January
FedEx Orange Bowl Classic - This football classic has been drawing football fans for more than 70 years. Today it is hosted in a new Pro Player Stadium and brings together the champions of the Atlantic Coast and Big East Conferences.

5K/10K Run Against Drugs - Another event at Pro Player Stadium, this socially conscious run awards prizes to the best male and female in both the 5K and 10K runs.

February
Miami International Film Festival - Featuring more than 100 filmmakers, producers and across from around the world, The Miami Film Festival provides awards to aspiring films in both the Documentary and Dramatic categories.

Coconut Grove Art Festival - Residents and visitors alike enjoy the work of more than 300 artists who descend on Coconut Grove each year. The festival also offers food, music and activities for the kids.

March
Miami Grand Prix - The world famous Indy Racing League has its opener each year at the Homestead Miami Speedway.

Carnival Miami Festival - A great place to experience the city's Latin culture, this week-long celebration includes food, music, dance, parades and fireworks.

Calle Ocho - The culmination of the Carnival Festival occurs (not surprisingly) in the heart of the city's thriving Cuban district. Possibly the largest street party in the world, Calle Ocho attracts more than a million visitors to SW 8th Street for this one-day event. Who can resist a 23-block party?

April
Louisiana Crawfish Boil - For those looking for a different culinary and cultural experience, this Cajun festival has both. Live music and spicy food entice countless people each year who come seeking a taste of Louisiana.

Metropolitan Miami Flower Show - The show features a variety of exhibits as well as lectures and other horticultural displays. Visitors come to marvel at the astonishing array of flowers, and of course to shop.

May
Great Sunrise Balloon Race - This fundraising event supports those with development disabilities through an organization called the Sunrise Community. One hot air balloon will take off and find a spot to land and mark a giant 'X' on the ground. Other balloons then follow, trying to locate the mark and to drop beanbags as close to it as possible.

Arabian Nights Fantasy Festival - This festival draws more than 20,000 visitors each year to Opa Locka, which encompasses one of the largest collections of Moorish architecture in the Western hemisphere. The city's four square miles host a variety of live performances and music, and visitors can play games and sample the fascinating foods offered at the site.

June
Fête de la Musique - Coconut Grove - This festival coincides with the summer solstice. It began in France in 1982 and has expanded to more than 100 countries. Embracing the ideal of bringing music to the world, Coconut Grove in Miami features more than 65 bands on multiple stages in genres including jazz, rock, pop, soul, classics and more.

Summer Shorts - This event features a series of short 5- to 20-minute plays, which serve as the kickoff for the annual Miami theater season. In addition to the new plays, other features typically include readings and exhibitions of more than 150 other artists. Theater-goers enjoy the chance for a cool escape from the summer heat that makes the plays even more enjoyable.

July
Everglades Music and Crafts Festival - Visitors to the Miccosukee Village can celebrate the cultural heritage of this group of Native Americans. Activities include live music, authentic crafts and food, alligator wrestling and airboat rides.

International Mango Festival - Who could resist celebrating mangos? The celebratory choices abound at this unique festival as visitors can buy a mango tree, sample various mango treats, attend demonstrations, lecture and food demos and more.

August
Snake Day - Snake Day at the Miami Museum of Science offers visitors a Snake Showcase, presentations, contests, prizes and activities. Free admission is an added bonus for any snake owners who bring their pets along for the fun.

Miss Hispanidad - Based on beauty, poise and personality, the Miss Hispanidad competition includes bathing suit and evening gown competitions. Contestants between the ages of 16 and 25 compete for the scholarships, trips and other prizes awarded.

September
United States Dance Sport Championships - One of the most prestigious in the world, this annual dance competition welcomes couples from more than 30 nations come to compete. Titles to be awarded there include four major U.S. titles, three open U.S. Championships and four World Championships.

Festival Miami - The University of Miami School of Music sponsors international artists performing a variety of music over a period of five weeks.

October
Hispanic Heritage Festival - This wonderful cultural festival lasts throughout October and centers on the role of Hispanics in the development of the United States. Given that half of Miami's population is Hispanic, this is the place to go to truly celebrate Hispanic heritage.

Coral Gables Oktoberfest - Bands from Austria and Germany are imported to delight visitors as they wander through the beer garden during this five-day event.

November
Miami Book Fair International - This huge book fair offers book lovers a chance to wander the streets of Miami searching for treasure. The book fair's mission is to "promote reading, encourage writing, and heighten an awareness of literacy and the literary arts in our multi-ethnic community." The book fair also offers a variety of activities including readings by prominent authors and activities for the kids.

Ford 400 - Since its debut in the area in 1995, NASCAR's conclusive race comes to the Homestead Miami Speedway each November. Some of the sport's biggest names come to compete for more than a quarter million dollars.

December
King Mango Strut - A parody of the Orange Bowl Parade, this tongue-in-cheek display features a range of comedic participants mocking everything from politics to polemics. Their motto as they wander through Coconut Grove is: Putting the Nut back in CocoNUT Grove since 1982.

Santa's Enchanted Forest - The world's largest outdoor Christmas fair sparkles with 3 million lights in Miami's Tropical Park. From the petting zoo to Santa, children find many delights.

Big Orange New Year's Eve Celebration - What could be as much fun as standing in Times Square, freezing, watching the ball drop? Standing in Miami, not freezing, watching a humongous orange drop, of course!

Sources:
( http://www.miami-travel-services.com/ )
(Accessed July 13, 2004)