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Gay8 Festival
Miami Street Festival 2027

Gay8 (“Gay Ocho”) is a Hispanic/Latino LGBTQ art, music, dance, food and cultural street festival in Miami

  • Event Dates

    From: Sunday, February 14, 2027
    To: Sunday, February 14, 2027

  • Key Highlights

    • 4 different stages
    • Macho Dance Party
    • Doggie Village
    • A mini-film festival
    • Historic walking tours
    • A cigar lounge
    • Music and food
    • Latino LGBT art

Gay8 Festival – Miami Street Festival 2027

Miami’s famed Little Havana neighbourhood hosts a LGBT Latino block party, Gay8 (pronounced GayOcho!) each year in mid February. This one day street festival showcases Latino LGBT art, music and food.

The Event

  • Next Edition: Sunday 14th February, 2027.
  • Gay8 (“Ocho”) Festival is a platform, an opportunity to connect with parts of South Florida you never knew were there …. an amazing sticky mess of fun, diversity, history, culture, passion and South Florida realness meant to engage the community in ways no one knew were possible.

Where is the Miami Gay8 Festival taking place?

  • The festival will stretch for three fun-packed, activity-filled blocks from SW14th to SW17th Avenues. The famed “Calle Ocho” becomes a pedestrian walkway so all can peruse the day long offerings.
  • The party gets going at 11 a.m, as Calle Ocho — Eighth Street for the uninitiated — is closed to traffic for three blocks between 14th and 17th Avenues.

Miami Gay8 Events

  • Gay8 features free movies at the Tower, a Doggie Village with a dog obstacle course, dance parties, the Best Miami Sandwich Competition, fashion shows, and many other acts and talent on 4 different stages.
  • Other events around the festival will include a cigar lounge, historic walking tours, a mini-film festival, dance parties and more.
  • Art will also be aplenty at Gay8 as some of South Florida’s best painters and sculptors will punctuate the festival with booths displaying distinguished, authentic Miami works of art. Walk over to Sala Furniture and have owner Roberto Ramos give you one of his docent like tours of Cuban art.
  • Miami Dade College’s Tower Theater, a renovated jewel on Calle Ocho and 15th Avenue will showcase LGBTQ themed films -check out the schedule- all day long.
  • Other highlights include the Macho Dance Party, with men from all over the world on Gay8 Festival’s MACHO stage beginning at 2pm to 8pm at Domino Park!

Little Havana and Gay Miami

  • Little Havana is a 15 minute drive from South Beach, home to Miami's gay nightlife and beaches.
  • If you want to stay close to the event in Little Havana, the area is home to some superb apartments and alternative accommodation options. Check out the following places to stay close by
  • Make sure you check out Azucar Night Club while you are in Little Havana, an authentic Latin drag club with great dancing and cabaret nights.

Recommended hotels in South Beach

If you want to stay close to South Beach, the following hotels are popular with our readers, are close to all the major attractions and gay beaches and have a high rating:

The Setai,    The Marlin Hotel,    Waldorf Towers,    President Hotel

Gay Map of Miami

The gay scene in Miami is centred around South Beach. The gay beach is located at 12th Street and Ocean Drive. It is not too difficult to find, with the rainbow flags marking the territory between two chair rental spots.

Address: 2001 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

  • Luxury beachfront hotel with calm, refined atmosphere.
  • Art Deco roots blended with Asian-inspired design.
  • Spacious rooms and suites with ocean or city views.
  • Three serene pools and highly attentive service.
  • Ideal for guests seeking privacy in South Beach.
  • Website

Address: 350 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA

  • Boutique Art Deco hotel at the south end of Ocean Drive.
  • Quieter setting close to the beach and South Pointe.
  • Stylish rooms with a relaxed, understated feel.
  • Small courtyard pool and laid-back atmosphere.
  • Good base for South Beach without the chaos.
  • Website

Address: 1200 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

  • Stylish Art Deco hotel near Collins Avenue.
  • Spacious rooms with modern, design-focused interiors.
  • Close to the beach, dining, and nightlife.
  • Lively bar and restaurant scene downstairs.
  • Balances comfort with South Beach location well.
  • Website

Address: 860 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

  • Art Deco hotel right on Ocean Drive.
  • Prime location opposite the beach.
  • Simple rooms focused on space and function.
  • Steps from bars, restaurants, and nightlife.
  • Best for location-led South Beach stays.
  • Website

Address: 222 14th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA

  • Historic South Beach dive bar with real local character.
  • Cheap pours, strong drinks, and a no-frills attitude.
  • Mixed crowd of locals, late-night regulars, and visitors.
  • Smoking inside, cash only, pool table and jukebox nights.
  • Not a gay bar, yet long known as gay-friendly and open.
  • Open: Daily 8am–5am
  • Facebook

