One of the world’s most anticipated LGBTQ events will have the largest lineup of DJs it has ever had this year. For 2016, Winter Party Festival will showcase 12, energy-raising dance events featuring 31 DJs from all over the world, including hometown favorites from Miami. Feel the pulse of each beat from March 2 – 7 at legendary venues throughout South Florida.
“Our guests love coming here to party with international superstar DJs as well as the rising star DJs we bring in to showcase,” says Justin Bell, Winter Party Festival Chair for 2016. “We’re especially excited that this year marks the biggest DJ roster we’ve ever had.”
Getting things started at the official Winter Party launch celebration, Spark!, will be NYC and Fire Island club fixture and South Beach favorite DJ AJ Reddy. The party gets started Wednesday, March 2, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Shelborne Wyndham Grand, 1801 Collins Ave, Miami Beach.
The show continues on with Winter Party’s first ever Latin dance party, Fever, which will spotlight Miami’s DJ Otto, DJ B Pozzo and DJ Carlos G. Fever will take place Wednesday, March 2, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., at Bailo Nightclub, 7020 NW 72nd Avenue, Miami Beach.
VIPs need celebratory mood music too. Setting the ambience for the VIP Cocktail Reception, sponsored by The Art of Shaving, will be Brazilian DJ/Producer Rafael Barreto. The “Who’s Who” of the local and international LGBTQ community will gather to honor Miami Beach Police Detective Juan Sanchez as they mix and mingle to the beats of the DJ with South Beach as their backdrop all from the rooftop of the New World Symphony, America's Orchestral Symphony. Thursday, March 3, 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. New World Symphony, 500 17th St., Miami Beach.
Dance first, combust later. That’s the natural order of how the night during Ignite will be with Canadian DJ Alain Jackinsky and Mexican DJ Alex Acosta. March 3 will be a night guests listen to music that illuminates everyone. Thursday, March 3, 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., Score Nightclub, 1437 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach.
DJs Seth Cooper and Chris Tavi will be taking guests higher for Winter Party’s annual rooftop party at Elevate, Friday, March 4, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Highbar, 1111 Collins Ave, Miami Beach.
Art is music. And music is art. With her unparalleled knack for mixing hip-hop, house, electro and the occasional “surprise” track, DJ Zehno will keep the vibe going as guests peruse the art for sale at ArtScape. Friday, March 4, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Pridelines, 6360 NE 4th Ct, Miami.
Feel the vibration in each beat that’s played during Winter Party’s March 4 dance event, Pulse. Enjoy the rhythms of DJs Ivan Gomez, Isaac Escalante and Deanne. Friday, March 4, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., Club Space, 34 NE 11th St., Miami.
At Saturday’s Under One Sun Pool Party, the crowd will be in speedos, board shorts and bikinis as Moroccan DJ Jalil Z and Chicago DJ Ralphi Rosario play the music that sets everyone free. Saturday, March 5, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Shelborne Wyndham Grand South Beach, 1801 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. General admission tickets only remaining.
After the pool party, it will really get steamy at Sweat. Join South Florida-based DJ Doug Jackson as he harnesses Winter Party's heat and moves the party to Wilton Manors for leather and fetish aficionados. Saturday, March 5, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Hunter’s 2232 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL.
Experience an Energy like never before -- the intensity of DJ Abel’s music coupled with the musical diversity of DJ Danny Verde. The New York and Milan DJs will make dancers feel the surge of each beat, making it the ultimate experience they’ll remember from Winter Party Festival week. Saturday, March 5, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., Score Nightclub, 1437 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach.
On Sunday, Winter Party launches the first-ever Wet Day Party, an event for LGBTQ women hosted in association with icandee Events. Spinning from the rooftop terrace overlooking all of South Beach will be DJs Vanessa Behrens and Laura D. Sunday, March 6, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Highbar at the Dream South Beach, 1111 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach.
Sunday is the legendary highlight of Winter Party. The Beach Party isn’t just about the sun and the sand (and the thousands of beautiful people), but also the music that brings life to the city. DJ Dan Slater, DJ GRIND and his production partner DJ Toy Armada will be the ones who turn up the heat. Sunday, March 6, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Lummus Park, 12th Street and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach.
After the beach, guests will light up their mind, body and soul at Sunday’s Illuminate. They’ll lose themselves in the dance spotlight as London-based DJ GSP plays his own original beats. Plus, DJ Sushiman will play his infectious mix of house genres, including vocal, tribal, progressive, circuit tribal and open format. Sunday, March 6, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., The Palace, 1200 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach.
Zeus will not be disappointed on Sunday night. WE Party: Gods of Olympus will be a party of heroic proportions. Israeli DJ Sagi Kariv and Spanish DJ Sr. Edu will be playing the music that’s suited for all gods and mortals alike. Sunday, March 6, 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., Icon Nightclub, 1235 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach.
At ACTION! Afterglow guests will be dancing like no one is watching all morning long. DJ X Gonzalez's unique music style combines tribal drums, legendary house anthems and a spice of mainstream vocals. He’ll be joined by DJ Morabito’s musical ability to drive the night into the wee hours of the morning. Monday, March 7, 5 a.m. to 12 p.m., Heart Nightclub, 50 NE 11th Street, Miami.
DJs Marco da Silva and Pablo Lopez will make attendees wish it wasn’t the last party for the Winter Party Festival. The celebration is going out with a bang and Finale will be the party to remember with a special performance by Brazilian singer Amannda. Monday, March 7, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., Score Nightclub, 1437 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach.
Winter Party Festival is an iconic six-day celebration of diverse LGBTQ people from all over the world who come together to learn, live, laugh and forge lifelong relationships. Proceeds from the annual Winter Party Festival and the National LGBTQ Task Force Gala - Miami support the Task Force’s local and national advocacy, organizing, and leadership development work for LGBTQ people. Additionally, the Task Force contributes a significant portion of the proceeds from this event and the National LGBTQ Task Force Gala – Miami to The Miami Foundation’s GLBT Community Projects Fund. To date, these donations exceed $2.1 million and have benefited over 50 local organizations. Last summer, the organization made the largest donation in its history thanks to a record-breaking year for both events.
Winter Party Festival will run March 2 - 7, 2016 at venues throughout Miami Beach and Miami. To purchase passes, individual tickets or for more information on Winter Party Festival, visit www.winterparty.com.
