Miami Beach rings in the New Year with Orchestra Miami, Miami's premiere professional orchestra, and a spectacular free beachfront concert featuring Grammy and Latin Grammy-nominated Afro-Cuban funk band PALO!.
This free, family-friendly event will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 31 on the beach in Collins Park, between 21st & 22nd Streets (on the sand east of Collins Avenue).
The evening begins at 8 p.m. with a performance by the Orchestra Miami String Quartet, performing festive holiday music. At 10 p.m., Orchestra Miami, led by Artistic Director Elaine Rinaldi will take the stage with special guests PALO! leading up to a dazzling fireworks display at midnight.
Orchestra Miami Artistic Director and Conductor Elaine Rinaldi. (Photo by Ada Stevens)
"We are thrilled to once again present our annual New Year's Eve concert," said Elaine Rinaldi, artistic director of Orchestra Miami.
"This concert is truly a celebration of all things Miami. I couldn’t be more excited to perform with such exceptional musicians and bring our community together to celebrate the start of the new year with some fantastic music. Not to mention, seeing the fireworks right behind the stage is thrilling!!"
Dance in the New Year with PALO!’s sizzling blend of Cuban Salsa and Latin Jazz at Orchestra Miami’s annual New Year’s Eve Celebration on Miami Beach.
The band will perform its original hits including “Al Monte,” “Crescencio” and “Fumando.”
This unforgettable concert will showcase the dynamic vocals of Cuban singers Miriam Mar, Julio Cesar Rodriguez Delet, and Dannah Santiago, whose irresistible flute solos will make you dance.
The fiery rhythms of percussionists Otto Santana and Alfredo Chacon will light up the party with Cuban fire, while saxophonist Aldo Salvent brings his electrifying unpredictability.
At the heart of it all, bandleader Steve Roitstein fuses these elements with a foundation of edgy, unforgettable rhythms.
"We are honored to be performing with Orchestra Miami on this special occasion," said Roitstein, founder of PALO!. "We can't wait to help Orchestra Miami throw a big musical party and start 2026 with a bang!"
Grammy and Latin Grammy-nominated Afro-Cuban funk band PALO! performs on New Year's Eve with Orchestra Miami.
Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or a beach chair, as no fixed seating is provided for the general public. Guests may bring picnics, but glass containers are strictly prohibited on the beach.
VIP tickets which include a reserved seat, access to open wine bar and a champagne toast at midnight, are available for $150 per person. Or reserved seating can be purchased for $75.
Parking is available at the Collins Park Garage, located at 340 23rd Street, or the G7 Garage in the 1755 Meridian Building or in the 17th Street Garage.
The event is sponsored by the City of Miami Beach, the Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, BHI Miami Limited Corporation, 13th Floor Investments, Witkoff/the Shore Club, the Collins Park Neighborhood Association, Commissioner Eileen Higgins, Commissioner Micky Steinberg, the Sagamore South Beach, Terra Group, 1 Hotel South Beach.
According to Rinaldi, the collaboration between Orchestra Miami and PALO! will create a truly unprecedented musical experience.
Founded in 2006 by Artistic Director Elaine Rinaldi, Orchestra Miami mission is to bring affordable concerts of quality symphonic music to all people in Miami-Dade County.
Orchestra Miami’s signature programs include the “Beethoven on the Beach” free outdoor concerts, its “Discover Miami Through Music” series, the Family Fun Concert Series at Pinecrest Gardens and the Carnegie Hall Link Up Education program, in partnership with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Orchestra Miami consists of a select group of professional musicians, all permanent residents of South Florida.
Orchestra Miami New Year's Eve Celebration is Wednesday, Dec. 31. Pre concert with the OM String Quartet at 8 p.m.; the main event with the PALO! starts at 10 p.m. at Collins Park, on the sand between 21st & 22nd Streets, east of Collins Avenue) in Miami Beach. The concert is free but VIP tickets which include a reserved seat, access to the cash bar and a champagne toast at midnight, are available for $150 per person. Reserved seat, $75.
For information, visit OrchestraMiami.org or call (305) 274-2103.