Address: 217 71st Street, Miami Beach, Florida 33141

  • North Beach dive bar with local, relaxed energy.
    Cheap beer, cocktails, sports screens, karaoke nights.
    Pool table and easy outdoor seating.
    Welcoming to gay crowd, not exclusively gay.
    Open long hours daily, crowd stays late.
  • Open: Daily 8am–5am
  • Website

Address: 1216 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33139

  • Gay-focused beach club with lively nightlife.
  • Retro, themed lounge with drag and karaoke.
  • Late-night hours most nights.
  • Friendly bartenders and upbeat crowd.
  • Great stop for LGBTQ+ nights in South Beach.
  • Open: 9pm–4am Thursday–Sunday.
  • Instagram

Address: 1057 Washington AveMiami Beach, FL 33139

  • South Beach gay club with multiple bars and dance floors.
  • Open daily late afternoon to early morning.
  • Diverse crowd of locals and visitors.
  • House, Latin and pop music keeps energy high.
  • Happy hours early, party deep into the night.
  • Open: Daily 3pm–5am
  • Facebook

Address: 1409 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, Florida 33139

  • Gay neighborhood bar just off Lincoln Road.
  • Strong local crowd with a social, chatty feel.
  • Theme nights, DJs, karaoke, and pop-driven playlists.
  • Relaxed early evenings, lively late nights.
  • Reliable gay staple without club pressure.
  • Open: Daily 4pm–5am
  • Website

Address: 1052 Ocean Dr Miami Beach, FL 33139

  • Iconic gay bar and restaurant on Ocean Drive.
  • Famous for drag shows, brunches, and live performances.
  • Lively mix of locals and visitors all week.
  • Food, cocktails, and entertainment under one roof.
  • One of South Beach’s longest-running LGBTQ+ venues.
  • Open: Monday–Thursday 11am–1am, Friday–Sunday 11am–2am
  • Website

Address: Events take place at pop-up venues & hired club spaces across Miami Beach

  • Gay male strip show and party brand.
  • Pop-up events across Miami Beach and Miami.
  • Focus on performers, stage shows, and crowd interaction.
  • Late-night party energy rather than bar vibe.
  • Check socials for locations and event nights.
  • Website

Recommended Hotels in Miami Booking

Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Miami that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars

The Setai, Miami Beach
5 Star Chic & Stylish

The Setai, Miami Beach
Booking.com
  • 5 Star – On Beach, Yoga and Tai-Chi
  • Close to the gay district
  • Asian-style décor, espresso facilities
  • Beachfront resort in Art Deco district, offers yoga, tai-chi, Asian-style suites, and modern amenities.

The Betsy Hotel
South Beach, 5 Star

The Betsy Hotel, South Beach
Booking.com
  • 5 Star – Direct Beach Access
  • Close to the gay district
  • Hardwood floors
  • Amidst Ocean Drive's offerings, direct beach access, courtyard, rooftop pool, and luxurious rooms.

The Marlin Hotel, 4 Star
Perfect Location & Views

The Marlin Hotel
Booking.com
  • 4 Star – Steps from South Beach
  • Close to the gay district
  • 55-inch TV, fully-stocked minibar
  • Boutique hotel near South Beach, features high speed WiFi, large TVs, and well-stocked minibars.

The Balfour Hotel
Relaxed 4 Star Hotel

Booking.com
  • Relaxed 4 Star – On Ocean Drive
  • Close to the gay district
  • Modern rooms, 40-inch TV
  • Located on Ocean Drive, offers concierge services, valet parking, rooms with, minibar & free WiFi.

Video Of Gay8 Festival – Miami Street Festival

Gay8 Festival Higlights

Kimpton Vero beach

Top Gay Neighbourhoods in Miami

Boasting a glittering tapestry of sun-kissed beaches, vibrant neighbourhoods, and non-stop nightlife, Miami has long been a radiant beacon for the LGBTQ+ community. The iconic gay-friendly South Beach, known for its lively LGBTQ+ scene and colourful Art Deco architecture, truly shines as a premier destination for gay travellers. The following neighbourhoods offer something for all visitors.

South Beach | Ocean Drive

Photo: South Beach is home to world famous drag bars & clubs including Palace Bar

Wynwood

Wynwood Miami

20 mins from South Beach. Dynamic, creative trendy district with outdoor street murals & art scene.

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale Miami
35 mins from South Beach, home to spectacular gay beaches & charming gay hotels. A more relaxed vibe.

Little Havana

Little Havana Miami

15 mins from South Beach, offering a slice of Cuba's vibrant culture and host of the Gay 8 festival.

Wilton Manors

Wilton Manors Miami
40 mins from South Beach, the gayest neighbourhood in the USA, with bustling gay bars, restaurants & clubs.

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