Get ready for the URGE Miami Thanksgiving Festival, one of the world’s biggest LGBTQ+ events and circuit parties. After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, URGE is back and better than ever. Taking place across Greater Miami & Miami Beach from Friday, November 26 through Monday, November 29, 2021, URGE boasts three massive evening events, the legendary Sunday Beach Party and a Monday morning after-hours event. With four days of parties, URGE has everything you need to keep dancing until the world (or at least the party) ends.
Miami and URGE: A Perfect Fit
Michael Lozano, a spokesperson for URGE and one of the organizers, is excited for travelers from across the world to descend on Miami for the festival. “There are many reasons why Miami is the perfect place for our upcoming festival,” he says. “Diversity is first and foremost one of the key aspects of the Miami experience, and our festival aims at bringing people together from all walks of life.”
Circuit parties such as URGE are popular within the LGBTQ+ community. Lozano describes circuit parties as “themed dance events with curated music, state-of-the-art installations and performers, generally held in large venues. They emerged out of gay communities in New York around the late 1970s. They are largely owned and operated by members of the community and they have served as an important safe space for sexual and gender expression. Musically, they have evolved to incorporate elements of house, dance and techno music.”
What to Expect
The fun begins on Friday, November 26 at M3 Studios, a unique event space near Miami International Airport (MIA), with the ARENA/WeParty. The circuit party will feature international all-star DJs, including Las Bibas from Vizcaya and Alex Lo. The following night, Saturday, November 27, is the PAPA Sundown party at M3 Studios, presented by Israeli producer and model Eliad Cohen. The dance floor will be burning up with the tunes by Kidd Madonny, Jerac and Suri.
Lozano is particularly excited about the PAPA Sundown party. “We are excited to have Eliad Cohen collaborating this year, and his famous PAPA party will bring great energy and lots of fun to Miami,” he says. “URGE initially collaborated with Eliad several years ago at the former Cameo Nightclub, but this marks the first time that PAPA will be at a major Miami festival!”
On Sunday, November 28, the iconic Lummus Park will play host to the daytime Beach Party at 12th Street in South Beach, featuring sounds by Phil Romano and Joe Gauthreaux. The iconic Beach Party is always an URGE highlight. For those who want to keep the party going once the sun goes down, there is the Holy-Wood Palo Santo dance party at Story Nightclub in South Beach, with DJ sets by Isaac Escalante and Renato Cecin.
“We are excited to bring back the massive Beach Party this year. Finally, our community can return to the beach and enjoy Thanksgiving weekend with the unmatched climate of Miami Beach,” says Lozano. “Story has been an icon in Miami's nightlife, equipped with lighting and visuals which are truly unmatched. M3 Studios is Miami's largest independently owned television and film studio and provides a massive indoor (and outdoor) experience for festival goers.”
URGE culminates early the morning of Monday, November 29 with The After, the official after-hours party. The Elks event venue in Little Haiti will come alive starting at 5 a.m. with Morabito and Onyx on the turntables.
Where to Stay During URGE
The picturesque Kimpton Angler’s Hotel South Beach, voted one of the Top 15 Hotels in Miami Beach by Travel & Leisure magazine, serves as the host hotel for URGE guests. Offering special discounted rates, the hotel is the ideal place for those looking to both unwind and let loose. The hotel is also centrally located near the hub of gay nightlife in Miami Beach, including popular spots such as Twist, Palace Bar & Restaurant, Nathan’s Bar and Score Nightclub.