Little Haiti Book Festival free events

The annual Little Haiti Book Festival, presented by the Miami Book Fair, will be Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex. Admission is free.

The Little Haiti Book Festival will feature authors from Haiti and the Haitian diaspora, literary panels and craft talks, workshops for writers, hands-on activities for children, a dance workshop and musical petting zoo, poetry, dance and music performances, and more.

Little Haiti Book Festival 2023. Photo courtesy of Palley Promotes

Here's the 2026 Schedule of activities:

MARKETPLACE

All Day Exhibitors, food vendors, and a book fair featuring local authors and publishers offering books in English, Haitian Creole, and French.

COURTYARD

All Day:
DJ Nickymix curates a playlist that embodies Haiti’s spirit with sounds of konpa, roots and rara.

All Day:
Cultural ambassador and creative advocate, Mecca “Grimo” Marcelin provides a tour through the festival experience to DJ Nickymix’s musical backdrop.

All Day: Free Books for Kids
Courtesy of Miami Book Fair and The Children’s Trust’s Books for Free program.

Noon: Koukouy à la Mode
Fashion show presented by Sosyete Koukouy, featuring bold designs inspired by Haitian culture, blending tradition and contemporary style in a celebration of identity.

3 p.m. NSL Danse Ensemble Performance
The dance troupe performs authentic Haitian folk dances.

4 p.m. Live Music With Ralph Caze
Caze's music blends jazz, funk, and Haitian rhythms to deliver an authentic Caribbean sound.

CHILDREN’S ALLEY

All Day: Create! Kids Art-Making Studio with GO GO MOAD
Children are immersed in Haitian art and culture through hands-on, playful activities through collaborative artwork designed to spark their imagination. They can also enjoy historical puzzles from Game Time Ayiti.

11 a.m. Storytelling With Liliane Nérette Louis
Cultural ambassador Liliane Nérette Louis brings tradition to life with beloved Haitian folktales through the call and response tim-tim bwa sèch tradition.

12 p.m. Storytelling, Rhythm & Drums With Yanui
Yanui blends stories and percussion and invites kids to move, listen, and create rhythm together.

1 p.m. Storytime With Annick Duvivier
Haitian American artist and author Annick Duvivier reads from her bilingual story James and Marie Become Friends, a joyful tale celebrating friendship, culture, and connection between Haiti and the United States.

2 p.m. I’ll Make Tea With M. Ketsia Theodore-Pharel
A warm and engaging storytime experience where children are invited to listen, imagine, and participate. Perfect for young readers and families to enjoy together.

3 P.M. Storytime With North Miami Beach Commissioner Daniela Jean
Author, educator, and public servant Commissioner Daniela Jean reads from her children’s book From the Classroom to City Hall. Through storytelling and conversation, she shares a journey built on education, leadership, and community, encouraging young readers to imagine their own paths and possibilities.

INSIDE THE LITTLE HAITI CULTURAL CENTER:

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Land & Sea Discovery Lab: Exploring Miami’s Coast Through Science and History
Hands-on experiments and interactive exploration led by Frost Science and HistoryMiami Museum staff to discover how both nature and human activity shape coastal communities.

Frost Science will demonstrate how waves, coral reefs, trees, and seawalls help protect shorelines through its Constructive Coastlines activity, while HistoryMiami will explore how Miami and its Caribbean communities developed along the coast, highlighting the ways land and sea have influenced culture, settlement, and daily life. In the Science Room.

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Teen Zine Workshop With EXILE Projects
Led by Haitian artist Edny Jean Joseph and presented by EXILE Projects, a hands-on workshop for kids ages 12-18 to create their own zines using collage, drawing, and storytelling. Teens will leave with a handmade zine and a new appreciation for DIY creativity. In the Community Room.

2-3:30 p.m. Haitian Entrepreneurship for Teens With Phelicia Dell & Delphine Nephtalie Dauphin
Internationally recognized designer and entrepreneur Phelicia Dell, founder of Vèvè Collections, shares how she built a brand rooted in Haitian culture, craftsmanship, and identity. Joining the conversation is the CEO of Joy’s Yummy Cupcakes and Born Ready Cosmetics, Delphine Nephtalie Dauphin. Together, they offer teens inspiration and practical insight into turning creativity, culture, and passion into real business opportunities. In the Community Room.

DANCE STUDIO

11 a.m. Meditation & Yoga for All Ages
Mindful Art educator Alexandra Jeanty-Leclerc shares simple yet effective techniques to calm the mind, reduce stress, and increase focus through mindful yoga practice.

1 p.m. Contemporary Haitian Dance With Nancy St. Leger
The founder of NSL Danse Ensemble leads a series of movements and choreography designed to help participants connect with the rhythm and spirit of Haiti.

THEATER

Noon Haiti’s Historical Contributions in the Making of America & the World
A panel highlighting the role Haitians have played in the making of America and in shaping the wider world. Ernst Julmeus of Sosyete Koukouy of Miami, and historians Alin Louis Hall and Anthony Georges-Pierre connect these past contributions to the present, illustrating how Haitian history continues to inspire and transform the globe today. Moderated by journalist Philippe St. Louis. In Haitian Creole with English interpretation.

2 p.m. Pawòl Granmoun: The Wisdom of Haitian Proverbs
Historians, sociologists, and cultural experts present a conversation on the rich tradition of Haitian proverbs – and the role they play in everyday life, education, and identity. Akademi Kreyòl Ayisyen’s Rosilia François Corneille, poet Miguel “Mingolove” Romain, and lyricist/artist Wooly Saint Louis Jean show how proverbs have evolved over time and are used in songs, storytelling, and daily conversations, and what they reveal about Haiti’s history and worldview. Moderated by advocate for Haitian Creole language and culture Maybeline Dugue-Despagne. In Haitian Creole with English interpretation.

5 p.m. The Last Songs of My Mother and Tonton With Celeste Landeros
Written and performed by Celeste Landeros, The Last Songs of My Mother and Tonton is a moving theatrical work rooted in the final year of Landeros’ mother, Jean Fraser, and Haitian percussionist Catelus “Tonton” Laguerre, who lived together under her care. Through music, storytelling, and shared memory, the performance traces their intertwined lives, exploring caregiving, loss, and the bonds that form across generations and cultures.

This play was developed through the Playwright Development Program with the support of the South Florida Theatre League and the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor, and Board of County Commissioners.

LAKOU LOUNGE & COMMUNITY GATHERING

All Day
Just steps from the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, Lakou provides a gathering space during the festival for all to enjoy food, drinks, games, and conversation. Meet festival VIPs and community leaders during scheduled appearances, listen to live podcast interviews with authors and special guests. Stick around after the festival, for an after-party featuring a DJ, food, and drinks.