Calle Ocho Music Festival Is More Than Just a Block Party

The 47th annual Calle Ocho Music Festival, founded by the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana in 1978, returns to Miami on Sunday, March 9. Behind the massive cultural celebration stands Pablo Lau, the club's current president, who has dedicated nearly two decades to the organization and its mission.

"This year marks our 50th year as an organization. Anyone who has grown up in the neighborhood in the last 50 years has known, heard, or been to one of our events or community projects," Lau says.

Lau's journey at the Kiwanis Club began long before his presidential appointment in October 2023. He first became a member in 2009, starting as an affiliate and slowly beginning to train at smaller events.

As president, Lau now oversees the club's flagship event series, Carnaval Miami. The series celebrates Latin culture through diverse events featuring art, music, fashion, food, and sports that draw approximately a million attendees annually.

The festivities generate around $40 million in economic impact for local businesses while funding crucial youth development programs through the Kiwanis of Little Havana Foundation. These include efforts such as summer camps, college scholarships, supporting families during the holiday season, and providing food for senior citizens on Thanksgiving.

The festival, which spans 15 blocks from SW Eighth Street between SW 12th and 27th avenues, relies entirely on volunteer effort.

"It takes a village to do this. I'm blessed to have a team of volunteers that the Kiwanis of Little Havana have had as an organization for so many years. That's our secret sauce. It's our membership, it's our volunteers, it's the passion we all share, it's the like-mindedness," Lau says.
As the largest Latin music festival in the nation, Calle Ocho has become a cultural touchstone that reflects Miami's diverse heritage.

"One of the things that we love as members is when we see the attendees walking around with their shirts from their country. They're waving their flags proudly. That, to us, is sheer joy and unification," Lau explains.

Festivalgoers can expect a day filled with entertainment, dancing, and delicious food.

Every year, event organizers choose the King of the Carnaval, a title given to a prominent figure honored as the symbolic leader and ambassador of the Carnaval celebration. This year, Puerto Rican singer Jay Wheeler takes the crown for the festival's biggest performance of the night.

Other notable performances include Cuban rapper and singer Osmani Garcia, known for his famous hit "El Taxi" featuring Pitbull; Cuban rapper El Micha; and Puerto Rican salsa act Melina Almodóvar.

While the festival brings tremendous entertainment to Miami, Lau emphasizes its deeper purpose. "We're having tremenda fiesta, and we're having tremendo block party. We're very festive, but it's all for a cause," he says.

Calle Ocho 2025. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 9, at SW Eight Street between 12th and 27th avenues, Miami; carnavalmiami.com. Admission is free; VIP tickets cost $135 via eventbrite.com.