Every year, Florida residents who enjoy loud music, street performances, and a great variety of hispanic and Caribbean cuisine gather in the one day festival in Miami called Calle Ocho. The festival always takes place in the middle of March and this year it will be held on March 15th. There are performances from every type of latino music genre: merengue, reggeaton, bachata, balada, hip hop, rap, jazz, and more.

Calle ocho, or eight street, started in 1978 to celebrate the rich latino culture in Miami. It is held in Miami’s “little havana,” the center of Miami’s cuban culture. It is the largest festival held in Miami, taking up every street corner from 8th Avenue to SW 27th avenue. Entire streets are cut off and blocked to make room for the twelve stages that will showcase the performers, the food, the dances, and all the almost 100,000 people who will attend the street festival. The best part is that it’s free admission. The  real worry is being able to find a good parking space.

Although it’s mostly a latino festival, no one is stopped from coming in and enjoying the celebration. Over the years more and more cultures have added on to this “Mini Carnaval.”

This years performance line up includes celebrities like Chino Y Nacho, Pitbull, Daddy Yankee, Ivy Queen, Leslie Grace, Farruko, Fito Blanco, Sean Paul, Elvis Crespo, Illegales, Tony Diez, Alexis Y fido, and many other Musicians from countries like Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico and much more.

It’s a great way to kick off your spring break.