Miami Beach Gay Pride 2018 Parade, Fireworks And More

MIAMI BEACH, FL — The colorful Miami Beach Gay Pride event got underway on Monday night with a special flag raising ceremony at Miami Beach City Hall followed by a tribute to the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. The week-long festival wraps up on Sunday with a parade, special performances and a spectacular evening fireworks display along South Beach.

To kick off the event, Miami Beach hosted the ceremonial raising of the rainbow flag on Monday. The event took place at 1700 Convention Center Drive outside city hall.

Later that night the Can Community Health presented the Stella Rosa Champagne Reception followed by the Miss Miami Beach Gay Pride Pageant.

The newly crowned winner was to represent Pride all year and perform on the main stage during this year's Pride festival.

The pageant was held at the Faena Theater, 3201 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach.

Pride's "Flip the Switch" event also took over Lincoln Stage at 1111 Lincoln Road as a tribute to the Pulse nightclub shooting victims.

Pulse survivor Laura Vargas of Miami thew the switch to illuminate buildings throughout Miami-Dade County in rainbow flag colors.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Miami Beach Gay Pride event.

As in other years, the highlight of Miami Beach Gay Pride will be Sunday's parade along Ocean Drive. The parade will feature antique vehicles, dancers and vibrant floats with celebrities like Gay Pride Grand Marshal and Olympic silver medalist skier Gus Kenworthy.

Here is a rundown of events, including those that have already taken place.

TUESDAY

Spotlight Mega-Mixer
Mingle and network with more than 200 members and guests of the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.at the Shore Club. Cocktails courtesy of Bacardi and GREY GOOSE Vodka. Complimentary food nibbles courtesy of the Shore Club.

Admission was to include participation in a drawing for prizes provided by chamber members including the opportunity to be on the chamber float in the Pride Parade along.

The Shore Club is located at 1901 Collins Avenue. Click hereto purchase tickets.

WEDNESDAY

2nd Annual Miami HEAT Loud & Proud Dance Party

Celebrate life and diversity at the 2nd Annual Miami Heat Loud & Proud Dance Party from 9 p.m. to after midnight.

Presented by Ultimate Software, this event was to be held on the Xfinity East Plaza at AmericanAirlines Arena

Admission is free and open to the public but attendees must be 18 and older. Click here to RSVP.

THURSDAY

PAMM Free Community Night: Pride

This Pride celebration on the Miami waterfront features live music, Pride-themed cocktails, drag performances, art-making and more.

The event was to run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the waterfront terrace at Perez Art Museum.

Hosted by Karla Croqueta, the event was to include sets by DJ Hottpants and DJ ZEHNO as well as drag performances by Tiffany Fantasia, KUNST, Queef Latina, Noel Leon. It also includes Pride-themed cocktails, and a House of Lords vogue showcase.

Click here to RSVP.

FRIDAY

Hard Rock Stadium Pride Lights At Night

Hard Rock Stadium was to display Pride Lights at Night beginning on Friday night through Saturday. This is intended to be a tribute to PULSE, an evening where buildings and structures throughout greater Miami were to be lit with rainbow colors in remembrance of the PULSE victims, their family and friends.

Look for the stadium to change colors sometime around 7:40 p.m.

VIP Gala at the Faena Forum

Presented by the Azuri Center, the event runs from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Faena Forum.

It features special guest host Julie Goldman with entertainment courtesy of Celebrity Cruises.

Tickets cost $100 in advance or $125 at the door. The Faena Forum is located at 3300 Collins Ave. Click here to purchase tickets.

Basement Pride Kick Off Party

The party starts at 11 p.m. and runs until 5 a.m. on Saturday at the Edition Hotel. The venue features a nightclub, bowling alley and ice-skating rink — with award-winning sound and lighting.

Presale tickets start at $20. Click here to purchase tickets.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

Tito’s Love Shack
Tito’s Handmade Vodka will be offering a Love Potion #10 cocktail and glitter application to Pride-goers on Saturday and Sunday. The Love Shack can be found at 1130 Washington Ave.

Pridelines Youth District & Safe Zone
This event runs from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The Pridelines Youth District & Safe Zone is a new, fun, interactive Pride zone dedicated to LGBTQ young people and their allies, ages 14-20.

The event features free food and non-alcoholic beverages and is intended as a safe space packed with activities and surprises. The event includes fantasy makeup, special guests, selfie opportunities with Miami’s top drag queens, neon dance parties, a graffiti wall, contests, prizes and more.

You can also stop in to charge your devices, cool off, get information and resources or just hang out with friends.

