GayOcho

The iconic streets of Calle Ocho (Southwest 8th Street) in Miami’s bustling Little Havana neighborhood will come alive on Sunday, February 16, for the 8th annual Gay Ocho Festival. An annual Hispanic street fair dedicated to LGBTQ+ art, music, dance, food and culture, GayOcho attracts more than 100,000 people from around Greater Miami & Miami Beach and beyond. In fact, GayOcho is considered to be the largest Hispanic diversity and inclusion festival in the U.S. Best of all, the festival and block party are free.

Read on for a recap of the 2023 edition of GayOcho

What To Expect At GayOcho

Little Havana is Miami’s vibrant Cuban heart, with Calle Ocho serving as the center of activity in the neighborhood. During GayOcho, the entire street is closed off from Southwest 14th to 17th avenues, with exciting programming filling these blocks. The organizers behind GayOcho describe the festival as “an invitation to come to Little Havana for the 'fiesta' of a lifetime.”

Celebrating all things Hispanic and queer, GayOcho has an action-packed day planned. Free cultural programming will include stand-up comedy shows, dance parties, fashion shows, a special performance by an ABBA cover band – Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute – and more. For the foodies, the festival will host its annual “Best Miami Sandwich” competition, with local restaurants competing for the coveted title. There will also be a culinary walking tour through Calle Ocho during the day. Painters and sculptors will exhibit their art, and other local vendors will offer their wares along the streets.

Live Entertainment At GayOcho

Drag queens, DJs and more, oh my! GayOcho will bring the best in live music and performances across eight stages, with two main stages on the east and west sides of the street. The 2023 performance lineup will be announced soon.

In addition to all the live performances, GayOcho will also host dance party zones in various areas. LYNN’s Girl Central is one of the party highlights. Created and named after the late festival founder, Lynn Bove, the dance party will fuse Latin music with EDM, pop and more for a special mix of moods and melodies by popular DJs. Dedicated to lesbian and queer-identifying women, LYNN’s Girl Central is also welcoming to all who want to dance in a safe and inviting space from 2 to 10 p.m. Don't miss the Macho Dance Party, featuring tribal and House sounds by acclaimed DJ Alex Ramos from 4 to 11 p.m.

Amplifying Hispanic Voices At Gay8

The Gay8 festival exists during a time when so many Hispanic and Latin communities around the world are fighting for freedom, liberty and life. The festival seeks to amplify their voices while also celebrating all the things that make the Hispanic/Latin culture so vibrant and special, and acknowledging the impact of the LGBTQ+ community. Get your Hispanic heritage (and Pride flag) ready for a day of dancing and jubilation.

VIP Tickets To Gay8

While the Gay8 festival is free, donations are welcomed and encouraged. VIP tickets are also available, providing special access to the festival’s VIP area with an open bar, complimentary food, designated parking and more.

A Gala Experience Before Gay8

On Thursday, February 2, from 6 to 11 p.m., the organizers behind Gay8 presented the 6th Annual 4Ward Gala and the Pa’Lante Awards at the historic Biltmore Hotel Miami - Coral Gables. Celebrating diversity and inclusion, the gala and awards presentation honored individuals who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. This year’s honorees include Daniel Acevedo, the Abre Camino Collective, Enrique Santos, Alexander Star and Sabrina Cohen. Contributions from the event benefit the Gay8 festival, along with other year-round programming.

By: Gino R. Campodónico