The 2026 Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival will take place on Saturday, March 21, at South Beach Park, Fort Lauderdale Beach, featuring a 5K walk, headliner Queen Latifah, live music, and community activities. This is a community-powered event that raises funds for local HIV and AIDS service organizations across South Florida, supporting prevention, care, and vital support services. The 2026 edition marks a celebration of 20 years of impact, combining a 5K walk with a full day of music, entertainment, and community engagement.
Queen Latifah is a rapper, songwriter, and actress. Included among her awards are: a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two NAACP Image Awards. She was also nominated for an Academy Award for playing Mama Morton in the feature musical Chicago. In 2006, she became the first hip-hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
I asked Russell Walker, Southern Bureau Deputy Chief about the walk and he said: “Having celebrated 20 years of local impact, AHF is thrilled of what’s in store for this year’s Florida AIDS Walk. As we go into this next chapter, attendees can anticipate more great entertainment, great fun as we come together to raise even more money for an important cause.”
The Walk starts at 10am, beginning and ending at the Fort Lauderdale Beach Park parking lot and the route is North on A1A to Sebastian Street, west to Birch Road, north on Birch Road to Vistamar Street, then east back to A1A and return to the park. This is a 5K Walk: Approximately 3.1 miles, taking 1–2 hours to complete.
The music festival featuring live performances, DJs, drag shows, and concerts start around 8:45am, but the major acts start after the walk is over. There will also be food trucks and bars offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, and a memory wall to honor those lost to HIV/AIDS, selfie spots, and tents from beneficiary organizations and sponsors
If you’re registered to walk, run, or fundraise for the 5K event, you have already secured your spot to attend the Music Festival. Simply stick around after the 5K and head over to the concert area. If you’d like to walk, run, or fundraise for the 5K, follow the link below to sign up today. If you aren’t fundraising or walking in the 5K but still would like to attend the music festival, simply fill out a brief form with your basic contact info, and for a $25 fee, you’re ready to go.
You can participate in many ways: walk, run, donate, or attend the music festival. There are also volunteering opportunities assisting with setup, registration, hydration stations, directional support, and cleanup. Attending or volunteering at the Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival is a meaningful way to support the community, enjoy live entertainment, and contribute to a vital cause.
You can also be a vendor. Vendors help bring the music festival to life. Become a part of Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival and showcase your brand to thousands of passionate attendees. Take advantage of this incredible opportunity to make a meaningful impact while promoting your business to the community.
Every dollar raised supports local AIDS service organizations, including the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, helping fund essential services and community programs. The event also serves to raise awareness, educate the community, and inspire collective action to combat HIV/AIDS in South Florida.
AHF partnered with FlockFest to bring you an official after-party later that afternoon—completely FREE for the first 300 Florida AIDS Walk participants. Just show your Florida AIDS Walk wristband at the door. The event is 21+ This Flockfest Splash Pool Party takes place at the Easton Rooftop Pool (721 N. Federal Highway) from 2 to 7pm.
Hotspots Happening Out is thankful to be one of the beneficiaries of this year’s Florida AIDS Walk and we invite you to join one of our teams or donate by going to Hotspotsmagazine.com/walk
For more information, to become a walker, to purchase tickets for the music festival or for any other reason visit: Floridaaidswalk.org
