inside you’ll also find a kids’ zone and the femme-focused Garden of Eve pavilion, featuring appearances by special guest Julie Goldman all weekend.
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