Special Event Sponsorship Program

The City of Miami Beach Special Event Sponsorship Program is for events held in Miami Beach. The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance and in-kind support to local festivals, special events, community events, or programming that attracts quality events and promotes community engagement and elevates Miami Beach as a world-class tourist destination. The City recognizes the important role that quality and well-financed events play in supporting the special event community, as well as the promotion of tourism, economic and cultural development efforts as a whole for the city.

The City of Miami Beach will consider sponsoring special events, community projects, or programs designed to accomplish one or more of the following goals and objectives, with 51% of the participants from outside of the sponsoring organization:

• Provide unique and engaging experiences that increase resident quality of life;
• Verified to increase tourism by hotel rooms block contract(s) and targeted tourist attendance;
• Promote Miami Beach as a national and international tourist destination;
• Events must be accessible to the general public; and
• Strengthen Miami Beach by enhancing the City’s Cultural Events.

The Special Event Sponsorship Program applications for funding will be awarded per fiscal year.

The program application can be found at City of Miami Beach - Special Events (gosmart.org)

For events held October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026, the applications will be open January 1 – February 28, 2025, and staff will make recommendations to the City Commission on or before April 2025.

Applicants must follow an extensive review process that reviews non-profit status, length of event, history of event, hotel room block, whether attendees are regional, national and/or international, resident/community benefit, marketing, and public relations exposure, utilization of local venues and more.

Applicants must meet all application requirements, including deadlines, or the application will be disqualified.

A mandatory dollar for dollar ($1 to $1) match is applicable to all applicants.  Applicants must demonstrate this match through cash, other matching sponsorships, and/or in-kind contributions.

Applicants applying through a “fiscal agent” are not eligible.

For more information, please review the Special Events Sponsorship Program Guidelines or contact Events@miamibeachfl.gov.