Viernes Culturales

Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street) in Little Havana is the epicenter of Miami’s Cuban diaspora, and on the third Friday of every month, everyone in Greater Miami & Miami Beach is invited to celebrate its dynamic heritage. Spanish for “Cultural Fridays,” Viernes Culturales is a free event where the neighborhood’s vibrant history, art, food, music and dancing collide.

From midday to late into the night, the stretch of Calle Ocho between 12th and 22nd avenues becomes pedestrian-only, and the street comes alive with restaurants spilling out onto the pavement, art galleries staying open late, artisans selling their handicrafts, master cigar rollers rolling authentic Cuban cigars, free guided tours of Little Havana, domino matches, live music, salsa dancing and more. Open to all ages, Viernes Culturales immerses visitors in the soul of Little Havana.

The History of Little Havana

When Fidel Castro’s reign sparked the Cuban Revolution in January 1959, Cuban immigrants fled to Miami and found refuge in the neighborhood that is now Little Havana. In light of Castro’s dictatorship, the U.S. government passed the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act in 1962, a move that offered refugees escaping political or religious persecution funding and government programs to start a new life in the United States. Freedom Tower immediately became home to the official Cuban Assistance Center and was the destination of choice for Cuban immigrants coming to Miami, who naturally started settling near the tower and gradually formed their own community just west of Downtown Miami. Cuban refugees found homes, opened Cuban-owned businesses and proudly shared their Cuban heritage, earning this community the nickname of La Pequeña Habana, or Little Havana. Their settlement started a new chapter in Miami’s history that would forever shape the city’s culture and transform it into the extraordinary and dynamic melting pot it is today.

Learn more about the history of Little Havana during Viernes Culturales. Meet at Futurama 1637 Art Galleries at 7 p.m. and join a free Little Havana Walking Tour led by HistoryMiami Museum’s resident historian, Dr. Paul George.

The Beginning of Viernes Culturales

It all started in 1984, when the City of Miami Planning Department – in conjunction with the City of Miami Commission, the Latin Chamber of Commerce, the Little Havana Development Authority and community merchants, residents, design professionals and neighborhood leaders – conducted a Latin Quarter Study. In 1996, the results of that study led the Little Havana Neighborhood Planning Program to recommend a year-round series of art exhibits, dance, music, poetry, theater and film events and neighborhood historic tours to preserve and highlight the culture of Little Havana.

From there, the nonprofit organization Viernes Culturales/Cultural Fridays Inc. was formed with a mission to “promote cultural awareness of Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood, and to act as a cultural liaison for the artistic community and the general public of Miami, visitors and tourists.” On May 26, 2000, the debut Viernes Culturales attracted 2,000 people. Today, the number of monthly attendees has more than doubled, and Viernes Culturales has become a catalyst for economic and cultural growth in Little Havana, now named a National Treasure by the National Trust of Historic Preservation.

The Food

Get a real taste of Miami’s Cuban heritage through its food. First-time visitors must try the Cuban staples, including a thimble of strong, sweet Cuban coffee, an empanada or guava and cheese pastelito from a ventanita (little window), a mojito from a Little Havana rum bar or a Cuban sandwich made with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and yellow mustard and pressed between two pieces of crusty Cuban bread. For a taste of the area’s classics, visit El Rey de las Fritas, known for its fritas (Cuban-style burgers made of ground beef and chorizo and topped with fried potato strings); Sanguich de Miami, a no-frills Cuban sandwich spot; or Ball & Chain, a restored jazz-era nightclub that also serves Cuban classics for lunch and dinner. If you’re craving something sweet, head to Azucar Ice Cream Company for artisanal ice cream and sorbet made with tropical and Cuban-inspired flavors, such as sweet plantains or café con leche. A traditional fruteria (fruit shop) is always a good idea. Stop by one for fresh sugarcane juice or a batido (a tropical fruit milkshake).

Rooted in inclusivity, Little Havana is home to a range of restaurants, food trucks and food stands that serve more than just Cuban cuisine. During Viernes Culturales, try delicious options for Mexican, Spanish, Thai, Sushi, Chinese and Uruguayan food, tapas and more.

The Art

Viernes Culturales gives local creators an opportunity to share their culture and traditions through art. Wander up and down Calle Ocho to see murals and mosaic art depicting symbols of Cuban heritage – such as cigars, musical instruments and tropical fruit – and even famous Cuban faces, like revolutionary poet José Martí and singer Celia Cruz. The neighborhood’s galleries aren’t to be missed, including Futurama 1637 Art Galleries, a creative workspace made up of 12 art studios and exhibits by 37 local artists, and Cubaocho Museum and Performing Arts Center, a museum and gathering space with an impressive collection of 19th- and early- to mid-20th century Cuban art, live music, well-made mojitos, cigars and even a research library. At Máximo Gómez Park (known as Domino Park), local artisans sell everything from handcrafted jewelry and Cuban coffee cups to paintings, written works and more.

The Entertainment

It’s impossible to miss the large stage in the middle of Calle Ocho, which showcases music and dance performances by top local and international artists, including salsa bands, folkloric dance groups and the Cuban timba band Timbalive. Many restaurants host their own live music – a mix of Cuban music and jazz – while DJs keep the crowds dancing all night long. Shake your hips to flamenco dancers and Mariachi bands in Domino Park, or make it a movie night and catch the latest indie film at Tower Theater Miami, which has been on Calle Ocho since 1926.

General Information

Date/time: Third Friday of every month, from noon to 11 p.m. (though many establishments will stay open later).

Cost: Admission is free, but all food, drinks, art and souvenirs are available for purchase. Donations are recommended for the guided walking tour.

Parking: Find free parking at the public lot on 14th Avenue (between Southwest 8th and 9th streets), on 16th Avenue (between Southwest 7th and 8th streets) and in private parking lots on Calle Ocho (between 13th and 14th avenues). Street parking is available, if you can find it.

By: Jennifer A. | December 14, 2023