Press Release Heritage Fest 2026 - Free, all-day celebration of Black culture is back and bigger than ever!
February 7, 2026
HERITAGE FEST 2026
Free celebration of Black culture and art in South Florida is back and bigger than ever!
An all-day festival featuring workshops, community vendors and fun for the whole family, culminating in a juke joint celebration starring
THE CIEL EXPERIENCE
Saturday, February 7, 2025
12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
FREE
Ziff Ballet Opera House
Miami, FL – January 5, 2026 – The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County (@arshtcenter) is proud to present the seventh annual HERITAGE FEST on Saturday, February 7, 2025. This year’s celebration is bigger than ever, with a free, all-day event taking place across the Arsht campus for all ages featuring dance and movement workshops, theater and dance performances and a community marketplace featuring local Black-owned businesses, followed by an 18+ juke joint party that evening starring The CieL Experience (@thecielexperience).
High-resolution photos and broll available here.
Admission to Heritage Fest is free – RSVP here. Heritage Fest will be taking place outdoors with some indoor activities.
Heritage Fest is presented by the Arsht with generous support from Miami Downtown Development Authority.
This year’s Heritage Fest will feature interactive drumming with Rashaad Green (@ rashaad_greene); African dance workshop with Nzingah Oniwosan (@yesbabyilikeitraw); poetry, music and dance by Dr. Alana Jackson; hip-hop and tap performances by Armour Dance Theatre (@armourdancetheatre); cultural dance and stepping performance by Las Paisanas (@_laspaisanas_) and Elite Sole Steppers (@elitesolesteppers); jazz performance by Young Musicians Unite (@youngmusiciansunite); dance theatre presentation by Terrence Pride (@tmprideofficial) and DJ Cardi (@djcardi_) returns for a 90-minute set celebrating Black culture. The festival will also feature two one-woman plays by actor and writer Ann C. Perry (@liverichdiepoorzorasstory) about the life and legacy of Harlem Renaissance writer Zora Neale Hurston. Miami-based band The CieL Experience (@thecielexperience) will cap off the day with a cool blend of hip-hop, R&B, swing and traditional Haitian music. Themed food platters and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the day.
Starting at 6 p.m., the celebration will transition to a juke joint-style dance party for ages 18+ starring The CieL Experience. This second headlining set will feature special guest artists Arsimmer McCoy and King Friday.
The CieL Experience combines the styles of R&B, swing, hip-hop, and traditional Haitian music, rooted in the harmonies and improvisation of the American jazz tradition. Saxophonist and band leader Claudens Louis explores the infinite possibilities of these genres by using the different backgrounds, cultures and influences within the group to present fresh compositions and arrangements accessible to a wide range of listeners. Each piece is a personal extension of their soul and tells a story.
ABOUT ARSHT IMPACT PROGRAMS
Heritage Fest is one of the more than a dozen ongoing Arsht Impact programs that create magical experiences and enrich the lives of more than 120,000 people of all ages in Miami, for free. Programs include: Arsht for Miami, a vibrant series of free community events for all ages; Gospel Fest Miami, a six-month season of celebration of gospel music’s rich history and vibrant culture; AileyCamp Miami, a full-scholarship, six-week summer camp which uses dance as a vehicle for the personal development of young people; CommuniTea Dance, an annual celebration honoring Miami's LGBTQ+ community; Arsht on the Road, a series of pop-up performances that bring the arts into Miami-Dade County's diverse neighborhoods; Arsht Plus, interactive pre- and post-show experiences connecting audiences more deeply with each Broadway, classical and dance performance; Accessing the Arts Residencies, performance workshops for children and adults with disabilities; and Brushes with Cancer, a program that matches artists with patients, survivors and caregivers touched by cancer to create art reflective of their journeys.
*All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Visit ArshtCenter.org for up-to-date information.
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is made possible by the public support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council and the City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, and the state of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Adrienne Arsht Center also receives generous support from individuals, corporations and local, state and national foundations.
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About the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County
Since opening in 2006 in the heart of downtown, the Arsht proudly serves as the cultural pulse of Miami – the heart of magical live arts experiences that spark the imagination and connect people to one another. Whether on our stages or in your neighborhood, the Arsht is alive year-round with international artists, innovative programming from resident companies and local arts partners, free community events that reflect Miami’s unique identity and more than 100 culturally diverse and impactful learning experiences for 80,000 children every year.
The Arsht, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has been recognized as a leader in the Miami’s cultural transformation, producing more than 400 annual events that generate 11,500 local jobs and $125 million in economic impact. The Arsht is home to a robust series of touring Broadway musicals, star-studded jazz and classical music concerts curated for South Florida, an award-winning Miami-based theater program and numerous historic and televised events. Free annual Arsht events, such as Gospel Fest Miami, Art + Mind Day, Heritage Fest and our LGBTQ+ Pride celebration bring together people from all corners of our community. For more information, visit ArshtCenter.org.
Click here for hi-res images and video
MEDIA CONTACTS
Alexandra Medina
786-468-2234
amedina@arshtcenter.org
Gino Campodonico
786-468-2228
gcampodonico@arshtcenter.org