Little Jam Fest returns to the University of Miami for its third year

By AI, Created 5:26 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Little Jam Fest is back on Saturday, May 16 at the University of Miami Student Center Complex, drawing families, educators and community members for a music-filled day centered on bilingual performance, creativity and culture. This year’s event adds a new youth stage program with The Miami Foundation and highlights South Florida’s Hispanic community.

Why it matters: - Little Jam Fest is designed as a shared family event, not a spectators-only show, which makes music and culture a hands-on experience for parents and children. - The festival’s focus on bilingual and Spanish-language performances speaks directly to South Florida’s diverse Hispanic communities. - A growing audience of more than 1,000 parents, children, educators and community members shows demand for offline family events built around culture and connection. - The event also gives young performers a public stage, expanding access to live performance opportunities for ages 9–16.

What happened: - Little Jam Fest returns for its third annual celebration on Saturday, May 16 at the University of Miami Student Center Complex in Miami. - Miami-based children’s music company Jam with Jamie created the festival. - Featured performers include Little Beats Miami, Jose and Josefina, and PJ Kids. - Coral Gables Commissioner Richard Lara and Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson are scheduled to appear for an on-stage proclamation and recognition. - The festival includes live performances, interactive jam sessions, sensory-friendly play zones, youth performers, creative activities and family-focused experiences.

The details: - This year’s festival highlights South Florida’s Hispanic community and the importance of early exposure to music and culture through bilingual and Spanish-language performances. - Little Beats Miami, Jose and Josefina and PJ Kids all build Spanish-language music, dance and interactive cultural experiences into their programs. - The University of Miami setting is meant to bring together college students, families and young children in one shared space. - Founder Jamie Kolnick said the festival is about bringing families together through joy, music and community. - Kolnick said Miami children should grow up experiencing different cultures, languages and styles of music in a way that feels fun, welcoming and inclusive. - New this year, Little Jam Fest is launching “Uplifting Young Voices” with The Miami Foundation. - The program gives young performers ages 9–16 across South Florida the chance to perform on the festival’s main stage. - Over the past two years, the festival has partnered with Baptist Health, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami Children’s Museum, Tonies, Team Citron, Sunset Pediatrics and local schools and businesses across South Florida. - In 2025, the City of Miami Beach issued a proclamation naming the event “Little Jam Fest Day.”

Between the lines: - Little Jam Fest is positioning itself as both a cultural event and a community-building platform. - The added youth stage suggests the festival is expanding from entertainment into talent development and local visibility for young artists. - The Miami Beach proclamation and this year’s recognition from Coral Gables signal growing civic support for the festival’s role in the region. - The event reflects a broader appetite among South Florida families for experiences that combine education, culture and participation rather than passive entertainment.

What’s next: - The festival takes place Saturday, May 16, with the new youth performance program included this year. - Families can expect an all-day event built around live music, participation and cultural activities. - Little Jam Fest will likely use the new partnership with The Miami Foundation to deepen its reach among young performers across South Florida. - More information is available on Little Jam Fest’s Instagram.

The bottom line: - Little Jam Fest is trying to become a fixture in South Florida’s family calendar by pairing music, bilingual culture and hands-on community experiences.