Carnival Weekend
Carnival Weekend 2026: Your Miami Gardens Guide to Citrus, J'ouvert, the Parade, and Game Day
Carnival weekend brings the color and sound of the Caribbean to South Florida.
Columbus Day weekend means one thing for a lot of Miami Gardens families: Carnival. From an all-inclusive fete right here at The Orchard on Friday to J'ouvert and the Parade of Bands in Lauderhill, plus a Dolphins home game in the middle of it all, here is how to plan your weekend.
Friday, October 9: Citrus Miami Carnival, 1:00 to 7:00 p.m., Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex (The Orchard), Miami Gardens. Saturday, October 10: Official J'ouvert, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Central Broward Park, Lauderhill. Sunday, October 11: Parade of Bands and Fete, Central Broward Park, Lauderhill, and Bengals vs. Dolphins, 1:00 p.m., Hard Rock Stadium.
Carnival in South Florida
Miami Broward Carnival has celebrated Caribbean culture over Columbus Day weekend for decades, and it is one of the largest Carnival celebrations in North America. The 2026 festival runs October 3 through 11. This year, the signature events have a new home: Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill.
Miami Gardens' strong Caribbean community, with deep roots in Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, and across the islands, makes this one of the most anticipated weekends of the year in the city.
Friday: Citrus at The Orchard
Carnival Friday starts right here in Miami Gardens. Citrus Miami Carnival takes over the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex, known on the fete circuit as The Orchard, from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. Organized by We Love Citrus, it is billed as an all-inclusive daytime fete with premium drinks and an unlimited buffet. Expect a bright, citrus-themed dress code and a full afternoon of soca.
Good to know
Tickets were listed at about $197 to $208 and have been sold in advance through the organizer. Check the event listing for current availability, age requirements, and what to wear. The complex is at 3000 NW 199th Street.
Saturday: J'ouvert
J'ouvert is Carnival's pre-dawn street party, where revelers cover themselves in paint, powder, mud, and oil and dance into the morning. The Official J'ouvert runs from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, at Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium, 3700 NW 11th Place in Lauderhill, with more than 20 paint and powder bands. Wear clothes you are happy to never see again.
Sunday: Parade of Bands and Fete
The weekend's main event is the Miami Broward Carnival Day Parade and Fete on Sunday, October 11, at Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium. More than 16 masquerade bands are expected to parade in full costume, followed by a concert with international Caribbean artists, plus a Caribbean Food Village, arts and crafts, and vendors. Admission has been listed at about $39 for the parade only and about $66 for the parade and concert.
Sunday is also game day
Here is the catch: the Dolphins host the Cincinnati Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium at 1:00 p.m. that same Sunday. That means two big crowds moving at the same time, one heading to Miami Gardens and one heading north to Lauderhill.
If you're going to the parade
Leave early. Stadium traffic will build around Miami Gardens from mid-morning, when Dolphins parking opens at 9:00 a.m. Give yourself extra time on Florida's Turnpike and I-95 heading north.
If you're going to the game
Buy parking in advance, since it is not sold on-site for Dolphins games, and expect heavier-than-usual traffic on the highways. Our Hard Rock Stadium parking guide has the details.
If you're staying home
Plan errands for Saturday afternoon or Monday. Sunday from late morning into the evening will be busy on most major roads around the city.
Carnival tips
Hydrate constantly, since October afternoons are still hot. Wear sunscreen and comfortable shoes. Bring a small amount of cash for vendors in case card readers go down, keep your phone charged, and set a meeting spot with your group in case you get separated. For a meal before or after the fete, browse our list of restaurants near Hard Rock Stadium.
Carnival is just one part of a packed month. See our October 2026 events guide for Canes vs. Florida State, FMU homecoming, and key election dates.
Frequently asked questions
When is Miami Carnival 2026?
Miami Broward Carnival 2026 runs October 3 through 11, with the Official J'ouvert on Saturday, October 10, and the Parade of Bands and Fete on Sunday, October 11, at Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill.
Where is the Miami Carnival parade in 2026?
The 2026 Miami Broward Carnival Day Parade and Fete takes place Sunday, October 11, at Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium, 3700 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill, Florida.
What is Citrus Miami Carnival?
Citrus Miami Carnival is an all-inclusive daytime fete on Friday, October 9, 2026, from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex, also known as The Orchard, at 3000 NW 199th Street in Miami Gardens.
What time is J'ouvert at Miami Carnival 2026?
The Official J'ouvert runs from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill.
Is there a Dolphins game during Miami Carnival weekend?
Yes. The Miami Dolphins host the Cincinnati Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2026, the same day as the Carnival parade.
Event details, times, and prices are based on organizer listings as of October 3, 2026, and may change. Confirm with event organizers and Hard Rock Stadium before you go. Published: October 3, 2026.
