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The Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, an affiliate of the worldwide volunteer organization Kiwanis International, continues its schedule of activities for Carnaval Miami 2025.
Joined by Kiwanis board members and notable sponsors, club president Pablo Lau made a series of announcements at a recent press conference held at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, including the declaration of this year’s King of Carnaval Miami, Latin Grammy-nominated musical artist, Jay Wheeler, as well as a presentation of the official 2025 Carnaval Miami poster, titled Our Heartbeat, by acclaimed contemporary artist Mojo. Founded in 1975, the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana celebrates its 50th year impacting the Miami community.
“As a time-honored tradition in our city, Carnaval Miami holds a special place in our hearts, and this year is extra special for us as we are proud to celebrate the 50th year of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana,” Lau said. “I am excited to announce that prominent Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Jay Wheeler will serve as our King of Carnaval Miami 2025, while the visionary contemporary artist Mojo will create the official poster for 2025.
“In this milestone year, Carnaval Miami 2025 reflects our commitment to celebrating the dynamic and welcoming spirit of the Hispanic community here in South Florida. We eagerly invite everyone to join us this February and March and can’t wait to share this celebration with our community,” Lau concluded.
Carnaval Miami is the marquee annual fundraiser of Kiwanis Club of Little Havana in support of the Kiwanis Little Havana Foundation’s youth development programs. It represents an economic impact of $40 million for local artists, vendors, and small businesses throughout the Greater Miami area.
Host to a series of captivating events that attract one million attendees each year, Carnaval Miami 2025 is best known as host of the country’s largest “Latino” experiential event, Calle Ocho Music Festival. The 2025 edition of the Calle Ocho Music Festival, presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, will feature the King of Carnaval, Jay Wheeler, headlining the largest Latin music festival in the nation.
“I am truly honored to serve as the King of Carnaval Miami 2025, especially in this milestone 50th year of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana,” Wheeler said. “To join the ranks of so many legendary artists who have represented Carnaval Miami as Kings and Queens is a privilege beyond words. This is a special moment in my career, and I am proud to represent our vibrant heritage as part of this amazing annual celebration of culture, music, and community.”
Wheeler joins an elite group of Carnaval Miami Kings and Queens including Celia Cruz, Gloria Estefan, Willy Chirino, Oscar D’Leon, Pitbull, Gente de Zona and fellow Puerto Ricans Daddy Yankee, Olga Tañón, Jerry Rivera, La India, and Chayanne.
Also returning is the Coral Gables street festival, Carnaval on the Mile, presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida. The festival highlights art, world music, fine cuisine, and children’s entertainment all weekend. Cuban singer LEONI TORRES, Cuban folk ensemble CORTADITO featuring Latin GRAMMY-winning flutist NESTOR TORRES, PEDRITO MARTINEZ, and PACO VERSAILLES are among the headliners for the three concert stages at the 2025 edition of Carnaval on the Mile. The long-term event consists of live music, a mile of paintings, crafts, photography and jewelry of the highest caliber creating a cultural experience for the enjoyment of all age groups.
Carnaval Miami 2025 officially began on Feb. 19 with the Carnaval Miami Golf Classic presented by Amerant Bank. Three days later, the 43rd annual Miss Carnaval Miami pageant took place, with the winner of the pageant being crowned and awarded cash prizes and a scholarship as well as the opportunity to be the face of Carnaval Miami 2025.
Other Carnaval Miami favorites returning this year include the Carnaval Miami Domino Tournament (Mar. 3-5) and Carnaval Soccer 5v5 Challenge (Apr. 19).
Carnaval Miami 2025 is made possible in part by partnerships with generous sponsors including Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood, Florida, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida LLC (Coke Florida), Bacardi, Stella Artois, Monster Energy, Telemundo 51, NBC 6, Univision 23, Amerant Bank, Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera, Kellanova, GMCVB,
Boost Mobile, Café Pilon, Academica, and Ford, among others.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our municipal partners — Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami, and the City of Coral Gables — for embracing Carnaval Miami once again this year,” Lau said. “We are equally grateful to our corporate sponsors, whose support is essential in making this celebration possible. The Kiwanis Club of Little Havana deeply appreciates these partnerships, which enable us to host this annual event and support the impactful programs we offer to the local community.”
Highlights:
• Carnaval on the Mile, Mar.1-2, on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, is a free weekend-long festival of art, world music, fine cuisine, and children’s entertainment. Cuban singer Leoni Torres, Cuban folk ensemble Cortadito featuring Latin Grammy-winning flutist Nestor Torres, Pedrito Martinez, and Paco Versailles are among the headliners for the three concert stages at the 2025 edition of Carnaval on the Mile.
The celebration also includes a mile of paintings, crafts, photography and jewelry of the highest caliber creating a cultural experience for the enjoyment of all age groups. Don’t miss special activations at The Kidz Nook presented by Academica, offering a fun-filled area with activities for children of all ages.
• A classic Little Havana cultural experience becomes a friendly but passionate contest at the Carnaval Miami Domino Tournament, Mar. 3-5, in Domino Park. Domino enthusiasts from around the country gather for a laid-back afternoon of laughter and fierce competition. The tournament also welcomes all corporate and small businesses to participate in teams.
• The culmination of it all! A marquee event of Carnaval Miami, Calle Ocho Music Festival, Mar. 9, on Calle Ocho (between SW 12th and 27th avenues) is the largest Latin music festival in the nation. This year, don’t miss the incredible performance by Jay Wheeler, the King of Carnaval Miami 2025, adding an extra layer of excitement as you stroll through 15 street blocks of Little Havana filled with musical stages, international food, sampling sites, folkloric dances and entertainment for all families and friends to enjoy.
Tickets for VIP Access, with limited capacity, are available through Eventbrite.
• The Carnaval Miami 5v5 Soccer Challenge, Apr 19, at Amelia Earhart Soccer Park, provides an afternoon of fun and healthy activities for the whole family. More than 4,000 attendees comprise 100 teams, ages U5 to U18, participating for trophies and glory as Carnaval Miami 5v5 Fútbol Challenge winners. Register your team at CarnavalMiami.com.
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