Top Music Festivals Near South Florida

Music festivals show the best parts of humanity when many people are in one area and they are all enjoying the same thing. All over South Florida, diverse cultures are represented and a native or a tourist can go to these festivals and see that South Florida has an identity all its own. South Florida's identity is an explosive concoction of delight that only adds to the American landscape with its music, its food, and its people.

Big Night In Little Haiti
Little Haiti Cultural Center
212 N.E. 59th Terrace
Miami, FL 33137
(305) 960-2969
www.littlehaiticulturalcenter.com

Date: Every third Friday of the month starting May 15, 2015 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Tourists should go to the Little Haiti area of Miami to celebrate Haitian music the third Friday of every month. Two artists, Rutshelle Guillaume and Mario Chandel, will lend their voices to the night in an enthralling exhibit of the beautiful aspects of the Haitian culture.

Community Arts Program Family Concert
Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ
3010 DeSoto Blvd.
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 448-7421, ext. 10
www.communityartsprogram.org

Date: June 4 through August 13, 2015, every other Thursday

This is a great concert series the whole family can enjoy inside the Coral Gables Congregational Church. The concert will include six jazz and classical concerts. The Community Arts Program is a gem in the South Florida community because it continues the effort of developing children's music skills.

IFE-ILE Afro Cuban Dance Festival
Dade County Auditorium
2901 W. Flagler St.
Miami, FL 33135
(305) 547-5414
www.ife-ile.org

Date: August 20 through 22, 2015

The Cuban community has painted the landscape of South Florida for more than 50 years. The Afro Cuban Dance Festival provides an educational opportunity through two days of panel discussions, dance workshops, live music, and after parties. The company will present their choreography, "Under Heaven and Earth," on the Mariel boatlift.

Related: Music Festival 

(Source: www.hollywoodfl.org)
Friday Fest At Charnow Park
Hollywood Bandshell/Performance Pavilion
Johnson St. & The Broadwalk
Hollywood, FL 33020
(954) 921-3404
www.hollywoodfl.org

Date: May 15, 2015 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This isn't the Hollywood Bowl but it's the next best thing. Charnow Park is on Hollywood beach at the corner of Johnson St. and the Broadwalk. On May 15, come see the free event Eddie & Dina (Music for Dancing). Throughout the summer different genres will be featured every Friday. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and local restaurants are nearby with outside dining to conveniently stop for dinner and listen to the music. The events are weather permitting and there is built in terrace seating.

Mad Decent Block Party
Revolution Live Concert Venue
100 S.W. 3rd Ave.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
(954) 449-1025
www.maddecent.com

Date: August 1, 2015 at 3 p.m.

The block party that spans the nation is coming to the Revolution Live venue with all the acts from the Mad Decent label. These artists include a Diplo-Skrillex collaboration, Major Lazer, Jack U, and Yellow Claw.

Related: Guide To The Ultra Music Festival 

Eric L Labrador is a freelance writer covering all things Miami. His work can be found on Examiner.com.