Visit @PridelinesYouth on Instagram to see a full lineup of activities.

Lambda Living Lounge
Check out the lounge on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. Geared toward the "more experienced" Pride goers, you can stop by to get out of the sun, relax and enjoy healthy snacks and surprises. The lounge is presented by Jewish Community Services /Lambda Living and supported by VITAS Healthcare, Seniors in Action, and Impactout International Initiative. It is located at Lummus Park, 404 NW 3 Street.

Beach Party Festival Village in Lummus Park with Expo
This beach party runs from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday with two main stages of entertainment and DJs along with a Kids Zone. Catch DJ Yazz on Saturday's Main Stage from noon to 6 p.m. and Australia’s Dan Slater from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Unscripted with Gus Kenworthy and Roxanne Vargas: An intimate Q&A with the Pride Marshals
Get to know this year's Grand Marshals on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The 10th anniversary Grand Marshals will speak about their commitment and support of the LGBTQ community. The audience can also ask questions in an unplugged-style personal conversation.

BB&T VIP Lounge - Saturday and Sunday
The lounge will be open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday but is sold out.

Enjoy front-row VIP status for the Miami Beach Pride Festival from the exclusive BB&T VIP tent located right in front of the main stage. You will also receive complementary cocktails and delicious food all day long as you watch the main stage entertainment and browse through the Festival attractions. You will also receive exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities with Pride VIPs, celebrities and performers.

Saturday Headliner Performance: Betty Who
The concert gets underway at 9 p.m. on Saturday from the Festival’s main stage in Lummus Park just off Ocean Drive and 11th Street in Miami Beach. Presented by Celebrity Cruises singer-songwriter and all-around fierce performer Betty Who (@BettyWho), known for recent hits “I Love You Always Forever” and “Ignore Me” will become the first artist to headline Miami Beach Gay Pride’s Saturday Beach Party Festival to mark Pride’s momentous 10-year anniversary and its ever-growing popularity.

URGE: Proud
The official Saturday night dance party takes over Score Nightclub from 10 p.m. on Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday. It features Spanish DJ Nacho Chapado and Superstar DJ Paulo. Tickets: $35 early bird; $45 discount general admission; $95 VIP includes vodka open bar until 2 am and commemorative T-Shirt. The event was sold out. Score is located at 1437 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach.

Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade Viewing Party
The viewing party takes place on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There are two prices available:

• $150 with a bottle of Verve Clicquot Or Moet & Chandon Champagne
• $80 Per person (without champagne)

Palace brunch guests this year can enjoy a cool and swanky seat right on Ocean Drive under an oversize terrace with commentary throughout the parade by host Tp Lords. You will also enjoy a delicious brunch from a special “Pride Brunch” menu and a personal bottle of chilled champagne (choose from Veuve Clicquot) as well as a few surprises throughout the seating. This event sells out every year and tables are going fast. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy this year’s parade at Palace. For more information, contact info@palacesouthbeach.com.

“Garden of Eve” Women’s Pavilion
This event takes place on Sunday from noon to 10 p.m at Lummus Park. Special guest appearances by Julie Goldman and Brandy Howard from “The People’s Couch” and the Dumb Gay Politics podcast at 5 p.m.

10th Anniversary Pride Parade
The pièce de résistance of Pride takes place on Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. This year's parade features more than 70 entries along iconic Ocean Drive from 5 to 15 Streets.

10th Anniversary Pride Festival
The Pride Festival follows the parade with the Expo and international performances, along with 125 vendor booths, food and cocktails, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over the ocean from noon to 10 p.m. Sunday's opening ceremony takes place on the main stage around 2 p.m. following the conclusion of the parade. Special guest emcee Julie Goldman. Welcome remarks, Grand Marshals, special 10th anniversary surprises. DJ Smeejay and much more. This event takes place at Lummus Park, 404 NW 3 Street.

Sunday Live on the Main Stage – Thelma Houston
Live on the Main Stage – Thelma Houston, Pop, R&B and Disco Grammy-Award Winning Music Icon graces the main stage at 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Sunday Headliner Performance: Taylor Dayne
The platinum-selling singer hits the main stage at 9 p.m. From platinum pop songs to chart-topping dance hits, Taylor Dayne is one of the most popular vocalists of the past three decades. The main stage is located in Lummus Park just off Ocean Drive at 12 Street in Miami Beach.

Fireworks
The 2018 Miami Beach Gay Pride event closes with a spectacular fireworks display sometime around 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Photo courtesy Miami Dolphins. Video courtesy city of Miami Beach.