Carnaval Miami

Why We Love It: No event symbolizes the vibrant Hispanic culture in South Florida more than Carnaval on the Mile in Coral Gables and Calle Ocho on SW 8th St., the one-day street festival powered by volunteers of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana to benefit their foundation’s youth development programs. Over the past 40 years, the largest Hispanic festival in the nation has also set records for hosting the world’s longest conga line, the most domino players and the world’s longest cigar. Today, the festival and its components have rebranded and added events to appeal to a younger audience. “Carnaval Miami is all about experiences, and a lot have to do with food,” says Jesus Lebeña, new president of the Kiwanis Club. And it’s not just Cuban, he says: “We try to target all cultures, all types of foods, a collage of all.” This year, they’re adding two new events, Tap That Craft in Wynwood, a craft beer tasting with live painting by Atomik, and Cordials and Candy, a two-hour sweets experience with after-dinner drinks, cigars and desserts on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. “We’re excited about these new ideas,” he says. “We’re raising a lot of money through these programs.” 20th Annual Carnaval on the Mile Mar. 3-4, Miracle Mile, 10am-10pm The new streetscape along Miracle Mile is the setting for this two-day art festival with two sound stages and a weekend of live jazz, funk, rock and Afro-Caribbean samba. • Cork & Fork Mar. 3-4, 1pm-8pm Two days of culinary tastings, demos, live entertainment and mixology experiences hosted by chefs Cesar Zapata of Phuc Yea, Eileen Andrade of Finka Table and Tap, Ingrid Hoffmann of Simply Delicioso and Cindy Hutson of Ortanique. Tickets are $65-220. • Cordials & Candy Mar. 3, 9:30pm-11:30pm Top pastry chefs prepare creations paired with cordials, plus coffees and cigars. Tickets are $50 online.